TV-Series
Description
Masaru Hanashima is the coach of the Momoyama Predators, the children's soccer team at the center of the anime Ginga e Kickoff!!. His background is that of a former professional player: he was a star for the Chiba Thunderbolts, where he earned the nickname Lightning Light because of his powerful right-foot shot. He was on track to play in the J.League but suffered an injury that forced him to retire from competitive soccer, an event that deeply shaped his later attitudes. At the start of the series, he is introduced as a seemingly aimless drunkard idling on a park bench, but his soccer skill is immediately evident when the protagonist, Shou, watches him casually dribble and head the ball while intoxicated. Shou persistently asks Masaru to teach him how to head the ball and later to coach the team. Masaru initially refuses, citing a disappointing previous experience as a coach, but after spending time playing with the children and being worn down by Shou's continual requests, he eventually accepts the role.
Personality-wise, Masaru is easily provoked, especially by the Furuya brothers, whose teasing often forces him to demonstrate his professional-level abilities. He dislikes being called old man, as he does not consider himself particularly aged. Though he can appear grumpy and reluctant, he is deeply knowledgeable about soccer and cares about the team's growth. His motivations stem from a rediscovered passion for the sport and a sense of responsibility toward the children, as well as a desire to move past the bitterness of his own truncated career. His key relationships include his dynamic with Shou, whose enthusiasm reignites Masaru's commitment; the Furuya brothers, who constantly needle him; and the other members of the Momoyama Predators, whom he trains with a mix of tough love and tactical insight. Over the course of the story, Masaru develops from a disillusioned former athlete into a dedicated and effective coach, learning to trust the team's potential and his own ability to guide them. His notable abilities include his lightning-fast right kick, which remains a formidable weapon even after his retirement, and his strategic mind. He is responsible for devising several team tactics, such as the formations named Yoi, Daisan, Build, Change, Dango, and Uzumaki, as well as variations like Reverse and Figure Eight, which become central to the Predators' gameplay.
Personality-wise, Masaru is easily provoked, especially by the Furuya brothers, whose teasing often forces him to demonstrate his professional-level abilities. He dislikes being called old man, as he does not consider himself particularly aged. Though he can appear grumpy and reluctant, he is deeply knowledgeable about soccer and cares about the team's growth. His motivations stem from a rediscovered passion for the sport and a sense of responsibility toward the children, as well as a desire to move past the bitterness of his own truncated career. His key relationships include his dynamic with Shou, whose enthusiasm reignites Masaru's commitment; the Furuya brothers, who constantly needle him; and the other members of the Momoyama Predators, whom he trains with a mix of tough love and tactical insight. Over the course of the story, Masaru develops from a disillusioned former athlete into a dedicated and effective coach, learning to trust the team's potential and his own ability to guide them. His notable abilities include his lightning-fast right kick, which remains a formidable weapon even after his retirement, and his strategic mind. He is responsible for devising several team tactics, such as the formations named Yoi, Daisan, Build, Change, Dango, and Uzumaki, as well as variations like Reverse and Figure Eight, which become central to the Predators' gameplay.