Masaru Honjou

Honjou is confident in his understanding of elite athletic ability and appreciates competitors who pursue difficult goals seriously. His reputation as a baseball star gives his opinions considerable weight for Monta.

He is also capable of evaluating players without sentimentality. Admiration for determination does not prevent him from recognizing differences in natural ability or considering what kind of rival will best push a talented athlete.

Honjou's defining baseball skill is fielding. As an outfielder, he becomes famous for extraordinary catches, earning a reputation strong enough that young Monta tries to model his own athletic identity around him.

His catching legacy carries indirectly into American football. Monta's fascination with securing difficult balls begins with Honjou's baseball example before finding a more suitable outlet at wide receiver.

After retiring from professional baseball, Honjou brings his stature as a famous athlete into high-school football administration.

Honjou first matters to the story through Monta's childhood admiration. Monta receives one of Honjou's gloves and treasures it, hoping to become a baseball player capable of similarly spectacular catches.

That inspiration survives Monta's move from baseball to football. The sport changes, but the idea of becoming a great catcher remains at the center of his ambition.

Honjou later becomes especially important when his son emerges as one of Japan's greatest young receivers. His recognition of Monta's determination is complicated by his desire to see someone capable of becoming a meaningful rival for his exceptionally gifted son.

Tarou Raimon idolizes Honjou from childhood and models his dream of becoming a great catcher on the former outfielder. Tarou Raimon treasures the glove associated with his hero.

Taka Honjou is Honjou's son. [Honjou recognizes that Tarou Raimon's determination may provide Taka Honjou with the serious competitive rival his naturally gifted son lacks.](#spoiler)