Ken Midori, known as Kensuke Midorikawa (緑川犬介, Midorikawa Kensuke) in Japan, is a protagonist in the anime and manga series, Beyblade Burst. His current Beyblade is King Kerbeus Limited Press.
Appearance
Ken has long, spiky black hair, green eyes, and a sharp fang sticking out on the left side of his mouth. He is dressed in a green coat with lighter green accents and a pink chain circle on the chest, darker green pants, black shoes, and a green and pink scarf.
Both of his hands are often gloved by his two dog sock puppets: a blue one named Keru, who has sharp teeth; pointy ears and a scary expression, and a brown one named Besu, who has square teeth; longer, floppier ears; and an overall more approachable appearance. Unfortunately, Besu later was ripped by Shu Kurenai in Evolution, but was eventually fixed.
Personality
Initially, Ken seems to have an intimidating and eccentric personality, however it is revealed later that he is actually very shy and soft-spoken, when he uses his real voice to speak. Despite his shy attitude, he is shown to be very friendly and supportive.
Because his parents travel often for their jobs, Ken never had an opportunity to stay in the same school for a long time, which resulted in him not being able to have many friends. He is also shown to get nervous under pressure easily. Going along with his shy personality, he is also quite sensitive.
He is extremely talented as a ventriloquist, being able to speak as his hand puppets even in battle mode. He uses his two puppets, Keru, who is the more aggressive and outspoken one; Besu, who is the kinder and more gentle one, to portray his feelings on two spectrums. Because of this, it is difficult for others to figure out what Ken is thinking.
Over the course of the series, however, Ken becomes more confident and assertive, as well as speaking without the use of his puppets.
Biography
Background
Beyblade Burst (manga)
Beyblade Burst (anime)
At first,Ken thinks Valt Aoi is a bad blader even after he beat Rantaro Kiyama. When he faced Valt and claimed the first point, he believed Valt is an amateur. In the second match, Valt wins with a Burst finish, and then offers Ken a handshake but he turns it down and leaves. After Valt learns that Ken has no friends, he approaches him and asks him to join the Beyclub during school. Ken later stops by Valt's house to say he wants to join but then tries to leave immediately after, only for Valt’s mom to make him stay for dinner. Since then, he became a close friend with the other members and cheers on Valt in the District tournament.
He headed with Xander Shakadera and Shu Kurenai To Shakadera Dojo. Daigo Kurogami notices Ken was depressed. He asked Ken about it He ends up runing saying he needs to train.Valt Rantaro and diago caught up with him and he evently cofessed that he had to move. every one was really sad but they had no choice. Ken battled Ukyo Ibuki and Yugo Nansui and won. when they got back they had a big fest in his onor. He had one final battle with Valt and won.
his new school had a bey team named the beast led by Ben Azuki. Ben invited Ken to join the beast. They face Valt and the Beigoma Academy BeyClub. although he won against Rantaro his teamates lost thust he didn't move on from the third round.
In the individual tournament he faced to of his teamates Rantia and Ben Azuki. in the semi finals he loses to Lui Shirosagi.
Beyblade Burst Evolution
Ken is the only member of the Beigoma Academy BeyClub to stay in Japan. He was the ref for the match Valt vs Rantaro vs Wakiya vs Xander. He also cheers on Wakiya And Sunbat United in their match against SB Rios.
He watched Valts matches in the world league and the international bladers cup viva TV. Wakiya comes with a private helocoptor and takes him to America along with Toko Aoi, Nika Aoi, Chiharu Aoi and Daigo Kurogami. He and Daigo go to talk to Shu. He brushes off besu ripping him. Fortenly he was fixed. He came back to BC sol where he joined in a big fest.
Anime Apperances
Beyblade Burst
- Episode 01 - Let's Go! Valtryek!
- Episode 02 - Kerbeus: Guard Dog of the Underworld!
- Episode 03 - Blast-Off! Rush Launch!
- Episode 04 - Beyblade Club: Let's Get Started!
- Episode 05 - Into the Darkness! Dark Doomscizor
- Episode 06 - Get Ready! Crash Course!
- Episode 07 - The Flash Launch! It's Crazy Fast!
- Episode 08 - A Powerful Opponent! Hyper Horusood!
- Episode 09 - Wyvron in the Way!
- Episode 10 - Get Over It! Trust in Valtryek!
- Episode 11 - Spryzen's Despair!
- Episode 12 - Shield Crash Menace!
- Episode 13 - Shu's Test!
- Episode 14 - The Battle We Promised!
- Episode 15 - A Fierce Battle! Valtryek Versus Spryzen!
- Episode 16 - A Group Lesson! Shakadera Special!
- Episode 17 - Extreme Xcalius!
- Episode 18 - Team Battle! It's Off the Hook!
- Episode 19 - Roktavor vs Unicrest!
- Episode 20 - Bring it Together! Chain Launch!
- Episode 21 - A Battle of Friendship!
- Episode 22 - Valtryek Awakens! (illusion)
- Episode 31 - Teachings of a Legend!
- Episode 32 - Cyclone Power!
- Episode 33 - Mega Flames! Dual Sabers!
- Episode 34 - The Beasts Bare Their Fangs!
- Episode 35 - Primal Attack! Beast Betromoth!
- Episode 36 - Rideout Rising!
- Episode 37 - Next Stop, Team Finals!
- Episode 38 - Battle to the Finish! Lost Luinor!
- Episode 39 - Into the Vortex! Lost Spiral!
- Episode 40 - All In! Going Solo!
- Episode 41 - Nepstrius' Trap!
- Episode 42 - Jumbo Jormuntor! The Venomous Snake!
- Episode 43 - Winged Launch!
- Episode 44 - Roar! Battle of the Beasts!
- Episode 45 - Spryzen vs Wyvron!
- Episode 46 - Battle for the Top! Valt vs Xander!
- Episode 47 - Star Battle!
- Episode 48 - Semi-Finals! Spin Versus Speed!
- Episode 49 - Old Rivals! Lui Versus Shu!
- Episode 50 - Overthrowing the King!
- Episode 51 - Final Showdown! Victory Valtryek!
Beyblade Burst Evolution
- Episode 01 - Fresh Start! Valtryek's Evolution! (flashback)
- Episode 27 - Worlds Collide! Home Turf!
- Episode 50 - Breaking Point! Bursting Through!
- Episode 51 - A Champion is Crowned!
Beyblade Burst Turbo
- Episode 07 - Curtains Rise! The Lúinor Cup! (Flashback)
Beyblades
- Kerbeus Central Defense: Ken's primary Beyblade in the Beyblade Burst manga.
- King Kerbeus Limited Press: Ken's primary Beyblade in the Beyblade Burst anime.
Special Moves
- Chain Launch: Kerbeus uses its chain-shaped Energy Layer's numerous protrusions to chip away at its opponent's Stamina. This move can be utilized either defensively or offensively.
Battles
Beyblade Burst (anime) | ||
---|---|---|
Opponent | Episode | Result |
Valt Aoi | 02-03 | Lose (2-1) |
Shu Kurenai | 04 | Lose (2-0) |
Valt Aoi | 10 | Win (4-0) |
Ukyo Ibuki | 20 | Win (2-1) |
Yugo Nansui | 20 | Win (2-1) |
Xander Shakadera | 21 | Lose (0-2) |
Valt Aoi | 21 | Win |
Daigo Kurogami | 22 | Unknown |
Unknown Blader | 30 | Win (2-0) |
Valt Aoi | 31 | Lose (1-2) |
Valt Aoi | 34 | Unknown |
Ben Azuki | 34 | Lose (0-2) (flashback) |
Rantaro Kiyama | 34 | Win (1-0) |
Unknown Blader | 42 | Win |
Raita | 44 | Lose x 7 |
Ben Azuki | 44 | Win (3-2) |
Lui Shirosagi | 45 | Lose (0-3) |
Beyblade Burst (manga) | ||
---|---|---|
Opponent | Chapter | Result |
Valt Aoi | 02 | Win |
Valt Aoi | 02 | Lose |
Relationships
Valt Aoi
When Valt learned that Ken didn't have many friends due to constantly changing schools, he set out to befriend him and invite him to join the Beyblade Club. Ken even stated in episode 13 that Valt was probably the first real friend he's ever had. Even when Ken had to move away due his family's career, the two agreed to always be best friends, no matter how far apart they may be.
Ben Azuki
Ken met Ben sometime after moving to his new school, and the latter eventually invited him to join Team Beasts. The two are often seen hanging out together, and it's implied that Ben may have had an influence on Ken, because he had become noticeably more confident and assertive since the others last saw him.
Shu Kurenai
Ken appears to have a high level of respect for Shu, to the point where he only agreed to join the BeyClub if he could battle him. He also would get flustered whenever Shu complimented him or would become more shy in his presence as he hesitated to taste Shu's spaghetti carbonara at first. Shu was even the first person Ken spoke to without using Keru or Besu. Their friendship remained strong up until Shu joined the Raging Bulls and secretly became Red Eye. This was evident when Shu ripped up Besu, much to Ken's devastation. Fortunately, when Shu eventually returned to his old self, Ken held no ill will towards him and was happy to have his friend back.
Daigo Kurogami
Ken was initially suspicious of Daigo when the latter claimed to be impressed by Valt's match in episode 3. His suspicions were later confirmed when Daigo purposely lost a practice match with Valt in order to learn about his weaknesses.
However, after Daigo became a member of the Bey Club, the two became friends and remained on good terms. Daigo cares about Ken a lot; shown by how he noticed that Ken was upset about moving away, and how he wanted to go after Shu after the latter ripped Besu, one of Ken's puppets.
Quotes
- "Alright Kerbeus! It's time for the Chain Launch!"
- "Is he gonna start with an attack or wait and defend? Which one?"
- "If Xander's using his power side, I know what to do. I'll go in for the attack!"
- "It's not like I want to leave you guys. You're my best friends."
- "KERBEUS! THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN'T HANDLE! WE'VE HAD WAY WORSE!"
- "Valt sure is a good guy, isn't he?" - Ken's first line without using his puppets
- "Besu, NO!!!!!!!"
- "Chillax, would you? Of course I'm proud of you. It's just this means I'll have to wait a bit longer before I get to take you on."
- (while holding back tears) "Hey, Valt. I'm sorry. Here I was trying to help, and I couldn't do a thing."
Gallery
For a full gallery of images of Ken, see Ken Midori/Gallery.
Trivia
- Ken, like other characters in the Burst cast, shares some similarities with his Beyblade, King Kerbeus.
- His Japanese family name Midorikawa means Green River. The Japanese character "Ken" in his first name means "canine"
- His name, Ken, and his Bey Kerbeus share the same initials, hinting at the letter K in the center of the Bey.
- His two puppets, named Ker (Keru) and Beus (Besu), make up the name of his bey, Kerbeus.
- Unlike other Bladers, Ken usually pulls his cord up, in the middle, or down.
- Ken is the only main Blader from Beyblade Burst who doesn't have a major role in Beyblade Burst Evolution.
- He, Rantaro, and Gabe are the only characters from the Beyblade Burst series which their names are fully written in kanji.
- His birthday is June 20.
- Ken was Gabe Khouth's final anime voice acting role before his untimely death in July 2019 from cardiac arrest.
References
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