Ken Wakashimazu, known internationally as Ed Warner, is a multifaceted figure in Japanese football. His early connection to karate stems from his family's Wakado Style dojo, profoundly shaping his goalkeeping techniques. Initially a forward for Meiwa FC alongside Kojiro Hyuga in elementary school, he transitioned to goalkeeper to address team needs. A car accident fractured his left shoulder and leg, temporarily sidelining him before a return for Meiwa's critical match against Furano. Progressing to Toho Academy, Wakashimazu faced familial pressure to abandon football and inherit the dojo. A pivotal agreement with his father stipulated winning the national tournament would secure his athletic future. During Hyuga's absence, he assumed the Toho captaincy alongside Takeshi Sawada and Kazuki Sorimachi. The tournament culminated in a shared victory with Nankatsu SC. He became the first player to repel Tsubasa Oozora's Drive Shot, despite aggravating prior injuries in the final. As Japan's primary goalkeeper during the Junior Youth Championship, his rivalry with consultant Genzo Wakabayashi intensified, creating positional tension. Performance struggles against opponents like Karl-Heinz Schneider and Juan Diaz exposed vulnerabilities, though critical saves—including stopping Louis Napoleon's penalty in the semi-final shootout against France—proved decisive. Recurring hand injuries forced his substitution in key matches, including the tournament final. In World Youth qualification, Wakashimazu clashed with Coach Mikami over the starting role, objecting to perceived favoritism toward Wakabayashi's Bundesliga experience. This led to his departure from the national team and signing with Yokohama Flugels. Financial assistance to Hyuga for family medical expenses later facilitated reconciliation and his squad return. Accepting a secondary goalkeeping role, he adopted an aggressive style inspired by Mexico's Ricardo Espadas. A significant evolution occurred in the Golden-23 arc when Coach Kira redeployed him as a forward—fulfilling his original elementary school preference. As a 5th Dan karateka, he mentored Shun Nitta and excelled in post-play tactics. His offensive contributions include a goal against Nigeria and specialized techniques like the Wakado Style Transforming Kick and Combi One-Two with Nitta. This dual-role solidified his utility status for Japan's Olympic teams. In the Rising Sun arc, Wakashimazu operated primarily as a forward in a two-top formation with Hyuga. During the Olympic match against Germany, he was benched in the second half, leading to Morisaki substituting for an injured Wakabayashi. His technical versatility encompasses aerial strikes like the Vacuum Tornado Kick, ground shots such as the Bullet Shot, and collaborative efforts like the Twin Shot with Hyuga. Defensively, his karate-derived methods include Triangle Jump, Knifehand Defense, and Forward Straight Defense, leveraging martial arts reflexes. Personality-wise, he embodies disciplined reserve off-field, contrasting his fierce in-game demeanor. Loyalty to lifelong friends Hyuga and Sawada remains central, though pride-driven conflicts—particularly with Mikami—highlight early inflexibility. This trait moderated over time, evidenced by his acceptance of Wakabayashi's superiority and team-oriented adaptability across positions. Statistically, his career spans 47 documented matches totaling 3,269 minutes, maintaining a 70.21% win rate across national and international competitions. Post-high school, he played for Nagoya Grampus in the J-League while continuing contributions with Japan's U-23 Olympic squad.