Valt Aoi

Valt Aoi, also known as Baruto (バルト) in Japan, is a fictional character in the Beyblade Burst franchise created by Hiro Morita. He is a protagonist in the List of Beyblade Burst episodes|Beyblade Burst anime and the Beyblade Burst#Manga|manga series as well. In the Japanese version, he is voiced by Marina Inoue, and in the English version, was voiced by Sabrina Pitre from seasons 1-2, and Kimlinh Tran from seasons 3-6.
His English name is slightly derived from the Japanese name (as the last names Aoi are used in both names) and from Valtryek (as Valt is used in Valtryek and his English name). Valt's dream is to become the best blading team (along with his partner, Valtryek) in the world. He is based on Takao Aoki, as his last name Aoki and similar to Aoi, and the letter "a" is similar between Takao and Valt. His first videogame appearance was in Beyblade Burst: The Videogame, which is videogame adapting the first season of Beyblade Burst.
As a protagonist of the series, he has appeared in the majority of all episodes, as well has appeared in all 6 seasons of the anime.
==Concept and creation==
Named after Beyblade creator Takao Aoki, Baruto Aoi, a name meaning "Beigoma" (a spinning toy), was created and designed by Hiro Morita. During localization of both for North American audiences, the character's name was changed in the anime to "Valt Aoi".
==Voice actors==
In the Japan|Japanese version of the show, Valt was voiced by Marina Inoue. In the English language|English version of the show, Valt was voiced by Sabrina Pitre for the first two seasons and then was voiced by Kimlinh Tran from season 3 onwards.
==Appearances==
===Prior to the show===
In episode 17 of Beyblade Burst (season 1)|Beyblade Burst, "A Fierce Battle! Valtryek vs Spryzen!", a flashback goes back in which Valt, Shu, and Xander are in pre-school and Valt is trying to push Xander, but Xander pushes back and runs into Shu.
In the 16th episode of Beyblade Burst (season 1)|Beyblade Burst, "The Battle We Promised!", and the final episode of Beyblade Burst Evolution, "A Champion Is Crowned", a flashback goes back in which Shu finally gets his bey, Storm Spryzen, and battles with Valt.
===In the anime===
The anime starts with the episode, "Let's Go! Valtryek!", with Valt facing Rantaro at Beigoma Academy. Valt loses to Rantaro, in which Rantaro blurts "you don't know the fundamentals". Afterwards, Valt decides to learn the fundamentals and train for the upcoming District Tournament. In the first round of the tournament, he faces Rantaro again and wins with a Burst Finish. He then goes on to win 2-1 against Ken Midori in the second round as well. He then starts a BeyClub for his school. Rantaro agrees to join, but argue over who is captain. They both battle, and eventually Valt wins, obtaining captain rights. He then goes to invite Ken, but wants a match against Shu. Ken loses, but agrees to joining the BeyClub. Afterwards, in the third round, Valt defeats Daigo in the third round in the tournament. Valt also invites him to the BeyClub, and agrees. After, Rantaro tells him his greatest weakness is that he gets temperamental way too easily, and so decides to work on it. In the process, Valt learns a new move called "Flash Launch". But, he learns that the Flash Launch is unreliable so he decides to work on that. In the fourth round, Valt goes against Hoji Konda and wins 2-1 with his Flash Launch. He thus qualifies for the semi-finals. He decides to go against Wakiya early on, but loses, and gets all flustered. He eventually calms down in time for the semi-finals. However, Shu gets injured, and Valt is worried. In the semi-finals both Valt and Shu win their battles in the semis against Wakiya and Orochi respectively. Valt and Shu are slated to fight in the finals, so Xander comes and decides to visit them, and learns about Shu's injury. However, Shu wins the match with a shaky 4-2 win. Xander invites Beigoma to fight against his team, Sword Flames. Sword Flames wins the match against Beigoma. Ken tells everyone that he needs to leave the BeyClub since his family were moving. Afterwards, the invitations for the Regionals were given out to Valt, Rantaro, and Daigo. This was a chance to qualify for the Nationals. All of them made it past the first round, but Daigo admits to cheating, and forfeits the tournament. Rantaro loses in the second round, but Valt qualifies for the Nationals. He also meets Zac, a member of the Supreme 4. Both Shu and Wakiya join the BeyClub after the Regionals for the National Team Battles. Wakiya invites everyone for some "special training" in a new bey stadium which he invented. Afterwards, the Nationals begin. Beigoma manages to secure a spot in the finals, but lose to Rideout, mainly because of Lui Shirosagi. Valt manages to tie against Lui, which none have ever done before. In the solos, both Shu and Valt make it to the semi-finals, but Shu loses to Lui 4-2, and Valt again loses to Lui in the finals 4-2.
Later, Valt is scouted by the team BC Sol and joins the team. He meets the number 1 blader, Free De La Hoya. He also learns that Rantaro also joined. BC Sol is challenged by the team Sunbat United, led by Wakiya Murasaki. BC Sol wins, but after seeing the sudden rise of Valt and Rantaro through the rankings, some BC Sol bladers leave, such as Free himself. With Valt, Rantaro, and Silas, they just barely get enough points in the European Championship to qualify for the World League. In the World League, BC Sol manages to make it to the finals against the Raging Bulls, the team which Free had transferred to. Thanks to some stubbornness from the captain, Joshua Burns, BC Sol wins the World League. Then, Shu's alter-ego, "Red Eye" goes up against Lui again for revenge in the Nationals. He loses once again. Then, another championship is announced - The International Bladers Cup. It was set up by Theodore Glass to find the best bey in the world. He had his eyes set on Spryzen Requiem. However, Valt defeats "Red Eye" in the finals and becomes World Champion. 
Two years after becoming World Champion, Valt goes and evolves Valtryek to Wonder Valtryek. Later, he goes on to win against Kurt in a title match. He also plays out a 2-2 No Contest in a title match against Lui. Kristina Kuroda sets up a "Battleship Cruise", and whoever would win would get a chance to defeat Valt in a title match. Both Aiger Akabane and Phi get the chance. Aiger defeats Valt with his "corrupt resonance", and also destroys Wonder Valtryek in the process. Hyde then goes against Aiger to win the World Champion title. Valt goes to repair and make a new bey, called Turbo Valtryek. He then goes against Free, and wins after over 300 battles. Then, Valt and Shu go to the Dark Citadel to save Aiger from his corrupt resonance. At the Dark Citadel, Valt also challenges Hyde to a title match, and wins, thus regaining the World Champion title. Phi then goes on a blading rampage, destroying every bey that gets in his bey. Valt challenges him, but steps aside to let Aiger battle Phi instead. Aiger wins. He then goes against Valt again in a title match and wins with a cleansed resonance. 
And then, Valt decides to train bladers at BC Sol. These bladers are Dante Koryu and Delta Zakuro. Dante decides to go to the birthplace of Beyblade - Japan, after seeing the Hyper-Flux in Sword Valtryek. Valt then comes back to Japan to check on Dante and the Victories. He then battles with all of them, and tells them that he will be there for the Bey Carnival. Valt presents the carnival and stands by to watch the finals. He later meets up with Aiger at the Battle Island. He also watched the match between the Victories and the Infernos. Valt and Aiger come at the final episode to battle Dante. 
A year later, Valt holds a 3-way battle between him, Rantaro, and Silas. It is unknown who won. Valt also battles Hikaru and Hyuga Hizashi. He brings them to Free De La Hoya to battle. Valt also arranges a tag battle between Free and Hyuga and Hikaru and Valt. Hikaru and Valt win. He also participates in the Legend Festival and gets to the finals, but loses to Lain. Then the Ultimate Tag Series begins, in which Valt and Rantaro are partnered up. Valt and Rantaro gets to the semi-finals but loses to Hikaru and Hyuga. Hikaru and Hyuga then go on to win the tournament.
In Beyblade Burst Dynamite Battle|Dynamite Battle, he watches the match of Bell and Lui. Bell wins with a Burst Finish. Bell challenges Valt to a match.
==Achievements==
Valt was the runner-up of the District Tournament , of the Nationals Team Battles and Solos. He also came 5th in the European Championship and was the champion of the World League, and the International Bladers Cup. He has also won countless Title Matches and was the runner-up for the Legends Festival and a semi-finalist in the Ultimate Tag Series.
==Reception==
The character has received praise, especially for the first 2 seasons.