TV-Series
Description
Kakeru Kumaneko, the missing son of the Kumaneko family, served as the first Granner for Earth Defense Corps Earth Granner before vanishing. He sports black hair with distinct white strands on each side and blue eyes, typically dressed in a white shirt with a cape. His personality blends fierce loyalty and compassion, particularly toward his partner Gao Granner Saber—a bond so profound he would betray his family if needed. Kakeru exhibits an intuitive knack for solving problems without guidance and holds a lifelong fascination with saber-toothed tigers.
Key relationships shape his path. Tension marks his dynamic with father Ikuzou Kumaneko, stemming from Ikuzou’s safety fears over Saber, which led to installing an emergency stop button on Saber capable of memory reset. Underlying care persists despite their strife. Kakeru remains kind toward sister Rin Kumaneko, though his devotion to Saber frequently worries her. His partnership with Gao Granner Saber anchors his existence; Saber chose Kakeru for their exceptional bond level, and Kakeru prioritizes Saber’s survival above all, even accepting energy from adversaries like Dark Spinner.
His past involves fleeing Earth Cave with Saber after a training incident where Saber ejected Kakeru’s Core Granner to protect him—misinterpreted by Earth Granner leadership as aggression. Isolated in Mureuma City’s remote Soutsu Spring, Saber weakened from energy depletion. To sustain him, Kakeru reluctantly accepted Dark Energy from Dark Spinner, battling Earth Granners like Raiga and Kuga Kudou while piloting Earth Granner Saber Panther and often retreating to conserve Saber’s strength.
A pivotal moment came with the Drift Thunder Type Change Tomica, granting Saber Panther lightning abilities. However, Dark Energy reliance triggered violent rampages and Saber’s memory loss. Despite pleas from family and Saber to end their bond, Kakeru refused separation. When Saber nearly drove into lava to prevent further destruction, Kakeru intervened, declaring a future without Saber meaningless—cementing their reunion.
Later obtaining the Grip Blizzard Type Change Tomica for ice-based powers, Kakeru rejected antagonist Clutch’s alliance offer, vowing never to oppose Earth Granner again. Rescued by Joe Pachero and Gao Granner Buffalo during a clash with Clutch’s Spinewger, Kakeru accepted their energy to activate Grip Blizzard and defeat the foe. This cooperation spurred his choice to rejoin Earth Granner with Saber.
The surname "Kumaneko" translates to "panda," while "Kakeru"—written in katakana—can signify "soar" or "drive" in kanji. Kakeru ranked fifth in a November 2020 series popularity poll.
Key relationships shape his path. Tension marks his dynamic with father Ikuzou Kumaneko, stemming from Ikuzou’s safety fears over Saber, which led to installing an emergency stop button on Saber capable of memory reset. Underlying care persists despite their strife. Kakeru remains kind toward sister Rin Kumaneko, though his devotion to Saber frequently worries her. His partnership with Gao Granner Saber anchors his existence; Saber chose Kakeru for their exceptional bond level, and Kakeru prioritizes Saber’s survival above all, even accepting energy from adversaries like Dark Spinner.
His past involves fleeing Earth Cave with Saber after a training incident where Saber ejected Kakeru’s Core Granner to protect him—misinterpreted by Earth Granner leadership as aggression. Isolated in Mureuma City’s remote Soutsu Spring, Saber weakened from energy depletion. To sustain him, Kakeru reluctantly accepted Dark Energy from Dark Spinner, battling Earth Granners like Raiga and Kuga Kudou while piloting Earth Granner Saber Panther and often retreating to conserve Saber’s strength.
A pivotal moment came with the Drift Thunder Type Change Tomica, granting Saber Panther lightning abilities. However, Dark Energy reliance triggered violent rampages and Saber’s memory loss. Despite pleas from family and Saber to end their bond, Kakeru refused separation. When Saber nearly drove into lava to prevent further destruction, Kakeru intervened, declaring a future without Saber meaningless—cementing their reunion.
Later obtaining the Grip Blizzard Type Change Tomica for ice-based powers, Kakeru rejected antagonist Clutch’s alliance offer, vowing never to oppose Earth Granner again. Rescued by Joe Pachero and Gao Granner Buffalo during a clash with Clutch’s Spinewger, Kakeru accepted their energy to activate Grip Blizzard and defeat the foe. This cooperation spurred his choice to rejoin Earth Granner with Saber.
The surname "Kumaneko" translates to "panda," while "Kakeru"—written in katakana—can signify "soar" or "drive" in kanji. Kakeru ranked fifth in a November 2020 series popularity poll.