List of Whistle! Characters - Junior Senbatsu Team

Junior Senbatsu Team

Ryōichi Tenjō (天城 燎一, Tenjō Ryōichi?)

Tenjō is a forward from Kokubu Junior High School. His style of soccer playing was very independent and cold hearted. His father was a major businessman who told him to take power with his own hands because he wasn't going to help his own son. Therefore, Tenjō believed that he could be the best through his own actions and didn't like teamwork. Even though he has great power, due to his lack of teamwork he failed the qualifying tests into entering Musashinomori's soccer club (the same time as when Tatsuya passed the tests, but declined), which made him angry and bitter. Fortunately, things seemed to be brighter for him when Shō confronts him after Josui defeated Kokubu in a difficult game. The only person who he ever cared for was his nanny, Kazue. Unfortunately, after her death, he was contemplating on quitting soccer because he believed that he played only to see her smile and now that she's gone, there's no point in playing any more. Things for him seemed to heat up even more when Hiba's leader, Tsubasa Shiina, trash talks him to leave after beating his school in a game (a game in which Tenjō was not able to play in with full power since he was mentally damaged due to Kazue's death just before the game). After playing mini-soccer with Shō and his friends, against Tsubasa and his friends, Tenjo realized that he loves soccer and that Kazue would want him to keep playing what he loves.

He becomes a regular on the Junior Senbatsu Team. Although, after realizing that his mom didn't abandon him, he called her and she went to visit him in Japan. He found out that he is half German, though he already figured that he wasn't all Japanese, and that he also has a little sister. His mom wanted him to live with them in Germany, so with the help of Shō, Tenjō soon came to grips with the fact that he wanted to go. He quit the Junior Senbatsu Team and went to Germany, though he did say that he wasn't going to give up on soccer, but will be playing in Germany.

Taki Sugihara (杉原 多紀, Sugihara Taki?)

Taki is a midfielder from Takinawa Junior High chosen to qualify for the Junior Senbatsu Camp. He doesn't have much stamina, but he has excellent ball control. His pinpoint passes are made to draw-out the potential of the receiver. Taki becomes good friends with Shō since they were in the same team during camp. Though Kaku doesn't acknowledge him as his rival, Taki looks to Kaku as his rival, having been on a team with him years ago.

Teppei Koiwa (小岩 鉄平, Koiwa Teppei?)

Teppei is a second year forward and the only candidate from Edogawai Junior High School. His friends worked together to help pay his travel ticket. He was chosen to qualify for the Junior Senbatsu camp because of his incredible speed. At first he was considering quitting the camp because he saw himself as inferior compared to the rest, but was convinced to stay by the gardener of the camp.

He becomes a substitute player for the Junior Senbatsu team.

Kazuma Sanada (真田 一馬, Sanada Kazuma?)

A forward who is a member of the elite Under-14 trio along with midfielders Eishi and Yūto. He seems arrogant, but actually loses confidence in his ability pretty easily. This weak-mindedness directly affects his performance on the field and sometimes tends to bring down his team of U-14; when things don't go his way, he will throw a fit. He always blames others (including Shō and his team in the soccer retreat). Eventually as time goes by, he will start to overcome his selfish attitude and when he sees Shō playing during the Korean Tournament, will start to befriend Shō and his team.

Eishi Kaku (郭英士, Kaku Eishi?)

Although he was born and raised in Japan, Kaku’s mother is Korean (and most likely his father as well, as his last name is of Korean origin and not native Japanese). His Korean name is Kwak Yeoung-sa. The rival he looks to for recognition is his cousin, Lee Yun-gyong, a midfielder and number 10 on the Seoul Senbatsu team. He is part of the Under Fourteen (U-14) trio of elites along with Yūto and Kazuma. He attends Zoushigaya Junior High.

Yūto Wakana (若菜 結人, Wakana Yūto?)

Part of the U-14 trio along with Eishi and Kazuma. At first, he is very conceited because of his place among the three elite, but is humbled as he realizes the others who are chosen to attend Tokyo Senbatsu have their own unique talents. He attends Setodaisen Junior High.

Takashi Narumi (鳴海　貴志, Narumi Takashi?)

A very tall and talented soccer player from Meisei Junior High who plays aggressively, and later gets one of the forward spots. He has a big mouth and seems to be quite a womanizer. He claims to hate midgets, especially those like Shō, due to a previous incident where the girl he liked preferred a short guy instead. He eventually warms up to Shō when Shō proves his self-worth by playing a crucial role in helping the Junior Senbatsu team make a comeback.

Hitoyoshi Iga (伊賀　仁吉, Iga Hitoyoshi?)