Onihei Yamamoto

Onihei is experienced, confident and eager to offer football analysis. His knowledge is genuine, particularly where line technique is concerned, and other players recognize the years of experience behind it.

After Hashiratani's tournament exit, however, his confident predictions become a recurring joke. He repeatedly forecasts how later games will unfold only for events to contradict him, making his certainty increasingly unreliable as a spectator.

He still takes pride in technical football and readily acknowledges skilled linemen regardless of team affiliation.

Onihei specializes in using technique to overcome his lack of size. At 167 cm and 72 kg, he is dramatically smaller than many prominent linemen, yet can block opponents who would appear to possess an overwhelming physical advantage.

His experience gives him excellent leverage and timing. He is strong enough to stop or lift much larger players in direct confrontations when he can establish the correct position.

Onihei's example demonstrates that line play is not determined solely by body mass, making him an important technical model for younger linemen.

Onihei enters as captain of the Hashiratani Deers and a respected veteran whose reputation extends beyond his own team. Kurita's admiration gives him significance even before Hashiratani's tournament match.

Kyoshin Poseidon eliminates Hashiratani, with Mizumachi helping overturn Onihei's experience through exceptional athleticism. Afterward, Onihei appears frequently as a spectator and commentator, where his predictions become a running source of comedy.

His presence at later games allows the story to use an experienced player's perspective when explaining techniques, even as his predictions about outcomes repeatedly fail.

Ryokan Kurita deeply admires Onihei and is influenced by his approach to line play, including the spirit behind Kurita's characteristic "Funnuraba" cry.

Kengo Mizumachi becomes Onihei's major tournament opponent. [Kengo Mizumachi's athleticism helps Kyoshin eliminate Hashiratani despite Onihei's veteran technique.](#spoiler)

Torakichi Nanpa later treats Onihei's predictions as a reverse indicator, assuming that whatever Onihei Yamamoto predicts will fail to happen.