Torakichi Nanpa

Torakichi is loud, stubborn and fiercely loyal. His admiration for Sakuraba does not disappear when he learns that Oujou's glamorous receiver is not actually the team's strongest player.

That loyalty matters because Torakichi's enthusiasm is directed toward the person rather than celebrity status alone. Once he decides Sakuraba is his hero, he wants him to improve instead of simply replacing him with a more successful player.

Torakichi can also be abrasive, particularly toward football analyst Onihei and toward Monta when their loyalties or predictions clash.

Torakichi is not yet an established football player. His own athletic ambitions are interrupted by a broken leg severe enough to require extensive rehabilitation.

His most important quality is perseverance. Although the injury initially makes him fear that his football dream is over, he commits to rehabilitation rather than surrendering it entirely.

Torakichi first becomes attached to Sakuraba after witnessing a spectacular catch. His admiration initially rests on the mistaken impression that Sakuraba is Oujou's great star player.

Learning the truth does not end his support. Instead, Torakichi's unwavering faith reaches Sakuraba at a point when the receiver is struggling with his own lack of confidence.

Their situations mirror one another: Torakichi must rehabilitate a damaged leg, while Sakuraba must rebuild himself as an athlete. Each gives the other a reason to continue.

Haruto Sakuraba is Torakichi's idol and the athlete whose perseverance inspires his rehabilitation. Torakichi's refusal to abandon Haruto Sakuraba also helps the receiver regain confidence in his own football career.

Onihei Yamamoto frequently irritates Torakichi with his confident football predictions, especially because those predictions have a tendency to fail.

Tarou Raimon becomes another target for Torakichi's competitive enthusiasm because Monta plays the same position as Sakuraba.