Benkei Hanawa is a returning character in Beyblade: Shogun Steel, having been a prominent blader throughout the preceding series of the Metal Saga. By the time of Shogun Steel, he has transitioned from a competitive fighter into a mentor and business owner, though his passion for beyblading remains as strong as ever.

Physically, Benkei has a large, sturdy build with a notable stomach, and his appearance has aged to reflect the passage of time. He now sports a beard and wears more mature attire, typically consisting of green cargo pants, brown boots with black laces, and a black jacket featuring a white puffy collar along with yellow stripes and pockets. His short purple hair remains mostly hidden beneath his signature white beanie hat, which still displays a red bull's skull emblem.

In terms of personality, Benkei is loud, energetic, and highly expressive. While his tough exterior and large frame might initially suggest a bully, he is genuinely kind-hearted and fiercely loyal to his friends. He often tries to hide his softer side to avoid appearing weak, but his enthusiasm and emotional nature frequently break through this facade. He remains an extremely determined individual who does not give up easily, though he has matured enough to recognize when he is outmatched, a lesson learned from past encounters with exceptionally powerful bladers. His loyalty is one of his defining traits, particularly toward his longtime best friend, Kyoya Tategami, whom he admires greatly.

During the events of Shogun Steel, Benkei has become the owner of a local fast-food restaurant called the Bull Burger. In addition to running his business, he also works occasionally as a registered coach for the WBBA, the World Beyblade Battle Association. In this capacity, he takes on the role of a mentor to the new generation of bladers, most notably the protagonist Zyro Kurogane. Recognizing Zyro's raw potential and burning passion to become the number one blader, Benkei devises a rigorous and creative training regimen for him. This training includes exercises such as running up steep hills while pulling a platform, holding heavy buckets of water with arms fully extended, and performing push-ups with a partner on his back. Benkei's training methods are tough and practical, designed to build not just a blader's physical strength but also their focus and endurance. He also hosts group training sessions at local beyblading parks, instructing young bladers on various techniques, and on one occasion, he forbids the use of Synchrom to focus on fundamental skills. Despite his best efforts to be a strict coach, he is still prone to moments of distraction, such as suddenly dashing off because he is late to open his burger shop.

Benkei maintains a friendly and supportive relationship with the young bladers he trains, including Zyro, Shinobu Hiryuin, and Maru, often offering them free meals at his restaurant after a long day of practice. He is a trusted figure who provides guidance and encouragement, believing in the new generation's ability to overcome threats like the organization DNA.

His notable abilities are rooted in his extensive experience as a veteran blader. Having battled alongside and against some of the most powerful bladers of his era, he possesses a deep well of knowledge about beyblade strategies, training techniques, and the importance of mental fortitude. While he is less frequently seen battling in Shogun Steel, his partnership with his beyblade, Dark Bull, which features a defense-oriented performance tip, reflects his own unyielding and steadfast nature. His role as a coach allows him to pass on this hard-earned wisdom, shaping the skills of the next generation much like the legendary bladers he once fought beside.