Mamoru Banba

Banba is serious, disciplined and proud of the work required to become a strong lineman. Unlike players who depend mainly on exceptional natural gifts, he places considerable value on training and technical refinement.

He is also an effective captain. Taiyou's identity revolves around its line, and Banba provides both the physical centerpiece and the experience needed to organize that unit.

Defeat motivates him rather than making him abandon the sport. He subjects himself to increasingly harsh training as the level of competition rises.

Banba is one of Japan's strongest high-school linemen. His 145 kg bench press is accompanied by exceptional lower-body strength, including a high-school squat record.

His principal advantage over Kurita is technique. Banba understands leverage, positioning and the mechanics of line play well enough to compete against opponents who may surpass him in pure muscular force.

He plays center offensively and defensive tackle on the other side of the ball. His size allows him to anchor either line, while his experience makes him more than a simple power blocker.

Banba leads Taiyou into its match with Deimon and becomes Kurita's principal opponent. Their confrontation teaches Deimon that raw strength alone does not determine the outcome between linemen.

The loss pushes Banba into severe additional training. His later appearance shows a more heavily conditioned and scarred athlete, reflecting his determination to close the gap separating Taiyou from stronger national competition.

Banba later represents Japan at the Youth World Cup, joining former opponents on a national roster assembled from the country's strongest high-school players.

Ryokan Kurita is Banba's most important positional rival. Ryokan Kurita has greater raw strength, while Banba initially possesses superior technique and experience.

Niinobu Kasamatsu plays beside Banba as another massive member of Taiyou's Pyramid Line.

Ken Kamaguruma is another prominent Taiyou player who shares Banba's commitment to the Sphinx.