TV-Series
Description
Kinji Shikano is a student and LBX player who initially appears as a member of Hanzou Gouda's gang, later becoming part of the anti-terrorism organization known as the Seekers. He is of average height and build and pilots a wild-framed LBX named Mad Dog, which is manufactured by Cyber Lance and has a distinct chameleon-like appearance with a reptilian head, protruding eyes, and a spiky yellow crest.
In terms of personality, Kinji is somewhat more reluctant and level-headed than his fellow gang members. During an early confrontation with Ban Yamano, Ami Kawamura, and Ryuu Daikouji, he shows visible hesitation when asked to participate in his team’s dramatic posing routine, and later expresses regret after seeing how his opponents reacted to the display. Despite being part of a group that engages in bullying and ambushes, he warns the three protagonists to leave rather than fight, suggesting an underlying sense of fairness or caution. However, he is not above mocking his teammates when they lose, as seen when he taunts Tetsuo after his defeat before engaging Ban himself. Kinji also displays a more comedic and easily annoyed side during training battles, such as when Tetsuo’s trash talk causes him to become irritated and fight back in a humorous manner.
Kinji’s primary motivation seems to be self-improvement as an LBX player, especially as greater threats emerge. While he starts as a minor antagonist following Hanzou Gouda, his focus shifts toward strengthening his skills to face the Innovators, a major enemy organization in the series. His commitment to growth is demonstrated in episode 25, where he battles Tetsuo at the gang’s hideout specifically to train for future conflicts.
His role in the story is that of a supporting character who transitions from a low-level adversary to an ally. In his debut appearance in episode two, he spots Ban and his friends asking about Gouda’s whereabouts and follows them into the slums behind Misora Junior High. He then informs his fellow gang members of the protagonists’ approach, setting up an ambush. During the ensuing three-on-three LBX battle, Kinji initially holds back, letting his allies fight while he observes. He later sends out Mad Dog to target Ban’s AX-00, using his LBX’s camouflage ability to become invisible and strike from hiding. His strategy is thwarted when Kaz uses a magnetic bomb to expose Mad Dog’s position, leading to its destruction. Following this loss, he retreats with the rest of the gang. Over time, Kinji’s association with Gouda’s group fades, and he aligns himself with the Seekers, fighting alongside former opponents against common enemies.
Kinji maintains key relationships with his teammates Tetsuo Kameyama and Riko Yazawa, as well as their leader Hanzou Gouda. While he works with them in battles and shares their hideout, his interactions with Tetsuo show a mix of rivalry and camaraderie, as they train together and exchange insults without lasting animosity. His relationship with the main characters evolves from antagonistic to cooperative as the series progresses and larger threats emerge.
Regarding development, Kinji grows from a minor antagonist who ambushes other players in back alleys to a more disciplined fighter who trains seriously and joins an organized anti-terrorism force. His early reluctance to participate in his gang’s theatrical poses hints at a personality not fully suited to thuggish behavior, and his eventual membership in the Seekers represents a more natural alignment with a structured, purpose-driven team.
Kinji’s notable abilities center on his piloting of Mad Dog, an LBX equipped with a special attack function called Invisible. This function allows Mad Dog to become completely undetectable to the naked eye for a limited duration, though continuous movement reduces the time it can remain hidden. The LBX is a wild-framed model with raptor-like legs and clawed arms featuring three hooked curved blades on each limb. Its arms also contain small water-pressure cannons that deal cutting damage. Kinji shows tactical awareness by using this camouflage ability offensively, striking from concealment when opponents are distracted. He also demonstrates strategic patience, holding Mad Dog back from the initial clash to observe the flow of battle before committing to an attack.
In terms of personality, Kinji is somewhat more reluctant and level-headed than his fellow gang members. During an early confrontation with Ban Yamano, Ami Kawamura, and Ryuu Daikouji, he shows visible hesitation when asked to participate in his team’s dramatic posing routine, and later expresses regret after seeing how his opponents reacted to the display. Despite being part of a group that engages in bullying and ambushes, he warns the three protagonists to leave rather than fight, suggesting an underlying sense of fairness or caution. However, he is not above mocking his teammates when they lose, as seen when he taunts Tetsuo after his defeat before engaging Ban himself. Kinji also displays a more comedic and easily annoyed side during training battles, such as when Tetsuo’s trash talk causes him to become irritated and fight back in a humorous manner.
Kinji’s primary motivation seems to be self-improvement as an LBX player, especially as greater threats emerge. While he starts as a minor antagonist following Hanzou Gouda, his focus shifts toward strengthening his skills to face the Innovators, a major enemy organization in the series. His commitment to growth is demonstrated in episode 25, where he battles Tetsuo at the gang’s hideout specifically to train for future conflicts.
His role in the story is that of a supporting character who transitions from a low-level adversary to an ally. In his debut appearance in episode two, he spots Ban and his friends asking about Gouda’s whereabouts and follows them into the slums behind Misora Junior High. He then informs his fellow gang members of the protagonists’ approach, setting up an ambush. During the ensuing three-on-three LBX battle, Kinji initially holds back, letting his allies fight while he observes. He later sends out Mad Dog to target Ban’s AX-00, using his LBX’s camouflage ability to become invisible and strike from hiding. His strategy is thwarted when Kaz uses a magnetic bomb to expose Mad Dog’s position, leading to its destruction. Following this loss, he retreats with the rest of the gang. Over time, Kinji’s association with Gouda’s group fades, and he aligns himself with the Seekers, fighting alongside former opponents against common enemies.
Kinji maintains key relationships with his teammates Tetsuo Kameyama and Riko Yazawa, as well as their leader Hanzou Gouda. While he works with them in battles and shares their hideout, his interactions with Tetsuo show a mix of rivalry and camaraderie, as they train together and exchange insults without lasting animosity. His relationship with the main characters evolves from antagonistic to cooperative as the series progresses and larger threats emerge.
Regarding development, Kinji grows from a minor antagonist who ambushes other players in back alleys to a more disciplined fighter who trains seriously and joins an organized anti-terrorism force. His early reluctance to participate in his gang’s theatrical poses hints at a personality not fully suited to thuggish behavior, and his eventual membership in the Seekers represents a more natural alignment with a structured, purpose-driven team.
Kinji’s notable abilities center on his piloting of Mad Dog, an LBX equipped with a special attack function called Invisible. This function allows Mad Dog to become completely undetectable to the naked eye for a limited duration, though continuous movement reduces the time it can remain hidden. The LBX is a wild-framed model with raptor-like legs and clawed arms featuring three hooked curved blades on each limb. Its arms also contain small water-pressure cannons that deal cutting damage. Kinji shows tactical awareness by using this camouflage ability offensively, striking from concealment when opponents are distracted. He also demonstrates strategic patience, holding Mad Dog back from the initial clash to observe the flow of battle before committing to an attack.