Kai Hiwatari
Encyclopedia
is a character from the Beyblade
manga
and anime
series.
He is the captain of the Team BBA (Bladebreakers
in the dub) throughout most of the anime series and the keeper of the phoenix bit-beast Dranzer, or in the original Japanese version, Suzaku, the phoenix god of the South in Chinese/Japanese legend.
Kai is voiced by David Reale
in the English dub and by Urara Takano
in the original.
, another protagonist of Beyblade and Kai meet after one of Kai's 'underlings', Carlos, loses to him. Kai defeats Tyson as easily as Tyson did Carlos, though he does not use his bit beast for this victory. Later on, Kai kidnaps Tyson's genius friend Kenny
, and is challenged by Tyson for his freedom. The fierce battle ends in a tie thanks to Tyson's new bit-beast, Dragoon. Kai releases Kenny anyway and leaves. No further confrontation occurs between Kai and Tyson until the Regional Tournament, in which Kai participates and defeats many of Tyson's friends on the way to the finals, including Max Tate
.
In the finals, Kai and Tyson battle a close match but Tyson wins. After the battle the director of the BBA, Mr. Dickenson, offers Kai a position as team captain of the Bladebreakers, due to Kai's position as world champion and his great experience in the sport. Though Kai is unconvinced, his pride pushes him into accepting leadership. The team goes on to win the Asian and American tournaments (with little participation of Kai); they also defeat the top European team: The Majestics
. At this match, Kai plays a significant role, defeating Johnny.
At the World Championship, after visiting Balkov Abbey, Kai begins acting strangely. In a bold step, he leaves the Bladebreakers and joins with his grandfather Voltaire, and his team, the Demolition Boys
. Here, Kai reunites with a powerful bit beast he had become enraptured with as a child; the seemingly perfect Black Dranzer. With this new bit beast Kai is able to get the Demolition Boys
all the way to the finals. Before these, Kai issues a challenge to his former team, even sending a helicopter to escort them to the frozen Lake Baikal
. There, Kai battles Tyson, Ray
, and Kenny, overwhelming them all with his power. Just when Tyson's Dragoon blade seems about to be demolished, Max arrives on the scene with his brand new, much stronger Draciel blade. Tyson takes the opportunity to launch Kai's abandoned Dranzer blade, and Dranzer's anger, as well as the combined determination of Ray, Tyson and Max, pushes Kai into realizing the true power of friendship. The ice begins to crack, but Kai, frozen in realization of his pride, refuses to move. It is only after a few words of support from his team that he sheds a tear and allows them to pull him back onto solid ground. Kai then acknowledges his role as leader of a great team and rejoins the Bladebreakers for the championships.
He reveals the profound impact that the encounter upon the ice has had on him when he loses to Spencer of the Demolition Boys. Rather than rail against his loss, he graciously accepts defeat and manages to come out smiling. Proving his new-found team spirit over the last few episodes of the season, Kai offers Ray the words of advice and support needed to ensure the Bladebreakers the win they desperately need, before later helping Tyson to prepare for his final confrontation with Tala, along with the other team captains they have met throughout the season. Although it is not shown in the show, there is proof from BeyBlade: Super Tournament Battle
the video game for GameCube
, that shows that Kai's actual first beyblade was the Frostic Dranzer.
Kai's beyblades as seen on TV for this season were: Dranzer Spiral, Dranzer Flame, and, temporarily, Black Dranzer, and their attacks being spiral fireball, flame saber and black saber respectively.
, a group that later reveal their wish to capture the four sacred bit-beasts. Later, Kai and the team encounter strange cybernetic bit beasts that are exact copies of their own bit beasts. One of those to wield a prototype of these beasts is Wyatt, who challenges Kai, but is instead fought by Dunga. Wyatt loses and falls into madness and later dies (though this is not revealed in the English dub). Kai blames himself for Wyatt's suffering, since he had previously refused to acknowledge him as worthwhile competition, driving the boy to seek other ways of gaining Kai's attention.
Later, the Bladebreakers finally fight a team that can survive the awesome power of the cyber bit-beasts: The Psykicks. They are former friends, but their minds are taken over by their bit-beasts. Kai manages to break the bit-beast's hold over Goki, the user of Cyber Dranzer, despite having hallucinations of battling Wyatt. With Team Psykick freed from the hold of the cyber bit-beasts through the efforts of the Bladebreakers, the friendships are restored.
The next danger was the final confrontation with the Saint Shields. In this, Kai once again takes on Dunga in an effort to return Driger to Ray, as he had lost it in a previous episode. Kai and Ray fight in a 2-on-2 battle against Dunga and Joseph, eventually reclaiming Driger and defeating half of the Saint Shields.
For this season's world championship the tournament is a 2-on-2 tag-team-style format, meaning that the Bladebreakers must compete in pairs. Kai gets paired with Ray for the competition and they make it all the way to the semifinals, but are stopped abruptly by the duo Gordo and Zeo. During Kai's battle with Zeo, his bit-beast Burning Cerberus takes Dranzer. This upsets Kai greatly and he even thinks of quitting blading, but later his bit-beast and companion returns to him when Tyson defeats Zeo in the final round.
Overall, Kai seems, surprisingly, at his most mature in this season. While still quiet, he is happy to voice his opinion and not shy of offering support and even comfort when needed. He also seems to develop a lot more in personality by acting quirky occasionally, for example, lounging around in bushes and making the odd joke. He does not retake his position as team captain, but there seems to be a tendency to not have anyone in charge during the 2002 season, although Hilary arguably took it upon herself to fill the role from time to time.
In this season he uses Dranzer Flame, Dranzer Volcano, and Dranzer Volcano 2.
Spoiler: This is the only season where he doesn't leave the BladeBrakers.
ties with Tala. The battle is more fierce than any of their past fights against each other. It is so extreme that the arena starts to crumble. Mr. Dickenson asks that the two call it a tie and share the title, but this does not go over well with many, Kai especially. "No way! You can't do that to me! Are you telling me that this tournament has been nothing but a complete joke? That everything that we did doesn't count because you decide we get punished for working hard?" he shouts at Mr. Dickenson upon the announcement of the decision. Ray votes for the match to continue, quickly joined by Max and many fans and bladers. After some coaxing the two are allowed to finish their battle. Kai and Tyson match each other blow for blow, eventually releasing powerful finishing attacks. They stare each other down afterwards, but Kai's beyblade collapses seconds before Tyson's does making him lose in such an amazing fight.
Kai is missing for some time and does not reappear again until he shows up to enter the qualifier for the BEGA Justice 5 Team, meaning that he won't battle with Tyson, Ray, Max, and the others in order to finish the BEGA League. He stays in this tournament until the final round where he goes up against the top class blader Brooklyn. Kai does his best but is greatly overpowered by Brooklyn's skill and dark bit beast Zeus. Kai goes into hiding once again, only to emerge as the G-Revolutions' fifth member. He battles Brooklyn again using his upgraded Dranzer MS blade. It is a hard and torturing battle for Kai, but in the end he emerges victorious. The victory does not come without a heavy price, however. Kai only survives to make his final attack through his bit beast. His beloved friend, Dranzer, appears to sacrifice its life to protect him, as shown after Kai's battle with Brooklyn, when the Dranzer MS suddenly shatters with the cry of a Phoenix.
This shatters Kai's morale, although the effect is lessened by Dranzer's reappearance in the last episode, engaging Dragoon in battle. Dranzer's reappearance could be explained by the fact that Dranzer is a phoenix and that phoenixes are revived from their ashes. This does however follow the trend to have bit beasts play a more incidental role in this series. After Tyson and Kai's help from dranzer defeats Brooklyn fusing Dranzer and Dragoon combine, everything returns to normal, almost coming full circle, with Kai owing Tyson a rematch from the tournament. However in the original Japanese version it was heavily implied that Kai actually dies (Kai himself only says one line of dialogue when he is in the corridor after the match with Brooklyn and Dranzer does not cry out), backed up by Tyson's reaction to his "death" in the following episodes, but does not explain how Kai came back in the final episode.
Kai returns to his more moody and introverted persona relative to Season 1, though his softer side is revealed by his recurring moments of caring for stray cats.
Kai's beyblades in this season:
Dranzer Volcano 2(Volcano Emission), Dranzer Gigs(Blazing Gig), (Blazing Gig Tempest) Dranzer Gigs Turbo(Flame Gigs Turbo Attack), Dranzer Metal Spiral.
Kai is even nastier than in his initial anime appearance. It is revealed that Kai, as a child, had a very close relationship with his father, a man who enjoyed engineering beyblades. The two played many battles together, delighting the young Kai and making him adore his father. However, when Kai's grandfather, Soichiro Hiwatari, learned of his son's playing rather than working, he dragged him and Kai both to his office at Hiwatari Enterprises. There he issued an ultimatum to Kai's father – to abandon his silly love for toys, or lose his position as heir to Hiwatari Enterprises. Kai's father chose beyblades, voicing a desire to make children smile as his reason.
Kai tried to go after his father as he walked away, but was held back by his grandfather. At the age of ten, Kai took this to be rejection by his father and takes it upon himself to change his attitude. Donning face-paint, Kai begins his quest to destroy beyblades – the toys that 'stole' his father away.
While his mother is present at the confrontation in the office, she seems to serve no role, neither aiding nor trying to prevent this rebellion.
Later, during Kai's and Tyson's battle in the regional championships, Soichiro turns up, demanding that the tournament be stopped. At this Kai's father steps in and tells him to leave Kai alone.
Throughout the manga – unlike in the anime – however, Kai shows little personal development. His attitude remains largely coldly indifferent.
At the ending of volume 14 of the manga Kai is proven to have been the president of the Hiwatari Enterprise. Tyson still remains as Kai's rival. Kai's son Gou, who has a very similar attitude, is introduced in a special chapter of the last volume of the Beyblade manga. Gou's mother's identity remains unknown. Tyson's son Makoto, who looks very similar to how Tyson was (hat included given to him by his father) are the also rivals for the new generation.
As the series progresses, he matures and becomes more open with his team-mates and grows more comfortable around them. In the end, despite his differences with many of his peers in the Beyblade community, Kai sacrifices a great deal to free the world of the influence of Boris Balkov and his BEGA company.
Kai also seems to be caring about his team mates, since he has saved them many times. He saved Max Tate
from being smashed under a metre thick glass panel in beyblade season 1, he brought Driger back to Ray during a fight with Dunga, he saved Tyson, Hilary, Ray and Kenny from the Psykicks' headquarters in V force, he saved Hilary several times on the island in V force, and risked his life to destroy BEGA league, even though it didn't come out the way he thought it would be.
His most distinguished trait is his sense of pride and fairness.
Although a tough guy, he is shown giving a cat milk, bringing food for a family of cats and in the first ending for the third season, feeding a dog.
There are a few exceptions:
Kai and Tyson's friendship grew slowly from season one. In the first episode Kai and Tyson have a obvious dislike for one another, not understanding each other and their point of views. But since Kai join the BBA team slowly Kai began a liking to them, though at most times he tends to disregard them. There are signs that Kai does care for them, such as giving them advice (more towards giving Tyson advice than the others), saving them, or just listening to their problem and give a blunt straight forward answer (though giving them a blunt answer may seem as harsh or cruel at times but its the best way to deal with it through Kai's eyes.) So even though there are signs of Kai caring for his team he tends to use "I'm their Captain, I'm supposed to be looking out for them, they're my responsibility" lines to perhaps hide behind. Though this is difficult to say as this is true.
Gradually Tyson manages to learn more about Kai and begins to understand him, which is something Kai does not like. Kai hates when other people get to close, it is something which Kai has always been like. In the Russian Arc Tyson and the bladebreakers learn about Kai's past and eventually end up facing him on Lake Baikal. It is here that Kai truly learns the meaning of friendship, and it takes his teammates to defeat him to finally get through to him. Kai realizes what he did wrong and finally figures out what he gave up while stuck to the sinking ice. Ashamed of what he has done, Kai would rather be left alone to die (that's Kai's pride still managing to butt in) but Tyson literally gives a lifeline for Kai to grab onto, and wants to save his friend from his fate. Telling Kai to throw away his pride for once and trust his teammates, his friends, are there for him and have always been. With that Kai reaches out and grabs what is most important to him. His bond with his friends.
After their battle on Lake Baikal Kai throws away his power of Black Dranzer. The bladebreakers soon learn more about Kai's past and how his own Grandfather has been using him. But Kai now knows what it is his fighting for and with his help the Bladebreakers go against Balkov "You guys would be so lost without me"
It's during Kai's match with Spencer that Kai's loyalty is tested once again. Kai ashamed of his own weakness after losing the first round against Spencer goes off on his own, once again wanting to be left alone to think things through, and dismisses Tyson's help. Its here that Kai meets his Grandfather, Voltaire, and is offered the powerful Black Dranzer by his Grandfather's hand. Kai has to make a choice between his (what we know) his only family member and his friends. Kai's brief chat with his Grandfather is shortly over and bumps into Tyson. Tyson trying to reassure Kai but notices Voltaire and Black Dranzer in Kai's hand. Tyson goes to question it but is shrugged off by Kai. Once Kai is about to face Spencer again Tyson tells the other teammates what he saw. Ray and the other members begin to doubt Kai and that he has chosen Black Dranzer again, but Tyson believes in Kai. And its Tyson "belief" in Kai that should be noted.
In the end though Kai chose his friends and battled with Dranzer with everything they had. Though Kai lost the match, he gained something much more precious. The Bladebreakers reassure and comment on how wonderful his battle was, and that they still needed Kai's help for the next matches.
At the end of the first season Kai is much more openly with his teammates and Kai's relationship has grown considerably over period of time.
In the third season we see Kai as his same old self though he hangs around with his teammates and still ends up giving Tyson advice on what to do. To Tyson Kai is much like a safety net, Kai is always there when he needs him most, he can always rely on Kai to pull through and give advice. But when Ray and Max leave the Bladebreakers Tyson attaches himself to Kai saying that "Kai and me are partners!" "Kai and I will go all the way!" Tyson even ends up dreaming about winning the tournament and Kai embracing him with a hug (which is something that Kai would never do in a lifetime) This dream shows that Tyson wants to be praised, acknowledged, to be surrounded by those closest to him. When it comes to the regional tournament and Tyson learns that Kai hasn't signed up yet nor is he anywhere to be found Tyson begins to panic. Kai is the only one who has managed to make Tyson go through several emotional states in less than 15 seconds, including angry, upset, denial, acceptance, happy and relief. In the Dub version Kai says to Tyson "I don't think you've ever talked about me that way, and I'm pretty sure I don't like it" while in the Japanese version Kai says "Do not worry yourself, I'll decide my own path." In the Japanese version Kai assures Tyson not to worry about him but he will still do things his way.
Once Tyson learns of Kai leaving the BBA team Tyson is furious, and ends up dragging Daichi to be his partner and training with him into the forest. Its here that Tyson has that dream of when those closest to him praise him and Kai hugs him. Only Tyson's dream world is to be crushed when fire breaks out in the forest and the only way to get out is for Tyson and Daichi to work together. Its symbolic that Kai, who represents fire, was the thing in their way to becoming teammates. But together they managed to put out the fire. And Tyson start a new with his new teammate. But once Tyson sees Kai at the World tournament on the Blitzkerg Boys teams Tyson is once again angry, so much that he goes and confronts him about it.
Kai's rivalry almost becomes something of an obsession with Tyson. Their bond might be considered supernatural, as seen when they fight during Beyblade G-Revolution, they can actually read each others thoughts. But Kai is obsession with going against Tyson, so much so that he even joins BEGA, along with Boris Balkov later on in the series. Considering Kai and Balkov's history in the past its a major step for Kai to go so far to join Balkov's BEGA just for the chance to defeat Tyson again. Tyson is in completely shock when Kai switches teams, after everything they've gone through Kai is still going to such lengths to defeat Tyson. Once again Kai's loyalty is put to the test. It takes a good beating from Brooklyn for Kai to lose his fight and spot on the BEGA team. When Kai is struck down, Tyson panics and wants to see what happened to Kai he ends up shaking the television set furiously in frustration. Later on Kenny is the one to reassure Tyson that Kai will be alright, to which Tyson states that he believes in Kai. It seems that Tyson trusts everyone he meets with all his heart, Kai could do or say the most horrible things to Tyson and Tyson will still keep believing in him. Its this trust that is important.
We see later on Kai in (a most hobo-ish outfit) outside the BEGA building, Kai wanting to go in to his friends but his pride is once again getting the best of him and not to mention the current state he is in. After visiting Tala in hospital, who gave it his all against Garland to stop Balkov's plan, Kai realizes what he has to do. kai eventually ends up going back to Tyson and the others to join them. When Kai arrives there is a moment of...starring at each other. Tyson who understands Kai the best, and understands Kai's pride only tells Kai "You're late." Tyson's trust in Kai has once again come through in the end.
At the very end of G-Revolution Tyson and Kai have a complete understand of each other. They have come a long way. Tyson who started out as a boy who hated to be alone, who wanted to be surrounded by love ones and friends to always be there for him. A boy who was in some ways naive but had a strong sense of justice and belief in his friends, had become a young adult who had finally learned to stand on his own two feet. And become a Leader to look up to.
And then there's Kai, who has by gone the most dramatic change in personality. Though he is still quite a loner and continues his rivalry with Tyson, Kai has grown and changed a lot since the beginning of the series. No longer is he the hateful, bully blader who would dismiss a helping hand and give the cold shoulder. He is now more open with his friends, and doesn't give the cold shoulder as much either. Once when he would dismiss the help of others he would now gladly accept. And though it may have taken him about three years, Kai finally realizes that his loyalty is with his friends, and that he can trust and believe in them, much like they believe in him.
Gou Hiwatari
Gou Hiwatari (Goh Hiwatari in the English manga) is the son of Kai Hiwatari. He appears only briefly in the end of the manga, battling Tyson's son, Makoto. His mother is unknown and unseen.He also almost has the same personality as his father.
Beyblade
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takao Aoki. Originally serialized in CoroCoro Comic from 2000 to 2002, the individual chapters were collected and published in 14 tankōbon by Shogakukan...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series.
He is the captain of the Team BBA (Bladebreakers
Bladebreakers
The Bladebreakers are a fictional team of Beybladers in the anime series Beyblade. The team includes Takao Kinomiya, Kai Hiwatari, Max Tate, Ray Kon and Kenny, though Kenny does not blade for the team until G-Revolution, where the team undergoes two new names, the BBA Revolution, and later...
in the dub) throughout most of the anime series and the keeper of the phoenix bit-beast Dranzer, or in the original Japanese version, Suzaku, the phoenix god of the South in Chinese/Japanese legend.
Kai is voiced by David Reale
David Reale
David Reale is a Canadian actor best known for his roles as Glenn Coco in Mean Girls and Dave in Skins.Reale is also the voice actor of Kai Hiwatari on the English version of Beyblade, also becoming the voice actor of Tsubasa Otori from the spin-off series Beyblade: Metal Fusion. He was also in...
in the English dub and by Urara Takano
Urara Takano
is a Japanese voice actress from Togane, Chiba. Takano runs the talent agency Remax, although she was originally affiliated with Ken Production. She is the mother of actress Anna Kirie. Her real name, as well as her former stage name, is , in addition, she and Jennifer Tilly both does Celia...
in the original.
First season
Kai, one of the main protagonists, appears in the end of the very first episode of the show; at the time Kai is the team captain of the Blade Sharks (a group of beybladers that terrorize others who play the game by defeating them and stealing their blades), as well as the Beyblade world champion. Tyson GrangerTyson Granger
Tyson Granger, known in Japan as ', is the main character of the anime and manga series of Beyblade.-About Tyson:Tyson is a strong-willed kid who is not afraid to speak his mind and in so doing, he seems to get into more trouble than most kids his age...
, another protagonist of Beyblade and Kai meet after one of Kai's 'underlings', Carlos, loses to him. Kai defeats Tyson as easily as Tyson did Carlos, though he does not use his bit beast for this victory. Later on, Kai kidnaps Tyson's genius friend Kenny
Kenny (Beyblade)
Kenny, known in the original Japanese version as Professor and in the English version as the Chief, is a fictional character in the popular anime and manga series of Beyblade. He is voiced by Houko Kuwashima in the Japanese version, and Alex Hood in the English dub...
, and is challenged by Tyson for his freedom. The fierce battle ends in a tie thanks to Tyson's new bit-beast, Dragoon. Kai releases Kenny anyway and leaves. No further confrontation occurs between Kai and Tyson until the Regional Tournament, in which Kai participates and defeats many of Tyson's friends on the way to the finals, including Max Tate
Max Tate
Max Tate is a fictional character in the popular manga and anime series of Beyblade....
.
In the finals, Kai and Tyson battle a close match but Tyson wins. After the battle the director of the BBA, Mr. Dickenson, offers Kai a position as team captain of the Bladebreakers, due to Kai's position as world champion and his great experience in the sport. Though Kai is unconvinced, his pride pushes him into accepting leadership. The team goes on to win the Asian and American tournaments (with little participation of Kai); they also defeat the top European team: The Majestics
Majestics
The Majestics are a fictional team of characters from the anime series Beyblade. They are each top bladers and wealthy knights from different countries in Europe, and use weapons to launch their beyblades. At first, they were very arrogant show-offs, and would not function properly as a team...
. At this match, Kai plays a significant role, defeating Johnny.
At the World Championship, after visiting Balkov Abbey, Kai begins acting strangely. In a bold step, he leaves the Bladebreakers and joins with his grandfather Voltaire, and his team, the Demolition Boys
Demolition Boys
The Demolition Boys are a group of fictional Russian characters in the popular Beyblade anime and manga series. In the first Beyblade series, Tala is the captain of the Demolition Boys, and they are controlled by Voltaire and Boris Balkov...
. Here, Kai reunites with a powerful bit beast he had become enraptured with as a child; the seemingly perfect Black Dranzer. With this new bit beast Kai is able to get the Demolition Boys
Demolition Boys
The Demolition Boys are a group of fictional Russian characters in the popular Beyblade anime and manga series. In the first Beyblade series, Tala is the captain of the Demolition Boys, and they are controlled by Voltaire and Boris Balkov...
all the way to the finals. Before these, Kai issues a challenge to his former team, even sending a helicopter to escort them to the frozen Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is the world's oldest at 30 million years old and deepest lake with an average depth of 744.4 metres.Located in the south of the Russian region of Siberia, between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast, it is the most voluminous freshwater lake in the...
. There, Kai battles Tyson, Ray
Ray Kon
Raymond Kon, more commonly known as Ray Kon, known in the Japanese version as Rei Kon , is a fictional character from the anime and manga series of Beyblade. In the anime, he is voiced by Daniel DeSanto in the US/UK version, whilst voiced by Aya Hisakawa in the Japanese version...
, and Kenny, overwhelming them all with his power. Just when Tyson's Dragoon blade seems about to be demolished, Max arrives on the scene with his brand new, much stronger Draciel blade. Tyson takes the opportunity to launch Kai's abandoned Dranzer blade, and Dranzer's anger, as well as the combined determination of Ray, Tyson and Max, pushes Kai into realizing the true power of friendship. The ice begins to crack, but Kai, frozen in realization of his pride, refuses to move. It is only after a few words of support from his team that he sheds a tear and allows them to pull him back onto solid ground. Kai then acknowledges his role as leader of a great team and rejoins the Bladebreakers for the championships.
He reveals the profound impact that the encounter upon the ice has had on him when he loses to Spencer of the Demolition Boys. Rather than rail against his loss, he graciously accepts defeat and manages to come out smiling. Proving his new-found team spirit over the last few episodes of the season, Kai offers Ray the words of advice and support needed to ensure the Bladebreakers the win they desperately need, before later helping Tyson to prepare for his final confrontation with Tala, along with the other team captains they have met throughout the season. Although it is not shown in the show, there is proof from BeyBlade: Super Tournament Battle
BeyBlade: Super Tournament Battle
BeyBlade: Super Tournament Battle, also known as BeyBlade VForce: Super Tournament Battle and Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002 in Japan is a role-playing video game based on the anime and manga Beyblade and was released originally in 2002....
the video game for GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
, that shows that Kai's actual first beyblade was the Frostic Dranzer.
Kai's beyblades as seen on TV for this season were: Dranzer Spiral, Dranzer Flame, and, temporarily, Black Dranzer, and their attacks being spiral fireball, flame saber and black saber respectively.
Second season (V-Force)
The main character of the anime Kai made a good appearance in this new season after he led the bladebreakers to victory.After the events of Season 1, Kai decides to retire from beyblading to attend the Whitney Prep School. During his time there, though, he is attacked by a mysterious blader, Dunga, and saves a fellow classmate and his admirer, Wyatt, in the process. The intense fight Kai has with this blader rekindles his interest in beyblading and inspires him to return to the Bladebreakers. To his surprise, all of his former team-mates have been attacked by mysterious bladers too. These turn out to be the Saint ShieldsSaint Shields
The Saint Shields are a fictional team of the anime and manga Beyblade. They are formed by four mysterious teenagers whose intentions remain unclear until halfway through the second season, when they reveal that they want to capture the four sacred bit beasts in order to prevent them from falling...
, a group that later reveal their wish to capture the four sacred bit-beasts. Later, Kai and the team encounter strange cybernetic bit beasts that are exact copies of their own bit beasts. One of those to wield a prototype of these beasts is Wyatt, who challenges Kai, but is instead fought by Dunga. Wyatt loses and falls into madness and later dies (though this is not revealed in the English dub). Kai blames himself for Wyatt's suffering, since he had previously refused to acknowledge him as worthwhile competition, driving the boy to seek other ways of gaining Kai's attention.
Later, the Bladebreakers finally fight a team that can survive the awesome power of the cyber bit-beasts: The Psykicks. They are former friends, but their minds are taken over by their bit-beasts. Kai manages to break the bit-beast's hold over Goki, the user of Cyber Dranzer, despite having hallucinations of battling Wyatt. With Team Psykick freed from the hold of the cyber bit-beasts through the efforts of the Bladebreakers, the friendships are restored.
The next danger was the final confrontation with the Saint Shields. In this, Kai once again takes on Dunga in an effort to return Driger to Ray, as he had lost it in a previous episode. Kai and Ray fight in a 2-on-2 battle against Dunga and Joseph, eventually reclaiming Driger and defeating half of the Saint Shields.
For this season's world championship the tournament is a 2-on-2 tag-team-style format, meaning that the Bladebreakers must compete in pairs. Kai gets paired with Ray for the competition and they make it all the way to the semifinals, but are stopped abruptly by the duo Gordo and Zeo. During Kai's battle with Zeo, his bit-beast Burning Cerberus takes Dranzer. This upsets Kai greatly and he even thinks of quitting blading, but later his bit-beast and companion returns to him when Tyson defeats Zeo in the final round.
Overall, Kai seems, surprisingly, at his most mature in this season. While still quiet, he is happy to voice his opinion and not shy of offering support and even comfort when needed. He also seems to develop a lot more in personality by acting quirky occasionally, for example, lounging around in bushes and making the odd joke. He does not retake his position as team captain, but there seems to be a tendency to not have anyone in charge during the 2002 season, although Hilary arguably took it upon herself to fill the role from time to time.
In this season he uses Dranzer Flame, Dranzer Volcano, and Dranzer Volcano 2.
Spoiler: This is the only season where he doesn't leave the BladeBrakers.
Third season (G-Revolution)
At the start of this season, Kai and Tyson go apart to be faced as rivals and so do Ray and Max. Tyson admires Kai is his super rival and so does Kai and they both want to battle each other to the end as rivals and not as teammates so they could prove they are champions. He joins the newly re-formed team Neoborg (Blitzkrieg Boys in English dub), which is now out of Boris' control. Kai and Tala team up in this double-elimination, round robin, tag-team format tournament and make it to the finals with only one loss out of six matches. In the finals Tyson and Kai face off after DaichiDaichi Sumeragi
Daichi Sumeragi is a fictional character in the Beyblade anime and manga series, who appears in Beyblade G-Revolution, Beyblade: The Movie - Fierce Battle and the manga. He is a young, hyperactive blader with a blade called Strata Dragoon...
ties with Tala. The battle is more fierce than any of their past fights against each other. It is so extreme that the arena starts to crumble. Mr. Dickenson asks that the two call it a tie and share the title, but this does not go over well with many, Kai especially. "No way! You can't do that to me! Are you telling me that this tournament has been nothing but a complete joke? That everything that we did doesn't count because you decide we get punished for working hard?" he shouts at Mr. Dickenson upon the announcement of the decision. Ray votes for the match to continue, quickly joined by Max and many fans and bladers. After some coaxing the two are allowed to finish their battle. Kai and Tyson match each other blow for blow, eventually releasing powerful finishing attacks. They stare each other down afterwards, but Kai's beyblade collapses seconds before Tyson's does making him lose in such an amazing fight.
Kai is missing for some time and does not reappear again until he shows up to enter the qualifier for the BEGA Justice 5 Team, meaning that he won't battle with Tyson, Ray, Max, and the others in order to finish the BEGA League. He stays in this tournament until the final round where he goes up against the top class blader Brooklyn. Kai does his best but is greatly overpowered by Brooklyn's skill and dark bit beast Zeus. Kai goes into hiding once again, only to emerge as the G-Revolutions' fifth member. He battles Brooklyn again using his upgraded Dranzer MS blade. It is a hard and torturing battle for Kai, but in the end he emerges victorious. The victory does not come without a heavy price, however. Kai only survives to make his final attack through his bit beast. His beloved friend, Dranzer, appears to sacrifice its life to protect him, as shown after Kai's battle with Brooklyn, when the Dranzer MS suddenly shatters with the cry of a Phoenix.
This shatters Kai's morale, although the effect is lessened by Dranzer's reappearance in the last episode, engaging Dragoon in battle. Dranzer's reappearance could be explained by the fact that Dranzer is a phoenix and that phoenixes are revived from their ashes. This does however follow the trend to have bit beasts play a more incidental role in this series. After Tyson and Kai's help from dranzer defeats Brooklyn fusing Dranzer and Dragoon combine, everything returns to normal, almost coming full circle, with Kai owing Tyson a rematch from the tournament. However in the original Japanese version it was heavily implied that Kai actually dies (Kai himself only says one line of dialogue when he is in the corridor after the match with Brooklyn and Dranzer does not cry out), backed up by Tyson's reaction to his "death" in the following episodes, but does not explain how Kai came back in the final episode.
Kai returns to his more moody and introverted persona relative to Season 1, though his softer side is revealed by his recurring moments of caring for stray cats.
Kai's beyblades in this season:
Dranzer Volcano 2(Volcano Emission), Dranzer Gigs(Blazing Gig), (Blazing Gig Tempest) Dranzer Gigs Turbo(Flame Gigs Turbo Attack), Dranzer Metal Spiral.
Manga
In the manga, a lot more is revealed of Kai's past. His father's name is Susumu Hiwatari, and little is seen of his mother.Kai is even nastier than in his initial anime appearance. It is revealed that Kai, as a child, had a very close relationship with his father, a man who enjoyed engineering beyblades. The two played many battles together, delighting the young Kai and making him adore his father. However, when Kai's grandfather, Soichiro Hiwatari, learned of his son's playing rather than working, he dragged him and Kai both to his office at Hiwatari Enterprises. There he issued an ultimatum to Kai's father – to abandon his silly love for toys, or lose his position as heir to Hiwatari Enterprises. Kai's father chose beyblades, voicing a desire to make children smile as his reason.
Kai tried to go after his father as he walked away, but was held back by his grandfather. At the age of ten, Kai took this to be rejection by his father and takes it upon himself to change his attitude. Donning face-paint, Kai begins his quest to destroy beyblades – the toys that 'stole' his father away.
While his mother is present at the confrontation in the office, she seems to serve no role, neither aiding nor trying to prevent this rebellion.
Later, during Kai's and Tyson's battle in the regional championships, Soichiro turns up, demanding that the tournament be stopped. At this Kai's father steps in and tells him to leave Kai alone.
Throughout the manga – unlike in the anime – however, Kai shows little personal development. His attitude remains largely coldly indifferent.
At the ending of volume 14 of the manga Kai is proven to have been the president of the Hiwatari Enterprise. Tyson still remains as Kai's rival. Kai's son Gou, who has a very similar attitude, is introduced in a special chapter of the last volume of the Beyblade manga. Gou's mother's identity remains unknown. Tyson's son Makoto, who looks very similar to how Tyson was (hat included given to him by his father) are the also rivals for the new generation.
Personality and relationships
Although rather introverted, Kai is far more expressive when he beyblades, depicting the great importance that blading holds over his life. Even as the captain of the Bladebreakers, he always kept a certain distance from his teammates. According to Emily, Kai was afraid to get to know them as he might start to like them which, eventually, happens. He appeared to not know the meaning of friendship after being alone and friendless most of his life, only caring for his abusive grandfather who continuously used him. While Kai was stuck in the ice at Baikal Lake and his teammates, who he had betrayed and insulted, desperately tried to save him, he was appalled to realize that they liked him and never stopped being his friends, finally shattering the "invisible wall" he created.As the series progresses, he matures and becomes more open with his team-mates and grows more comfortable around them. In the end, despite his differences with many of his peers in the Beyblade community, Kai sacrifices a great deal to free the world of the influence of Boris Balkov and his BEGA company.
Kai also seems to be caring about his team mates, since he has saved them many times. He saved Max Tate
Max Tate
Max Tate is a fictional character in the popular manga and anime series of Beyblade....
from being smashed under a metre thick glass panel in beyblade season 1, he brought Driger back to Ray during a fight with Dunga, he saved Tyson, Hilary, Ray and Kenny from the Psykicks' headquarters in V force, he saved Hilary several times on the island in V force, and risked his life to destroy BEGA league, even though it didn't come out the way he thought it would be.
His most distinguished trait is his sense of pride and fairness.
Although a tough guy, he is shown giving a cat milk, bringing food for a family of cats and in the first ending for the third season, feeding a dog.
Relationships
Kai interacts with many characters to varying degrees, most of which he treats with a cool disregard.There are a few exceptions:
- Tyson GrangerTyson GrangerTyson Granger, known in Japan as ', is the main character of the anime and manga series of Beyblade.-About Tyson:Tyson is a strong-willed kid who is not afraid to speak his mind and in so doing, he seems to get into more trouble than most kids his age...
(Takao Kinomiya): Kai's main rival throughout the series; Tyson was the boy who snatched Kai's title of world champion away from him. Though Kai can be initially strongly annoyed by Tyson, he later accepts him as his closest friend, though this does not diminish the rivalry between them in any way when they face one another across the bey dish.
Kai and Tyson's friendship grew slowly from season one. In the first episode Kai and Tyson have a obvious dislike for one another, not understanding each other and their point of views. But since Kai join the BBA team slowly Kai began a liking to them, though at most times he tends to disregard them. There are signs that Kai does care for them, such as giving them advice (more towards giving Tyson advice than the others), saving them, or just listening to their problem and give a blunt straight forward answer (though giving them a blunt answer may seem as harsh or cruel at times but its the best way to deal with it through Kai's eyes.) So even though there are signs of Kai caring for his team he tends to use "I'm their Captain, I'm supposed to be looking out for them, they're my responsibility" lines to perhaps hide behind. Though this is difficult to say as this is true.
Gradually Tyson manages to learn more about Kai and begins to understand him, which is something Kai does not like. Kai hates when other people get to close, it is something which Kai has always been like. In the Russian Arc Tyson and the bladebreakers learn about Kai's past and eventually end up facing him on Lake Baikal. It is here that Kai truly learns the meaning of friendship, and it takes his teammates to defeat him to finally get through to him. Kai realizes what he did wrong and finally figures out what he gave up while stuck to the sinking ice. Ashamed of what he has done, Kai would rather be left alone to die (that's Kai's pride still managing to butt in) but Tyson literally gives a lifeline for Kai to grab onto, and wants to save his friend from his fate. Telling Kai to throw away his pride for once and trust his teammates, his friends, are there for him and have always been. With that Kai reaches out and grabs what is most important to him. His bond with his friends.
After their battle on Lake Baikal Kai throws away his power of Black Dranzer. The bladebreakers soon learn more about Kai's past and how his own Grandfather has been using him. But Kai now knows what it is his fighting for and with his help the Bladebreakers go against Balkov "You guys would be so lost without me"
It's during Kai's match with Spencer that Kai's loyalty is tested once again. Kai ashamed of his own weakness after losing the first round against Spencer goes off on his own, once again wanting to be left alone to think things through, and dismisses Tyson's help. Its here that Kai meets his Grandfather, Voltaire, and is offered the powerful Black Dranzer by his Grandfather's hand. Kai has to make a choice between his (what we know) his only family member and his friends. Kai's brief chat with his Grandfather is shortly over and bumps into Tyson. Tyson trying to reassure Kai but notices Voltaire and Black Dranzer in Kai's hand. Tyson goes to question it but is shrugged off by Kai. Once Kai is about to face Spencer again Tyson tells the other teammates what he saw. Ray and the other members begin to doubt Kai and that he has chosen Black Dranzer again, but Tyson believes in Kai. And its Tyson "belief" in Kai that should be noted.
In the end though Kai chose his friends and battled with Dranzer with everything they had. Though Kai lost the match, he gained something much more precious. The Bladebreakers reassure and comment on how wonderful his battle was, and that they still needed Kai's help for the next matches.
At the end of the first season Kai is much more openly with his teammates and Kai's relationship has grown considerably over period of time.
In the third season we see Kai as his same old self though he hangs around with his teammates and still ends up giving Tyson advice on what to do. To Tyson Kai is much like a safety net, Kai is always there when he needs him most, he can always rely on Kai to pull through and give advice. But when Ray and Max leave the Bladebreakers Tyson attaches himself to Kai saying that "Kai and me are partners!" "Kai and I will go all the way!" Tyson even ends up dreaming about winning the tournament and Kai embracing him with a hug (which is something that Kai would never do in a lifetime) This dream shows that Tyson wants to be praised, acknowledged, to be surrounded by those closest to him. When it comes to the regional tournament and Tyson learns that Kai hasn't signed up yet nor is he anywhere to be found Tyson begins to panic. Kai is the only one who has managed to make Tyson go through several emotional states in less than 15 seconds, including angry, upset, denial, acceptance, happy and relief. In the Dub version Kai says to Tyson "I don't think you've ever talked about me that way, and I'm pretty sure I don't like it" while in the Japanese version Kai says "Do not worry yourself, I'll decide my own path." In the Japanese version Kai assures Tyson not to worry about him but he will still do things his way.
Once Tyson learns of Kai leaving the BBA team Tyson is furious, and ends up dragging Daichi to be his partner and training with him into the forest. Its here that Tyson has that dream of when those closest to him praise him and Kai hugs him. Only Tyson's dream world is to be crushed when fire breaks out in the forest and the only way to get out is for Tyson and Daichi to work together. Its symbolic that Kai, who represents fire, was the thing in their way to becoming teammates. But together they managed to put out the fire. And Tyson start a new with his new teammate. But once Tyson sees Kai at the World tournament on the Blitzkerg Boys teams Tyson is once again angry, so much that he goes and confronts him about it.
Kai's rivalry almost becomes something of an obsession with Tyson. Their bond might be considered supernatural, as seen when they fight during Beyblade G-Revolution, they can actually read each others thoughts. But Kai is obsession with going against Tyson, so much so that he even joins BEGA, along with Boris Balkov later on in the series. Considering Kai and Balkov's history in the past its a major step for Kai to go so far to join Balkov's BEGA just for the chance to defeat Tyson again. Tyson is in completely shock when Kai switches teams, after everything they've gone through Kai is still going to such lengths to defeat Tyson. Once again Kai's loyalty is put to the test. It takes a good beating from Brooklyn for Kai to lose his fight and spot on the BEGA team. When Kai is struck down, Tyson panics and wants to see what happened to Kai he ends up shaking the television set furiously in frustration. Later on Kenny is the one to reassure Tyson that Kai will be alright, to which Tyson states that he believes in Kai. It seems that Tyson trusts everyone he meets with all his heart, Kai could do or say the most horrible things to Tyson and Tyson will still keep believing in him. Its this trust that is important.
We see later on Kai in (a most hobo-ish outfit) outside the BEGA building, Kai wanting to go in to his friends but his pride is once again getting the best of him and not to mention the current state he is in. After visiting Tala in hospital, who gave it his all against Garland to stop Balkov's plan, Kai realizes what he has to do. kai eventually ends up going back to Tyson and the others to join them. When Kai arrives there is a moment of...starring at each other. Tyson who understands Kai the best, and understands Kai's pride only tells Kai "You're late." Tyson's trust in Kai has once again come through in the end.
At the very end of G-Revolution Tyson and Kai have a complete understand of each other. They have come a long way. Tyson who started out as a boy who hated to be alone, who wanted to be surrounded by love ones and friends to always be there for him. A boy who was in some ways naive but had a strong sense of justice and belief in his friends, had become a young adult who had finally learned to stand on his own two feet. And become a Leader to look up to.
And then there's Kai, who has by gone the most dramatic change in personality. Though he is still quite a loner and continues his rivalry with Tyson, Kai has grown and changed a lot since the beginning of the series. No longer is he the hateful, bully blader who would dismiss a helping hand and give the cold shoulder. He is now more open with his friends, and doesn't give the cold shoulder as much either. Once when he would dismiss the help of others he would now gladly accept. And though it may have taken him about three years, Kai finally realizes that his loyalty is with his friends, and that he can trust and believe in them, much like they believe in him.
- Ray KonRay KonRaymond Kon, more commonly known as Ray Kon, known in the Japanese version as Rei Kon , is a fictional character from the anime and manga series of Beyblade. In the anime, he is voiced by Daniel DeSanto in the US/UK version, whilst voiced by Aya Hisakawa in the Japanese version...
(Rei Kon): Closest to Kai in age and mentality on Team BBA. Kai states early on – when Ray lost Driger in the Chinese arc – that he had higher expectations of Ray. As the series develops (especially in 2002/V-Force), Kai and Ray appear to form a tentative friendship. Though Ray can appear calm and together and sometimes serious. He always has a nother side to him, one which is caring and passionate and manages to always have a laugh with his friends. Though sometimes his curiosity would get the best of his judgment.
- Max TateMax TateMax Tate is a fictional character in the popular manga and anime series of Beyblade....
(Max Mizuhara): Though Kai initially barely interacts with Max, as the series progresses (more so after the battle on Lake Baikal) Kai reveals that he has a deep respect for and faith in Max's defensive style. In Beyblade G-Revolution, Kai is the first to come to Max's defense when the crowd boos the blond due to propaganda spread by Barthez. Max is generally out going and happy constantly, but at times he has shown seriousness. When it came to Max not being able to fight against Michael in the American Tournament Max was heart broken. Kai told himself not to get involved but in the end couldn't help but let Max have his fight against Michael.
- Hilary TachibanaHilary TachibanaHilary Tatibana is a fictional character in the popular Beyblade anime series. Her original Japanese name is . She only appears in the anime and not in the manga. She does not appear in the first season.- Personality :...
(Hiromi Tachibana): Hilary is the only female character that Kai has any significant interaction with, though this mainly occurs in the second season. It is said that in the second season and throughout the third season, she has a crush on him as it is shown that she often worries about Kai. At the beginning Kai doesn't show any real interest to her, its only later when she came up with a beyblade schedule to learn the magnet core that Kai accepts her. He doesn't have much or any interaction with her, later on he gets very annoyed with her when she basically tells him that "it will be ok" after he lost a match against Zeo. At this stage he gets annoyed with her so much so that (in Japanese version) he tells her to "Piss off" "Hottoite kure". Though Hilary argues back and makes Kai think things through more thoroughly, he still walks away from her (maybe because what she said was right) but its because of her words that stop Kai from leaving the team and rejoining the Bladebreakers. Later in the series he softens up to her. Hilary seems to have a crush on Tyson as well, as she's always looking for the both of them. Neither potential crush is finalized at the end, leaving them both open to speculation.
- Tala Ivanov: When they first encountered one another in the Russian arc of the first season, Kai and Tala disliked each other intensely. It is only in the third season that Kai begins to warm to him a little more, though until Tala's fall at the hands of Garland, Kai claims that Tala is his friend. However, after both suffer painfully at the hands of BEGA, they develop a sense of understanding that many see to be a form of friendship.
- Brooklyn: Kai's other great rival. After losing horribly to Brooklyn, Kai loses the will to beyblade. However, upon regaining it, Kai's spirit burns with the desire to beat him at any cost yet encouraged by his new Dranzer Metal Spiral, he challenges Brooklyn and defeats him. Brooklyn and Kai share a distinct rivalry near the end of G-Revolution. Brooklyn acts a lot like Kai used to in the beginning of season one and their rivalry could be compared to Tyson and Kai as it was in the beginning of season one with Kai being the 'Tyson' of the relationship. This is most likely a plot device to show that Kai's greatest enemy is himself.
- Garland: Garland and Kai shares some conversations in G revolution when Kai enters the BEGA League. Garland shows that he's interested in Kai's skills, they've been seen smiling at each other at practice in the BEGA stadium.
Gou Hiwatari
Gou Hiwatari (Goh Hiwatari in the English manga) is the son of Kai Hiwatari. He appears only briefly in the end of the manga, battling Tyson's son, Makoto. His mother is unknown and unseen.He also almost has the same personality as his father.