TV-Series
Description
The group known as the Face Hunters is the primary antagonistic force at the beginning of Beyblade: Metal Fusion. The name Evil Face Hunter does not refer to a specific character but rather to the collective identity of this rogue blading gang. The group operates from a graffiti-covered old warehouse by the port, building a reputation that intimidates younger and less experienced bladers in the area.
As their name suggests, the Face Hunters engage in bullying weaker opponents to steal their Beypoints, a form of currency or ranking within the blading community. The group is substantial in size, counting approximately one hundred members, though the most prominent figures are its leadership. The feared and powerful leader of the Face Hunters is Kyoya Tategami, a major rival to the protagonist Gingka Hagane. Serving as the second-in-command is Benkei Hanawa, a large and aggressive blader whose initial loyalty to the group is driven by a desire to prove his strength. Beyond these two, the group's higher-ranking members are often simply designated as Face Hunter A, B, C, D, and E, each with distinct visual designs such as a cocky member with orange hair or another who wears a trench coat.
The Face Hunters' role in the story is to serve as the early obstacle that introduces the series' core conflict and themes. In their first appearance, they ambush the young blader Kenta Yumiya, only to be swiftly defeated by Gingka, who champions the concept of the Blader's Spirit over raw power and intimidation. This defeat leads to a famous confrontation where the entire group of 100 members, led by Benkei, battles Gingka in a massive one-versus-all match, which Gingka wins. Their motivations are primarily selfish and territorial, seeking to dominate local bladers and expand their influence. However, the group's dynamic changes when Kyoya is recruited away for special training by the Dark Nebula, a larger evil organization. During his absence, Benkei takes temporary command but eventually grows disillusioned with the group's tactics.
The Face Hunters' development is marked by their eventual disbandment and redemption. When Kyoya returns, he has become far more powerful but also more savage and isolated, and he formally disbands the group. This act frees his former followers from their role as antagonists. The individual members later shed their villainous image, appearing to cheer for protagonists and even joining a survival battle to prove themselves, signifying their transition from antagonists to supporting figures in the larger fight against the Dark Nebula. As a collective, the Face Hunters are known for their sheer numbers and coordinated attacks, particularly their signature 100 Bey Battle formation. While the individual grunts are not notable for specialized skills, their tactic is to overwhelm a single opponent through volume and group coordination, a strategy that ultimately proves ineffective against top-tier bladers like Gingka and Kyoya.
As their name suggests, the Face Hunters engage in bullying weaker opponents to steal their Beypoints, a form of currency or ranking within the blading community. The group is substantial in size, counting approximately one hundred members, though the most prominent figures are its leadership. The feared and powerful leader of the Face Hunters is Kyoya Tategami, a major rival to the protagonist Gingka Hagane. Serving as the second-in-command is Benkei Hanawa, a large and aggressive blader whose initial loyalty to the group is driven by a desire to prove his strength. Beyond these two, the group's higher-ranking members are often simply designated as Face Hunter A, B, C, D, and E, each with distinct visual designs such as a cocky member with orange hair or another who wears a trench coat.
The Face Hunters' role in the story is to serve as the early obstacle that introduces the series' core conflict and themes. In their first appearance, they ambush the young blader Kenta Yumiya, only to be swiftly defeated by Gingka, who champions the concept of the Blader's Spirit over raw power and intimidation. This defeat leads to a famous confrontation where the entire group of 100 members, led by Benkei, battles Gingka in a massive one-versus-all match, which Gingka wins. Their motivations are primarily selfish and territorial, seeking to dominate local bladers and expand their influence. However, the group's dynamic changes when Kyoya is recruited away for special training by the Dark Nebula, a larger evil organization. During his absence, Benkei takes temporary command but eventually grows disillusioned with the group's tactics.
The Face Hunters' development is marked by their eventual disbandment and redemption. When Kyoya returns, he has become far more powerful but also more savage and isolated, and he formally disbands the group. This act frees his former followers from their role as antagonists. The individual members later shed their villainous image, appearing to cheer for protagonists and even joining a survival battle to prove themselves, signifying their transition from antagonists to supporting figures in the larger fight against the Dark Nebula. As a collective, the Face Hunters are known for their sheer numbers and coordinated attacks, particularly their signature 100 Bey Battle formation. While the individual grunts are not notable for specialized skills, their tactic is to overwhelm a single opponent through volume and group coordination, a strategy that ultimately proves ineffective against top-tier bladers like Gingka and Kyoya.