So many characters so little time
Hello there my dearies, I’m here today to talk about one of the biggest problems we have in the current Inazuma season aka Orion:
character development!
Simply put, I’m going to show you in details WHEN during OG the members of the Inazuma Japan had a character development and why back then they were able to manage those while in Orion they seem to be a problem.
This will be a veeery long list so you can skip to then end where I’ll explain everything further!
Endou Mamoru:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s1e1 establish base for the character, s1e2 first defined characteristics (never giving up), s1e12 first doubts showing his humanity and inner struggle, s1e15 and s1e17 interpersonal relationship with troubled friends, s1e24 we can see him doubtful and troubled about himself, s2e46 the depressed side of Endou and how he comes back to his feet. Overall in both season we follow his growth. MAJOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e83 bettering himself as a captain, s3e88 bettering himself as a goalie, s3e123 ultimately understands what it means the be the captain of a team. MEDIUM DEV
Kazemaru Ichirouta:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s1e2 establish base for the character, s1e15 Kaze’s internal conflicts, s1e16 his own resolve, s2e33 first big signs of distress, s2e45 peak of distress and depression showing the character’s insecurities and weaknesses, s2e63/64/65 deeper understanding of Kaze’s human and dark side. MAJOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3ep77 bettering himself as a defender. MINOR DEV
Kabeyama Heigorou:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s1e2 establish base for character, s1e6 character’s fears and him winning them in the end with newfound resolve, s1e16 bettering himself as a defender. MINOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e89 shows his helping side, s3e95 bettering himself as a player. MINOR DEV
Tsunami Jousuke:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e47 establish base for character, s2e49/50 going in deeper on the character’s difficulties and desires, s2e55 shows even better the helpful spirit of Tsunami. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e70, his resolve to better himself, s3e71/72 growing stronger as a player, s3e89 more insight on his good nature. MINOR DEV
Kurimatsu Teppei:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: mood-maker throughout all s1 which establish his character, s1e15 his concerned and less joyful side are shown when a pillar of the team threatens to leave, s2e45 weaknesses revealed. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e69 bettering himself as a defender, s3e89 helpful side, s3e95 self sacrificing attitude. MINOR DEV
Kogure Yuuya:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e35 establish base for character + shows lots of info right away on his behaviours, sad past and will to play for real, s2e36 conquering a bit of his fears and slightly opening up to others. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e89 his helpful side is shown, s3e95 bettering himself as a player and person, s3e100 during the kappa accident we can see more of his soft side for once instead of his prankster one and get to know his wishes to be like every normal kid and not just an abandoned child. MINOR DEV
Tobitaka Seiya:
FIRST APPEARANCE S3
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: NO DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e68 establish base for character, s3e71 a bit of his past is revealed, s3e73 more insights on his lone wolf personality and ties to street gangs and to Hibiki, s3e75 more about his past and injury to his leg and also why did he decide to change his life + bettering himself as a defender and teammate thanks to Endou + starting to see soccer as a fun thing as well, s3e81 he is now willing to fight for his team + getting back to good terms with his old friends, s3e83 wanting to do good but still failing and being visibly upset by it, s3e84 finally find the power in him to unleash his first hissatsu, s3e85 he proves to have grown quite a lot since he gives supports and encourages Tachimukai to do his best and telling him that it’s ok to mess things up a bit, s3e101 his caring, helpful and intuitive side is shown, s3e113 we can see how deeply he cares for Hibiki and just how emotional he can get. MAJOR DEV
Fudou Akio:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e37 character debut not really valid to establish a base for the character given his altered state. NO DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e70 show to actually care a lot about being in the national and him training far before the others did, this establish a base as him being quite the elusive person, s3e83 debut as a player + playmaker skills + past revealed + beginning to gain trust and give trust, s3e88 him on the same level of Kidou as a playmaker, s3e90/91/92/93 revealed his loyalty to the inajapan + his complete detachment from Kageyama + his helpful cooperative side, s3e105 show his trust in others, s3e110 we can see his hate towards evildoers, s3e119 more of his helping side towards someone that isnt Kidou. MAJOR DEV
Fubuki Shirou:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e32 establish base for character, s2e33 more insights on Shirou’s character + more hint to his other persona, s2e37 Shirou opening up more, s2e38 Atsuya being less aggressive towards teammates as well as kinda protective, s2e39 Atsuya and Someoka find balance, s2e41 first signs of Fubuki being unstable, s2e42 his background is shown + his perfection complex, s2e43 first signs of weaknesses, s2e45 internal conflict + passing out due to an injury after a breakdown + his duality is explained, s2e51 nervous breakdown due to the feeling of not being useful, s2e57 more insight on his breakdown, s2e59 we learn his fear of being alone, s2e61 he is now able to control himself and becomes complete + better himself as a teammate as well. MAJOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: better himself as a player with new hissatsu. NONE
Gouenji Shuuya:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s1e1 establish base for character, s1e2 we can see a bit of his struggle and will to play, during the rest of season 1 we can see him grow more fond of his team and considering them friends + why did he quit soccer back in the days so a bit of his past as well, s2e30 we can see the sadness in his forced decision, hence him caring for what he’s about to lose, s2e52 we can see his new resolve to play soccer with his friends to his heart content. MAJOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e79 we have a clearer view of his past and his troubles with the father, s3e80 his distress is shown by him failing hissatsu during training, s3e81 he’s hasty and makes mistakes due to the pressure he feels, s3e84 he’s finally able to play and discards his worries + his father approves of him keeping to play soccer, he keeps on bettering himself with new hissatsu. MEDIUM DEV
Utsunomiya Toramaru:
FIRST APPEARANCE S3
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: NO DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e68 establish base for character, s3e73 insights on his daily life and helpful willing nature, s3e74 his past is revealed and he is now free to play however he wants because he win his fears over, s3e101 we can see him suffer again because of his mother’s health and by being homesick but also his renewed resolve to play and be a kid, he also keeps on improving himself, s3e126 he became Raimon’s ace shooter. MAJOR DEV
Hijikata Raiden:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e48 establish base for character + we can see how caring he is almost like a father/big brother figure, s2e52 shows us Hijikata caring and helping Gouenji, someone he barely knew, s2e53 his past with Gouenji and his humble and easily embarrassed selves are revealed. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e113/115 we can see him helping a complete stranger again + how much he values family and to what extent he is willing to help them. MINOR DEV
Midorikawa Ryuuji:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: given his altered state the dev is NO DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e69 establish base for character + we can see Mido’s true happy go lucky side instead of his aline persona, s3e73 a bit of his insecurities are shown alongside how he seem to not enjoy soccer to the same extent as before + getting injured because of the pressure he kept his body under, s3e76 more of his insecurities and self deprecating attitude come out as he has a nervous breakdown during practice + he starts to remember what was like to play soccer for fun, s3e77 he is now able to play again to his heart desires with less worries, s3e82 he is shown to still overexerting himself, s3e101 in the letter Midorikawa states that he is now re-learning to enjoy soccer at his best and we can see him being happy with that. MAJOR DEV
Kidou Yuuto:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s1e10 we can see that unlike his first appearance he actually has his doubts about cheating, s1e11 establish base for character as we are shown a more human and troubled side of him, s1e12 actual manifestation of his will to play fairly + detachment from Kageyama’s plans, s1e13 going as far as to be injured in order to get his sister back + his attachment towards Haruna is better shown, s1e17 frustration and sadness over defeat + feeling guilty for his friends going to the hospital but him surviving + more of his backstory and new resolve, s1e18 learning more about a new type of soccer, his ties with the teammates grow into a friendship, s2e35 more of his relationship with Haruna and his soft side are shown + more of the backstory, s2e37 remorse and guilt + him bowing asking for forgiveness for his selfishness, s2e38 more about his twisted feelings for Kageyama are shown, s2e56 his feelings of uneasiness towards his former teammates and fear to not being forgiven + the difference of ties he has with Teikoku and Raimon. MAJOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e82 growing as a playmaker, s3e83 surpass his own dislikes in order to better himself as a teammate, s3e90/91/92/93 more of his relationship with Kageyama and his own self trust issues are shown and then ultimately won, s3e105/106 growing as a player and person, ultimately shown his affection for Kageyama despite everything and the grief after his death, s3e110 more about his affection for Haruna and the new friendship with Fudou, s3e126 is shown how he can cry and be very emotional as well. MAJOR DEV
Sakuma Jirou:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e37/38 establish base for character because we are shown his most inner and hidden secrets aka his low self esteem and how he suffered from always comparing himself with Kidou and deeming himself not at his level + his new resolve to play for himself a good soccer, s2e56 his forgiving and friendly side. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e69 despite not winning to Kidou he’s now at peace with himself and knows his self worth, s3e90/91/92/93 we can see how much he cares and actually knows Kidou + we can see him starting to trust Fudou a bit, s3e119 he is now in more friendly terms with someone he greatly disliked. MINOR DEV
Someoka Ryuugo:
FIRST APPEARANCE S1
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s1e4 establish base for character aka strong willed + not keen to changes but understanding and in the end accepting his own mistakes in judgment, s2e31/32/33 we can see how deeply he cares for people he sees as friends and deems amazing players and again is not so keen to change, but how in the end he is reasonable and can give other a chance, s2e37 ultimate acceptance and newfound happiness despite changes, s2e37 ability to adapt and growing as a player, s2e38 self sacrificing nature, s2e39 we can see that his strong will can be too much and brings him to overwork his body, s2e55 his more tender, loving and caring side surfaces when verbally trying to help a friend and we can also see how easily embarrassed he gets at his own awkward attempts to cheer someone up, letting us know he has that in him but avoids because of social awkwardness, s2e64/65 ultimately we can see his dark most insecure side, the one that deemed himself not strong enough compared to the other strikers. MAJOR DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e70 despite not being chosen he does not resent the decision nor is he angry or sad, he instead decides to work even harder in case a spot on the national will clear one day, throughout the serie he better himself as a player even when in the national. MINOR DEV
Kiyama Hiroto:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e45 establish base for character, despite him still being part of Aliea Gakuen we can see a glimpse of his caring nature since he is worried for someone he doesn't even know, s2e62 we can see again that he worries a lot for others as he didn’t want to release the limiter of Genesis’ players and ultimately understands the importance of friendship, s2e63 despite everything that he has done, Hiroto still loves his father, showing a very high level of forgiveness and unconditional love. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e76 is the only one who noticed Midorikawa being troubled by something, showing us his observant eye and protective nature + how reliable and mature he is given the way he tries to comfort and motivate the friend, s3e100 his caring nature is shown again, s3e112 we can see his hacking abilities alongside his wanting to help strangers once again. MINOR DEV
Tachimukai Yuuki:
FIRST APPEARANCE S2
DEVELOPMENT BEFORE INAJAPAN: s2e43 establish base for character, a shy and intuitive kid who aspires to greatness and is very talented already on his own, s2e46 we can see he has the heart to never give up, no matter how many times he fell and how many times he failed, he kept on practicing until he made it, s2e55/56 his determination just kept on growing despite hardship + we are shown once again that his intuitiveness is very high as he’s quickly catching up on how to perform the new hissatsu, he also grows as a player. MEDIUM DEV
DEVELOPMENT AFTER INAJAPAN: s3e89 we can see his determination into learning an hissatsu completely unique in order to differentiate himself + how much he is willing to train and fatigue his body in order to do so, he just keeps on trying until he succeeds. MINOR DEV
SO!
If you took the time to read aaaall this, you may have noticed how the development was redistributed throughout the three season, if you haven’t (which is totally understandable, this was an insane job on my part even if I don’t regret losing sleep for this-) I’m going to explain.
OG InaJapan had 18 players but only FIVE of them had a major character development during the FFI season. 5 out of 18 is a really low and doable amount of work to put in a 60 episode long season, you can afford to spent some time on them because the other 13 have already been covered in the previous two seasons (aka in the previous 65 episode of he whole show) or are secondary character with a simple medium need of development!
Now, if you instead look at Orion, the new InaJapan currently has 23 members (and still one free spot) and the only one already covered with a major/medium development during Ares are Haizaki, Nosaka, Norika and Hiroto because we know about their past, we’ve seen an established base for their character and we were shown their interaction with others plus some development (Hiroto starting to trust others, Haizaki beggining to open up, Norika’s will to fight, Nosaka’s understanding of what’s right and wrong).
But what does this mean?
It means that only 4 out of 23 players already had some more insights and development, so we are left with 19 characters who need focus to get to know them better. And if we count the OG characters off, we are still left with 10 development-less players!
To cover TEN characters is VERY hard, if you want to do it well and if we consider that in 33 episodes we had almost none of them explored (Asuto and Hikaru’s plots are in motion but there’s still lack of an actual character arc and development), it’s hard to believe they’ll be able to do it in the remaining eps.
Let’s remember that in OG they covered 5 people in 60 episodes and even if Orion will actually be longer than that, I higly doubt any development will feel less than a bit half-assed because they will STILL be cramped all ten of them together.
And why this?
Because they went for the FFI IMMEDIATELY after Ares!
Think about it, OG had 65 episode before the FFI and they had only 5 characters (Endou, Kazemaru, Gouenji, Kidou and Someoka) with a major development started in s1 and only ENDED in s2 plus one medium development of Kurimatsu and a minor one for Kabeyama almost entirely in s1, only Shirou with a major development in s2 and 6 medium development during s2 (Tsunami, Kogure, Tatsuya, Hijikaya, Sakuma and Tachimukai).
S1 had 26 episodes while S2 39 and 65 episodes for 6 major development plus 7 medium ones are very reasonable.
But how many episode did we had before the new FFI?
26
26 episodes and only 4 medium developments plus some minors.
This stats may have been acceptable ONLY if another season of maybe 40 episodes would have divided it from the FFI one.
Sadly this isn’t the case.
All of this to prove a point: if you want to do an all stars season you first need to have done other seasons to explain and develope the majority of the characters you want to put there.
And Orion didn’t.
Which is honestly super dumb since they already did and all stars season during OG, so they should know how to handle it-
So yeah, if you’re wondering why your fave hasn’t had the spot light yet or why they were put in a corner for a while and their plot left to stagnate... this is why. They have far too many characters in need of an arc and they’re apparently not able to handle them well.
I’ve been Nene, thank you for coming to my extremely long and oddly specific ted talk, I will now go die on my bed.
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