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Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Kikumaru Eiji (菊丸) 7 |
| Gender | Male 7 |
| Affiliation | Seigaku Academy tennis club 21 81 |
| Occupation/Role | Tennis regular; primarily a doubles net player and Oishi's partner in the “Golden Pair” 21 81 164 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 7 7 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stamina weakness exposed | 8 | Horio defeats Kikumaru 6–0 and points out that his Special Skill Shot drains his stamina, placing extra defensive pressure on Oishi. |
| Faster net play | 39 43 | Horio recommends building on Kikumaru's agility. Against Hyotei, Kikumaru plays more freely at the net and overcomes Mukahi there. |
| Stamina improved | 81 164 | Horio notes that Kikumaru has overcome his earlier stamina problem; he later sustains fast, court-wide movement against Kai. |
| Clone Technique prototype | 111 | Kikumaru rapidly changes front–back and left–right positions, making opponents perceive him in multiple places and obscuring his team's coverage. |
| Clone Technique in singles | 165 166 | Against Kai, he uses the technique to cover both sides of the court and counter Pirate's Horn. |
| Synchronization | 142 251 | After special training with Oishi, Kikumaru reaches a doubles state in which they understand each other's intentions without signals. They use it to win their National Tournament finals match 6–4. |
History
Horio's early singles match forces Kikumaru to reconsider his fitness. Kikumaru had previously blamed a Golden Pair loss on both players tiring, without recognizing that his own fatigue had first increased Oishi's workload. He accepts Horio's blunt criticism and resolves to improve despite losing the match 8.
Against St. Rudolph, Kikumaru briefly rests at the net while Oishi covers the court, then returns to the attack. The pair also use the Australian Formation, which depends on coordinated movement after the serve; their exhausting match ends in a draw 21. In the Kanto Tournament, Kikumaru partners with Momoshiro against Hyotei. Notes from Oishi about Kikumaru's playing habits help Momoshiro support him at the baseline, and they win 7–5 42 43.
Rikkai Dai exposes another habit: Kikumaru shifts his racket slightly before moving in the opposite direction. Repeated targeting makes him agitated and strains his partnership with Oishi. After Horio criticizes their lack of cooperation, Kikumaru apologizes and deliberately uses the tell to mislead his opponents. The Golden Pair recover, but ultimately lose the match 81 82 83 84.
Kikumaru later develops his Clone Technique while partnering with Oshitari against the Griffith brothers 111. In the National Tournament, he is selected for Second Singles against Higa's Kai. Kai brings the match level by directing Pirate's Horn away from Kikumaru's committed movement, but Kikumaru uses his Clone Technique to defend both sides and wins, helping Seigaku reach the quarterfinals 164 165 166.
In the National Tournament final, Kikumaru and Oishi play what they call their last doubles match together. They activate Synchronization in the final game against Rikkai Dai's Wolf and Marui and win 6–4, tying the teams at 2–2 249 251.
Personality
Kikumaru is usually cheerful and playful, often smiling and spinning his racket. He can become intensely focused before a match and generally recovers quickly from defeat 7 8 9. Being repeatedly read by opponents frustrates him; against Rikkai Dai, that frustration turns into conflict with Oishi. Once he recognizes the problem, he apologizes and works with his partner again 81 82 83 84.
Abilities & Skills
Agile net play and Special Skill Shot
Kikumaru uses quick lateral movement, flexible returns and varied volleys to attack at the net. He also has strong dynamic vision 8 9 164.
- His Special Skill Shot can catch opponents off guard, but early on it consumes considerable stamina and Horio can return it with basic technique 8.
- Observant opponents can anticipate his movement from muscle changes or his habitual racket shift 76 81.
- Against Kai, his speed lets him cross the court to return shots that appear out of reach 164.
Clone Technique
Rapid changes of position create the appearance of multiple Kikumarus and confuse opponents about which areas he can defend 111 165.
- Developed in doubles through quick switches between the front and backcourt, followed by left–right movement 111.
- Used against Kai to cover both directions of Pirate's Horn in singles 165 166.
Doubles coordination
- With Oishi, Kikumaru uses the Australian Formation: they line up for the serve, then move in different directions to conceal the approaching net volley 21.
- Their Synchronization lets them anticipate each other's thoughts and actions without spoken or visible signals, producing near-flawless court coverage 251.
Relationships
- Oishi Shichirou — Kikumaru's regular partner in the Golden Pair. Their trust survives losses and disagreements, culminating in Synchronization during their final doubles match 8 83 84 249 251.
- Horio Satoshi — A younger teammate whose blunt assessment prompts Kikumaru to address his stamina and, later, his conduct toward Oishi 8 39 83 84.
- Momoshiro Takeshi — His temporary doubles partner against Hyotei; Momoshiro's support allows Kikumaru to concentrate on net play 42 43.
- Fuji Syusuke — His doubles partner against Rokkaku. Fuji covers returns aimed away from Kikumaru when Saeki begins reading his movement 75 76.
- Oshitari Yushi — His partner against the Griffith brothers when Kikumaru first demonstrates a prototype of the Clone Technique 111.