Kaito Ikada

**Kaito Ikada**(筏 海都 *Ikada Kaito*) is a main character in the Original Series Era of Beyblade: Whirlwind Contest.

## History

Kaito was born into a family of fortune and wealth. The Ikada family owns a very successful business building Beyblades. It was this company that held the first Whirlwind Contest and sponsors it to this day. Kaito never had to lift a finger for anything, causing him to become self-absorbed. He trained every day to become the best blader he could, and he was given the chance to debut his family's upcoming product called Crustanox S at his first contest.

During the Participation Round of the current Whirlwind Contest, Kaito suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Fuyuki and his Ursanox. That night, his parents scorned him as a disappointment to the company and as their son. Fuming in bitter anger, Kaito used the Ikada's connections to the Whirlwind Contest's higher ups to move him to the Whirlwinds team. He did this to battle against Fuyuki as much as he could to make up for his loss.

While starting out as a bitter rival to Fuyuki, he eventually mellowed out and turned into his battles against Fuyuki into a more friendly rivalry. His change of heart was also rewarded by him unlocking the Bit-Beast inside Crustanox.

## Personality

Kaito is a lazy, pompous jerk who insults those around him without mercy. His spoiled childhood made him believe that he was entitled to anything he wanted.

His arrogance was one of the main sources of his humiliating defeat at Fuyuki's hands during the Participation Round. Afterwards, he swore that he would make Fuyuki pay. As he fought alongside the other Whirlwinds, his arrogance melted away and he began to treat others more kindly.

Another reason for his failure at the Participation Round was his lack of a Bit-Beast. Fuyuki having something that he did not was infuriating for him. As it turns out, the reason Crustanox refused to help Kaito is because he saw him as someone who wasted his enormous potential. As Kaito mellowed out, Crustanox came to his aid and the two became a powerful pair.

## Beyblade

**Crustanox S** is a Defense-type Beyblade of the Spin Gear system based on a Japanese spiny lobster. Its name is a combination of *crustacean* and *equinox*.

Crustanox is blessed with control over the element of water. It is capable of solidifying the water in the air and condensing it into massive waves to wash away its foes.

Crustanox watched over Kaito for a long time, but refused to directly help him because of his poor character. Still, Crustanox never gave up on Kaito because of the enormous synergy they had thanks to both having the need to prove themselves. Eventually, Crustanox came to Kaito's aid more and more until he eventually helped him during all of his battles.

## Symbolism

In regards to the Whirlwinds Four Seasons theme, Kaito represents **summer**.

* The summer is the hottest time of year in many places. This could be connected to Kaito's hotheadedness or him being very *hotty* (feeling superior to everyone else).
* In culture, the summer is associated with vacation and relaxation. This is the inspiration for Kaito's laziness.
* The lobster theme of Crustanox fits this motif because the summer is where people go to the beach and encounter animals such as lobsters or crabs.

## Etymology

**Kaito** is a Japanese given name that has many different possible meanings. The kanji used here translate to "ocean city" or "vast metropolis".

**Ikada** is a Japanese surname usually spelled using the kanji for "raft".

## Trivia

* Keeping with the Original Beyblade characters being expy's off Pokemon characters, Kaito's design resembles Siebold from Pokemon XY.