TV-Series
Description
Ayumu Kannabe is a professional shogi player and a central rival to the protagonist, Yaichi Kuzuryu. He is a young man of the same generation as Yaichi, though he is two years older. Kannabe is considered a super-rookie in the shogi world, having passed the challenging 3-dan league of the Encouragement Society on his first attempt. His talent is evident in his rapid climb through the ranks, earning him the nickname "Next Meijin" due to his quick promotions within the Japan Shogi Association, which leads him to achieve Class A status before his twenties.
Kannabe is known for his unique and flamboyant personality, most notably his tendency to exhibit chuunibyou, or "eighth-grade syndrome" traits. He embraces a self-styled persona, calling himself God Cauldron, a direct English translation of the characters in his surname, and he is often seen wearing a white cape. He frames his rivalry with Yaichi as an epic battle between a holy knight and a demon king. Despite this dramatic exterior, he is a dedicated and filial son, helping his parents run their tofu shop whenever he has free time from his professional career. This early-rising routine instilled a weakness in him for very long shogi matches that stretch late into the night, a vulnerability he eventually works to overcome.
His primary motivation is his rivalry with Yaichi Kuzuryu. They have known each other since elementary school, when they met in the semifinals of a tournament, and their friendship has continued ever since. Kannabe is one of the few people who can match Yaichi in skill and also tolerate his eccentricities, and they frequently hold research meetings to improve their games. While Yaichi is his main rival, Kannabe shares a deep bond with his own teacher, Rina Shakando, whom he has been proposing marriage to since he was eleven years old. He also has a younger sister named Maria, who is a talented shogi player in her own right and shares some of her brother's eccentric traits.
Throughout the story, Ayumu Kannabe experiences significant development as a shogi player. Initially presented as a top-tier talent who has won awards for his winning streaks, his journey includes key losses that serve as learning experiences, such as a defeat by Yaichi's teacher, Kiyotaki. He works to overcome his weakness for night games and adapts to modern shogi, incorporating AI-influenced strategies into his play while respecting classical techniques. This growth culminates in a major title match against Yaichi, where he wins a full seven-game series to capture his first major title, The Emperor. He is also shown to serve as a commentator for televised shogi matches, demonstrating his standing in the professional community.
In terms of appearance, Kannabe is noted for being very handsome. His hair color is depicted as a shade of pink in some media and more purple in the anime adaptation, a change from his natural black hair as a child, suggesting he dyes it. He also has heterochromia, with one blue eye and one gold eye. His signature attire often includes a white suit and cape, which complements his chosen persona. His skill in shogi is of the highest caliber, known for being exceptionally strong in the mid-game and possessing a high rating that places him near the top of the professional rankings, making him one of the most formidable opponents for the protagonist.
Kannabe is known for his unique and flamboyant personality, most notably his tendency to exhibit chuunibyou, or "eighth-grade syndrome" traits. He embraces a self-styled persona, calling himself God Cauldron, a direct English translation of the characters in his surname, and he is often seen wearing a white cape. He frames his rivalry with Yaichi as an epic battle between a holy knight and a demon king. Despite this dramatic exterior, he is a dedicated and filial son, helping his parents run their tofu shop whenever he has free time from his professional career. This early-rising routine instilled a weakness in him for very long shogi matches that stretch late into the night, a vulnerability he eventually works to overcome.
His primary motivation is his rivalry with Yaichi Kuzuryu. They have known each other since elementary school, when they met in the semifinals of a tournament, and their friendship has continued ever since. Kannabe is one of the few people who can match Yaichi in skill and also tolerate his eccentricities, and they frequently hold research meetings to improve their games. While Yaichi is his main rival, Kannabe shares a deep bond with his own teacher, Rina Shakando, whom he has been proposing marriage to since he was eleven years old. He also has a younger sister named Maria, who is a talented shogi player in her own right and shares some of her brother's eccentric traits.
Throughout the story, Ayumu Kannabe experiences significant development as a shogi player. Initially presented as a top-tier talent who has won awards for his winning streaks, his journey includes key losses that serve as learning experiences, such as a defeat by Yaichi's teacher, Kiyotaki. He works to overcome his weakness for night games and adapts to modern shogi, incorporating AI-influenced strategies into his play while respecting classical techniques. This growth culminates in a major title match against Yaichi, where he wins a full seven-game series to capture his first major title, The Emperor. He is also shown to serve as a commentator for televised shogi matches, demonstrating his standing in the professional community.
In terms of appearance, Kannabe is noted for being very handsome. His hair color is depicted as a shade of pink in some media and more purple in the anime adaptation, a change from his natural black hair as a child, suggesting he dyes it. He also has heterochromia, with one blue eye and one gold eye. His signature attire often includes a white suit and cape, which complements his chosen persona. His skill in shogi is of the highest caliber, known for being exceptionally strong in the mid-game and possessing a high rating that places him near the top of the professional rankings, making him one of the most formidable opponents for the protagonist.