TV-Series
Description
Kūsuke Matsuno, commonly called Max, is a student at Raimon Junior High who becomes a member of the school's soccer club. He first encounters Endou Mamoru while Endou is recruiting new players and decides to join on a whim, claiming he wants to cure his boredom. Despite this casual start, he develops a genuine enjoyment for the sport and remains with the team throughout the Football Frontier tournament and the subsequent Aliea Gakuen crisis.
Max is easily recognized by his distinctive blue-and-pink striped knit hat with cat‑ear shapes, which he wears constantly, even during sleep. He has bright reddish‑brown hair tied at the back, though his full hairstyle is never shown without the hat. His appearance stands out even among the already colourful Raimon cast, and his light‑hearted, easy‑going nature makes him a likeable presence in the group.
His personality is marked by a tendency to become bored quickly. Before joining the soccer club, he drifted through various other school clubs, able to handle them adequately thanks to his natural athleticism and all‑around talent. This same trait makes him a versatile player on the pitch: he is described as a jack‑of‑all‑trades with well‑balanced abilities. He is not the most flashy or intense member of the team, but he performs reliably and can fill multiple roles. In the anime, he primarily plays as a midfielder, while in the games he is often classified as a forward.
As the story progresses, Max takes part in several key matches. His individual special techniques include Cross Drive and Quick Draw. During the Aliea Gakuen arc, he learns combination moves with his teammates: Revolution V, performed together with Shinichi Handa using the power of an Aliea meteorite, and Dark Phoenix, a three‑player move with Kazemaru Ichirouta and Someoka Ryuugo, also empowered by the Aliea meteorite.
Max’s role in the Raimon team is that of a solid supporting player rather than a leading star. He is one of the candidates for the national team, Inazuma Japan, but ultimately is not selected for the final roster. During the Dark Emperors arc, he is briefly swayed to join the opposing team, the Dark Emperors, under the influence of Dr. Ken’zaki Ryuichi, and during that period he uses Revolution V again with Handa. He eventually returns to the Raimon side.
His key relationships include his close teamwork with Shinichi Handa, with whom he often shares combination plays. He also bonds with other regular teammates such as Kazemaru and Someoka. Max is friendly with Endou and the rest of the club, though he does not have a major personal subplot or dramatic development arc. His presence is consistent and supportive, and he is remembered by fans as a cheerful, slightly mischievous character whose casual demeanour hides a capable and loyal player.
Max is easily recognized by his distinctive blue-and-pink striped knit hat with cat‑ear shapes, which he wears constantly, even during sleep. He has bright reddish‑brown hair tied at the back, though his full hairstyle is never shown without the hat. His appearance stands out even among the already colourful Raimon cast, and his light‑hearted, easy‑going nature makes him a likeable presence in the group.
His personality is marked by a tendency to become bored quickly. Before joining the soccer club, he drifted through various other school clubs, able to handle them adequately thanks to his natural athleticism and all‑around talent. This same trait makes him a versatile player on the pitch: he is described as a jack‑of‑all‑trades with well‑balanced abilities. He is not the most flashy or intense member of the team, but he performs reliably and can fill multiple roles. In the anime, he primarily plays as a midfielder, while in the games he is often classified as a forward.
As the story progresses, Max takes part in several key matches. His individual special techniques include Cross Drive and Quick Draw. During the Aliea Gakuen arc, he learns combination moves with his teammates: Revolution V, performed together with Shinichi Handa using the power of an Aliea meteorite, and Dark Phoenix, a three‑player move with Kazemaru Ichirouta and Someoka Ryuugo, also empowered by the Aliea meteorite.
Max’s role in the Raimon team is that of a solid supporting player rather than a leading star. He is one of the candidates for the national team, Inazuma Japan, but ultimately is not selected for the final roster. During the Dark Emperors arc, he is briefly swayed to join the opposing team, the Dark Emperors, under the influence of Dr. Ken’zaki Ryuichi, and during that period he uses Revolution V again with Handa. He eventually returns to the Raimon side.
His key relationships include his close teamwork with Shinichi Handa, with whom he often shares combination plays. He also bonds with other regular teammates such as Kazemaru and Someoka. Max is friendly with Endou and the rest of the club, though he does not have a major personal subplot or dramatic development arc. His presence is consistent and supportive, and he is remembered by fans as a cheerful, slightly mischievous character whose casual demeanour hides a capable and loyal player.