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 is a bad blader even after he beat Rantaro Kiyama. When he faced Valt and clammed the first point. he was thinking Valt is amateur blader. In the second match Valt got a burst finish. Valt offers Ken a Hand shake. he Turns it down and leaves. (He doesn't move any father during the District tournament) Valt hurases him about joining the bey club during school the next two days. Ken stops by Valts house to say it was a fair battle, but valts mom makes him stay for dinner. Ken ends up joining the bey club the next day. he becomes firends with the other members and cheers on Valt in the District tournament.
The bey club along with Shu Head to Sword flames. there Daigo notes that Ken is a bit depressed. Ken revels that he is moving once they leave. Ken fights against Ukyo and Yugo and wins against both of them.
The home team of Kens new school is the beast. he becomes part of the team. he and the beast fight the Beigoma Academy BeyClub. Ken fights Rantaro Kiyama and wins, but the other members of the beast lose. He cheers on The Beigoma Academy BeyClub through the rest of the team battles.
In the Individual matches Ken faces against Ben Azuki (Captain of the beast) and wins. then He faces Lui Shirosagi but he loses and fails to move on. He Cheers on Valt and the rest of his firends for the rest of the tournament.
Beyblade Burst Evolution (anime)
Ken is the only member of the beigoma Academy BeyClub to stay in Japan. when BC Sol, Daigo and Wakiya Murasaki Head to japan Ken Refs the match of Valt vs Xander vs Wakiya vs Daigo. He also cheers on Wakiya And Sunbat United in there match against SB Rios.
Ken and the rest of valts firends from japan fly to America to Cheer on Valt and Shu. Shu Rips one of his Puppets. Daigo helps him through it and Shu appoligizes even know it was Sprizen controling him.
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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