TV-Series
Description
Kintaro, whose full name is Kintaro Nanba, is a character from the Duel Masters anime who initially serves as the gatekeeper of the Junior Duelist Center, a temple-like facility where young duelists come to compete. He is a very short individual whose exact age is unknown to those around him, and he is frequently seen carrying a man-purse and an abacus, giving him a distinctive and somewhat eccentric appearance.
In terms of personality, Kintaro is bold and tenacious, having earned a reputation for his courage and dueling skill. He is talkative and carries himself with a sense of determination, though his role as gatekeeper means he is also a figure of authority within the temple's structured environment. Despite his serious duties, he quickly shows a friendly and loyal side after befriending the protagonist, Shobu Kirifuda, and his friends.
Kintaro's primary motivation is tied to his position as the temple's gatekeeper, a job that represents his life's dream. He takes his responsibilities seriously and is dedicated to his work. His role in the story is set in motion when he is forced to duel Shobu as a condition for Shobu to gain entry to the temple and face the champion, Hakuoh. This duel is a pivotal moment for Kintaro. Although he puts up a strong fight using a defensive strategy intended to lull Shobu into a false sense of security, he ultimately loses. Following his defeat, Hakuoh coldly fires Kintaro from his position as gatekeeper and forces him to hand over his access pass to Shobu. Devastated by this betrayal, Kintaro is befriended by Shobu's group and joins them, becoming an ally rather than an obstacle.
Key relationships define much of Kintaro's journey. His primary connection is with Shobu, whom he duels, loses to, and subsequently befriends. This friendship leads to his integration into the main cast. Another crucial but antagonistic relationship is with Hakuoh, the temple champion who discards Kintaro without hesitation after his failure, which motivates Kintaro's departure from the temple's service. Kintaro is also associated with the White Soldiers, the elite group of duelists loyal to Hakuoh; after Hakuoh's defeat, Kintaro is welcomed back as a member of this group, replacing another member named Benny Haha.
Throughout the series, Kintaro undergoes notable development. He transitions from being a formal, employed gatekeeper to a fired outcast, and finally to a loyal friend and respected member of the White Soldiers. His role continues in later seasons, where he is seen participating in major tournaments, such as dueling against Extreme Bucketman in the finals during the Duel Masters Charge season. He also appears in Duel Masters Versus Revolution, where he is defeated by a character named Rambo.
As a duelist, Kintaro has notable abilities and a specific strategic style. He uses a deck that combines the Fire and Nature civilizations. His strategy focuses on the manipulation of both players' mana, the resource used to cast spells and summon creatures. He employs cards that force opponents to send cards from their mana zone to the graveyard, thereby limiting their ability to play powerful cards. Simultaneously, he uses cards that allow him to cast spells or summon creatures for fewer mana, giving him a tactical advantage. This mana-focused mastery is his hallmark, and he is recognized as a true expert in this aspect of the game.
In terms of personality, Kintaro is bold and tenacious, having earned a reputation for his courage and dueling skill. He is talkative and carries himself with a sense of determination, though his role as gatekeeper means he is also a figure of authority within the temple's structured environment. Despite his serious duties, he quickly shows a friendly and loyal side after befriending the protagonist, Shobu Kirifuda, and his friends.
Kintaro's primary motivation is tied to his position as the temple's gatekeeper, a job that represents his life's dream. He takes his responsibilities seriously and is dedicated to his work. His role in the story is set in motion when he is forced to duel Shobu as a condition for Shobu to gain entry to the temple and face the champion, Hakuoh. This duel is a pivotal moment for Kintaro. Although he puts up a strong fight using a defensive strategy intended to lull Shobu into a false sense of security, he ultimately loses. Following his defeat, Hakuoh coldly fires Kintaro from his position as gatekeeper and forces him to hand over his access pass to Shobu. Devastated by this betrayal, Kintaro is befriended by Shobu's group and joins them, becoming an ally rather than an obstacle.
Key relationships define much of Kintaro's journey. His primary connection is with Shobu, whom he duels, loses to, and subsequently befriends. This friendship leads to his integration into the main cast. Another crucial but antagonistic relationship is with Hakuoh, the temple champion who discards Kintaro without hesitation after his failure, which motivates Kintaro's departure from the temple's service. Kintaro is also associated with the White Soldiers, the elite group of duelists loyal to Hakuoh; after Hakuoh's defeat, Kintaro is welcomed back as a member of this group, replacing another member named Benny Haha.
Throughout the series, Kintaro undergoes notable development. He transitions from being a formal, employed gatekeeper to a fired outcast, and finally to a loyal friend and respected member of the White Soldiers. His role continues in later seasons, where he is seen participating in major tournaments, such as dueling against Extreme Bucketman in the finals during the Duel Masters Charge season. He also appears in Duel Masters Versus Revolution, where he is defeated by a character named Rambo.
As a duelist, Kintaro has notable abilities and a specific strategic style. He uses a deck that combines the Fire and Nature civilizations. His strategy focuses on the manipulation of both players' mana, the resource used to cast spells and summon creatures. He employs cards that force opponents to send cards from their mana zone to the graveyard, thereby limiting their ability to play powerful cards. Simultaneously, he uses cards that allow him to cast spells or summon creatures for fewer mana, giving him a tactical advantage. This mana-focused mastery is his hallmark, and he is recognized as a true expert in this aspect of the game.