I’ve no idea how or why I picked up Eyeshield 21, and why I even marathoned more than 280 chapters from scratch to the current latest release in 3 days. But since I have already done it, I figured that I might as well come up with a short post regarding it.
As with almost every series, I have a favourite character, be it the main hero, the sidekick, the villian, or the love interest. Till now, I think I have never had an anti-hero as my favourite, probably due to my lack of exposure. In Death Note, I favoured L over Light. In Code Geass, my dislike for Lelouch goes as far as my dislike for gay boy Suzaku.
However, this isn’t the case in Eyeshield 21. Instead of favouring Sena, the protagonist, I actually found myself preferring Hiruma. Somehow, his role as an anti-hero appears to be entertaining. Almost every single inch of him is corrupted, yet that’s what makes him an interesting character. I enjoyed the mini arc where Hiruma’s past regarding how he came into first contact with American football was explained. Still, I wished that there was more uncovering of his past, as almost everything behind that devilish front that he skillfully puts up is in a fog, with only a slight bit leaking out. A slight bit that is visible only to Mamori and appearing misty to the rest.
How did a guy like him come to be such a devil even at the tender age of 10? No one knows. This is one point that probably puts his character interest level as an anti-hero to the readers above that of the 2 anti-heros mentioned above, who have everything about them exposed to the audience since the beginning. It’s no wonder that his sits high and steady on the throne of the most popular Eyeshield 21 character.
Despite Eyeshield 21 being a shonen staple, I feel that it has many characters, even apart from Hiruma, are quite well-developed. The monkey receiver is one of them. Of course, the theme of sports makes it all the more easier, since the characters grow and have their backgrounds naturally developed parallel to the action.
Looks like this is yet another series to add to the weekly/monthly serialisation diet. I’m looking forward to more of Hiruma’s devilishly intriguing schemes.
Little known fact: Hiruma is the most badass character in the history of anime.
I’m hoping that Hiruma and Mamori hook up by the end but probably not :/
It’ll probably end with them winning the Christmas Bowl or something
Oh yeah, I like anti-heroes too. Haven’t catch Eye Shield 21 though, have to check it out. Seems like my manga list is getting longer by the day. XD
Baka-Raptor > Agreed.
Hei > I’m hoping that Mamori ends up with Hiruma too, seeing how indirectly suited they are for each other. I doubt the manga’s ending anytime soon, so we’ll have to wait and see.
Hynavian > It’s your holidays right? You should pick this up then. A word of caution though, it’s very easy to get hooked once you begin.
YAAA-HAAA! Somebody forgot to mention my damn catchphrase! F@!$ing blogger!
I wuvlez Hiruma! *fangirling a bit* I’m in the same grade as him, but as long as the manga lasts, he’ll stay a senior and I’ll become his senpai! LOL
Yeah! First must say
YAAAA-HAAAA!
I say Hiruma’s the best anime character ever beating even Kuchiki Byakuya of Bleach
Fucking kill them! Fucking kill them!
Heh. Since everyone else is putting YAA-HAA!, I placed something else the coolest, hottest, awesomest, smartest, most amazing, most bad-ass captain of the devil bats said.
Yep. Im a hard core fangirl.
Love the manga, love Hiruma.
/swoons, faints and dies
Hiruma makes me lol so hard.
My friend and I made him our theme for our Physics boat. >_>
TODAY’S THE DAY IT SAILS.
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