TV-Series
Description
Ryuuji Midorikawa, also known during his time as an antagonist as Reize or Lesse, is a character from the Inazuma Eleven series. He first appears as the captain of Gemini Storm, the second-ranked team within the Aliea Academy organization. As a member of Aliea, he is initially an enemy of the main characters, but after his team is defeated by Endou Mamoru and Raimon, he undergoes a significant change. His background is rooted in the Aliea Academy project, where he was conditioned to view soccer as a tool for domination, though underneath he retains a genuine passion for the sport.
Personality-wise, Midorikawa is revealed to be a loyal and dedicated friend once he sheds his cold, robotic demeanor from his Aliea days. He is earnest and hardworking, but sometimes struggles with self-confidence and physical stability, especially after joining the national team. His motivations shift from following orders to wanting to play soccer for its own sake and to support his teammates. He seeks to prove himself as a capable player outside of the Aliea system.
In the story, Midorikawa transitions from an antagonist to a supporting ally. After his defeat, he joins the newly formed Inazuma Japan team for the Football Frontier International tournament, representing his country. However, his tenure is cut short; he is left out of the team after the Asian Preliminaries final against Fire Dragon, which becomes a turning point in his development. He later returns in Inazuma Eleven GO as the secretary and close associate of Hiroto Kiyama, his best friend from the Aliea days.
Midorikawa’s key relationship is with Hiroto Kiyama, the former captain of Genesis and later a key figure in the sequel series. The two share a strong bond of friendship, and Midorikawa remains by Hiroto’s side in a supportive role. He also develops respect for Endou and the Raimon players, having been humbled by their strength and spirit.
Throughout the series, his development is marked by his growth from a brainwashed soldier to a reliable teammate, though he never fully reaches the top tier of players. In Inazuma Japan, he is shown as physically inconsistent, often struggling to maintain peak performance, yet his signature move, Lightning Accel, is consistently powerful and never broken during matches. His notable abilities include the hissatsu techniques Astro Break and Universe Shot, which he used as a member of Gemini Storm, and later Lightning Accel. In the video games, he also possesses Astro Gate. As a midfielder, he is known for his speed and technical skill, but his vulnerability under pressure limits his effectiveness in high-stakes games.
Personality-wise, Midorikawa is revealed to be a loyal and dedicated friend once he sheds his cold, robotic demeanor from his Aliea days. He is earnest and hardworking, but sometimes struggles with self-confidence and physical stability, especially after joining the national team. His motivations shift from following orders to wanting to play soccer for its own sake and to support his teammates. He seeks to prove himself as a capable player outside of the Aliea system.
In the story, Midorikawa transitions from an antagonist to a supporting ally. After his defeat, he joins the newly formed Inazuma Japan team for the Football Frontier International tournament, representing his country. However, his tenure is cut short; he is left out of the team after the Asian Preliminaries final against Fire Dragon, which becomes a turning point in his development. He later returns in Inazuma Eleven GO as the secretary and close associate of Hiroto Kiyama, his best friend from the Aliea days.
Midorikawa’s key relationship is with Hiroto Kiyama, the former captain of Genesis and later a key figure in the sequel series. The two share a strong bond of friendship, and Midorikawa remains by Hiroto’s side in a supportive role. He also develops respect for Endou and the Raimon players, having been humbled by their strength and spirit.
Throughout the series, his development is marked by his growth from a brainwashed soldier to a reliable teammate, though he never fully reaches the top tier of players. In Inazuma Japan, he is shown as physically inconsistent, often struggling to maintain peak performance, yet his signature move, Lightning Accel, is consistently powerful and never broken during matches. His notable abilities include the hissatsu techniques Astro Break and Universe Shot, which he used as a member of Gemini Storm, and later Lightning Accel. In the video games, he also possesses Astro Gate. As a midfielder, he is known for his speed and technical skill, but his vulnerability under pressure limits his effectiveness in high-stakes games.