TV-Series
Description
Benkei Hanawa is a character who appears across multiple installments of the Metal Saga, including a significant role in Beyblade: Shogun Steel. His journey throughout the series sees him evolve from a former antagonist into a loyal friend and mentor, and by the time of Shogun Steel, he has settled into a new chapter of his life.
In his youth, Benkei was the second-in-command of the Face Hunters, a gang of bladers led by Kyoya Tategami that bullied others and stole their Beypoints. He was large and physically imposing, with a tough exterior that masked a developing sense of kindness. A key turning point came when he befriended and began training a younger blader named Kenta Yumiya, an act of compassion that led to his expulsion from the gang. This event set him on the path to becoming a protagonist, fighting alongside Gingka Hagane and his friends against various threats. His defining trait became his fierce, unwavering loyalty to Kyoya, whom he deeply admires and follows with great devotion, always supporting him from the sidelines and hoping to stand beside him when it counts. During the events of the Big Bang Bladers tournament, he even joined Kyoya's team, Wild Fang, under the alter ego "The Masked Bull".
By the time of Beyblade: Shogun Steel, which takes place seven years after the events of the previous series, Benkei has retired from active competitive blading. He has matured physically, now sporting a beard, and his attire has changed to brown boots, green cargo pants, and a black jacket with a white puffy collar and yellow stripes. He has become the owner and operator of a fast-food restaurant called the Bull Burger, reflecting his long-established love for food, particularly hamburgers. His connection to the sport he loves continues through his work as a coach for the WBBA, the World Beyblade Battle Association.
In Shogun Steel, Benkei's primary motivation shifts from personal victory to nurturing the next generation of bladers. He encounters the new protagonist, Zero Kurogane, and agrees to help him train to become strong enough to defeat his rival, Shinobu Hiryuuin. He puts Zero through intense physical training that does not even involve a beyblade, emphasizing his belief that a blader's foundation is physical strength, followed by more strength, and then mental strength. His role in the story is that of a mentor and coach, using his past experiences to guide young bladers and help them realize their own potential. While it is mentioned that he has not seen his old friend Kyoya in a very long time, his loyalty remains a core part of his character.
His most important relationship remains with Kyoya Tategami, whose approval he has always sought. This relationship, however, has become one of memory and separation by the time of Shogun Steel. His connection to the new cast, particularly Zero and the others who frequent his restaurant, is central to his role. He also maintains a link to his past through Kenta Yumiya, who became a legendary blader, and Benkei references training him to inspire Zero.
Benkei's character development over the entire saga is substantial. He begins as a bully and a gang member, transforms into a loyal and heroic friend, and finally becomes a wise and supportive mentor. In Shogun Steel, he represents the culmination of this journey, having found a peaceful and productive life outside of the competitive circuit while still contributing to the beyblading community. He is an energetic and enthusiastic individual who is loud and expressive, but his heart is good, and his friendship is held in high regard by those who know him.
As a blader, Benkei was known for his raw power and his deep connection to his Beyblade, which matched his "heart of a bull". His primary Beyblade throughout his active years was Dark Bull H145SD, a Balance-type that he exploited as a pure Attack-type, using its massive strength to ram through opponents with special moves like Bull Upper and Red Horn Upper. Although he no longer battles competitively in Shogun Steel, his knowledge of the sport and his ability to train others demonstrate that his skills and understanding of beyblading remain sharp.
In his youth, Benkei was the second-in-command of the Face Hunters, a gang of bladers led by Kyoya Tategami that bullied others and stole their Beypoints. He was large and physically imposing, with a tough exterior that masked a developing sense of kindness. A key turning point came when he befriended and began training a younger blader named Kenta Yumiya, an act of compassion that led to his expulsion from the gang. This event set him on the path to becoming a protagonist, fighting alongside Gingka Hagane and his friends against various threats. His defining trait became his fierce, unwavering loyalty to Kyoya, whom he deeply admires and follows with great devotion, always supporting him from the sidelines and hoping to stand beside him when it counts. During the events of the Big Bang Bladers tournament, he even joined Kyoya's team, Wild Fang, under the alter ego "The Masked Bull".
By the time of Beyblade: Shogun Steel, which takes place seven years after the events of the previous series, Benkei has retired from active competitive blading. He has matured physically, now sporting a beard, and his attire has changed to brown boots, green cargo pants, and a black jacket with a white puffy collar and yellow stripes. He has become the owner and operator of a fast-food restaurant called the Bull Burger, reflecting his long-established love for food, particularly hamburgers. His connection to the sport he loves continues through his work as a coach for the WBBA, the World Beyblade Battle Association.
In Shogun Steel, Benkei's primary motivation shifts from personal victory to nurturing the next generation of bladers. He encounters the new protagonist, Zero Kurogane, and agrees to help him train to become strong enough to defeat his rival, Shinobu Hiryuuin. He puts Zero through intense physical training that does not even involve a beyblade, emphasizing his belief that a blader's foundation is physical strength, followed by more strength, and then mental strength. His role in the story is that of a mentor and coach, using his past experiences to guide young bladers and help them realize their own potential. While it is mentioned that he has not seen his old friend Kyoya in a very long time, his loyalty remains a core part of his character.
His most important relationship remains with Kyoya Tategami, whose approval he has always sought. This relationship, however, has become one of memory and separation by the time of Shogun Steel. His connection to the new cast, particularly Zero and the others who frequent his restaurant, is central to his role. He also maintains a link to his past through Kenta Yumiya, who became a legendary blader, and Benkei references training him to inspire Zero.
Benkei's character development over the entire saga is substantial. He begins as a bully and a gang member, transforms into a loyal and heroic friend, and finally becomes a wise and supportive mentor. In Shogun Steel, he represents the culmination of this journey, having found a peaceful and productive life outside of the competitive circuit while still contributing to the beyblading community. He is an energetic and enthusiastic individual who is loud and expressive, but his heart is good, and his friendship is held in high regard by those who know him.
As a blader, Benkei was known for his raw power and his deep connection to his Beyblade, which matched his "heart of a bull". His primary Beyblade throughout his active years was Dark Bull H145SD, a Balance-type that he exploited as a pure Attack-type, using its massive strength to ram through opponents with special moves like Bull Upper and Red Horn Upper. Although he no longer battles competitively in Shogun Steel, his knowledge of the sport and his ability to train others demonstrate that his skills and understanding of beyblading remain sharp.