Yoichi Hiruma - Appearances - in Eyeshield 21

In Eyeshield 21

Seven years prior to the start of the series, Yoichi Hiruma, then ten years old, snuck into an American military base, where he witnessed a group of soldiers playing American football. Intrigued by the game, he soon caught on to its rules and later began studying its tactics. With his deep understanding of the game, he managed to successfully gamble on the winning teams, accumulating a large amount of money. He entered Mao Junior High, dyed his hair to its current blonde color and met Ryokan Kurita that encouraged Hiruma to create his own team. In order to establish an American football club, Hiruma created an expansive information network to acquire blackmail on virtually everyone in the Tokyo area, which allowed him to threaten the vice principal of Mao into allowing the creation of the club. After the reestablishment of the American football club with Doburoku Sakaki as club adviser, Gen "Musashi" Takekura decided to join the club because he thought Hiruma and Kurita were "fun," and together, the three new friends made a pact to reach the Christmas Bowl. Kurita looked up to the Shinryuji Naga, so the three decided to join the team. Because Kurita could not pass the Shinryuji High entrance exam, Hiruma and Musashi went to Deimon High School, and with Kurita established the Deimon Devil Bats.

At the beginning of the series, Hiruma and Kurita, now in their second year of high school, aggressively attempt to recruit new members to the Deimon Devil Bats from the newer students. At first their only successful recruit is the reluctant Sena Kobayakawa, as Hiruma witnesses his incredible running speed and agility and forces him to be the team's running back. Hiruma additionally hides Sena's identity by making him wear an eyeshield and adapt the moniker 'Eyeshield 21'. Hiruma, through intimidation, blackmail, cyber terrorism, and other similar methods, plays a crucial role in the development of the young Devil Bats team. Hiruma's insight and strategic mind, especially his knack for devising trick plays (including his own version of the Clock Play, also known as a Fake Spike, originally devised by Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino and his then-backup Bernie Kosar), are critical in the Devil Bats' various matches. His demonic facade is also seen through by the team manager, Mamori, whom he shares a deep understanding with, despite constant bickering and teasing.

Following the Christmas Bowl, Hiruma is selected by Yamato Takeru, of the Teikoku Alexanders, to be one of Team Japan's two quarterbacks due to his knack for trick plays, and Hiruma quickly settles in as the main strategist on the team. Even before this, Hiruma spies on Team USA to acquire information on the ace American players, who are considered by far the favorites to win the tournament. In typical fashion, Hiruma refuses to permit players on the team out of sympathy rather than merit, including his Devil Bats teammates, but does agree with the decision to hold a final tryout as a method of enlisting bench players. In chapter 333 the plot has skipped ahead two years. Hiruma, now in college, is part of the college's American football team, Saikyoudai.