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Kiyama Hiroto

Kiyama Hiroto (基山 ヒロト, Kiyama Hiroto), also known as Gran (グラン, Guran), is a major supporting character in Inazuma Eleven. He serves as a forward and the captain of The Genesis, the most powerful team within Alius Academy.

Appearance

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Appearance in Anime

Kiyama Hiroto has pale skin and an average height. Over the course of the Inazuma Eleven series, his hairstyle and outfits change significantly.

At the beginning of the original series, Hiroto has straight, light red hair that is swept to the sides, with a single spike falling over his face. His eyes are a striking shade of teal, varying between bright and dark tones. His first outfit consists of a long-sleeved orange jacket, a dark purple shirt underneath, and gray pants. Upon becoming the captain of The Genesis, his hairstyle changes, with his hair raised except for his bangs, giving him a more commanding look.

By season three, his hairstyle changes again, becoming darker and resembling a mix of his previous styles, but retaining the one signature bang in front of his face. His first hairstyle is notably similar to Kira Hiroto’s. As a child, he had shorter hair and wore a white hoodie, a green jacket, light green trousers, and gray shoes.

In Inazuma Eleven 3, Hiroto’s casual outfit consists of a dark purple striped t-shirt, layered with a short-sleeved orange unbuttoned collared shirt serving as a jacket, and gray pants. This outfit is notably featured in the fifth ending of the original anime series.

In Inazuma Eleven GO, Hiroto’s appearance undergoes a more drastic transformation. He wears a gray suit jacket over a white-collared light-blue shirt, paired with white pants and brown shoes. His hair becomes shorter and darker, and he now wears black-framed glasses, giving him a more mature and refined look. Additionally, his skin tone appears slightly darker compared to his original design.

In the Ares timeline, Hiroto’s appearance resembles his original design, but with spiked hair similar to his look in the third game. His pupils are also noticeably larger than in the original series, adding a softer and more expressive quality to his features.

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Personality

When Hiroto first appears, he comes across as a mysterious and reserved individual, often seen secretly observing Raimon’s matches and training. However, as his character develops, he is revealed to be a deeply caring person, particularly toward his father, sister, and siblings. His strong sense of compassion is evident in Episode 61, when his father orders him to release the limiter, a device designed to suppress the immense strength gained through training. Releasing it would grant inhuman physical abilities, but at the cost of severe muscle cramps and life-threatening internal damage, which Hitomiko grimly describes as causing one’s body to break apart from the inside. Unwilling to endanger his teammates, Hiroto refuses to activate the limiter. As a result of his hesitation, his father appoints Ulvida as The Genesis’ captain for the second half of their match against Raimon. In the game adaptation, Hiroto never removes the limiter, but in the anime, he eventually does.

After joining Inazuma Japan, Hiroto’s kind and gentle nature becomes even more apparent. He easily bonds with his teammates and displays a strong sense of camaraderie. In Episode 100, he promises Kogure that they will go camping together someday, mentioning the beautiful camping spots on Liocott Island. His moral compass is also evident in his determination to fight against injustice. When Hijikata, Endou, and Kidou attempt to help The Kingdom play real soccer instead of being controlled, Hiroto eagerly supports their efforts. His quick thinking and technical skills are highlighted when they infiltrate Garshield’s mansion to retrieve critical data, proving his proficiency with computers and ability to stay calm under pressure.

Background

In both the original series and Ares no Tenbin, Kiyama Hiroto grew up in Ohisama En, an orphanage where he lived alongside other orphans who would later become members of Aliea Gakuen. The circumstances of his orphanhood are unknown, though it is speculated that he was abandoned at a young age.

In the original series, Hiroto’s life takes a turn when Kira Seijirou visits the orphanage. During his visit, Seijirou notices a striking resemblance between Hiroto and his deceased son, Kira Hiroto. Moved by this resemblance, he renames Kiyama as Hiroto, essentially giving him a new identity.

With the discovery of the Aliea Meteorite, Hiroto assumes the alias Gran and is appointed as the captain of Team Gaia, the foundation of Aliea Gakuen. Over time, he rises to lead The Genesis, the strongest team within the academy, unknowingly becoming a key figure in Seijirou’s grand plan.

Relationships

Kira Seijirou
Hiroto’s adoptive father, whom he once idolized but later came to question and challenge.

Midori Koutetsu
A close friend and teammate who helps him realize his true path in soccer.

Gouenji Shuuya & Fubuki Shirou
Hiroto’s closest allies in Inazuma Japan, forming powerful combination attacks together.

Matsukaze Tenma (GO timeline)
As Kira Hiroto, he acts as a guiding figure for the next generation, inspiring younger players.

Legacy

Kiyama Hiroto’s journey from an opponent to a hero, along with his complex character development and versatile playing style, makes him one of Inazuma Eleven’s most beloved and well-rounded characters. His commitment to soccer, strong leadership, and adaptability across different series solidifies his place as one of the franchise’s greatest players.

Whether known as Gran, Kira Hiroto, or Kiyama Tatsuya, his impact on the field and his emotional depth as a character continue to inspire fans and players alike.

Trivia

    • In a tweet by Hino Akihiro, it was revealed that Hiroto’s alien name, Gran, originates from the Japanese word “Daichi” (大地), meaning “ground.” This was later adapted into “Gurando” (グランド), the Japanese pronunciation of “ground,” which was ultimately shortened to Gran.
    • The kanji “Yama” (山) in his surname, Kiyama, means “mountain,” further reinforcing the ground-related naming origin.
    • In the Chinese localization of Inazuma Eleven Eiyuutachi no Victory Road, his given name Hiroto is written as 浩人, meaning “prosperous person.” Similarly, his alien name, Gran, is written as 古蘭, meaning “old orchid.”
    • In Inazuma Eleven GO, Hiroto is exclusive to Shine, meaning he is only obtainable in that version of the game.
    • His favorite food is beef stroganoff, as revealed in Inazuma Eleven 3: Sekai e no Chousen!!.
    • In the English localization of Inazuma Eleven the Movie: The Invasion of the Strongest Army Ogre, he introduces himself as “Previously from Genesis Academy”, an adaptation of The Genesis’ name for the international audience.
    • Hiroto has a character song titled “Starline.”
    • Hiroto is one of the characters with the most names and aliases in the series, having been referred to as “Kiyama Hiroto,” “Gran,” “Kira Hiroto,” and “Kiyama Tatsuya.”