Gather! One-eyed boys! Animage Interview with Ayahi Takagaki, Megumi Tano and Yuka Nishigaki regarding Kurama, Sakuma and Kazemaru

Original scans can be found here: http://inazuma.pmsinfirm.org/

Disclaimer: Apologies for any errors!

The counter to innocent, simple-minded first year Tenma: second year Kurama. With sharp eyes peeking out under thick bangs which hide his forehead, he gives off a cynical senpai aura. Especially when Tenma first entered the club and Kurama blamed him for all of the chaos - those narrow eyes would have looked very scary. However, during the Holy Road finals where he protects Tenma at the cost of an injury, while he leaves the pitch he tells Tenma: “I’m counting on you.”. There is warmth within his heart…

On the other hand, the opposite of Kurama as a senpai, the very friendly Kazemaru is secretly troubled by worrying about his limited ability, and these distressing emotions are expressed by hiding one eye.

Finally, Sakuma with his teal hair and eye-patch is a dark beauty with a somewhat sensitive personality. By hiding one eye, these characters express that they’re hiding part of themselves so let’s take a peek at what is deep within their hearts.

 Norihito Kurama: Raimon soccer club second year. Plays the role of FW. He hasn’t been that active on the field lately, but he’s back on the front lines ready to support the team.

A secret look: Kurama doesn’t really let out his true feelings. His true intentions and self are probably hidden within his right eye beneath his hair.

His upturned eyes are cute! Since he’s little, Kurama has to look up at others quite a lot. His pursed lips and sharp eyes give a formidable first impression, but once you adjust to him, his upturned eyes become strangely cute!

Eye patch talk - Ayahi Takagaki

What comes to mind when one says Sekigen* (One-eyed character)?

Since one eye is hidden, the sharpness of the other eye stands out. So when I first saw Kurama, I got the impression that his personality would be quite sharp.

Since their expression is half-hidden, it becomes quite mysterious?

That’s true. But in Kurama’s case, I think rather than mysterious, if you take his dark brown skin and small height I think he gives the impression of being quite cute.

So do you think Kurama is well balanced?

I do. I think he’s a contrast to such a bright, bubbly character like Tenma.

Why do you think he grows his bangs long to cover one eye?

It’s not just naturally like that. Maybe he’s trying to be cool? (laughs) When his casual clothes were finally shown in the anime, they were simple monochrome and gave off a cool-vibe. I think he has the kind of personality that tries to be a little bit cool. While he is kind deep down, he’s sarcastic and is shy about honestly confessing his feelings. Speaking of which, about the match against Genei Gakuen? When Kurama was sent flying, his front bangs are lifted up. But unfortunately his eyes were closed.

You could see his other eye a little bit.

That was disappointing! But I don’t think he belongs to the group of characters with odd eyes, I think his eyes are just normal, haha. Since he’s often sent flying during matches, I’m going to focus on those scenes from now on!

If Kurama had something else to hide one eye, what do you think would suit him?

How about a medical eyepatch or bandage? It looks like it would suit his dark brown skin.

But if his uncovered eye was injured, he’d see nothing but black in front of him. (laughs) After that, I think it would be cute if he pinned back his bangs.

What other impressionable one-eyed characters from the Inazuma series come to mind?

If you say ‘eyes hidden by hair’, of course you think of Kazemaru-san!

Ichirouta Kazemaru: Raimon soccer club DF. 10 years on, he’s active in Japan’s soccer pro league. We’re interested in what he does when soccer is banned.

A secret look: When both eyes are seen, Kazemaru becomes almost too gorgeous. But with one eye covered, he’s just right to be Endou’s right hand man.

A perfect hidden eye, but… Whether he looks right or left, Kazemaru’s front bangs cover half of his face. However, when he’s running, his ponytail sways from side to side. His left eye is always just barely hidden from view, but the few times it can be seen, fans’ hearts scream ‘Ah! I just saw it~’

Eye patch talk - Yuka Nishigaki

What do you think is attractive about Kazemaru covering one eye?

His cool outer appearance contrasts with who he is inside, which is someone who is as warm and friendly as you can get. In instances during matches when his usually hidden left eye is seen, you think ‘Ohh-!’. In an illustration from the game book, his front bangs are held back with a hairband, but you can still feel his masculinity, which I think is pretty great. I love when he’s running or dodging enemies with his long hair flowing behind him - I can imagine him running in the wind.

Why do you think he grows his hair long to cover one eye?

I wonder could it be for religious reasons? I really want his wishes to come true and for him to be happy! Well, since I don’t know the real reason he grows his bangs so long, that’s just my own crazy idea… At the beginning, he was probably told by Endou to cut his bangs, haha. But now Endou accepts this is how he wears it. I’m interested in knowing how long he’s been growing his hair for.

If Kazemaru had something else to hide one eye, what do you think would suit him?

Wouldn’t a monocle like the ones butlers wear suit him? I wanna see him borrow and wear Sakuma’s eyepatch too! But since Sakuma hides his right eye and Kazemaru hides his left eye, if his left eye is hidden by bangs and his right eye is hidden by an eyepatch, that’s a bit of a problem, haha. Oh, and Kidou’s goggles too, I definitely… Oh wait, they cover both eyes!

What other impressionable one-eyed characters from the Inazuma series come to mind?

Sakuma, of course! Other than that, Edgar Valtinas and Holly Summers etc… There are a lot of one-eyed characters in the Inazuma Eleven series.

Finally, if Kazemaru appears again what would you like to see him do?

I want to see his family, who haven’t been drawn yet. But more than anything of course I want to see him having fun playing soccer with everyone again.

Jirou Sakuma: Teikoku Gakuen FW. Along with Kazemaru, he’s a representative of Inazuma Japan. 10 years on, he’s working as Teikoku’s coach.

A secret look: Sakuma’s right eye is seen during the Shin Teikoku nightmare! By means of this sturdy iron plate, is he sealing off the dangerous part of his true self?

His right eye looks suspicious! Under the power he received from the Aliea Stone, Sakuma becomes part of Shin Teikoku Gakuen. At this time, there’s a hole in his eyepatch, and you can see the eye previously hidden. Fans wonder about questions like, ‘If he really has a right eye then why does he cover it with an eyepatch?’ ‘Does he have a secret?’ regarding this beautiful boy wrapped in mystery!

His eyepatch overwhelms people: In the first episode, Teikoku Gakuen appeared in a large army truck. While everyone is walking gallantly on top of the red carpet, the beautiful eyepatch-wearing Sakuma surely catches one’s eye. This pirate-like eyepatch probably has the power to intimidate people!

Standing there and looking pretty: Sakuma is known as a strategist the Teikoku Eleven, but if you look at his character history rather than planning strategies he has a strong image of just standing by. In fact, in the original series there aren’t many scenes of him strategizing, but there are a lot of times where he’s standing next to the Commander, Kidou and smiling – is this what’s meant by participating in planning strategies?

Eyepatch talk - Megumi Tano

What do you think is attractive about Sakuma’s eyepatch style?

First I simply think because it’s ‘mysterious’. Since his eyepatch looks like it’s made from an iron plate, I feel like he went to that length to play soccer. When the ball hits his eye, it will soften the blow… right?

Why do you think Sakuma hides one eye with an eyepatch?

I think he hides it because he has some kind of problem with his right eye. During Shin Teikoku Gakuen when you could see his right eye, I was honestly really surprised. He probably had some kind of big accident as a child. Since it looked scary to his classmates, I imagine his parents made him that eyepatch.

If Sakuma had something other than his eyepatch to hide one eye, what do you think would suit him?

When I think about it it makes me grin, but… a monocle? The image of him studying more, working alone silently in a college research room peeking through a microscope comes to mind.

What other impressionable one-eyed characters from the Inazuma series come to mind?

Who else but Ichirouta Kazemaru!! He’s really beautiful, isn’t he? After that, England’s Edward and Teikoku’s Sakiyama are memorable. And when Ryuuzaki from Teikoku becomes an adult, he’ll probably become as handsome as a model, adorning the covers of soccer magazines.

Finally, if Sakuma appears again what would you like to see him do?

If they return to his middleschool days, I definitely want to see him fight with Kidou. Nothing malicious, just as soccer players - a match-up against the genius Yuuto Kidou!

If he appears as an adult, I want to see more of his relationship with Hibiki-san and coach Kudou. Sakuma’s actually really active behind the scenes! I want to say “Thank you, Tenma. Raimon.” (laughs)