Ryokan Kurita
栗田良寛
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Personal Description | |
Nihongo | 栗田良寛 |
Vital Information | |
Gender | Male |
Age | 18 |
Birthday | July 7 |
Height | 195 cm (6’5″) |
Weight | 145 kg |
First Appearance | |
Manga Debut | 1st Down |
Anime Debut | Episode 1 |
Japanese Voice | Kōichi Nagano |
English Voice | Roger Craig Smith |
Ryokan Kurita(栗田 良寛, Kurita Ryōkan) is one of the main characters in the anime and manga seriesEyeshield 21. He is thecenter linemanfor theDeimon Devil Batsand one of the team’s founding members, alongsideYoichi HirumaandGen “Musashi” Takekura. Kurita is known for his incredible strength, kind-hearted personality, and unwavering loyalty to his teammates.
Émile Durkheim
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Born |
David Émile Durkheim
15 April 1858 Épinal, France
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Died | 15 November 1917(aged 59)
Paris,France
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Nationality | French |
Alma mater | École Normale Supérieure |
Known for | Sacred–profane dichotomy Collective consciousness Social fact Social integration Anomie Collective effervescence |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies |
Institutions | University of Paris, University of Bordeaux |
Influences | Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill |
Influenced | Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1] |
Appearance
Kurita is a towering figure with a massive physique, which is essential for his role as a lineman. His round face, cheerful smile, and warm demeanor make him one of the most approachable characters on the team. Kurita’s size is both his greatest strength and a source of insecurity, as it often leads others to underestimate his gentle nature.
Ryokan Kurita from Eyeshield 21, overcome with rage, showcasing his rarely seen fierce side. Known for his gentle nature off the field, Kurita’s immense strength becomes evident when he channels his emotions during intense moments in the game.
Personality
Kurita is the embodiment of kindness and optimism. Despite his imposing size and intimidating strength, he is one of the most compassionate and gentle characters in the series. He values friendship, teamwork, and sportsmanship, often serving as a moral anchor for the team.
Abilities
Kurita’s abilities make him a cornerstone of the Devil Bats’ offense and defense:
- Immense Strength: Kurita’s strength is unmatched, allowing him to overpower opponents and hold the line against even the most formidable players. His raw power is one of the team’s greatest assets.
- Blocking Mastery: As the center lineman, Kurita excels at protecting the quarterback and creating openings for plays. His size and technique make him a nearly immovable force on the field.
- Resilience: Kurita’s enduring spirit allows him to stand firm against opponents, even when facing overwhelming odds.
- Surprising Agility: While not known for speed, Kurita’s agility for his size often surprises opponents, allowing him to react quickly in critical moments.
Background
Kurita’s journey begins with his dream of playing American football and reaching the Christmas Bowl. He initially struggled to find teammates who shared his passion, but his determination led to the formation of the Deimon Devil Bats alongside Hiruma and Musashi.
Despite his kind-hearted nature, Kurita faced rejection and ridicule due to his size and perceived lack of toughness. However, his unwavering belief in the values of teamwork and sportsmanship helped him persevere. Kurita’s decision to attend Deimon High School instead of more prestigious football programs reflects his loyalty to Hiruma and their shared dream of creating a competitive team from scratch.
Role in the Story
Kurita plays a crucial role both on and off the field:
- Founding Member: As one of the original members of the Deimon Devil Bats, Kurita’s dream of reaching the Christmas Bowl is the driving force behind the team’s formation.
- Linemen Leader: Kurita leads the Devil Bats’ offensive and defensive line, serving as the backbone of the team’s strategy. His strength and reliability make him an invaluable player.
- Moral Compass: Kurita’s kind and supportive nature often helps uplift his teammates, especially during challenging moments. He encourages them to believe in themselves and work together as a team.
- Rivalries: Kurita has several memorable rivalries, most notably with theHakushu Dinosaurs’ Gaou Rikiya, whose monstrous strength challenges Kurita to push beyond his limits.
Relationships
Yoichi Hiruma
Kurita shares a close friendship with Hiruma, despite their contrasting personalities. While Hiruma is cunning and ruthless, Kurita’s kindness and optimism balance their dynamic. Their mutual respect and shared dream of reaching the Christmas Bowl form the foundation of the team.
Gen “Musashi” Takekura
Kurita and Musashi share a bond rooted in their early days of forming the Devil Bats. Musashi’s temporary departure from the team deeply affects Kurita, but his return reignites their shared passion for football.
Sena Kobayakawa
Kurita admires Sena’s speed and determination, often acting as a mentor figure to the younger player. He is one of Sena’s biggest supporters, cheering him on as he grows into the role of Eyeshield 21.
Teammates
Kurita’s relationships with the rest of the Devil Bats are marked by his encouragement and unwavering support. He serves as a big brother figure to the team, helping them bond and overcome challenges.
Trivia and Insights
- Love for Food: Kurita’s appetite is a recurring comedic element in the series. His love for eating is often played for laughs, but it also highlights his larger-than-life personality.
- Symbol of Strength: Kurita’s strength is not only physical but also symbolic of his inner resolve and belief in teamwork.
- Biggest Rival: Kurita’s rivalry with Gaou Rikiya is one of the most intense in the series, showcasing Kurita’s growth as both a player and a leader.
Legacy and Impact
Kurita’s role in the Deimon Devil Bats and Eyeshield 21 underscores the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and kindness. His character serves as a reminder that strength comes in many forms, and his unwavering belief in the values of football helps inspire his teammates and fans alike. As a founding member and linchpin of the Devil Bats, Kurita’s contributions are instrumental in their journey toward the Christmas Bowl, making him one of the series’ most beloved and memorable characters.