Rivals
Kaoru Indou (犬童 かおる, Indou Kaoru)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki
Indou is a gifted playmaker from Sakuragi High School, forming a formidable duo with Narukami that elevates their team to national prominence. Recognized as one of "Tokyo's big three" and a "top-ten" player receiving professional offers, he shares a fierce rivalry with Seiseki's Mizuki. His exceptional field vision enables pinpoint assists. After a chance train encounter, he invites Tsukushi to a futsal match before their schools face off in the Tokyo qualifiers for the Inter High tournament.
Shuuji Narukami (成神 蹴冶, Narukami Shuuji)
Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae
Narukami is Indou's counterpart at Sakuragi Academy, forming a dynamic duo that elevates their school to national prominence. Though physically slight and previously hindered by bronchial asthma, he transforms into an aggressive, highly skilled forward during matches—displaying remarkable speed and precision. Tsukushi admires Narukami as proof that smaller players can excel in football.
Takumi Hoshina (保科 拓己, Hoshina Takumi)
Voiced by: Yuichi Nakamura
Hoshina Takumi is the libero and captain of Touin Academy, completing "Tokyo's big three" alongside Mizuki and Indou. The youngest of the nationally renowned Hoshina brothers—with one sibling already professional and another leading the collegiate league—he ranks among the "Top ten" high school players with a professional contract awaiting graduation. Though possessing excellent dribbling skills, he primarily focuses on disciplined defense and team coordination, playing cautiously. His team faces Seiseki in the Tokyo Winter Inter High qualifier finals.
Gen'ichiro Taira (平 源一郎, Taira Gen'ichirō)
Voiced by: Yūsuke Kobayashi
Taira is the captain and playmaker of Seikan High School, leading his team against Seiseki during summer training. Like Mizuki, he will join the Kashima professional team after graduation. Combining physical strength with precision passing, he forms an effective partnership with rookie forward Himura, propelling Seikan to the Winter Nationals.
Mayumi Himura (火村 まゆみ, Himura Mayumi)
Voiced by: KENN
Himura is Seikan High School's speedy freshman forward, whose rapid pace perfectly complements Taira's playmaking. He engages in a heated rivalry with Kazama over which first-year player stands as the superior talent.
Miran Aiba (相庭 未蘭, Aiba Miran)
Aiba is Ichiboshi Academy's star forward and the only second-year among the "top ten" players with a professional offer. A prodigious scorer in every league he's played, his elite dribbling and all-around skills make him nationally renowned and the focal point of his team's offense. Kimishita and Ōshiba, as peers, consider him their primary rival.
Kazuhiko Katou (加藤 一彦, Katō Kazuhiko)
Katou is the captain of Ryouzan High School, reigning champions of the Summer Inter High tournament. Considered the nation's top high school defensive midfielder and possibly the best player overall, he holds a spot on Japan's youth national team. His legendary stamina, tactical intelligence, and relentless leadership make him omnipresent on the field—a quality Jin notes mirrors Tsukushi's potential. Ryouzan boasts three "top ten" players, with Katou standing as their cornerstone.
Ryousuke Ikariya (碇屋 良介, Ikariya Ryōsuke)
Ryouzan High School football team's number 10, and a key member of the National team of his category, Ikariya is a superb offensive midfielder, nicknamed "Japan's Treasure". Ikariya is incredibly popular and is even sponsored for advertisement. A very versatile and highly technical player, Ikariya possesses amazing dribbling, ball control, incredible reaction times, and long distance shooting with his left foot, which is the reason for his other nickname, "The left of God". He is the second of Ryouzan's "top ten" players.
Marco Takagi (高木 マルコ, Takagi Marco)
Takagi completes Ryouzan High School's trio of "top ten" players as the nation's most formidable high school fullback. His combination of physical strength, blistering speed, and pinpoint crossing accuracy sets a historic standard for the position. While teammates Katou and Ikariya frequently miss matches for national team duties, Takagi becomes Ryouzan's consistent defensive anchor, earning deep respect from his peers. The unassuming country boy often contrasts with his more celebrity-driven teammates.
Asaichi Sunayama (砂山 朝, Sunayama Asaichi)
Sunayama is Otowa Academy's goalkeeper and the starting keeper for Japan's U-18 national team. Recognized as one of the "top ten" high school players, his exceptional reflexes, tactical intelligence, and commanding presence have made him a standout since his youth. Despite prioritizing national team commitments, he has carried his high school squad to back-to-back tournament finals.
