Unveiling the Mystery: Ryuga's Identity in Beyblade
Discover the enigmatic character of Ryuga in the beloved Beyblade franchise Known as a captivating antagonist, Ryuga has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with his intriguing role in the iconic anime and manga series from the early 2000s
The Beyblade anime and manga series surged in popularity in the early 2000s, giving fans the opportunity to own and use their favorite spinning tops. The series' success was driven by the accurate merchandise and advanced functional features of the tops, allowing for extended spinning. Additionally, the memorable characters have made a lasting impact on fans, with newcomers encountering them through social media platforms and forums.
One such character is Ryuga. Let’s take a look at this character and understand why he is one of the most, if not the most, popular characters in the anime and manga series.
Who is Ryuga in Beyblade? A popular antagonist beloved by many
Ryuga, as depicted in the anime series (Image via Madhouse)
Initially the antagonist of Metal Saga and the primary villain in season 1 of the Metal Fusion series, Ryuga later transitions into an important deuteragonist, joining forces with the main characters to combat an even greater common enemy. His popularity stems from his unapologetic attitude and ruthless nature displayed during Beyblade battles. He serves as the main rival to the protagonist, Gingka.
He also had a left-spinning top, while others had right-spinning tops, allowing him to execute "spin steal" and absorb rotational energy from others to enhance his top's spinning ability. Meteo L-Drago, used by Ryuga, was a groundbreaking Beyblade, and the left-spinning feature increased the character's popularity. Here's a list of all the tops he used in the anime and manga series during Metal Saga:
L-Drago 105F
Lightning L-Drago 100HF
Lightning L-Drago 100HF - Polar Dragon Version (Manga exclusive)
Meteo L-Drago LW105LF
L-Drago Destructor F:S
L-Drago Destroy DF105LRF (Manga exclusive)
L-Drago Guardian S130MB (Manga exclusive)
Another fascinating element of Ryuga is his portrayal by the renowned Kenjiro Tsuda. Tsuda, one of the most beloved voice actors of our era, has breathed life into characters such as Nanami Kento from Jujutsu Kaisen, Kishibe from Chainsaw Man, Atomic Samurai from One Punch Man, and Ripperdoc from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
L-Drago as seen in the anime series (Image via Madhouse)
Those unfamiliar with Beyblade may be surprised to discover that Ryuga did not willingly turn to evil. It was actually his Beyblade, L-Drago, that took control of him and led him astray.
The powerful spirit within the legendary reverse-spin top managed to manipulate and corrupt him, turning him into a primary antagonist in the series. Thankfully, it was his rival, Gingka, who ultimately broke the hold L-Drago had over him and set him free.
The anime series has made a surprising comeback across different platforms, including X. Fans are actively engaging in discussions and debates about their beloved characters and standout scenes from the series. One thing that unites them all is their adoration for Ryuga.
Stay tuned for more updates on anime and manga as we move through 2023.
Editor's P/S
As a Beyblade enthusiast, I am thrilled to see the resurgence of interest in the franchise and the character of Ryuga. His complex character development, from antagonist to deuteragonist, makes him a compelling and relatable figure. His unapologetic attitude and ruthless nature in battle, combined with his unique left-spinning top, have solidified his status as a fan favorite.
Ryuga's journey from being controlled by his Beyblade to finding redemption through the help of his rival, Gingka, is a testament to the depth and complexity of the Beyblade storyline. It's no wonder that fans continue to engage in discussions and debates about him and other beloved characters from the series. I am excited to see what the future holds for Beyblade and Ryuga, and I look forward to experiencing more of their adventures in the years to come.
