Makoto Ootawara

Ootawara is boisterous, uncomplicated and almost impossible to embarrass. He laughs through most situations, frequently picks his nose, passes gas when excited and has a recurring tendency to lose or forget his pants. Complicated vocabulary and tactical explanations often leave him confused.

His lack of sophistication does not prevent him from leading. Ootawara takes enormous pride in the White Knights and regularly drives the team's pregame enthusiasm. His confidence in his teammates is sincere, and he can motivate them without needing the analytical authority exercised by Ichirou Takami or Gunpei Shoji.

Occasionally, Ootawara produces an unexpectedly perceptive observation. These moments stand out precisely because his teammates are accustomed to him acting before thinking.

Ootawara is one of the strongest linemen in the series. His initial bench press is 135 kg and later rises beyond that mark. Although Ryokan Kurita surpasses him in pure strength, Ootawara is considerably faster than his size suggests.

That combination changes how he uses power. Rather than relying entirely on a stationary contest of strength, Ootawara can accelerate into contact and add his momentum to the collision. This makes him particularly dangerous when he has room to build speed.

He plays on both offensive and defensive lines, contributing to Oujou's physically disciplined approach on either side of the ball.

Ootawara appears early as one of the established faces of the Oujou White Knights, the defensive powerhouse that Deimon measures itself against. His enormous frame immediately illustrates the physical difference between inexperienced Deimon players and an elite program.

His clashes with Kurita develop into a recurring contest between two exceptionally powerful linemen. Ootawara initially has the advantage of better speed and more established team experience, while Kurita possesses greater raw strength.

Their final high-school confrontation becomes one of the central individual battles in Deimon's Kanto semifinal against Oujou. Deimon ultimately wins by two points, ending Ootawara's final opportunity to reach the Christmas Bowl as an Oujou player.

Seijuro Shin is Ootawara's teammate and the defensive ace whose disciplined personality contrasts strongly with Ootawara's carefree behavior.

Ichirou Takami provides much of the tactical intelligence behind Oujou's offense, complementing Ootawara's straightforward physical approach.

Gunpei Shoji coaches Ootawara and the White Knights, building the defense in which Ootawara's size and power are major assets.

Ryokan Kurita is Ootawara's most direct physical rival. Ryokan Kurita possesses greater raw strength, while Ootawara uses superior speed and momentum to make their confrontations more balanced.