TV-Series
Description
Ryokan Kurita is the massive and kind-hearted center and defensive tackle of the Deimon Devil Bats, and one of the team’s three original founders alongside Yoichi Hiruma and Gen Takekura. He was raised in a temple where his father, a Buddhist sect leader, believed in building strength through eating, resulting in Kurita’s towering physique and lifelong love of football. In middle school he formed the Mao Devil Bats with Hiruma and Musashi, promising to one day reach the Christmas Bowl. When Agon Kongo claimed the athletic scholarship Kurita had hoped to use at Shinryuji, he followed Hiruma to Deimon High School instead, and together they rebuilt the club from nothing.
Off the field Kurita is defined by a gentle, warm personality that stands in stark contrast to Hiruma’s manipulative brilliance. He is notably naive and occasionally nearly blurts out Sena’s secret identity, but his sincerity and optimism make him the emotional core of the team. He acts as a mentor to younger linemen like Komusubi Daikichi, and his boundless enthusiasm sometimes drives him to start practice as early as two in the morning. Despite his size, he is averse to hurting others outside of competition, yet when protecting his teammates or chasing the team’s dream he unleashes tremendous force.
Physically, Kurita stands at 195 centimeters and weighs 145 kilograms, with a bench press of 160 kilograms and a slow 40-yard dash time of 6.5 seconds. His football strength comes from lower-body power and sheer resilience, and his signature kiai “Funnuraba!” serves as a release of his full effort. During games he can adopt an intensely focused “alternate” state in which his expression sharpens and his strength surges even further. He anchors both the offensive and defensive lines, serving as the immovable center who buys time for the quarterback and creates lanes for the running game.
Kurita’s key relationships shape much of the story. His bond with Hiruma, though opposites in method, is built on years of trust and a shared vow to win the Christmas Bowl. Musashi’s temporary departure wounds him deeply, and his return rekindles the trio’s original fire. With Sena, Kurita is an early and supportive friend, welcoming the hero warmly and cheering his growth. As an idol and teacher to Komusubi, he passes on the ethic of strength through effort.
His major development unfolds in his rivalry with the Hakushu Dinosaurs’ Gaou Rikiya, whose monstrous upper-body strength initially overpowers him. Through the series Kurita overcomes his tendency to shrink against overpowering foes and, in their decisive confrontation, uses superior lower-body technique and football intelligence to win the battle of the nation’s strongest high school linemen. In doing so, he proves that gentle spirit and relentless determination can overcome brute force. After graduation, Kurita moves on to Enma University alongside many of his teammates, carrying the dream and camaraderie forward.
Off the field Kurita is defined by a gentle, warm personality that stands in stark contrast to Hiruma’s manipulative brilliance. He is notably naive and occasionally nearly blurts out Sena’s secret identity, but his sincerity and optimism make him the emotional core of the team. He acts as a mentor to younger linemen like Komusubi Daikichi, and his boundless enthusiasm sometimes drives him to start practice as early as two in the morning. Despite his size, he is averse to hurting others outside of competition, yet when protecting his teammates or chasing the team’s dream he unleashes tremendous force.
Physically, Kurita stands at 195 centimeters and weighs 145 kilograms, with a bench press of 160 kilograms and a slow 40-yard dash time of 6.5 seconds. His football strength comes from lower-body power and sheer resilience, and his signature kiai “Funnuraba!” serves as a release of his full effort. During games he can adopt an intensely focused “alternate” state in which his expression sharpens and his strength surges even further. He anchors both the offensive and defensive lines, serving as the immovable center who buys time for the quarterback and creates lanes for the running game.
Kurita’s key relationships shape much of the story. His bond with Hiruma, though opposites in method, is built on years of trust and a shared vow to win the Christmas Bowl. Musashi’s temporary departure wounds him deeply, and his return rekindles the trio’s original fire. With Sena, Kurita is an early and supportive friend, welcoming the hero warmly and cheering his growth. As an idol and teacher to Komusubi, he passes on the ethic of strength through effort.
His major development unfolds in his rivalry with the Hakushu Dinosaurs’ Gaou Rikiya, whose monstrous upper-body strength initially overpowers him. Through the series Kurita overcomes his tendency to shrink against overpowering foes and, in their decisive confrontation, uses superior lower-body technique and football intelligence to win the battle of the nation’s strongest high school linemen. In doing so, he proves that gentle spirit and relentless determination can overcome brute force. After graduation, Kurita moves on to Enma University alongside many of his teammates, carrying the dream and camaraderie forward.