Gouenji Shuuya arrived at Raimon Junior High as a highly skilled striker with a calm, reserved demeanor, having transferred from the prestigious Kidokawa Seishuu where he was a legendary striker. His past held deep personal tragedy; his mother's death led his father to pressure him to quit soccer for a medical career. This conflict intensified when his younger sister, Yuuka, was placed in a coma after an accident orchestrated by Kageyama to prevent Gouenji from playing a critical match. Blaming soccer, Gouenji vowed to stop playing, keeping an amulet Yuuka made and focusing solely on her recovery.

He first encountered Endou Mamoru after protecting a child from a soccer ball kicked by delinquents. Despite Endou's persistent recruitment attempts for the soccer club, Gouenji repeatedly declined, citing his promise. Only after Endou learned about Yuuka and insisted she would want him to play did Gouenji reconsider. He joined Raimon, altering his vow to win the Football Frontier tournament for his sister. His exceptional skills, particularly the signature "Fire Tornado," quickly established him as Raimon's ace striker. He developed collaborative techniques like "Inazuma Drop" with Kabeyama and "Twin Boost" with Kidou.

During Season 2, the Aliea Academy organization targeted Yuuka to coerce Gouenji into joining them. This threat caused distracted performances, leading to his temporary dismissal from Raimon by Coach Hitomiko. He later surfaced in Okinawa under the alias "Flame Striker," aiding Raimon discreetly before fully rejoining the team. He debuted new techniques like "Bakunetsu Storm" against Epsilon Remastered. In Season 3, his father attempted to enforce his move to Germany for medical studies, but Gouenji demonstrated unwavering commitment to soccer during a match, ultimately changing his father's stance. As part of Inazuma Japan, he contributed to Football Frontier International victories, scoring with techniques like "Tiger Storm" and the collaborative "Jet Stream."

In later series, Gouenji adopted the alias Ishido Shuuji, serving as Fifth Sector's Holy Emperor. He oversaw the controlled soccer system as coach of Seidouzan, presenting a cold, manipulative persona, denying his past identity, and enforcing Fifth Sector's rules. His true motive was later revealed as a tactical effort to protect soccer's future from within. After shedding the Holy Emperor role, he reverted to his original appearance, removing blue hair highlights and earrings, and tying his hair in a low ponytail. By the Galaxy series, he was chairman of the Japan Youth Soccer Association, coordinating efforts against extraterrestrial threats and supporting Team Earth in the Grand Celesta Galaxy tournament.

His character design evolved: in youth, spiky platinum-blond hair resembling flames, zigzag eyebrows, an orange jacket over a white hoodie; as Ishido Shuuji, longer hair with azure highlights, pearl earrings, a red suit with combat boots; in adulthood, straight hair worn loose or in a ponytail, and a darker complexion. He maintained a calm, analytical demeanor underpinned by deep passion for soccer and fierce loyalty to teammates. His relationship with his sister remained a core motivator throughout.

In the movie "Saikyō Gundan Ogre Shūrai," Gouenji participated with Raimon against the futuristic Team Ogre. He utilized the hissatsu techniques "Maximum Fire" and "Prime Legend" (the latter in collaboration with Kidou), contributing to defending soccer's spirit against external threats and reinforcing his legacy as a foundational member of Raimon.