Hajime Taki, alternately named Eddie Carter or Ted Carter in regional adaptations, operates as a forward and winger famed for his blistering speed and membership in the Shutetsu Trio alongside Teppei Kisugi and Mamoru Izawa. His soccer journey originated at Shutetsu Elementary School, where the trio honed their rapid-passing synergy, a strategy responsible for roughly 13% of Nankatsu Middle School’s tournament goals while Tsubasa Ozora dominated scoring. Excelling as a right-wing specialist, Taki exploits his pace to sprint along sidelines and deliver precise crosses, though he adapts to defensive midfield roles when required, as demonstrated in the Netherlands Arc. Despite securing repeated call-ups to Japan’s youth national teams (U-15 through U-23), tactical formations favoring fewer forwards often relegate him to substitute appearances. His arsenal includes the collaborative Shutetsu Trio Combination Shot with Kisugi and Izawa, alongside solo maneuvers like the Feint Combination Shot and Cutting Dribble, both capitalizing on his agility. A deep-rooted chemistry with Kisugi, forged since elementary school, amplifies their on-field effectiveness through seamless coordination. Standing 163 cm (52 kg) in middle school and maturing to 172 cm (61 kg) professionally, Taki progresses from Nankatsu’s school teams to Tokyo Verdy in the J1 League, competing across all competitive tiers from youth to pro. Post-high school, he remains a rotational asset for Japan in Olympic qualifiers and the Rising Sun arc, prioritizing team cohesion over individual acclaim. Versatile in position and unwavering in commitment, he thrives as a dynamic contributor in offensive surges and transitional plays, balancing adaptability with consistency even as core teammates claim greater prominence.