Doburoku Sakaki

Doburoku is eccentric, impulsive and deeply knowledgeable about football. He drinks heavily, gambles recklessly and presents little of the polished discipline normally associated with an elite coach.

His irresponsible personal habits contrast with genuine concern for young players. Because his own extreme training caused permanent damage, he understands better than most how ambition can destroy an athlete's body.

Doburoku is also surprisingly modest about his contribution to Deimon. Even while providing technical instruction and conditioning, he recognizes that the players themselves are responsible for their growth.

Doburoku has extensive playing and coaching experience. During his university career he plays tight end and becomes known alongside Gunpei Shoji as one of the "Twin Japanese Blades."

His greatest contribution to Deimon is physical conditioning. The Death March forces players through sustained running and strength work while moving a truck across a long distance, with individual exercises designed around their positions.

Doburoku also understands offensive football at a high level. His philosophy emphasizes scoring and attacking, contrasting with Shoji's conviction that defense is the foundation of victory.

Doburoku originally teaches Hiruma, Kurita and Musashi the fundamentals of American football. Gambling debts later drive him to the United States, where he becomes involved with beach football and trains the Too Tattoos.

Deimon encounters him during its American training trip. Hiruma's gambling success clears the debt that has kept Doburoku abroad, allowing him to return to Japan and formally coach the Devil Bats.

Doburoku reluctantly supervises Deimon's Death March despite fearing that the players could suffer the same permanent consequences he did. Their completion of the training becomes a major physical turning point before the autumn tournament.

Youichi Hiruma, Ryokan Kurita and Gen Takekura are Doburoku's former pupils and the original core of the Devil Bats.

Gunpei Shoji is Doburoku's former Sengoku University teammate. The two were called the Twin Japanese Blades, but Gunpei Shoji's defense-first philosophy directly contrasts with Doburoku's belief in offense.

Sena Kobayakawa and the later Devil Bats come under Doburoku's training when he formally returns to the team.