TV-Series
Description
Osamu Saginuma, known during his time at Aliea Academy under the alias Desarm, is a recurring character in the anime Inazuma Eleven. He debuts in the second season as the captain of Epsilon, the top-ranked team of Aliea Academy, where he serves primarily as the goalkeeper. He is an orphan who was raised at Sun Garden, the same facility that produced many of the Aliea Academy players. His appearance is striking and memorable: he has long dark hair wrapped around his neck like a scarf, eyes with black sclera, a hooked nose, and a noticeably slender frame. He speaks in an old-fashioned, haughty manner and refers to himself with the formal pronoun watashi.
As Desarm, Saginuma initially embodies the cold, calculating nature of Aliea Academy's invasion force. He is extremely precise and issues orders in very small units of time, and he is only satisfied when events unfold exactly according to his plan. He presents himself as arrogant and superior toward his opponents, and in his early matches he treats soccer purely as a means of crushing Raimon. Over the course of his battles with Raimon, however, he gradually discovers the genuine pleasure of playing the sport. His demeanor softens into that of a passionate soccer enthusiast, and it becomes clear that his fighting spirit rises the stronger his opponent is. Although he plays as goalkeeper in most matches during this period, his natural position is forward, hinting at his unusual versatility from early on.
In the third season, Saginuma appears under his real name as a third-year middle school student. He is deeply disappointed when he is not invited to participate in the selection process for the Japan national team, especially since another Sun Garden orphan, Ryuuji Midorikawa, is called up and eventually joins the squad. Rather than giving up on his ambition to compete against the world, Saginuma dedicates himself to personal training and pleads with coach Kira Hitomiko to help him build a team. He gathers other strong but overlooked players across the country and forms Neo Japan, a rival national team created specifically to challenge Inazuma Japan for the right to represent the country. Within Neo Japan, he plays as a midfielder and serves as captain, acting as the team's playmaker and leader on the field.
Saginuma's development is most visible in the contrast between his earlier and later roles. As an invader, he is rigid, guarded, and emotionally distant, viewing matches as operations to be executed rather than experiences to be enjoyed. After his defeat by Raimon and his exclusion from the national team selection, he channels his frustration into self-improvement and becomes a more open, determined competitor. Neo Japan is built on the principle of players teaching one another their special techniques, and Saginuma embraces this team-oriented approach rather than relying on individual superiority. Through this process, he masters several moves that originally belonged to his teammates. His rivalry with Inazuma Japan and its captain, Endou Mamoru, becomes one of mutual respect, and even after Neo Japan is defeated, he remains committed to improving so that he can eventually earn a place among Japan's best.
Saginuma's key relationships are defined by his growth as a leader and a teammate. His Epsilon teammates address him with the respectful title Desarm-sama, reflecting the authority he holds as their captain. His bond with Kira Hitomiko is significant, as she becomes the coach of Neo Japan at his request and supports his ambition to test himself against the world. His connection to Ryuuji Midorikawa highlights the theme of overlooked talent, since both were raised at Sun Garden yet took different paths to the international stage. In later series, Saginuma continues to appear in roles that build on his experience as a captain and mentor. In Inazuma Eleven GO, he works as an assistant coach for Seidouzan, helping younger players develop. In Inazuma Eleven: Ares no Tenbin, he is a goalkeeper for Eisei Gakuen, and in Inazuma Eleven: Orion no Kokuin, he finally earns a place on the Inazuma Japan squad as a member of the national team. In the Chou Jigen Dream Match special, he also appears as a goalkeeper for the Inazuma Battle Eleven.
Saginuma's notable abilities are rooted in his rare versatility, as he is capable of performing at a high level as a goalkeeper, a forward, and a midfielder, making him one of the few characters to play all three positions. His goalkeeping is built on strong reflexes and dependable catching techniques, while his offensive play demonstrates considerable kicking power and tactical awareness. His signature special moves include the Worm Hole and Drill Smasher for defense, along with Gungnir, Illusion Ball, Dash Storm, Triangle Z, and a remastered version of God Knows, several of which he learns through Neo Japan's practice of sharing techniques among teammates. Combined with his tactical mind, precise planning, and natural commanding presence, these abilities allow him to anchor a team whether he is protecting the goal, directing the midfield, or leading from the front.
As Desarm, Saginuma initially embodies the cold, calculating nature of Aliea Academy's invasion force. He is extremely precise and issues orders in very small units of time, and he is only satisfied when events unfold exactly according to his plan. He presents himself as arrogant and superior toward his opponents, and in his early matches he treats soccer purely as a means of crushing Raimon. Over the course of his battles with Raimon, however, he gradually discovers the genuine pleasure of playing the sport. His demeanor softens into that of a passionate soccer enthusiast, and it becomes clear that his fighting spirit rises the stronger his opponent is. Although he plays as goalkeeper in most matches during this period, his natural position is forward, hinting at his unusual versatility from early on.
In the third season, Saginuma appears under his real name as a third-year middle school student. He is deeply disappointed when he is not invited to participate in the selection process for the Japan national team, especially since another Sun Garden orphan, Ryuuji Midorikawa, is called up and eventually joins the squad. Rather than giving up on his ambition to compete against the world, Saginuma dedicates himself to personal training and pleads with coach Kira Hitomiko to help him build a team. He gathers other strong but overlooked players across the country and forms Neo Japan, a rival national team created specifically to challenge Inazuma Japan for the right to represent the country. Within Neo Japan, he plays as a midfielder and serves as captain, acting as the team's playmaker and leader on the field.
Saginuma's development is most visible in the contrast between his earlier and later roles. As an invader, he is rigid, guarded, and emotionally distant, viewing matches as operations to be executed rather than experiences to be enjoyed. After his defeat by Raimon and his exclusion from the national team selection, he channels his frustration into self-improvement and becomes a more open, determined competitor. Neo Japan is built on the principle of players teaching one another their special techniques, and Saginuma embraces this team-oriented approach rather than relying on individual superiority. Through this process, he masters several moves that originally belonged to his teammates. His rivalry with Inazuma Japan and its captain, Endou Mamoru, becomes one of mutual respect, and even after Neo Japan is defeated, he remains committed to improving so that he can eventually earn a place among Japan's best.
Saginuma's key relationships are defined by his growth as a leader and a teammate. His Epsilon teammates address him with the respectful title Desarm-sama, reflecting the authority he holds as their captain. His bond with Kira Hitomiko is significant, as she becomes the coach of Neo Japan at his request and supports his ambition to test himself against the world. His connection to Ryuuji Midorikawa highlights the theme of overlooked talent, since both were raised at Sun Garden yet took different paths to the international stage. In later series, Saginuma continues to appear in roles that build on his experience as a captain and mentor. In Inazuma Eleven GO, he works as an assistant coach for Seidouzan, helping younger players develop. In Inazuma Eleven: Ares no Tenbin, he is a goalkeeper for Eisei Gakuen, and in Inazuma Eleven: Orion no Kokuin, he finally earns a place on the Inazuma Japan squad as a member of the national team. In the Chou Jigen Dream Match special, he also appears as a goalkeeper for the Inazuma Battle Eleven.
Saginuma's notable abilities are rooted in his rare versatility, as he is capable of performing at a high level as a goalkeeper, a forward, and a midfielder, making him one of the few characters to play all three positions. His goalkeeping is built on strong reflexes and dependable catching techniques, while his offensive play demonstrates considerable kicking power and tactical awareness. His signature special moves include the Worm Hole and Drill Smasher for defense, along with Gungnir, Illusion Ball, Dash Storm, Triangle Z, and a remastered version of God Knows, several of which he learns through Neo Japan's practice of sharing techniques among teammates. Combined with his tactical mind, precise planning, and natural commanding presence, these abilities allow him to anchor a team whether he is protecting the goal, directing the midfield, or leading from the front.