Ken Wakashimazu, alternatively known as Ed Warner in certain regions, is a distinguished Japanese footballer excelling as both goalkeeper and forward. His career ignited at Meiwa FC in elementary school, where he first played forward beside best friend Kojiro Hyuga. Demonstrating tactical foresight, he voluntarily transitioned to goalkeeper to strengthen the team. During this period, a severe car accident while rescuing a dog injured his left shoulder and leg. He recovered in time for Meiwa's decisive match against Furano, crucially preventing additional goals to secure a 3–2 victory. Following Hyuga to Toho Academy, Wakashimazu remained goalkeeper under coach Makoto Kitazume. Pressured by his karate-master father to inherit the family dojo, they struck a pact: national tournament victory would permit football; defeat mandated karate. Temporarily captaining Toho during Hyuga's absence, he propelled them to the finals. Against Nankatsu, he reinjured his left side blocking Tsubasa Oozora’s Drive Shot—becoming the first to repel the technique—before assisting a tying goal. The ensuing joint championship earned his father’s approval to pursue football. As Japan’s starting goalkeeper in Junior Youth, setbacks included a 6–1 friendly loss to Hamburger SV Jr. Youth, where Karl Heinz Schneider netted a hat-trick. Recurring hand injuries culminated during the semi-final against France; though his penalty save against Louis Napoleon clinched victory, the damage sidelined him for the final. This era intensified his rivalry with Genzo Wakabayashi, who joined as consultant and later contested the goalkeeper role. Post-high school, Wakashimazu initially focused on Japan’s youth team but clashed with coach Mikami over Wakabayashi’s preferential Bundesliga-based treatment. Protesting, he exited for Yokohama Flugels in the J-League, using earnings to aid Hyuga’s mother’s medical costs. He eventually returned to the national squad, adopting an aggressive goalkeeping style inspired by Mexico’s Espadas. Accepting Japan’s second-choice goalkeeper role, he acknowledged Wakabayashi’s prowess while providing dependable backup. Versatility flourished when coach Kozo Kira deployed him as a forward in the Golden-23 arc, revealing his original attacking aspirations before switching for Meiwa’s balance. He scored against Nigeria in a friendly and mastered post-play tactics, forging potent partnerships—including a two-top with Hyuga and a combi one-two with karate protégé Shun Nitta. By then, a 5th Dan karateka, he infused football with martial arts, exemplified by the Wakado Style Transforming Kick for deceptive strikes. His karate-rooted playing style defines him. As goalkeeper, signature techniques include the Triangle Jump for aerial reaches, Knifehand Defense for shot deflection, Front Rolling Kick for rushing out, and Seiken Defense for punching powerful strikes. As forward, he wields kicks like the Jumping Side Kick and Vacuum Tornado Kick for aerial shots. Physical traits encompass elite reflexes, goal-line running grabs, and aptitude for long throws and dribbling. Personally reserved and training-disciplined, he exhibits fierce loyalty to friends like Hyuga and Takeshi Sawada. Early pride and conceit sparked conflicts, including his national-team walkout, but maturity prioritized team cohesion over individual acclaim. Karate instilled a strict, analytical mindset for rapid opponent assessment. Beyond football, he sustained karate discipline, mentoring disciples like Nitta while balancing both pursuits. In Olympic-level competitions, he adapted to hybrid roles—playing forward or substituting as goalkeeper during Wakabayashi’s injuries.