TV-Series
Description
Astero Black is the enigmatic coach of the Inazuma Japan national team in the Inazuma Eleven GO Galaxy storyline. His appearance is striking and familiar, as he bears a strong resemblance to the infamous Ray Dark, also known as Kageyama Reiji, a former antagonist from earlier series. In truth, Astero Black is Ray Dark himself, having survived a near-fatal incident thanks to an illegal drug. He resurfaces under this new alias when he is chosen by Axel Blaze to lead the new Japanese national team for the Football Frontier International Vision 2 tournament.
His background is steeped in the complex history of a man who once despised soccer due to a grudge against the Evans family, believing his own father was unfairly overshadowed. However, his time as Astero Black shows a different side. While he still possesses a dark and manipulative nature, it does not fully control him as it once did. He is a reflective and taciturn figure, often observing silently and rarely offering direct instructions during matches. He becomes irritated when players, particularly Riccardo Di Rigo, constantly ask him for guidance, as he believes players must learn to think and act autonomously on the field.
Astero Black's primary role in the story begins with the shocking announcement of the Inazuma Japan roster. Apart from the experienced trio of Arion Sherwind, Victor Blade, and Riccardo Di Rigo, the remaining eight players he selects are complete novices with no prior soccer experience, chosen from various schools for reasons that initially seem bizarre. This decision leads to public outrage and a disastrous 10-1 exhibition loss against the Royal Academy. His true motivation for this unusual selection is revealed to be his unique ability, granted by the illegal drug he took, to see a person's Totem or Soul. These are spiritual manifestations of a player's inner strength, and he believes this power is the key to winning the tournament. He enjoys the trust and favor of Mark Evans, Jude Sharp, and Axel Blaze, who understand his unorthodox methods.
Key relationships are central to his function as a coach. He works closely with his assistant, Glacia Vessal, who helps him manage the team. His relationship with the three experienced players is one of testing and observation, forcing them to lead and train their less capable teammates. With the novice players, he acts as a distant catalyst, creating difficult situations, such as organizing a trial that gives them the option to leave the team, to push them to discover their own resolve and potential. Throughout the qualifiers, he maintains a calm, almost detached demeanor, but his actions are always calculated to make the team grow.
Astero Black's development is subtle but significant. While he once openly admitted his goal was to become the lord of soccer, he never actively schemes to achieve this during the Galaxy arc. Instead, he seems more focused on the success of his team in the face of an interstellar threat. By the end of the story, after leading the team, which becomes known as Earth Eleven, he disappears, seemingly abducted by a beam of light from an alien spaceship, leaving his ultimate fate ambiguous. His journey marks a shift from a purely antagonistic role to a more complex and mysterious figure who, while still dangerous, facilitates the growth of a new generation of players.
In terms of notable abilities, Astero Black is a highly skilled coach with a deep understanding of the game's tactics. Beyond his coaching acumen, his most defining power is his capacity to perceive a player's Soul. In the video games, he also appears as a playable character, classified as a forward with the Mountain element. His stats are notably high in kicking and control, reflecting his technical proficiency, and he is described as a mysterious manager whose sunglasses hide the madness within.
His background is steeped in the complex history of a man who once despised soccer due to a grudge against the Evans family, believing his own father was unfairly overshadowed. However, his time as Astero Black shows a different side. While he still possesses a dark and manipulative nature, it does not fully control him as it once did. He is a reflective and taciturn figure, often observing silently and rarely offering direct instructions during matches. He becomes irritated when players, particularly Riccardo Di Rigo, constantly ask him for guidance, as he believes players must learn to think and act autonomously on the field.
Astero Black's primary role in the story begins with the shocking announcement of the Inazuma Japan roster. Apart from the experienced trio of Arion Sherwind, Victor Blade, and Riccardo Di Rigo, the remaining eight players he selects are complete novices with no prior soccer experience, chosen from various schools for reasons that initially seem bizarre. This decision leads to public outrage and a disastrous 10-1 exhibition loss against the Royal Academy. His true motivation for this unusual selection is revealed to be his unique ability, granted by the illegal drug he took, to see a person's Totem or Soul. These are spiritual manifestations of a player's inner strength, and he believes this power is the key to winning the tournament. He enjoys the trust and favor of Mark Evans, Jude Sharp, and Axel Blaze, who understand his unorthodox methods.
Key relationships are central to his function as a coach. He works closely with his assistant, Glacia Vessal, who helps him manage the team. His relationship with the three experienced players is one of testing and observation, forcing them to lead and train their less capable teammates. With the novice players, he acts as a distant catalyst, creating difficult situations, such as organizing a trial that gives them the option to leave the team, to push them to discover their own resolve and potential. Throughout the qualifiers, he maintains a calm, almost detached demeanor, but his actions are always calculated to make the team grow.
Astero Black's development is subtle but significant. While he once openly admitted his goal was to become the lord of soccer, he never actively schemes to achieve this during the Galaxy arc. Instead, he seems more focused on the success of his team in the face of an interstellar threat. By the end of the story, after leading the team, which becomes known as Earth Eleven, he disappears, seemingly abducted by a beam of light from an alien spaceship, leaving his ultimate fate ambiguous. His journey marks a shift from a purely antagonistic role to a more complex and mysterious figure who, while still dangerous, facilitates the growth of a new generation of players.
In terms of notable abilities, Astero Black is a highly skilled coach with a deep understanding of the game's tactics. Beyond his coaching acumen, his most defining power is his capacity to perceive a player's Soul. In the video games, he also appears as a playable character, classified as a forward with the Mountain element. His stats are notably high in kicking and control, reflecting his technical proficiency, and he is described as a mysterious manager whose sunglasses hide the madness within.