TV-Series
Description
Masaki Kariya is a first-year student and a defender for Raimon Junior High's soccer team in the Inazuma Eleven GO 2: Chrono Stone arc. His background is marked by hardship: at the age of eleven, he was placed into the Sun Garden orphanage after his father's company was defrauded and collapsed, leaving his family unable to care for him. It was Kira Hitomiko, the former coach of Raimon, who arranged for him to transfer to Raimon, seeing his potential in soccer. This difficult upbringing caused him to develop a deep mistrust of others, which heavily shapes his personality and actions.
Initially, Kariya presents himself as calm, polite, and timid, but this is a deliberate facade. In truth, he is shrewd, manipulative, and prone to aggressive, even rude behavior. He is skilled at deceiving people, and his real nature comes across as intimidating. This dual-sided personality is a defense mechanism born from his past experiences. His primary motivation in the early part of the story is self-protection; he keeps others at a distance and tests their sincerity. Over time, the unconditional trust and acceptance shown by his teammates, especially Matsukaze Tenma and Kirino Ranmaru, begin to break down his walls. He eventually stops wearing his false front and becomes more openly sarcastic and blunt, but also more loyal and honest with the team.
In the Chrono Stone storyline, Kariya plays an active role as a defender. When the timeline is altered by the organization El Dorado, he initially appears as a member of the light music club, having lost his soccer memories. After being brainwashed by Beta and later freed, he rejoins the Raimon squad and participates in time-travel adventures. He later becomes a member of the Entaku no Kishidan (Round Table Knights) and El Dorado Team 02. A key moment of his development occurs when he willingly gives up his chance to travel through time to the medieval French era, faking a stomachache so that Kirino can go instead. This selfless act shows his growing care for his friend and his willingness to put the team's needs above his own.
His most significant relationship is with Kirino Ranmaru. Initially, Kariya antagonizes Kirino, even falsely claiming to be a Seed sent by Fifth Sector just to upset him. However, after Kirino sees through his act and extends a hand of cooperation during a match, Kariya begins to respect him. Their dynamic evolves into a partnership marked by teasing and mutual understanding. He also forms close bonds with Tenma, Shinsuke, and Aoi, who never doubted him. Throughout the series, Kariya matures from a cynical loner into a dependable teammate who values the connections he has formed.
On the field, Kariya relies on his exceptional agility and acrobatic athleticism to play as a defender. He uses hissatsu techniques such as Hunter's Net, a defensive move that uses a net-like barrier to block opposing players and the ball, and Dimension Cut, which allows him to intercept passes. He does not acquire Miximax abilities during Chrono Stone, but his natural reflexes and speed make him a reliable member of the defensive line. His development is not only in skill but in his understanding of teamwork, as he learns to coordinate with others rather than acting alone.
Initially, Kariya presents himself as calm, polite, and timid, but this is a deliberate facade. In truth, he is shrewd, manipulative, and prone to aggressive, even rude behavior. He is skilled at deceiving people, and his real nature comes across as intimidating. This dual-sided personality is a defense mechanism born from his past experiences. His primary motivation in the early part of the story is self-protection; he keeps others at a distance and tests their sincerity. Over time, the unconditional trust and acceptance shown by his teammates, especially Matsukaze Tenma and Kirino Ranmaru, begin to break down his walls. He eventually stops wearing his false front and becomes more openly sarcastic and blunt, but also more loyal and honest with the team.
In the Chrono Stone storyline, Kariya plays an active role as a defender. When the timeline is altered by the organization El Dorado, he initially appears as a member of the light music club, having lost his soccer memories. After being brainwashed by Beta and later freed, he rejoins the Raimon squad and participates in time-travel adventures. He later becomes a member of the Entaku no Kishidan (Round Table Knights) and El Dorado Team 02. A key moment of his development occurs when he willingly gives up his chance to travel through time to the medieval French era, faking a stomachache so that Kirino can go instead. This selfless act shows his growing care for his friend and his willingness to put the team's needs above his own.
His most significant relationship is with Kirino Ranmaru. Initially, Kariya antagonizes Kirino, even falsely claiming to be a Seed sent by Fifth Sector just to upset him. However, after Kirino sees through his act and extends a hand of cooperation during a match, Kariya begins to respect him. Their dynamic evolves into a partnership marked by teasing and mutual understanding. He also forms close bonds with Tenma, Shinsuke, and Aoi, who never doubted him. Throughout the series, Kariya matures from a cynical loner into a dependable teammate who values the connections he has formed.
On the field, Kariya relies on his exceptional agility and acrobatic athleticism to play as a defender. He uses hissatsu techniques such as Hunter's Net, a defensive move that uses a net-like barrier to block opposing players and the ball, and Dimension Cut, which allows him to intercept passes. He does not acquire Miximax abilities during Chrono Stone, but his natural reflexes and speed make him a reliable member of the defensive line. His development is not only in skill but in his understanding of teamwork, as he learns to coordinate with others rather than acting alone.