Deimon Devil Bats

See also: Eyeshield 21 and Eyeshield 21 characters

Deimon Devil Bats

File:Devil Bats Logo.gif

(泥門デビルバッツ)

• Logo: Red Devil Bat, a nonexistent creature which bears a striking resemblance to Hiruma Yoichi.
• The home team of the manga and anime series, Eyeshield 21. This team represents the Deimon Private Senior High School (私立泥門高等学校 Shiritsu Deimon Kōtōgakkō). The high-school incarnation of middle-school club the Maou DevilBats, the Deimon American Football Club started out with only three members: Yoichi Hiruma, Ryoukan Kurita, and Gen "Musashi" Takekura. After its inaugural year, its membership was further reduced with the departure of Gen Takekura. This remained the case until Hiruma found Sena Kobayakawa and his amazing running ability. The team's chant is "Kill'em! YA-HA!"(ブッツブス!YA-HA!!Buttsubusu! YA-HA!!

• Team colours: Red, white, black similar to the NFL team the Atlanta Falcons
• Helmet: black, white facemask, and red bat-wings (with a white outline) along each side.
• Team uniform: for the most part, the Deimon uniform is the most straightforward in the series - no flash designs on the jersey at all. Later on, however, the uniform takes on a fancier look: the numbers' colors are reversed from white with a black outline to black with a white outline, and the jerseys have black streaks down the front and back, starting either side of the numbers on the players' shoulders. On the front of the jersey, these streaks continue down onto the pants - on the back, they resemble bat's wings.
• The 'away' white jerseys have the same black stripes, but the area between these down each side of the jersey is still red.
• This team is opposite to that of Oujo, and their philosophy about ultimate defense. Deimon is based on extreme offense, partly due to the fact that it initially lacked a kicker and also based on the ideals of its captain Hiruma. It does not matter if the other team scores, so long as you score MORE points. Even when on defense, the Devil Bats heavily rely on interceptions, fumbles, safeties and any other way to add more points. High-risk plays are the main staple of their strategies, since they always give 100% effort, regardless of the odds being stacked against them.

Sena Kobayakawa, a.k.a Eyeshield 21

Sena Kobayakawa as Eyeshield 21 in the Eyeshield 21 anime.

小早川 瀬那 Kobayakawa Sena is the main character of Eyeshield 21. Due to his diminutive stature and weak outward appearance, Sena was bullied by his peers in primary school, and always had to be rescued by his childhood friend, Mamori Anezaki. He became a "gopher", retrieving items and running errands for his tormentors, which allowed him to build up his speed and dodging ability. Soon after entering senior high school, Sena was forced into playing American football by Hiruma; Hiruma had seen Sena running away from the Hah brothers, who wanted to beat him up, and recognized Sena's running ability. To conceal his identity, Sena wears an eyeshield to cover the upper part of his face during practices and matches. Hiruma picked the alias "Eyeshield 21" after a similar Eyeshield 21 player in America, so that Sena could have a secret identity and thus not be recruited by other athletic clubs. Sena is the football club's secretary, using the job as a front to cover his activities as Eyeshield 21. Although he joined the American football club unwillingly, Sena eventually grew to love American football and being part of the team.

Sena's first game was against the Koigahama Cupids, which almost ended in disaster when he accidentally handed out turf cleats to Ishimaru the running back, causing him to slip and twist his ankle. However, this led to Sena's debut as Eyeshield 21, in which he was able to display his incredible speed. His second game was against the Ojo White Knights, where he met his rival Shin and the Spear Tackle for the first time. Though the Devil Bats lost badly, the experience proved to be a major turning point for both Sena and Shin. Sena became driven to turn the lies about Eyeshield 21 into truths, and Shin was humbled when he realized that no matter how strong he became, his Spear Tackle would be useless if he couldn't catch someone moving at the Speed of Light pace. The two later made a promise to see each other at the final game.

During elementary school, Sena didn't have a proper running technique until he met Riku (who is currently a safety on the Seibu Wild Gunmen team). Sena cannot sustain running at high speeds for very long, and may even faint if he overextends himself, as is shown during the match against the NASA Aliens. His skill lies in rapid changes of pace, which allows him to accelerate from a slow run to an extremely fast run. Sena's fatal flaw is that, right before he accelerates, he stops in front of his opponents, giving them a chance to tackle him. However, during the Death March training in the United States, he begins to learn to overcome that flaw by kicking a rock straight and eventually zig-zagging for over 2000 km (the rock breaks in half during the final part of Death March). Doburoku threatens to make Sena run the whole 2000 km all over again if he loses the rock (or even half of it). Sena ends up kicking both pieces at the same time. Due to a mishap in which he ends up in a tryout for the San Antonio Armadillos (a pro football team). He ends up leaving without knowing he was accepted into the pro league. He develops a new maneuver called the Devil Bat Ghost after the 40 days of training. To test it out Doburoku once again challenges Sena. Another move he developed was the Devil Bat Tornado. Sena created this move by combining his spin move that he used in the earlier episode to doge the Ha bros and the Devil Bat Ghost. He made this move because somehow he needed to past Kakei from the Kyoshin Posiedon and his Moby Dick Anchor.

In chapter 154 of the manga and episode 79 of the anime, Sena takes Riku's words to heart that he is a true football player and doesn't need to hide behind his identity as Eyeshield. Sena removes his helmet and eyeshield in front of a very shocked Mamori, who was looking for him to remind him about the introductions that were about to start. Apologizing to Mamori for lying to her all this time, Sena take to the field, head held high, much to the shock of nearly everyone not in on his secret, including his parents who were watching the game at home. Of course, after the game with the Bando Spiders, all the other sports teams try to recruit him into their clubs. Luckily for Sena, Suzuna stops them and tells them to wait until after the tournament is over. To his surprise, Sena is voted best offensive Running Back of the Fall Season.

In the game against Shinryuuji, Hiruma uses Sena to mark Kongo Agon, and after several tries, manages to force a fumble on Agon. Sena them must face his biggest challenge, which is to stop Agon, who can mimic the Devil Bat Ghost and use it against him. Though his legs are on the verge of collapse, Sena manages to force a fumble on Agon's brother and take back the ball, much in the same manner as he did with the Nasa Aliens' quarterback. And to everyone's disbelief, Eyeshield 21 breaks Agon's tackle and topples the arrogant dreadhead to the turf, scoring Deimon's fourth touchdown. Agon's God Speed Impulse ability failed him as Sena managed to catch him on the back of his helmet. With the Devil Bats down by only 7 points, and one minute to play, Deimon must start at their own 2-yard line. To face off against Shin and the White Knights in a long-awaited rematch, Sena and the Devil Bats must do the impossible... defeat the undefeated Nagas. An unbelievable show of determination by Monta and Hiruma closes the gap to one point, bringing the score up 34-35.

And Deimon achieves the impossible with a final score of 36-35, thanks to the Sky Devil Bat Dive, and Kurita's strength. Now Sena and the Devil Bats must prepare for their next challenge- Shin and the Ojo White Knights.

After the match between Seibu and Masaki, Riku tells Sena that he had revealed the secret of the Rodeo Drive to Shin, and that the Oujo Linebacker was going to use it to develop a new move to counter Eyeshield 21 in the coming semi-final against Deimon. However, Sena still wants to face off against his rival at his very best. Both witness Shin's completed Trident Spear Tackle in the last quarter-final of the day - and on the opening kickoff return of the Oujo-Deimon Kantou semifinal, Sena was about to determine whether the DevilBat Ghost is enough of a counter-move to get past it. The encounter was postponed by an over-anxious Ikari. However, during the second drive by the Devil Bats, Sena beats Shin's Trident Spear Tackle, with a new move, the Devil Light Hurricane. Now, to Sena's shock, it appears that his rival has achieved the legendary Speed of Light Pace. However, he was able to hold on to the end of the half, where he sacked Nekoyama to prevent the Knights from increasing their lead beyond seven points. Over halftime, he was forced by Hiruma to study the game footage, hoping it will show chinks in Shin and the remainder of the team and hopefully lead Deimon to a comeback victory. As it turns out, Sena will have to beat Shin....using brute strength. The game resumes with Deimon's kick, and Sena puts Hiruma's theory to the test. Initially, his attempt to match Shin head on in a contest of strength fails, but finally reveals a means to counter him through a short arm block to stop his Trident Tackle, allowing for Hiruma to attempt to move the ball. Later in the drive, with Oujou's defense becoming more obsessed with stopping the pass game and Hiruma and Monta's Devil Backfire, Sena is given the ball in an attempt to catch up once again. He is able to use his block to avoid nearly all of the defensivemen and nearly make his way to the end zone...until Shin stops him with one finger around his shoe, causing a fumble Oujou recovers stopping the drive.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash Record: 4.2 seconds (high school record). AKA Speed of Light.
2. Bench Press: 10 kg (high school record low), 40 kg in vol. 5, and 45 kg in vol. 10
3. Position: Halfback / tailback / Free Safety / Club Secretary (though this is mainly as a cover for his real contribution to the team)
4. Jersey Number: 21
5. Height: 155 cm(5'1")
6. Weight: 48 kg(105 lbs)
7. Blood Type: A
8. Birthday: December 21
9. Graduated From: Deimon 2nd Middle School
10. 1st Year Student (Grade 10)

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Normal Running & Cuts - This is what Sena did when he was a gopher for bullies and at the beginning of the series. He is able to get off a rocket start (usually out of fear from the bullies), and is able to picture a pathway around people and obstacles, allowing him to make very sharp turns and cuts. However, his speed lets up after the explosive start so his 40-yard-dash is 5.0 seconds. If he's pressed to a certain emotional level, (such as being chased by Cerberus or Shin), his time jumps up to 4.2 seconds, but he will feel exhausted afterwards.
• Change of Pace - This was Sena's pattern of running up until after the game of the Nasa Aliens. This involves him running at relatively easy pace, then suddenly accelerate to full speed. The problem with this is that just before he speeds up or makes a turn, he stops for a moment, which allow others to tackle him.
• Spin Move - A regular move which Sena used to evade Togano in Vol. 1. While running forward, he spins about in front of his opponent to confuse him, then swerves off to the side to evade him.
• Devil Bat Dive - Hiruma himself saw Sena use this to dive inside a closing train while escaping from the Hah Brothers in the first chapter, inspiring him to make Sena use this for football. Sena rushes toward the scrimmage line at top speed, then jumps over the opposing linemen in a corkscrewing motion. This is a very dangerous maneuver and even Hiruma forbids him to use it more than once or twice per game, and only for a clinch point. It would not do for Eyeshield 21 to get injured early on and weaken team morale. An alternate version of this is the Sky Devil Bat Dive. Sena is first placed at the end of the scrimmage line. Hiruma rushes the opposing line after a faked kick. Sena then does a fast reversal. Once he gets up to speed, he jumps upward as Hiruma laterals the ball to him.
• Devil Bat Ghost - A technique in which Sena is able to use a crossover step to make a sharp cut without slowing down. Its effect creates a kind of blurry afterimage which confuses opposing blockers, causes them to misjudge his speed or tackle the wrong image. By episode 46 in a match against Shin, Sena discovers the strain of the Devil Bat Ghost has on his knees.
• Devil Bat Tornado - Also called the Devil Bat Hurricane, this was created during the game against the Poseidons by combining the Devil Bat Ghost with a Spin Move. Its effect not only causes an afterimage to appear, but also adds rotational force, making a two-handed tackle like Shun Kakei's 'anchor-grapple' useless.
• Sena Foresight- A technique first created when he was running errands, where Sena is able to deduce the amount of movement and directions needed to escape a tackle or break through defense while he's running. He first uses this technique in actual gameplay against the Koigahama Cupids team when he returns the final kickoff of the game for a game winning touchdown.
• Speed of Light Pace: This is Sena's innate ability to run the 40-yard dash in 4.2 seconds, which is considered the best of even pro athletes. Initially, he is only able to do this once per game, as it totally exhausts him afterwards. By the time of the Kantou Tournament, Sena is able to run at this pace at will.
• Devil Light Tornado: Also called the Devil Light Hurricane, this is basically combining the Devil Bat Tornado with the Speed of Light Pace. In chapter 217, he uses this to evade Shin's Trident Spear Tackle, by first using his arms and the Devil Bat Ghost as a decoy to get Shin to charge in. Then, as Shin uses the Rodeo Drive to close in, Sena then deploys the Devil Bat Tornado at the Speed of Light Pace to slide under Shin's outstretched arm. At this point, Shin is committed to the move and cannot prevent Sena from rolling past him. However, Shin, with his own Speed of Light Pace and the extra speed of the Trident-Spear Tackle, manages to down Sena.
• Unnamed Counter to the Trident-Spear Tackle: In chapter 229, by using his arms, Sena is able to partially deflect Shin's Trident-Spear Tackle. His counter is likened to a foot soldier using the point of his sword to redirect the trident of a charging horseman away from him, rather than meeting the attack head on. So far, this technique only delays Shin for 0.2 seconds, but it is enough for Hiruma to get rid of the ball before being sacked. The attack seems inspired by a similar moved used against Agon Kongo of Shinryuji. Sena also uses this tactic to aid in evading the Ojo defenders, pushing them away and bounding over them. What this method finally evolves into has yet to be seen.

Hiruma Yoichi

File:Hiruma blackmail.jpg

Hiruma using his Devil's Handbook ("Book of Threats" in the Viz release) to blackmail Yamaoka.

蛭魔　妖一 Yoichi Hiruma is Deimon's team captain—when he says his word is law, he's not kidding. He's the mastermind and captain of Deimon's American Football club, has pointy ears and sharp teeth, and looks and acts like a demon. His signature phrase is a loud "YA-HA", sometimes ended with a "TOUCHDOWN!". Hiruma is usually carrying some kind of firearm (usually concealed, but often far too big to hide - so he doesn't even bother!), including but not limited to flamethrowers, submachine guns or bazookas, which he fires mostly for intimidation. However, he has also used them for training purposes, such as shooting behind players to get them to run pass routes. Hiruma was the first person to recognize Sena's talent for running and dodging. He also owns a very vicious dog named Cerberus (ケルベロス Keruberosu - named for the triple-headed hell hound Cerberus that guards the gates of Hades), which he uses to scare team members into running faster (although in one of the books it is explained that Cerberus is actually a stray who stays with Hiruma in exchange for food - he wasn't always the snarling mass of teeth he is today, he actually started out kind of cute before Hiruma adopted him).

Hiruma lies, cheats, bullies and manipulates people to do his bidding. His most potent weapon is probably his Devil's Handbook ("Book of Threats" in the Viz release}, a small black notebook filled with everyone's darkest secrets, which allows him to blackmail anyone into doing what he says. The rest of his information, incriminating or otherwise, which he accumulates from scouting on other teams, is stored in his laptop computer. He's also a very good hacker; at one time he hacked into the sprinkler system before and during the Koigahama game, and once he got into all the computers of Football Monthly to send a fake e-mail. The only person who is not scared to confront him directly is Mamori—though after the sports day he took some incriminating photos which gave him blackmail material against her.

Although portrayed as a cruel slave-driver and an inhumane captain at times, his passion for football (and winning) is unrivaled, and he is known to goad, tempt, bribe, force and inspire the team to victory. Though his methods of training the team may seem sadistic, he only wants to bring out the best in each member, and if he has to torture them and put them in a constant state of fear, then so be it. At times, it is the only way for his teammates to realize their full potential. Often heard chanting loudly "Buttsubuse! Hattaose!!"(打っ潰せ！はっ倒せ！！"Kill'em! Crush'em!!") during practice.

Although he always seems to be demonically energetic, Hiruma has a vulnerable side as well, which only Mamori and the team's coach can recognize. Cerberus has also seen some kindness from Hiruma: part of the reason he hacked into the sprinklers was to give the dog a chance to cool off. Rather than sit in the cargo section, Cerberus had his own ticket to ride the plane (although he was "disguished" as a stuffed animal with a price tag to fool the stewardess). He also slept in Hiruma's private room at the Las Vegas hotel. Hiruma is far less likely to show sympathy for humans but it is not entirely unheard of. The team tryout consisted of carrying bags of ice to the top of Tokyo Tower before they melted. Yukimitsu, despite his weakness, frailty, and having his ice stolen by another contender, keeps trying and eventually reaches the top. Unfortunately, by that time his ice has melted, but after seeing how much Yukimitsu strained his body to keep going, Hiruma slips in an ice cube so Yukimitsu will make the team. Also, when Komsubui ran away because he thought he wouldnt be any help at the Posidons game due to his height(four foot eleven), Hiruma nearly goes ballistic with worry/anger and prints dozens of missing posters to find him. Also, when Hiruma kicks a player in the rear without saying anything, it is his way of praising the person for a job well done. Apparently, the Hah Brothers have also taken to this habit, as they often simultaneously kick Sena in the backside whenever he does something spectacular. It is also a proven fact that "the demonic Hiruma's blood is red".

The Devil Bats' quarterback's main drive is to win the championship & make it to Japan's Christmas Bowl; but there is an underlying reason for all his schemes. Unlike other schools, Deimon has a rule that all its students must cease their extracurricular activities after the fall of their 2nd year, including the sports clubs. For both Hiruma and Kurita, this is their LAST chance with the football team.

Hiruma is also a very good gambler (actually a good memory when he was able to remember all the cards) - when the DevilBats complete the Death March and arrive in Las Vegas, the team hit the casinos in order to make the money to get plane tickets home. Whereas the rest of the squad have mixed success (Sena and Monta riding their luck one spin of the roulette wheel too far, while the Hah brothers lost their possessions, as they pawned it all for money, while Komusubi lives up to his first name (Daikichi means good fortune), while Taki always lost, and finally, Mamori and Suzuna won small amounts continuously, Hiruma is the chief exponent in this, using card-counting strategies to make enough. An expert strategist with a clever and cunning demeanor, he is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the field. Hiruma has clearly been using a slow-play strategy in regard to Yukimitsu's place in the team, even as far back as the tryouts at Tokyo Tower, which paid off huge dividends in the Shinryūji game, when he scored the Bats' first points against the Naga. He can also think up to 17 strategies quickly, no matter the scenario, and even if he is under harsh conditions, he manages to stay focused. His game plays can be considered insane at times, but there is no mistaking the results in scoring points and upsetting the other team's strategies. He's very adaptable in passing, dodging sacks, catching and blocking, making him a well-rounded quarterback. According to Takami of the Oujo team, Hiruma wasn't really physically cut out to play quarterback, but he willed himself into it, using his drive and cunning mind. Of all the weapons at Hiruma's disposal, his mind is the most dangerous.

He gives nicknames to many people, usually using the prefix "Damn" "Freakin"'(lit. fakkin)) in the original manga and various fan scanlations, edited in the anime and English release): Damn Pipsqueak or Damn Secretary = Sena; Damn Monkey = Monta; Damn Manager = Mamori; Damn Baldy = Yukimitsu; Damn Fatty = Kurita; Damn Fatty Jr. = Komusubi; Damn Ha Ha Brothers = Kuroki, Togano, Jumonji, Damn Chinfuzz = Taki; etc. Hiruma also likes teasing Mamori about her snack eating, as shown by the many cracks he makes and her introduction in the game with the Bando Spiders.

There is a mystery surrounding the fact that Hiruma, along with Mamori and Yukimitsu, actually excels in his studies. It probably has to do with blackmail; although it is true that he IS indeed a Genius. No one seems to know who his family is or where he lives, but most readers assume he lives in the football clubhouse (and probably uses the school's restrooms, the locker room's shower, and gets groceries from the Son-Son market). He's been known to chew excessive amounts of sugarless gum, even during games, and likes to drink black coffee. After defeating the Bando Spiders and making it into the Kantou tournament, Hiruma did receive a phone call from his father (Hiruma ignored it, but Anezaki Mamori heard it), congratulating him, but he seems to be on bad terms with him, since it was revealed that he does not like the term "father". Never seen opening a door with his hands, he seems to prefer slamming them open with his feet, as his hands are nearly always in his pockets, (unless they happen to be holding some kind of firearm). The most expensive item he ever bought was a whole island.

Hiruma also has a history with Kongou Agon of the Shinryuuji team and is one of the very few people that can get under his skin. It was revealed that Kurita, Musashi, and even Hiruma himself wanted to enter the Shinryuuji Nagas when they were still in junior high, and eventually qualified. Kurita passed because he was recommended by a sports club, but because Agon disliked people without perfect talent (read: anyone other than himself, basically), he entered the sports clubs' test, and Kurita was forced to leave Shinryuuji. It was then that the three of them, Hiruma, Kurita, and Musashi decided to come Deimon--since it was the only school Kurita managed to get into by passing the normal entrance test--forcing the Devil Bats to start from scratch on a high school that had no football club of its own. Due to their history, Hiruma knows Agon's weakness and plans on using his arrogance to cause his downfall. His response to Agon's statement of a perfect team made up of 22 of himself was, "It's easy to break a deck made up of only one card."

During the 2nd half of the match against the Nagas, Hiruma proves this statement by using a combination of trickery, and sheer determination. Agon becomes confounded as those whom he feels are nothing but trash, (Yukimitsu, Sena, Monta and Jumonji), actually fight back from a lopsided first half and close the gap between the two teams, despite his superior skills. Deimon's quarterback gets his own personal revenge against Agon by scoring Deimon's fifth touchdown, despite being chased by him. Hiruma's long-awaited payback against Agon for his past insults against him and Kurita is complete, after the Devil Bats defeat the Nagas, thereby showing the arrogant dreadhead that even trash can topple the gods.

In the next game, a rematch against Oujou, he is forced to consistently change his plans in order to find his way around the many obstacles presented by this rival, including their unstoppable defense, their "perfect player" Shin, and the cold, calculating methods of opposing quarterback Ichiro Takami. As Deimon falls behind, Hiruma chooses to switch to a running game to move the ball down the field and at least score with field goals (particularly after an early pass leads to an interception by Sakuraba), but he eventually decides to hold off Oujou for the remainder of the first half before finding a way to stop them in the second part of the game. Furthermore, he is the only one who believes that not even the unstoppable Shin is invincible, which possibly means he has a plan to take him down when his plan goes into motion in the second half. Near the end of chapter 222, Hiruma has told Sena that the only way to beat Shin is through BRUTE STRENGTH. How Sena will do that is unknown. The fighting will that Sena demonstrated against Agon with a stiff-arm may be the key. Also, Hiruma mentioned it as a gamble. Due to the strength difference between Sena and Shin, the gamble may not represent a direct contest of strength.

As of now, Hiruma switched tactics with an all-passing method, using Monta's new skill, the Devil Backfire. Deimon scores a touchdown, and the White Knights are starting to become unnerved. With their countermove, the Saggitarius, the Knights take back the lead, and Hiruma decides to fake the pass and let Eyeshield run with the ball, gambling that Sena had finally found a way to counter Shin's Trident-Spear Tackle. But when Sena fumbles the ball to an Oujou recovery, he decides to bet it all on one final maneuver to get the ball back and win. The Devil Bats succeed in stopping Oujou from capitalizing from the fumble, and receive 2 points for a safety after Monta sacks the White Knights' quarterback in their own endzone. Now the ball is back in Deimon's hands in the fourth quarter.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash record: 5.1 seconds
2. Bench press: 75 kg
3. Position: Quarterback / Strong Safety
4. Jersey Number: 1
5. Height: 176 cm(5'9")
6. Weight: 67 kg(147 lbs)
7. Blood Type: Unknown
8. Birthday: Unknown
9. 2nd Year Student (Grade 11)
10. Graduated From: Maou 13th Middle School

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Devil's Handbook - Not really part of the arsenal he uses on the field, though one can say that it's his most potent weapon, aside from his cunning mind. At the beginning of the series, he uses it to force students from other clubs to become support players for the football team. This book is not limited to the secrets of students and teachers at Deimon; Hiruma has been known to blackmail city officials, work crews and storekeepers. On a single day, he was able to obtain the use of Tokyo Tower for a day and a lot of ice for the Tower of Hell tryout. At one point, Hiruma even "borrowed" a tank. Apparently, the book also functions outside of Japan, as seen during their training trip in America.
• Handoff/Pass Fake - Hiruma is a master of making the football disappear from sight, fooling Shin in chapter 229, and even TV cameras! This is very useful in making the team block the wrong way and for surprise attacks.
• Wishbone - A formation which uses 3 Running Backs behind him. Hiruma has the option of handing the ball off to one Running Back, fake and hand it off to another, or running it himself, then lateral the ball to someone else. At the same time, the one he fakes handing the ball to, blocks ahead of the true carrier. Due to Hiruma's ability to instantly choose who would receive the ball, and who would block for the receiver, makes this strategy extremely adaptable. Opposing teams have great difficulty defending against three running patterns at once. But later when it was found that Wishbone's flaw was that the other team was able to lure and choose which player the ball is being handed to. A Short Pass was added into the formation making the strategy more complete.
• Devil Bat Laser Bullet - Hiruma puts an incredibly tight spiral on the ball, which can enable it to slice through even harsh winds. Unlike a normal pass in which the ball travels in an arc, this technique causes the ball to shoot through the air in a straight line with pinpoint accuracy.
• Hail Devil Pass - A very fast, long and low bullet pass. One might think of it as the opposite to the more common Hail Mary pass. As Hiruma said, "Devils don't ask favors from Gods."
• Sign Language - Himura noticed that Mamori was learning sign language, grabbed her book, memorised it (in seconds!) and burned it, giving him a non-verbal means of communication with the sideline.
• Shotgun - This is exactly the same tactic used by the Seibu Wild Gunmans in which all eligible receivers are deployed. This is used against the Oujou White Knights in the Kantou Tournament - to a less than dazzling effect, going five-and-out against the crushing Oujou D.
• Devil Backfire - Taking advantage of Monta's highly-developed catching ability, Hiruma passes long bombs to the receiver, in which Monta grabs from behind his head. Due to all the times they've practiced together, Hiruma can pitch any long pass to Monta with 100% success rate. Also see Monta's entry.
• Devils Hound - While not used on the field, Hiruma takes a hair of someones head (when that person is missing) and shows it to Cerebrous, who bolts off to find the target/victim and drag him back. It has been used against Sena when Hiruma thought he was running away from their first games against Ojo and when Sena took the wrong bus on the first game against the Cyborgs.
• Death Card - the exact strategy is not explained in ch. 231, but apparently, it involves using both Sena and Monta in a feint to make it look like they were going to double cover Sakuraba, but then has Sena break off to blitz Takami. Shin then comes back to stop Sena, leaving Sakaruba. With Shin now out of the way, Monta breaks away to blitz Takami. This is a high-risk maneuver since it leaves Sakuraba open to receive a pass with no one covering him.

Ryōkan Kurita

File:Ryokan Kurita.jpg

Kurita in the manga.

栗田　良寛 Kurita Ryōkan is the largest and strongest player in the Deimon American Football club. Kurita lives in a temple with his father, who is the director of a Buddhist sect. His father believed that to grow up big and strong, a young boy had to eat a lot—but it seems he has overfed his son. Kurita, as his name would suggest, has a head shaped like a chestnut. He is a very sweet, kind-hearted individual, and the only thing bigger than his body is his heart. He became Sena's second friend after entering Deimon High School. When playing, Kurita shouts his kiai "Funnuraba!" when exerting extra effort. Before coming to Deimon, he attended the Shinryuuji school, but was forced out because Kongou Agon was chosen over him, so he came to Deimon High along with Hiruma and Musashi. Like Hiruma, Kurita is crazy about American football and tries to encourage everyone to join, though he does not go to the same extremes as his demonic compatriot. He can get so worked up that he's been known to begin morning practice as early as 2:00 AM. His "apprentice" is Komusubi, who practices with him whenever he can. His biggest dream is to compete in the Christmas Bowl. He is somewhat dim-witted, nearly giving away Sena's other identity, though he is immediately silenced by Hiruma. He is insanely strong, and has accidentally destroyed a small truck by hugging it (encouraging other characters to run away from his hugs). Also, whenever fights ensue, between the Deimon members, he always stops them by flattening all of them. Though he normally looks rather comical, he's dangerous when he's actually fired up. Pity the unfortunate soul who faces off against his near-unstoppable rushes. He was nominated among the top eleven offensive players of the Fall Tournament, along with Sena. When Musashi rejoins the team, Kurita's "alternate personality" is revealed during the games. Kurita's face changes as his eyes inflame and become bigger, his eyebrows thicken, and his face tightens up. He gains even more strength than usual in this "form" (although he can quickly change back when he gets happy, but change back again as the game resumes).

Kurita's drive and determination finally pays off as he pushes down Agon, (the one who had ridiculed him and had him ousted from Shinryuuji's team) and 3 other members of the Nagas at the same time, which allowed Deimon the win over the Nagas.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash: 6.5 seconds
2. Bench Press: 160 kg
3. Position: Center / Nose Guard
4. Jersey Number: 77
5. Height: 195 cm(6'4")
6. Weight: 145 kg(319 lbs)
7. Graduated From: Maou 13th Middle School
8. Birthday: July 7
9. 2nd Year Student (Grade 11)

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Kuri-Hammer - Basically when he dives for a fumble he crushes other players under him, which unfortunately include fellow teammates.

• Kurita-Push - After snapping the ball, Kurita serves as a blocking wall for Sena, by charging 5 yards ahead and pushing any opposing blocker out of Sena's path, It's nearly impossible to stop him in this technique due to Kurita's drive being at it's full potential. This technique was very effective in the game against the Seibu Wild Gunmen.

• Belly-Bounce - A move only seen in the anime. During the game against the Blizzards before the Kantou Tournament, Kurita and Komusubi most likely utilized their mass and fat to create a variation of the Hip-explosion: they broke down the Blizzard's line by thrusting their bellies forward, sending the Blizzard linemen flying.

Mamori Anezaki

File:Mamori.gif

Mamori from the manga.

姉崎　まもり Anezaki Mamori is Sena's overprotective and motherly childhood friend. Mamori's mother met Sena's mother in a cooking class, and Mamori and Sena have been friends ever since. Her mother is half-Japanese, half-American which makes Mamori 25% American and 75% Japanese. Mamori has been protecting Sena from bullies since primary school, to the point that Sena has grown up never having to stand up for himself. Mamori joined the American Football club to watch over Sena and prevent any bullying by the other members (particularly Hiruma). However, despite her 'joining the American Football club just to protect Sena's claim, she eventually becomes an excellent manager who knows the rules inside and out and makes up strategies for the team (since she has trouble with computers, she does it all on paper—super-analog). Mamori does not recognize Eyeshield 21 until he reveals his identity during the match against the Bando Spiders team. A lovely girl, Mamori excels in all her studies except art, which she is horrible at, and helped Sena with his high school entrance exam. She is also a member of the school's disciplinary committee. Though she is constantly butting heads with Hiruma, she eventually sees a softer side to the Devil Bats' quarterback.

In the anime, Mamori did try to find out Eyeshield 21's identity, mostly because when she was making the telephone contact list, she needed a number to get in touch with him. Hiruma got around this by assigning himself the responsibility of relaying all messages to Eyeshield 21. In the end, even when Sena was forced to remove his helmet to save her from the Zokugaku Chameleons, his identity remained secret to her, thanks to her own disbelief and Hiruma's tricks. She eventually gave up trying to learn who he was. Mamori has been known to block bullets from the trigger-happy Hiruma at times (once when they were aimed at Sena for daydreaming, and again after the completion of the Death March when everyone fell asleep in their hotel room).

Mamori learns about Eyeshield's identity in chapters 154 and 155, when Sena removes his helmet in front of her. After Sena apologizes and takes to the field, Mamori says that she should be the one apologizing, for babying Sena all this time. Mamori joins the Devil Bats on the field, introduced as the team's manager, signal-relay and "expert at high-speed snack eating" (much to her obvious annoyance).

Prior to the start of the Kantou Tournament, Mamori gets a haircut, saying that she wanted a change of pace. Ishimaru has also changed his hairstyle, but goes largely un-noticed, as usual.

• Character Statistics:

1. Bench Press: 20 kg
2. Position: Club Manager
3. Height: 162 cm(5'4")
4. Weight: Unknown
5. Birthday: November 24
6. 2nd Year Student (Grade 11)
7. Graduated From: Sakura Girls' Middle School

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Sign Language - Mamori analyses the action from the sidelines, and communicates any pertinent information to Hiruma via sign language so that the opposition don't pick up on anything.

Taro Raimon, a.k.a Monta

File:Monta.gif

Monta tells Hiruma his plan to beat Ikkyu

(Taro Raimon (雷門　太郎　Raimon Tarō) or Monta(モンタ) is the wide receiver of the Deimon American Football club. He resembles an ape, particularly a chimpanzee, in many ways; indeed, his simian similarity is the character's running joke throughout the manga. Although he is as short as Sena, his large hands, acrobatic moves, and leaping ability make him a very effective receiver; he can even catch Hiruma's bullet passes with one hand. He has a habit of posing every time he makes a spectacular catch for a touchdown, rolling after the jump, and breaking out of the roll by kneeling and pointing upwards with his index finger. He also has the habit of attaching 'Max' to nearly everything he does (suffixing his phrases with MAX! in the Japanese, and prefixing them with MAXI-! in the English), since he believes that one should give 100% effort in all endeavours. He was named Monta after Sena mistook his name as Montarō Rai (Sena originally thought his name was "Kaminari Montarō", since the character 雷 can be pronounced as "rai" or "kaminari"). He begins to like being called 'Monta' after Hiruma tells him the nickname 'Monta' was supposedly derived from Joe Montana. Monta does not know that Joe Montana is a quarterback, not a wide receiver. Monta has a crush on Mamori. He's always trying to win her heart (and fails miserably) because she always gives more attention to Sena. Monta's throwing is incredibly horrible: he moves his arm in the right direction, but somehow, the ball goes in a completely different direction! Not only that, but his kicking is similar. His throws/kicks usually hit someone on the head, or break a window. Monta is also known for his bad grammar, as he once said that he will "restore his dishonour" (because he lost the ball in front of Mamori), but was corrected by Hiruma, and Hiruma even requested that someone "teach that monkey human language", which embarrassed him even further.

Monta makes his first appearance after the first match against the Oujou White Knights. He tried out for Deimon's baseball club, inspired by the Shuei Bears player, Masaru Honjō, an outfielder known for his spectacular catching. However, due to his abominable throwing skills, Monta was only able to make it to the third string, the reserves of the reserves who never really get to play. He was devastated over the sheer hopelessness of it all, for he knew and realized that the only thing he was remotely good at was catching. At first, he rejected Sena's offer of joining the club. However, Hiruma later conned him into joining the team by putting up an act whereby the whole American Football club is under the jurisdiction and control of Eyeshield 21 (whereby Eyeshield 21 is the big, bad boss), and lied to Monta that Mamori joined the club because she fell for his skills. He also told Monta that Eyeshield 21 was only playing with Mamori, and that he was planning to dump her as soon as possible. Monta later decides for himself that he would become a catching hero in football instead of in baseball like Masaru Honjo (a pro baseball player who gives Monta his glove and becomes his idol). After finding out Eyeshield 21's real identity, Monta enters a friendly rivalry with Sena who is arguably his best friend.

During the game with Shinryuugi, Raimon convinced Hiruma to try for a "Hail Mary" pass. Hiruma and the team disagrees, as Ikkyu of Shinryuuji's been on him all day. In the end Hiruma agrees, but actually fires off a low bullet pass instead. Ikkyu intercepts it, but the ball gets stripped out of his hands by Monta for a touchdown. Following the extra point kick, Ikkyu tries to reaffirm his superiority over Monta by facing him down. However, as the ball is thrown back from the crowd, Monta catches it, from behind, one-handed, without even looking (this is the precursor to the Devil Backfire).

During Deimon's final plays against Shinryuuji, Monta saves the Devil Bats from a premature defeat by getting a 1st down and resetting the clock back to 4 seconds, despite being tackled by Agon. As he had done with Sena, the arrogant dreadhead had underestimated Monta's determination.

An interesting thing to note is that in the anime, Hiruma does not trick Monta into joining; he joins on his own accord. Also, Monta seems to have a younger appearance in the anime, with a more rounded, youthful face.

Chapter 207 reveals that he was voted one of the top four high school receivers in Japan. The others were: Ikkyu the backpedaling genius, Tetsuma the unstoppable and punctual train, and Sakuraba, the receiver of the highest pass in Japan. Monta, in anticipation of the Everest Pass, knowing that his jumping ability would not match Sakuraba's height and jump combined, undergoes special training from Doburoku in the three days before the game. But it was not enough in the first half of the game, with the height difference between Sakuraba and Monta in height used to the opposition's advantage for an early interception, forcing Deimon into a running game and preventing the receiver from getting any more catches in the first half. After the second half starts, 15 yards from the goal line, Takami feels the same shiver he felt in the first half, but passes the ball to Sakuraba anyway, and Monta does the unthinkable: he goes for a behind-the-head catch, putting all the energy he would have used for turning around into his jump. Using a variation of a new technique, Monta blocks the pass and sends it down for Hiruma to intercept, stopping Oujou's drive at the goal line. With the ball back in their possession, Hiruma and he unleash a new technique in order to catch the ball without any more confrontation with Sakuraba: the Devil Backfire. Further inspired by the words of Masaru Honjō (revealed to be a commissioner of the Kansai football league), Monta continues his catching spree, assisting in Deimon touchdown and the score is tied. However, by the next Deimon drive, Oujou's defense becomes more tenacious towards Monta, preventing Hiruma from using the Devil Backfire. The score becomes 20-13 with Oujou's Sagittarius play and a failed Deimon drive, but Monta reduces the lead with a safety by tackling the White Knights' quarterback in their own end zone.

Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash: 5.0 seconds
2. Bench Press: 40 kg (50kg later on)
3. Position: Wide Receiver / Cornerback
4. Jersey: 80
5. Height: 155 cm(5'1")
6. Weight: 51 kg(112 lbs)
7. Blood Type: B
8. Birthday: August 31
9. 1st Year Student (Grade 10)
10. Graduated From: Deimon 3rd Middle School
11. Can hold things with his feet, like a monkey.
12. Has an obsession with bananas, even to the point of being a member of the "Banana-Lovers Club" in middle school!

Techniques/Strategies

• Acrobatic Catches - No matter what position he's in, Monta has the ability to catch any type of pass, and can also catch multiple passes in rapid succession. He's been seen to catch the ball while inverted, rolling, jumping, or even leaning backward. He's been known to catch extremely fast balls one-handed, even from speed passers such as Hiruma, Unsui, Agon, and the Kid. His large hands have phenomenal gripping strength, allowing him to hold onto the ball, even if it is soaking wet or being pulled at by an opposing player.
• Devil Backfire - First seen in the Devil Bats/Naga game, (where Monta catches a ball from behind without looking), and realized during the Deimon/Oujou game. This is a means for Monta to counter taller opposing receivers. Due to his training both from baseball and from playing alongside Hiruma, Monta is able to pick out the wind movements of a ball without having to see it. For this technique, Monta puts his arms behind his back while running and determines the wind movement of the ball after Hiruma releases it, thus being able to grab it without having to look as well as preventing him from any more battles with taller players like Sakuraba. This has the added bonus of no reduction in speed, as most players have to turn around in order to see the incoming pass. The move also plays against Sakuraba as it can block his field of view as Monta comes barreling into him.

The Hah?-Hah?!-HAAH!?Brothers

File:ES21vol5.jpg

The Ha-Ha Brothers featured on the cover of volume 5 of the manga

Though constantly re-affirming that they are not brothers, the Ha-Ha Brothers give the impression that they are since they are constantly together. They are so called due to their schtick of saying "Ha?" in rapid succession with a crescendo (rising volume) in response to a challenge or something they disbelieve. This 'routine' starts with Toganou and ends with Kuroki. (Ex. Toganou: HA?! Jumonji: HAA?!! Kuroki: HAAA?!!!) The Ha-Ha Brothers consist of three delinquents; "Ha-Ha Brothers" is even written in English in the anime and manga when they are VS somebody, along with all the other characters names.

• Kazuki Jumonji

(十文字 一輝 Jūmonji Kazuki) Juumonji is the apparent leader of the group. In some of the episodes including the NASA Aliens game and the Death March, we see him as a leader who urges the other two to follow. He sports an X-shaped scar on his right cheek, which was originally supposed to be used to get Kurita arrested, and the only one of the three to figure out that Sena was actually Eyeshield 21. He seems to be the most thoughtful (in a sort of positive way). He always seems to keep the three-some (includes him) together, and is considered the "eldest brother" of the three. He gets fired up a lot. He is also the first of the three to score a touchdown. (He scored one when Sena caused a fumble against the Nagas and Juumonji took the ball and scored a touchdown.) This in itself is a near-miracle, since his position almost NEVER handles the ball and he managed to get across the goal line, dragging Agon along with him! He is also the first to really become serious about football, occasionally sympathizing with Sena and vowing to become a better lineman in order to assist him. During the match with Ojou, Jumonji takes the fullback position to assist Sena in his run. It is revealed that Jumonji is one of the smartest on the team.

• Koji Kuroki

(黒木 浩二 Kuroki Kōji) Kuroki sports dark hair of medium-length. He seems to be the most violent, and his usual weapon is his metal bat. When playing defense, Kuroki can sometimes play Linebacker. The other two stick to Defensive Line. (In the first book end-of-the-book character introduction, he is shown to be firing a Kikôha as he yells "HUH-DOE-KEN!!!") He seems to be a prodigy at games, whether it be tossing hoops or an arcade game. Out of the three, Kuroki is the most hot-headed, and willing to fall back on his streetfighting skills when his lineman skills fail him. Later, as he and the others become more distinguished as individuals, Hiruma gives him his own nickname, 'fish mouth'.

• Shozo Togano

(戸叶 庄三 Toganō Shōzō) Has long spiky blonde hair, and constantly wears sunglasses. Can usually be seen reading manga. He seems to be the most quiet of the three. Likes Jump, but puts it aside for a while when going to America, saying "Sigh, I guess American comics are alright." Compared to the others Togano is fairly laid-back, preferring to read his manga, often just going along with what Juumonji and Kuroki want.

They first appear in the series by ordering Sena to buy stuff for them, much to Sena's disbelief, as he had only met them in class that morning. After Sena made a final dash and jumped into the MRT carriage, Hiruma, who spotted Sena's talent for running and dodging, beat up the brothers and took pictures of them naked; he later kept the negatives for future blackmailing purposes. During the Zokugaku Chameleons exhibition match, they were searching for the negatives of the pictures when Kurita stumbled upon them. Kurita wrongly assumed they were intending to join the club as linemen. Later, because of the appearance of Kurita's apprentice, Komusubi (and his constantly looking down upon the brothers), they competed with him at the Tokyo Tower and managed to pass Hiruma's qualification test (fittingly called the Tower of Hell). The three decided to quit the team later and forget about the negatives of their pictures. However, after being beaten up by Banba of the Taiyo Sphinx, they changed their minds and set out to become great linemen. Kuroki and Togano were considered as trash by the editor of a sports magazine after their match against Taiyo Sphinx, but later proved themselves as linesmen during the games against Nasa Aliens. During the game against the Americans, they also learned a new maneuver called the Sweeper. It was here that Jumonji shows his respect for Eyeshield by promising to open a line for him to get through. During the Death March, they learn the proper method of pushing off with their entire body, rather than just their arms. In the anime, even Otawara of the White Knights found it difficult to hold them back.

The Ha-Ha Brothers have a running rivalry with Komusubi, who always shows them up in tests of strength and determination. Hiruma approves of this war of the linemen, which drives the Ha-Ha Brothers to become better players. During the Death March training in America, two of the Hah Brothers, Kuroki and Togano were about to abandon the team due to the harsh training and lack of determination, but they changed their minds once they learned that Hiruma and Kurita will no longer be able to play after their second fall season. This would be their final chance. Jumonji also pointed out that they earned more respect as linemen rather than as useless punks. It is also fair to note that their background as punks has come in rather handy in several games, where they've relied more on their streetfighting skills than actual lineman skills, like against Zokugaku and Seibu.

In the game versus Bando, when they are introduced individually, Machine Gun Sanada describes Juumonji as having the best technique, Kuroki the best speed, and Togano the most power. This is another sign of their branching out as individuals.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash:

• Juumonji: 5.5 seconds
• Kuroki: 5.1 seconds
• Togano: 5.5 seconds

1. Positions: Linemen

• Juumonji:Tackle/Defensive End
• Kuroki: Guard/Linebacker
• Togano: Tackle/Defensive End

1. Bench Press: 65 kg, 85 kg in vol. 5(likely to have increased after the Death March)
2. Jerseys:
   • Juumonji: 51
   • Kuroki: 52
   • Togano: 53
3. Height (Juumonji / Kuroki / Togano): 175 cm / 175 cm / 175 cm
4. Weight: 71 kg / 70 kg / 74 kg
5. Blood Type: A / B / O
6. Birthday: October 1 / September 2 / October 13
7. Graduated From: Yanki Middle School (This in itself is a joke, as 'yanki' is slang for 'punk' or 'delinquent'.)
8. 1st Year Students (Grade 10)

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Screen Pass - They intentionally let their opponents break through the line, then shift over to make two-on-one blocks on the other side of the line of scrimmage. This creates a wide area for Eyeshield to go through once Hiruma laterals the ball to him.
• Juvenile Delinquent Murder Method - Also known as the Scumbag Scuffle and Rascal Killing. The Hah Brothers practiced the technique with the Zokugaku Chameleons. The method involves grabbing the opposing lineman by the sleeve, taking a diagonal step up, then slamming the opponent face-first into the turf by using the opponent's driving force against himself (though technically, that move should be considered as Unnecessary Roughness/Unsportsmanlike Conduct). This is especially useful in getting past larger linemen in order to sack the quarterback. Jumonji uses this move the most often, while it is rarely, if ever, executed by Togano and Kuroki.
• Sweeper - A method in which linemen form a protective barrier in front of Eyeshield, thereby clearing a path for him in a diagonal direction. After the Death March, they are able to clear a very wide passage for him to go through.
• Hip Explosion - During the Death March, the Ha-Ha Brothers learned the proper method of pushing out with their entire bodies, rather than just their arms. By thrusting out their hips, they can deliver more force against opposing linemen. Kuroki in particular excercises this move against the incredible Aoyanagi in the game against Amino.

Manabu Yukimitsu

File:Yukimitsu.gif

Yukimitsu scores vs. Shinryuuji

(雪光 学 Yukimitsu Manabu) Yukimitsu is the bench player of the Deimon Devil Bats. He makes his first appearance after watching the Zokugaku vs Deimon exhibition match. He has a big forehead, which looks consistent with the first signs of male pattern baldness. His mother wants him to be a studious person and makes him study from day till night in addition to going to cram school (even his name means "study"). Yukimitsu has missed many festivals and games throughout his childhood and youth, and regrets it terribly. After watching the match between Zokugaku and Deimon, he decides to join the American Football club to fulfill his dreams; to be a winner, to be part of a game, rather than studying all day. He wanted to have sweet memories of his high school that didn't have anything to do with studying, even if he just played once. Yukimitsu was able to pass Hiruma's "Tower of Hell" qualifying test only by Hiruma's pity. He's usually sitting on the bench; supporting the main players and waiting for a chance to play with them. A couple of times, he has inadvertently inspired plays, such as the tactic of neutralizing the Shuttle Pass with the Nasa Aliens, (when Cerberus bit his wrist), which gave Sena the idea of tackling the muscular and well-built American quarterback by the arm, rather than the midsection. Though not physically fit, Yukimitsu has a talent for memorizing plays and pass routes. One of the three smartest students at Deimon, with Mamori and Hiruma. He trains just as hard, if not harder, than everyone else. At one point during the Death March in America, Yukimitsu nearly gave up and was in danger of being cut from the team (he collapsed from exhaustion). However, thanks to Sena, he was able to muster up the courage to complete the Death March (Sena carried him for a short period of time, then Yukimitsu thanked him and even re-ran the segment where Sena had carried him!). He also helped Natsuhiko study for his entrance exam into Deimon, where he discovered that Suzuna's brother could learn things by associating them with football. Though he wasn't chosen as a regular at the start of the Fall Tournament, he finally begins to play when the Devil Bats had to face against the Shinryuji Nagas. He was initially thought of as a joke, but that was all according to Hiruma's scheme. Though he lacks Hiruma's animal cunning, Yukimitsu's mind is a force to be reckoned with. Grows his hair out between the start of Fall Tournament and the Shinryuji game and was the first to score a touchdown against the Nagas. As of now, he is part of the offensive line for Deimon's pass strategies. Determined as he is to succeed with the Devil Bats, Yukimitsu has yet to tell his overbearing mother that he's on the team, much less playing in the Fall Tournament.

At the start of the game against Oujo, Yukimitsu is put into play early. This is a surprise to everyone since he never had enough stamina to last throughout an entire game. Recently, in chapter 229, he finally makes a catch that resulted in 2-yards.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash: 5.6 seconds
2. Bench Press: Unknown
3. Position: Wide Receiver/Special Teams
4. Jersey: 16
5. Height: 179 cm
6. Weight: 67 kg
7. Blood Type: A
8. Birthday: February 29
9. Graduated From: Deimon 3rd Middle School (Same as Monta)
10. 2nd Year Student (Grade 11)
11. Nickname: The Ambusher

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Option Route - Yukimitsu's main skill lies in the ability to calculate the positions of the opposing team members and where they are going to run, in relation to where Hiruma can throw the ball, allowing him to instantly choose the place to receive the pass. His many years of studying allow him to make snap judgements as to which option to take.

Daikichi Komusubi

File:Komusubi.gif

Komusubi showing his power.

小結 大吉 Komusubi Daikichi) Komusubi is one of the linemen of the Deimon Devil Bats. His given name of Daikichi means 'Good Fortune.' His father named him after he had gotten a promotion after his son's birth. Though Daikichi is not very fast nor tall, but he makes up for it with his indomitable will and power. He decided to join the Devil Bats after seeing the Zokugaku exhibition match. Daikichi was highly impressed by Kurita's amazing strength and build, and decided that he wanted to become Kurita's "apprentice". He was able to join the team after surviving the Hell Tower qualifying test, beating out the Hah Brothers. Komusubi has taken to bunking at Kurita's house, and joining Kurita in waking up as early as 2AM to go training. He does not talk much, and apparently speaks (and writes!) only in the language of Powerful-go that only "true men" can understand, which consists of strange grunts and one-word sentences. It is still confusing as to how people like Komusubi's father, Kurita, Deimon's gym teacher, Mizumachi, and some of the members of the Nasa Aliens team, can comprehend what he is saying. (It should be noted that Mamori as well as Mizumachi seem to be able to understand him as well.)

He always seems to be the thorn in the side of the Hah Brothers, showing them that he's stronger than them and spurring them on to become stronger. He has also been shown lifting around 20 high-schoolers at once. Though they hate each other, Hiruma knows that their rivalry is what really drives them to become better players. He is also has a gifted talent for being a sumo.

He does not like to be teased about his small stature and does his best to prove that size is not everything. Komusubi is short like his mother, but he inherited his father's strength. He learns all on his own how to deal with taller opponents. Using the Rip Tackle and his Fast Start technique, he is able to bowl over even the tall linemen of the Kyoshin Poseidon. He proved to be instrumental in the final seconds of that game, pushing down his opponent for Eyeshield 21 to get through to score.

Komusubi was not a major factor in the win over the Nagas, however his quietly efficient performance made things much easier for Kurita and Juumonji. He was also the one to catch Musashi's onside kick. It's assumed he'll play a larger role in the game with Oujo, since Ikari Daigo will finally get to play.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard-dash: 5.2 seconds
2. Bench Press: 110 kg
3. Position: Offensive Guard/Defensive Tackle
4. Jersey: 55
5. Height: 150 cm(4'11")
6. Weight: 64 kg(140 lbs)
7. Blood Type: AB
8. Birthday: January 1
9. Graduated From: Gouremu Middle School
10. 1st Year Student (Grade 10)

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Trap Block - Komusubi ignores the person in front of him at the line of scrimmage, then tackles from the side, anyone who tries to sack Hiruma. Opponents have very little force to counter a side attack.
• Fast Start - Being smaller gives him a lower center of gravity, allowing Komusubi to get a flying headstart than his opponent once the ball is snapped. He learned how to accomplish this feat by taking part in a Sumo competition.
• Rip Tackle - To deal with taller opponents, (which is almost all the time), Komusubi pushes upwards during the tackle, utilizing the insane amounts of arm strength he inherited from his father. This allows him to flip over larger adversaries.

Tetsuo Ishimaru

File:Ishimaru.PNG

Ishimaru from Chapter 3

(石丸 哲生 Ishimaru Tetsuo) Ishimaru is the Devil Bats' second running back. Ishimaru was recruited from the track team by Sena who took over half of his paper route for him. He played in the Koigahama match, but was injured due to Sena being unable to discern between the types of cleats. Ishimaru continued to play for the Devil Bats, even though no one notices his presence in the team. However, his obscurity plays to his advantage when playing since no one notices when he is handed the ball. Many teams curse to themselves in front of him after the play, usually saying that, "he has no presence," or that, "We didn't notice him". He's the track and field captain, which is why Hiruma usually refers to him as "Track Star".

Ishimaru often acts as a fullback, blocking for Sena on screen passes and other trick plays. When he actually learns that Sena is Eyeshield 21, he foams at the mouth and "breaks". Like Yukimitsu, Ishimaru also grows out his hair, but no one seems to notice. Is referred to as the Stealth Running Back, Shadowless God Of Death, or just "plain" Ishimaru. He is such a pushover, that he's willing to go with anything that happens around him. His catchphrase is, "It's alright."

One interesting thing to note is that Ishimaru has an American look-a-like named Jimmy Simard ("Jim I-Shimaru"). Sena mistakes Jimmy for Ishimaru during the tryout with the San Antonio Armadillos. Jimmy actually made the cut for the pros, despite some bullies' cheating and foul tactics, thanks to Eyeshield 21's help.

Ishimaru’s importance came in to play during the game of Deimon Devil Bats against Kyojin Poseidon. In order to overcome their opponent’s height and extreme long reach, he was included as one of the runners for one of Hiruma’s trickiest strategies: Wish Bone.

In the match against Oujou, when Ikari sacked Hiruma, Hiruma was able to throw a short pass towards Ishimaru seconds before the quarterback got sacked, however, Ishimaru only managed to run 1 yard before Shin tackled him.

In the anime, Ishimaru learned of Eyeshield 21's identity when his track team was in trouble for the finals at the Relay Races. Ishimaru was planning on leaving the football club, but thanks to Sena volunteering to be the third man in the race, Deimon's Track Team won. Seeing Sena run without his helmet confirmed his identity as Eyesheild 21 and in gratitude, Ishimaru decided to stay with the Devil Bats until the end of the Tournament.

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Insubstantial: Due to Ishimaru's lack of "presence" he can often make long runs or catch passes out of the backfield without the opposing team noticing til it's too late.

• Character Statistics:

1. 40 yard dash: 4.9 seconds
2. Position: Fullback / Cornerback
3. Jersey: 30
4. Height: 168 cm
5. Weight: 59 kg
6. Blood Type: A
7. Birthday: May 26
8. Graduated From: Jimichuu Middle School (Probably a double pun, as "jimi" means "plain" - as well as being a play on the fancy shoe label Jimmy Choo.)
9. 2nd Year Student (Grade 11)

Yohei Satake

File:Satake.PNG

Satake as he is threatened by Hiruma

(佐竹 洋平 Satake Yōhei) Satake is a basketball player who gets blackmailed by Hiruma to become a "support" player for the football team. Satake is perverted and is not a very important character. In the manga, during junior high, he stole some underwear out of the locker room of the girls swim team, not knowing that the underwear belonged to a 50-year-old cleaning woman. He spent the following summer lamenting over that fact. He became especially excited when he saw the team manager of the Yuuhi Guts in bloomers.

In the anime, Hiruma blackmails him by threatening to reveal that he used to wet his bed until he was in junior high. He hasn't done much for the team, but sticks with it longer than most of the other "support" players. This is mostly due to the fact that he gets better recognition from girls as a member of the Devil Bats, rather than as a basketball player, (as shown in the anime).

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard dash: 5.2 seconds
2. Position: Receiver / Linebacker
3. Jersey: 13
4. Height: 166 cm
5. Weight: 58 kg
6. Blood Type: O
7. Birthday: April 10
8. 1st Year Student (Grade 10)

Kenta Yamaoka

File:Yamaoka.PNG

Yamaoka as he is threatened by Hiruma

(山岡 健太 Yamaoka Kenta) Yamaoka is another basketball player who gets blackmailed by Hiruma to become a "support" player for the football team. Yamaoka has a thing for Ai Kago. He spends 98% of his allowance to buy her CDs, products, and other stalking supplies. Every morning when he wakes up, he kisses a poster of her. Like Satake, he sticks around longer than most of the other support players. He does not do much and is always trying to put the moves on Mamori. He gets excited along with Yohei when he sees the Yuuhi Guts manager in her bloomers, and praised the fact that there was "still such a paradise in Japan."

• Character Statistics:

1. 40-yard dash: 5.2 seconds
2. Position: Receiver / Linebacker
3. Jersey: 58
4. Height: 168 cm
5. Weight: 62 kg
6. Blood Type: B
7. Birthday: August 10
8. 1st Year Student (Grade 10)

Futoshi Omosadake

File:Omosadake.PNG

Omosadake in the match against Amino

(重佐武　太 Omosadake Futoshi) Omosadake is a chubby person who keeps his eyes shut all the time; he's very lazy, to the point where even opening his own eyes feels tiring. The only thing that isn't too troublesome for him is eating. He was dragged onto the field by Hiruma in the match against Amino Cyborgs as a support player, though he claims he can only play for 30 minutes max. He's also a part of the Sumo Club. Omosadake is also seen in episode 56 of the anime first seen helping the Ha-Ha brothers with line pratice for the match against the Poseidons and is then seen throughout the episode. Recently, he has assisted Kurita on the defensive line in the game against the Oujou White Knights, using a tactic similar to the Taiyou Sphinx to hold back the defensive line against players like Ootawara.

• Character Statistics:

1. Position: Line/Linebacker
2. Jersey: 54
3. Height: 160 cm
4. Weight: 100 kg
5. Blood Type: O
6. Birthday: March 8
7. 1st Year Student (Grade 10)

Doburoku Sakaki

File:Doburoku.gif

Doburoku-sensei has a plan...

(酒奇 溝六 Sakaki Doburoku) He first appeared during the Beach football match on a beach in America. He was a coach to Hiruma, Musashi and Kurita, and taught them how to play American football. Doburoku loves drinking sake. (In an aside, it is revealed that he has many, many different gourds, all of them looking the same, but all containing a different kind of alcoholic beverage.)

However, he ran off to America later since he owed some loan sharks 2 million yen after gambling (and losing miserably). He intended to look for talented people in America to play American football but got into Beach football. There, he trained the team Too Tattoos, and after undergoing his strict training regimens, they became better players. Now, since the Devil Bats have managed to pay his debts (via much gambling on Hiruma's part in Las Vegas), he has became Deimon Devil Bat's coach and personal trainer.

An interesting fact to note is that he and Ojo's trainer, Shogun, were teammates at Sengoku university's American football team, and were known as "The Twin Japanese Blades". During those days, he was a tight-end. Back then, the both of them participated in the Death March, with Shogun being on the offense line and Doburoku specializing in defense (This might have some relevance to Shoji's philosophy that the defense is the most important, and Doburoku's philosophy that was maybe passed on to Hiruma, which was that the offense was the most important). However, all their other teammates gave up during the last 200 or so kilometres of the Death March, and Doburoku overexerted himself in pushing the truck, resulting in an unrecoverable injury on his right knee.

He didn't want the Devil Bats to undergo the Death March training for fear that they might ruin their potential athletic careers just as he ruined his. But, they wanted to become stronger - and so, they decided it was hell or nothing - and participated in the Death March. He was quite amazed that the Devil Bats was the ONLY team to have completed the Death March.

Most of the times, he is somewhat afraid of Hiruma, and sometimes looks to him for decisions, especially during the Death March. He does have a stubborn streak. When he went to look for Kombsubui when he was missing, he thought he sounded so cool that he did'nt give up looking for him DAYS AFTER KOMBSUBUI WAS FOUND. He did not know that though.

• Character Info:

1. Position: Manager/Trainer
2. He looks like a kung-fu master (those you see in typical shounen manga) yet he drinks alcoholic drinks from his gourd.
3. He's never washed his clothes and has worn the same clothes for three years.
4. When he returned back to Japan, he started work as the school's janitor; his salary, however, will go into Hiruma's account (whereby it will be used for maintenance and improvisations on the Devil Bats' team's part).
5. Doboruku had made a bet on Deimon's victory over the Nagas with the odds of 170 to 1. He had wagered a million yen. When the Devil Bats defeat the Kantou Champions, he becomes so excited at becoming a millionaire that he faints dead away. He was able to enjoy his new wealth for a short while. However, after betting his fortune on the Taiyo Sphinx to win against the Hakushuu Dinosaurs, he is once again put deep into debt as the Sphinx are forced to forfeit during half-time.

Suzuna Taki

File:Suzuna.gif

Suzuna in her Devil Bat Cheer uniform.

(瀧 鈴音 Taki Suzuna) Suzuna is a cute blue-haired girl who's always wearing rollerblades. She came to America and hitched a ride with one of the bikers of a bike gang. Sena first met her after he got lost halfway through the Death March and was surrounded by a whole lot of American bikers - Sena being Sena, he couldn't really communicate with them. However, one biker mentioned the words 'Japanese girl', 'Football player', and 'Japan', and Sena assumed said biker was talking about Mamori, and immediately went off in search of the aforementioned Japanese girl. The 'Japanese girl' term was actually referring to Suzuna, and 'Football player' Natsuhiko, her brother. Suzuna was looking for her brother, and in that same respect, met up with the 'Football player' assuming that it was Natsuhiko. The bikers then assumed they were boyfriend and girlfriend (cheering them on with "C'mon, hug! Kiss! Hug!", but the fact was that Suzuna and Sena were not in a relationship). She eventually finds her brother and beats the living daylights out of him for taking the family savings to fly to America. She also witnesses Sena in action as Eyeshield 21. Later, she follows the team back to Japan after her brother accepts Sena's offer to join the Devil Bats (he didn't get picked for the American football team he was trying to enter). She then becomes a cheerleader for the Devil Bats even though she's not from Deimon High School (and the captain for the otherwise all-American cheerleading team). Now, the club has a second female member in the group. Suzuna is built like that of a young girl, and is often teased mercilessly by others because of that. One thing to note is that she does not like to be addressed by her last name or be called Miss, (in Japanese, using the term 'san') however she doesn't mind being called Suzuna-ojouchan (little miss or young lady) by Doboroku.

In the anime, Suzuna was introduced earlier in the timeline as a part-time reporter, working for the magazine American Football Monthly to discover Eyeshield 21's identity. Her reason was to find her long-lost brother, whom she suspected was Eyeshield 21. Realizing that Eyeshield 21 was too short, however, she then leaves for America due to a tip from Hiruma. She later meets up with the Devil Bats during their Death March training. She even came up with the Devil Bats cheer:

GO! GO! LET'S GO!

GO! GO! DEVIL!

FLY! FLY! BATS!

RUN! RUN! BATS!

COME ON! COME ON! 21!

EYESHIELD 21! 21!

COME ON OUT, EYESHIELD 21!

• Character Info:

1. Position: Cheerleading Captain (self-appointed)
2. 1st year student (Grade 10)
3. The first time Sena and Monta saw her in her cheerleading outfit, they were shocked as if they had just seen a ghost. She even made a special cheerleading outfit for Mamori and Monta was extremely happy to see it (he had a massive nosebleed there and then).
4. Hiruma managed to get American cheerleaders for the team mostly via threatening them (two of the cheerleaders appear to look distinctively like the two American girls who were featured in an episode in the anime).
5. In the 100th chapter (a whole chapter consisting of cute 4-column panel omake), Suzuna got Mamori to wear the Eyeshield 21 clothes. As she puts the visored helmet onto a resisting Mamori's head, that is when Monta suddenly walks in, believing that was Sena with Suzuna, and from the angle he was standing it looked like they were kissing.
6. Her catchphrase is a loud "YA!".
7. She does not like being addressed as 'San' or by her last name. She demanded that Sena call her by her first (in Japanese culture, this is usually done between close friends or couples)
8. Suzuna has little interest in romantic relationships of her own, but is always interested in those of other people. Whenever a prospective couple is mentioned, part of Suzuna's hair sticks up and spins like a radar, locking onto the unfortunate target (usually Mamori regarding Hiruma) before bombarding him/her with questions of their relationship. In a few scenes, some readers have suggested that she may have some feelings toward Sena, though this has not been verified at the present time. Some other readers may interpret it another way judging by how Sena got jealous when Mizumachi was trying to peek at Mamori and Suzuna.

Natsuhiko Taki

File:Natsuhiko.gif

Taki gets serious against Akaba.

(瀧 夏彦 Taki Natsuhiko) A man with an odd and rather foolish attitude, and is apparently quite oblivious to the silliness of his actions. He was first introduced in the series when Sena met him in the San Antonio stadium (Natsuhiko was trying out for the team there). He has a habit of opening his jacket to bare his pecs, making weird poses like rising up his leg 180 degrees and is often portrayed as a ladies-man. His dream is to become a pro football star, even though he didn't know squat about the rules, nor the positions, stating that he was an all-around super player. He couldn't play American Football in Japan; he wasn't qualified, so he went to America to apply for a position in the San Antonio Team by taking all the savings in his house to fly to America. He failed; however, the coach did praise him on his potential and asked him to try out again after gaining some experience in high school football. His body's flexibility is comparable to Monta's. Sena passed the pro-tryouts as Eyeshield 21, (though he and the Taki siblings left before his name was announced). Sena, feeling a little sorry for the poor guy, sensed that Natsuhiko had potential and that his talent shouldn't be wasted, asked him to join the Devil Bats back in Japan as a Tight End. He manages to qualify as a Devil Bats team member after undergoing the rest of the Death March. Although he's quite the clueless, narcissistic fool, he is undeniably a very good (not to mention useful) player in the team. His personality is noted to be gentlemanly, but he's still an idiotic, competitive showoff. During the Bando Spiders game, after getting thrashed pretty badly by Akaba of the Spiders, Natsuhiko gets serious for the first time, and manages to out-perform Akaba. He also began wearing his hair in a samurai topknot. However, after getting a tiny bit of praise, he reverts back to his usual idiot persona. He is blessed by the football gods too. Though not a major player in the surprise win over the Nagas, Natsuhiko made key blocks and catches throughout the game. It is assumed that he and Komusubi will have a larger role in the game with Oujo. Given his height and leaping ability, Natsuhiko should cover Sakuraba, but the manga has shown Monta in training to do so. As of chapter 221 he is covering Sakuraba together with Monta.

• Character Info:

1. 40-yard-dash: 5.11 seconds
2. Bench Press: 90 kg
3. Position: Tight End/Safety/Outside Linebacker
4. Jersey: 37
5. Height: 182 cm
6. Weight: 72 kg
7. Blood Type: AB
8. Birthday: April 10
9. 1st year student
10. Monta harbors an intense dislike towards Natsuhiko; in junior high, while Monta was taking an entrance exam, Natsuhiko approached Monta and asked him whether a book he found earlier, Son Son (with a picture of a chimpanzee on it) was Monta's, since he thought that Monta looked like a chimp.
11. He's an idiot when it comes to directions. Before the match against the Amino Cyborgs, he made Sena and himself take the wrong bus to Nagoya; however, thanks to Hiruma and the Zokugaku Chameleons, Sena eventually got back to play in the match in time. But then, Natsuhiko got lost (again) by taking the wrong train back. In the end he missed the game, yet Hiruma later claimed he was not going to play anyway since he had yet to enroll at Deimon.
12. He is also an idiot when it comes to academics. He proudly announces that he only knew up to the 6 times tables, and said that 9 X 9=18. However, if he associates the questions with football, then he gets it right. That was how the Devil Bats were able to help him cram for the entrance exam. Hiruma was about to assassinate the examiner in Deimon to make Natsuhiko pass, but the examiner concluded that he passed, (barely) and was eligible to enroll in Deimon High School.
13. In the anime (and in the manga), he always addresses Suzuna as "My Sister". His catchphrase is usually a loud "AH-HA-HA!", and exclaiming that he has a 150% success rate at anything he does. This usually leads to the Hah brothers being irritated at him.

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Flexibility - Taki's body is incredibly flexible, which allows him to bend and contort at extreme angles to make catches or blocks.
• Power Off Tackle - Basically it's a one-man Sweeper using just Natsuhiko to open a smaller path for Eyeshield to run through.
• Prince Gentle Hurricane - Taki's own variation of Sena's Devil Bat Hurricane, he lifts up one of his legs and spins around with the football down the field. Unfortunately, the technique is easy prey against an opposing team's defense and is considered more for show than effective.

Gen "Musashi" Takekura, a.k.a The 60-yard Magnum

File:Musashi2.gif

Musashi returns for the Seibu game.

(武蔵　厳　Takekura Gen, ムサシ　Musashi) The place kicker for the Devil Bats and one of the original three members of the team, along with Hiruma and Kurita. He is often mistaken for an older person, since he initially has a bit of stubble and has a buzz-cut. When he finally joins the team, he grows out his hair and shaves. He leaves the team during the spring season of his freshman year, due to the fact that his father had become seriously ill. As a result, he was forced to drop out of school and take over as the construction foreman of Deimon High. Though he desperately wants to get back into playing, he refused to rejoin the Devil Bats. However, after meeting with Sena and Monta and seeing how determined they are to get him back on the team, he agrees, but only if they become a strong team. In the manga, he makes his comeback during the game against Seibu, when his father hit him for abandoning his team. In the anime, he does not rejoin the team until the game with the Bando Spiders. He has a running rivalry with the kicker of the Spiders, Kotaro Sasaki, who according to Hiruma, has NEVER missed.

Musashi has an incredibly strong right leg which helps the Devil Bats on kickoffs, often pinning their opponents deep or forcing them to down the ball deep in their own territory, or in their end zone for a touchback. The title of the 60-yard Magnum was actually a lie fabricated by Hiruma, in order to make Musashi seem invincible, and Takekura keeps telling people that it is a lie. However, the kicker of the Bando Spiders STILL wants to prove that he's better than the Deimon player. During the game against the Nagas, he is instrumental in the Devil Bats' onside kick at the start of the second half, and even pounds some sense into Hiruma with his fist, (though it was all an act). He also has been the only player on Deimon to score during the climactic game against Oujou, making two field goals that kept Deimon within range of the White Knights with a 14-6 score at halftime.

Following the Bando game, there is an omake strip in which Hiruma and Kurita take Musashi to a barber as 'punishment' for not coming back until that game - if he had kicked against the Wild Gunmans, Deimon may have won. They give him various comedic hairstyles (which lead to Hiruma in particular nearly kill himself laughing) before deciding on shaving the left and right sides of his head, giving him a much more 'punky' look.

TECHNIQUES/STRATEGIES

• Onside Kick - Basically, Musashi kicks the ball at an angle and a shorter distance than usual in order for his teammates to try to regain possession of the ball.

1. 40-yard-dash: 5.6 seconds
2. Bench Press: 90 kgs
3. Position: Kicker/Linebacker
4. Jersey: 11
5. Height: 177 cm
6. Weight: 77 kg
7. Blood Type: A
8. Birthday: April 2 (17 years old)
9. Graduated From: Maou 13th Middle School
10. 2nd year student
11. The kanji in Musashi's last name, Takekura, can also be read as Musashi, thus his nickname. The name is derived from Miyamoto Musashi, a famous samurai, who was famous for his skills with two swords, which relates to the fact that Musashi must put up two kicks for every successful possession (extra point kick or field goal and the kick off). Gen's rivalry with the Bando Spiders kicker Kotaro Sasaki is also a play on Miyamoto's rivalry with the legendary swordsman Sasaki Kojiro.
12. In the manga, Musashi has a habit on picking his ear whenever he's not serious or as a comedy gag.