TV-Series
Description
Danji Momoyama, whose birth name is Nadatsugu Minae, is a prominent cardfighter who serves as a central figure in the narratives surrounding Team Blackout and Team Daybreak. He is a 23-year-old man with a tall and muscular build, characterized by his maroon hair and light grey eyes. His chosen surname, Momoyama, is derived from the kanji for peach and mountain, an identity he adopted after being disowned by his biological family, the Minae. This disownment resulted from his actions to sabotage an arranged marriage for Mirei Minae, a person with whom he shares a significant personal bond, in an effort to prevent her exploitation. His typical attire consists of a long-sleeved white shirt, an unbuttoned army-green coat with a fur-lined hood, rolled-up jeans, and brown boots.

Danji possesses a personality that can be difficult to pin down, often oscillating between carefree and serious. In the context of a cardfight, he is known for his hot-blooded and enthusiastic demeanor, particularly relishing matches against strong opponents. Outside of card battling, he maintains an unconventional lifestyle, working a variety of jobs that include a botanist, a kindergarten teacher, a construction worker, and a priest. He also has a notable fondness for a large dessert called the Big Kani-Kani Parfait at the Princess Time Cafe. His signature catchphrase is "Let's play. It's the beginning of a fun night".

Danji's motivations are deeply intertwined with his personal history and his relationships, particularly with Mirei Minae. His decision to leave his position as leader of Team Blackout and join Team Daybreak was driven by a desire to reconnect with and protect Mirei. This shift in allegiance placed him in opposition to his former teammates, leading to conflicts that pitted old alliances against new ones. Despite this, his overarching drive remains steadfast: to safeguard Mirei's well-being, a goal rooted in his past actions that cost him his family name.

In the story, Danji initially serves as the charismatic and powerful leader of Team Blackout, a group he led to a record of twenty consecutive cardfight victories. He was actually the team's second leader, having succeeded its original founder, Ruka Miyako. Under his command, he mentored young fighters like Yu-yu Kondo. His departure to join Team Daybreak, led by Haruka Soukawa, was a major turning point that created significant narrative tension. During his time with Daybreak, he was involved in their aggressive tactics, including the burning of rival teams' banners, but he also worked to shield his former allies from harm when larger threats, such as the Uniformers, emerged. His role evolves from a direct leader to a more supportive, yet influential, figure who continues to protect those he cares about from the sidelines.

Danji has several key relationships that define his journey. His bond with Yu-yu Kondo is one of mentorship and mutual respect, as he cultivates the younger fighter's skills before and after leaving Team Blackout. His relationship with Megumi Okura is also significant; he introduced her to Vanguard and brought her into the team, leading her to refer to him as "big brother". His rivalry and friendship with Tohya Ebata is another cornerstone, as he passed the leadership of Team Blackout to Tohya after defeating him. However, his most defining relationship is with Mirei Minae, whose protection serves as his primary motivator and the reason for his most life-altering decisions.

Throughout the series, Danji undergoes notable development. He transitions from a celebrated leader of a major team to a member of an opposing faction, navigating the resulting clashes between his old and new families. His actions are often guided by a strategic foresight and a deep-seated loyalty, even when his carefree exterior suggests otherwise. He eventually reconciles with his former Team Blackout members, yet chooses to stay with Team Daybreak, continuing to shield his old team in later challenges.

As a cardfighter, Danji specializes in using decks from the Dark States nation. His fighting style is passionate and aggressive, focusing on the Final Rush mechanic. His primary avatar card is Diabolos, Violence Bruce. Over time, his deck has evolved to include other powerful units such as Diabolos, Viamance Bruce, Demonic Jewel Dragon Drajeweled, and Diabolos Rapid-carrier Geno to enhance his offensive strategies. His official starter deck is titled "D Start Deck 02: Danji Momoyama -Tyrant Tiger-". His competitive record includes victories over skilled fighters like Tohya Ebata, Yu-yu Kondo, Haruka Soukawa, and Michiru Hazama, as well as defeats against fighters such as Mirei Minae, Megumi Okura, and Hiroshi Tanahashi.