TV-Series
Description
Kazemaru Ichirouta begins his journey in Inazuma Eleven as a talented member of the track and field club at Raimon Junior High. He is recruited by his friend Endou Mamoru to join the struggling soccer team, which is short on players for an upcoming match against the powerful Teikoku Gakuen. After witnessing Endou's intense dedication during solo practice and being enticed by the promise of facing strong opponents, Kazemaru agrees to help and soon develops a genuine passion for soccer, leaving the track club behind permanently.
In terms of personality, Kazemaru is characterized as a competitive yet kind-hearted individual. He enjoys challenging players who are stronger than himself and is generally friendly and supportive towards his teammates. However, beneath this calm exterior lies a struggle with self-doubt and confidence issues, particularly when under high pressure. He harbors a deep-seated fear of not being able to keep up with the evolving strength of those around him. This internal conflict makes him one of the more expressive characters, as he sometimes experiences conflicted feelings about his own abilities and his place on the team. Despite these insecurities, he possesses strong leadership qualities, often acting as a reliable vice-captain and a steadying influence, earning him the reputation as Raimon's hidden captain.
Physically, Kazemaru is known for his aquamarine hair, which is most often tied back in a ponytail with a red or orange band, with long bangs that cover his left eye. His defining attribute on the field is his incredible speed, a talent he developed during his time in track and field. This speed forms the foundation of his playing style as a defender and later a midfielder, allowing him to execute rapid dribbling techniques and swift defensive maneuvers. Over the course of the series, his appearance evolves; in the Inazuma Eleven GO series, he is notably taller and wears his hair down except for a small half-moon ponytail at the back.
Kazemaru's role in the story is significant, as his personal struggles often drive major plot points. During the conflict with Aliea Gakuen, he becomes overwhelmed by the opponents' immense power and his perceived inability to contribute. Consumed by a desperate thirst for strength, he leaves Raimon and joins the alien academy, becoming the captain of their ultimate team, the Dark Emperors. Under the corrupting influence of the Aliea Meteorite, he becomes an antagonist, forcing his former teammates to fight him. His departure has a profound impact on Endou, who falls into a deep slump, highlighting how crucial Kazemaru is to the team's spirit. Ultimately, Endou's unwavering passion for soccer breaks the meteorite's control, freeing Kazemaru and allowing him to reunite with his friends.
His key relationships are central to his development. His bond with Endou Mamoru, his childhood friend and the team's captain, is the most important. He is one of the few people Endou openly relies on for emotional support, serving as his confidant. This closeness makes Kazemaru's betrayal in the second season all the more painful, and his return all the more triumphant. He also shares strong friendships with other teammates, such as Kabeyama Heigorou, whom he mentors in defensive tactics, and develops reliable partnerships on the field with players like Gouenji Shuuya and Fubuki Shirou.
Over the course of the series, Kazemaru shows significant development. He starts as a hesitant recruit, grows into a dependable core member of Raimon, and then hits a low point where he succumbs to his insecurities. His time as a member of the Dark Emperors serves as a crucible, forcing him to confront his weaknesses. Emerging from this experience, he matures into a more resilient player. By the third season, he is chosen as a representative for Inazuma Japan, where his leadership is formally recognized when he serves as the temporary captain of the national team during a critical match, guiding his teammates in the absence of Endou and Kidou.
Regarding his notable abilities, Kazemaru's signature speed manifests in several hissatsu techniques. He frequently uses Shippuu Dash, a dribbling move that allows him to blow past defenders. In a collaborative effort with Gouenji, he developed the offensive technique Honoo no Kazamidori. As he grows stronger, he masters moves that channel wind itself, such as Fuujin no Mai, and powerful combination shots like Tatsumaki Otoshi with Kabeyama and The Hurricane with Fubuki. While under the influence of the Aliea Meteorite as a member of the Dark Emperors, he could perform moves like Bunshin Defense and Dark Phoenix, showcasing the dangerous power he briefly commanded.
In terms of personality, Kazemaru is characterized as a competitive yet kind-hearted individual. He enjoys challenging players who are stronger than himself and is generally friendly and supportive towards his teammates. However, beneath this calm exterior lies a struggle with self-doubt and confidence issues, particularly when under high pressure. He harbors a deep-seated fear of not being able to keep up with the evolving strength of those around him. This internal conflict makes him one of the more expressive characters, as he sometimes experiences conflicted feelings about his own abilities and his place on the team. Despite these insecurities, he possesses strong leadership qualities, often acting as a reliable vice-captain and a steadying influence, earning him the reputation as Raimon's hidden captain.
Physically, Kazemaru is known for his aquamarine hair, which is most often tied back in a ponytail with a red or orange band, with long bangs that cover his left eye. His defining attribute on the field is his incredible speed, a talent he developed during his time in track and field. This speed forms the foundation of his playing style as a defender and later a midfielder, allowing him to execute rapid dribbling techniques and swift defensive maneuvers. Over the course of the series, his appearance evolves; in the Inazuma Eleven GO series, he is notably taller and wears his hair down except for a small half-moon ponytail at the back.
Kazemaru's role in the story is significant, as his personal struggles often drive major plot points. During the conflict with Aliea Gakuen, he becomes overwhelmed by the opponents' immense power and his perceived inability to contribute. Consumed by a desperate thirst for strength, he leaves Raimon and joins the alien academy, becoming the captain of their ultimate team, the Dark Emperors. Under the corrupting influence of the Aliea Meteorite, he becomes an antagonist, forcing his former teammates to fight him. His departure has a profound impact on Endou, who falls into a deep slump, highlighting how crucial Kazemaru is to the team's spirit. Ultimately, Endou's unwavering passion for soccer breaks the meteorite's control, freeing Kazemaru and allowing him to reunite with his friends.
His key relationships are central to his development. His bond with Endou Mamoru, his childhood friend and the team's captain, is the most important. He is one of the few people Endou openly relies on for emotional support, serving as his confidant. This closeness makes Kazemaru's betrayal in the second season all the more painful, and his return all the more triumphant. He also shares strong friendships with other teammates, such as Kabeyama Heigorou, whom he mentors in defensive tactics, and develops reliable partnerships on the field with players like Gouenji Shuuya and Fubuki Shirou.
Over the course of the series, Kazemaru shows significant development. He starts as a hesitant recruit, grows into a dependable core member of Raimon, and then hits a low point where he succumbs to his insecurities. His time as a member of the Dark Emperors serves as a crucible, forcing him to confront his weaknesses. Emerging from this experience, he matures into a more resilient player. By the third season, he is chosen as a representative for Inazuma Japan, where his leadership is formally recognized when he serves as the temporary captain of the national team during a critical match, guiding his teammates in the absence of Endou and Kidou.
Regarding his notable abilities, Kazemaru's signature speed manifests in several hissatsu techniques. He frequently uses Shippuu Dash, a dribbling move that allows him to blow past defenders. In a collaborative effort with Gouenji, he developed the offensive technique Honoo no Kazamidori. As he grows stronger, he masters moves that channel wind itself, such as Fuujin no Mai, and powerful combination shots like Tatsumaki Otoshi with Kabeyama and The Hurricane with Fubuki. While under the influence of the Aliea Meteorite as a member of the Dark Emperors, he could perform moves like Bunshin Defense and Dark Phoenix, showcasing the dangerous power he briefly commanded.