| Yōichi Hiruma | |
|---|---|
| Character information | |
| Rōmaji | Hiruma Yōichi |
| Kanji | 蛭魔 妖一 |
| Alias | King Of Hell King Of The Darkness Commander from Hell Control Tower of Hell Yō-nii (used only by Suzuna) |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 17
20 (end of series) |
| Birthday | February 7 |
| Height | 176 cm (5'9") |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Bench press | 75 kg |
| Relatives | Yuya Hiruma (father) |
| Status | |
| Affiliation | Deimon Devil Bats Saikyoudai Wizards |
| Year | 3rd Year |
| Jersey | 1 |
| 40 Yard Dash | 5.2 seconds (Formerly) 5.1 seconds |
| Pass Response Time | 2.3 sec |
| Position | Quarterback Strong Safety Punter Placekicker Holder |
| Team | Deimon Devil Bats (high school) Team Japan (Youth World Cup) Saikyoudai Wizards (university) San Antonio Armadillos (NFL) |
| Former Affiliation | Mao Devil Bats (middle school) |
| Debut | |
| Chapter | 1st Down |
| Episode | Episode 1 |
| Voice actors | |
| Japanese | Atsushi Tamura Shinichiro Miki (Jump Festa) |
| English | Derek Stephan Prince |
| Image gallery | |
Relationships[]
Deimon Devil Bats[]
Sena Kobayakawa[]
Hiruma first met Sena when he first entered Deimon High School. Once he discovers Sena's talent in running, Hiruma forces him to be the running back on the football team, and gave him the name "Eyeshield 21" in order to hide his identity from other sports teams, and most importantly, to intimidate rival and opposing teams. He let Sena become a secretary as well, but later deemed him unsuited for the role, which was later given to Mamori Anezaki after she inquired to help Sena with managing football team. Early on, it was Hiruma who gave Sena the necessary pointers on how to play the game, and successfully turned him from a non-athletic weakling into a bona-fide sportsman able to score.
Over time, he began to understand more and more about Sena's strengths and weaknesses, constantly pushing him to overcome each opponent and reach new heights. At times, he may seem like a merciless commander for him, telling him to run even against a vastly superior opponent (such as Agon, Shin, and Yamato), but he only does so out of pure belief that Sena will eventually come out on top. By the end of the series, he confirms Sena's determination to fight in the world of pro footballers, and imparts his final play onto him. And in the university time-skip, he becomes eager to face off against him, wanting to go all-out with his trick plays and not hold back on his former teammate.
Hiruma calls him "Shrimp".
Ryokan Kurita[]
One of the Hiruma's best friends. Kurita was the one who convinced Hiruma to actually start playing American Football instead of merely betting on it. They founded the Maou Devil Bats team together in middle school, and Hiruma started his Devil's Handbook for the sake of making the team. Though he often abuses Kurita and rebukes him for being too soft, Hiruma has been shown to genuinely care about the gentle giant, throwing away the chance to join the Shinryuuji Nagas to enter Deimon High School with him. In the anime, when Kurita was framed for ruining a shopping district's festival, Hiruma tracked down two American girls who were at the scene of the crime to prove his innocence. Though Kurita doesn't always understand what Hiruma is thinking, he trusts Hiruma greatly, creating an unbreakable friendship.
During the Hakushu game when Hiruma was tackled by Gao and passed out, Kurita completely broke down. Hiruma, with his last remaining consciousness, motioned to Mamori to take his stretcher to Kurita's side. He then used all of his strength to give Kurita a huge kick in the rear to remotivate him before promptly fainting again afterward.
During college, Hiruma, Kurita, and Musashi decided to part ways to form their own football teams and play against each other like the Three Kingdoms. They have now become both best friends and heated rivals.
Hiruma calls him "fatty", "fatass".
Gen Takekura[]
Hiruma's other best friend. Musashi understands Hiruma more than Kurita and is often Hiruma's (sometimes unwilling) sidekick when it comes to making insidious plans. The two are extremely close. At the very beginning when Musashi refused to join the American Football team in middle school, Hiruma did not resort to using his Devil's Handbook, a fact which Musashi noticed. Upon questioning, Hiruma replied that he wanted a comrade, not a puppet. His persistence in getting Musashi on the team eventually won Musashi over and he accepted.
When Musashi decided to quit the team When his Father collapse from overwork, Hiruma offered to blackmail the principal into giving money to the Takekura Construction Company. Musashi refused and Hiruma, though reluctantly, backed down. They're friendship, however, remained close and they seemed to have no trouble talking when Musashi was rebuilding the Devil Bats clubhouse.
During the Christmas Bowl when Musashi was to make the 60-yards kick to ensure Deimon's victory, Hiruma told Musashi that 'Kurita' had hit things after he left and screamed when there was nothing left to hit. Both Musashi and Mamori realized that Hiruma was actually talking about himself, showing how much Musashi's leaving had an impact on him.
During college, Hiruma, Kurita, and Musashi decided to part ways to form their own football teams and play against each other like the Three Kingdoms. They have now become both best friends and heated rivals.
Hiruma calls him "old man", or "damn kicker".
Taro "Monta" Raimon[]
Monta was roped into joining the football team by Hiruma, after he took note of his catching prowess (by throwing a ball at him unprovoked). Using an array of deceit and manipulation, he successfully takes advantage of Monta's gullibility and emotions, and gives him a reason, excuse, and motivation to play for the Deimon Devil Bats after having failed to make the cut for the baseball team. Earlier on, like with Sena, he would be the one to show him the ropes on how to play football, especially how to play as a receiver. Over time, he would also bring out Monta's full potential, by pushing him to fight against his opponents in catching, although more often than not, Monta is the one who is most eager to take them on himself, putting his pride and body on the line. He is often driven to exasperation with Monta's "Monkey Wisdom" and general idiocy, but nonetheless acknowledges that his skills are indispensable to the team.
Hiruma calls him "fucking monkey", and gave him the nickname "Monta", much to his initial protest, but was swayed due to Hiruma's lie about how it originates from Joe Montana, a pro NFL quarterback.
Mamori Anezaki[]
Originally their relationship was antagonistic and focused around Sena, with Hiruma wanting him to play football and Mamori being her overprotective self. Eventually, their relationship grew and developed without Sena into a trusting and caring relationship. Mamori is just as close, if not more so than Musashi to Hiruma, and she also understands him very well. More often than not she is the one who can pick up on the signs of when Hiruma is injured and exhausted and is also often the one who nurses him. Hiruma, who does not normally take notice of women, always teases her and baits her since he seems to find it amusing when she's angry. He also trusts her to let her in on some of his schemes and to analyze videos to divulge needed information. During the Kyoshin Poseidons, Hiruma was the only one who understood her message from the bench (everyone else thought that she was doing some sort of cheerleading dance). Afterward, between them, they have a sign language which they use to communicate during matches.
Mamori deeply cares for Hiruma's well-being and hates to even think about him being hurt, even abandoning watching the Hakushu match to sit by Hiruma's bedside after he was injured. There were been times where it was implied that she may have feelings for him and vice versa, though no concrete evidence has been given and she denied it when she Doburoku once refer her as Hiruma's girlfriend which she concludes she just doing her best as manager. She also denies it when Suzuna presses her. At the end of the manga, she decides to follow him to Saikyoudai where she becomes the manager of his team.
Hiruma called her "damn manager".
Manabu Yukimitsu[]
Initially Hiruma was hesitant to consider Yukimitsu for the cut, as he did not believe that the lifelong bookworm had the physical ability to keep up. But after seeing firsthand his undying tenacity and determination on multiple occasions, especially during the Death March, to the point of exhaustion and collapse, he started to see merit in him. Granted, he did not pass Yukimitsu for the starter team, as his athletic ability, even after the Death March, was simply not good enough to let him play on the field as a regular player. However, this simply marks that Hiruma has a completely different plan from him, in the form of the "Option Route", an incredibly advanced play that abandons direct communication, and instead makes use of both Yukimitsu and Hiruma's incredibly high intellect and field of view to make the perfect surprise pass that they both unanimously agreed on, based on the opponent's unguarded defense zones, although Yukimitsu found that he needed to push himself to his utmost limit to fulfill his end of the pass, against any opponent that might be after him. Indeed, it was thanks to this surprise play, that Deimon were able to score their first touchdown against Shinryuji. Overall, Hiruma acknowledges and respects Yukimitsu as his intellectual equal, when it comes to the field. Hiruma calls him "baldy".
The Ha-Ha Brothers (Kazuki Jumonji, Koji Kuroki, Shozo Togano)[]
Initially they got off on a very wrong start, with the Brothers being blackmailed leaving Sena Alone then into being reserve players for the football team. For a great deal of their early time together, they felt a strong resentment to Hiruma and the team in general. But with each match, each win, and each loss, they've grown to begrudgingly respect and acknowledge Hiruma and the team. Hiruma has been seen giving tips and pointers to the Brothers on how to play as linemen, which proved to be crucial during matches, such as those against the Taiyo Sphinx and the NASA Aliens. During the Death March, when Kuroki and Togano attempted to ditch the training from hell, they were confronted by Doburoku, who didn't stop them, but gave them insight on why Hiruma and the rest were determined to undertake the Death March. Possibly due to empathy and realizing they were wrong in mindset, Kuroki and Togano cancel their plan to ditch, and begrudgingly resume training with Jumonji.
Near the end of the Kantou Tournament, the Brothers led by Jumonji vow to hold the fort while Hiruma has been benched due to serious injury, further demonstrating their respect to Hiruma, and the dream that they had all shared; to reach the Christmas Bowl.
Hiruma calls them "damn brothers".
Natsuhiko Taki[]
Hiruma met Taki during the Death March, and was amused by him entering the NFL tryouts as a total amateur. Sena asked Hiruma if Taki could be made a tight-end for the Deimon Devil Bats, but was immediately shot down, with Hiruma saying he does not want to trust an amateur like him with the position, but offers to consider if he could stick it out with them until the end. Over time, Hiruma also takes note of Taki's glaring idiocy, the highest level in Deimon, but also makes note of his real skills and talent in football, particularly his flexibility, both in physicality, and in stats. He becomes a frequent passing target during matches, focusing on short and mid-range passes, particularly during moments where Monta is marked or unfit for a pass. Hiruma also directs him to block strategically at the last minute, which on several occasions has saved Deimon from certain doom, or even turned the tides around.
Hiruma calls him "fucking beardy", "fucking goatee", or even "fucking idiot", while Taki calls Hiruma "Monsieur Hiruma".
Rival Teams[]
Ichiro Takami (Ojo White Knights)[]
Being from rival teams, they also share rivalries as their respective control towers and quarterbacks. Both Hiruma and Takami are aware of each others' scheming, cunning natures and field IQ, as fellow quarterbacks who lack physical dominance but excel in intelligence, as well as passing skill. They have been seen on occasions to test each others wits and fortitude, with Hiruma usually being the prying instigator, and Takami refusing to budge. At the end of the Kantou Tournament, with Ojo's loss, Hiruma retorts that Takami is quick to relinquish is captain's position, giving it to Shin. In response, Takami mentions that it's the job of the control tower to keep their teams in line, and says it's the same for Hiruma. With Takami being a third year, his high school football season is finally over, and after washing his face, he tearfully laments over that fact, something Hiruma seemingly prevents his teammates from interrupting when they charge to the bathroom.
Hiruma calls him "Four-eyes".
Agon Kongo (Shinryuji Naga)[]
Though they hate to admit it, they were good friends during middle school and worked together to achieve their own ends; Hiruma to gather information for his Devil's Handbook and Agon to kill some time. Their friendship/partnership ended when Agon had Kurita thrown out of Shinryuji. Later on, Hiruma asked Agon in private about why he did it; he said that they could have an invincible team. Agon disdainfully replied that he didn't need trash like him and since then they've been on bad terms.
However, during the World Cup arc, they worked together yet again to thrash the American Team - Kurita referred to this as the two demons teaming up again. Agon, though initially against the idea, found himself having fun and surprised that Hiruma could keep up with him. Later, Agon sullenly admits to Hiruma that if he (Hiruma) had the same capabilities as himself (Agon), then maybe he and Hiruma could have been an invincible tag-team - though he adds that in the end, Hiruma's too much of a trash to think about. Hiruma merely replies that he does his best with what is given.
The two went to Saikyoudai College together, but it is unknown of how their relationship currently is. Hiruma calls him "damn dreads", while Agon calls Hiruma "trash".
Shien "Kid" Mushanokoji (Seibu Wild Gunmen)[]
Hiruma shares a rivalry with Kid, and he is also aware of Kid's background and real name as the son of a Noble and an Olympic Gold Medalist when he confronts him. Kid was also one of the few people that managed to see through many of Hiruma's deceptions and trickery, to the point of rendering them useless. By the end of the series, Hiruma harbors a respect for Kid, as well as his talent and skill, as shown when he refused to give Agon the quarterback position for Japan's National Team, saying that Kid is a much better quarterback than even Agon, although Kid himself downplays this and tries to reason with Agon more calmly.
Hiruma calls him "damn eyebrows" (and surprisingly, not "damn cowboy").
Reiji "Marco" Maruko (Hakushuu Dinosaurs)[]
Hiruma meets Marco during the Kantou Tournament lottery, but already becomes wary of his suspicious and scheming nature when the former offers to trade his team's slot number for Deimon's. Eventually, they meet at the finals, with the Deimon Devil Bats having to face off against the overpowering Hakushi Dinosaurs. Hiruma immediately engages Marco as a fellow quarterback, not going easy with his trick plays, much to Marco's exasperation. He initially mocks Marco's incompetence at reading his plays, to which Marco agrees, that the best way to stop Hiruma is to crush him directly. Eventually, Marco uses Gaou to critically injure Hiruma, forcing him out of the game for a quarter.
Later, when Hiruma eventually returns, Marco engages him with more prejudice, first gauging his ability to handle a ball, and then after realizing Hiruma's too tricky to leave standing on the field, he decides to crush him once and for all, with his own hands. Hiruma doesn't disagree with his philosophy, but then says that it's only fair if he also uses it on Marco, by sending Kurita to tackle him as a response. Marco was knocked out, but not for long, as Hiruma helps him up. Marco then laments that playing with their strongest cards is something that folks like Hiruma and himself can only rely on, and prepares to make the final play.
At the end of the series, Hiruma valued and acknowledged Marco's ball-handling & stealing enough to have him make the cut for the Japanese National Team, as a safety.
Hiruma calls him "damn eyelashes".
Clifford D. Lewis[]
Clifford was Hiruma's most formidable opponent to date. Despite his best bluffs, Hiruma was not able to win against Clifford in a game of poker. However, he also did not allow Clifford to have the satisfaction of beating him, as he folded just in time. This greatly enraged Clifford, who saw it as an affront to his ego as a winner. Both players dived deep into each others' backgrounds and histories, and learned as much as they could about what made the other "tick". Finally, during the Japan vs USA match, both players went in with all they had, with Clifford in particular all the more eager to "school" Hiruma on "how to handle the cards". While Clifford had both his brains and his superior physical attributes, Hiruma had only his brains, but also the faith of his ace players to stop Clifford and the Pentagram. Until the end, Hiruma was able to keep Clifford and his team guessing with trick play after trick play, no matter how many of them have been trounced.
Hiruma calls him "pointy-nose", while Clifford calls Hiruma "sonny", "boy".