Position: FW years old Height: 174cm Weight: 69kg  Jersey: #9  Sakai was benched after the arrival for Tatsumi in favour of the much younger Sera. With the return of Natsuki, even when Tatsumi switches to a two forward format, Sakai remains on the bench.  He told Sera that he knows that at 31, he is past his peak and isn't as strong as Natsuki or as fast as Sera but that he doesn't think that he's worse than them, as such, he has no intention of giving-up. He stated that his believes that ball always ends-up in front of the person who never gives-up. Even after Natsuki scored in his first game since returning from injury, Sakai re-iterated his commitment not to give-up.  (Source: Wikipedia)

A truly great coach makes the game of soccer interesting! Tatsumi Takeshi is 35 and has spent the last few years coaching in England before being brought back to Japan to coach his old team. His favorite pastime? Causing giant upsets—aka Giant Killing!
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(Source: Kodansha USA)

East Tokyo United, ETU, has been struggling in Japan's top football league for a few years.  It has taken everything they have just to avoid relegation. To make matters even worse, the fans are starting to abandon the team.<br><br>
In an effort to improve their performance, ETU has hired a new coach, the slightly eccentric Tatsumi Takeshi.  Tatsumi, who was considered a great football player when he was younger, abandoned the team years before but has proven himself as the manager of one of England's lower division amateur teams.  The task won't be easy, the teams East Tokyo United is pitted against have bigger budgets and better players.  However, Tatsumi is an expert at Giant Killing.

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__Non-Anime Roles:__
- Magnius in Tales of Symphonia
- Herlock Sholmes in The Great Ace Attorney 2: Resolve
- Adam in Stellar Blade


Yoshinori Sakai