History#
Ichimoku was around when Pop☆Step made her debut as a freelance idol, and has been a fan since.[1]
Synopsis#
Vigilantes Beginnings Arc#
One day in Naruhata, Ichimoku clashes with Jube Namimaru, which escalates as they use their Quirks to attack each other. Koichi comes to intervene and stop the two, only to lose control of his Quirk and crash into a pile of garbage, confusing the two and prompting them go to check if he is okay.
Koichi introduces himself as The Crawler, further confusing the delinquents as they only know him as Nice Guy. They continue mispronouncing Koichi's new alias as The Cruller even after Koichi's attempts to correct them.
Ichimoku fires a blast at Koichi's eye, and he and Jube start attacking and kicking Koichi, annoyed with him telling them not to fight. Suddenly, Knuckleduster makes his entrance and tries negotiating through violence, much to Koichi's chagrin. Pop☆Step jumps down and successfully defuses the situation as the two middle schoolers are fans of hers.
The two witness the vigilantes fighting against Akira Iwako and are terrified after seeing Knuckleduster brutalize the villain with his fists. Pop tells Ichimoku and Jube about Trigger circulating around the streets and tells them to let them know if they see anyone with a blackened tongue.[2]
Ichimoku become friends with Jube and later attend one of Pop's live performances. Jube finds Teruo Unagisawa pushed onto the ground after trying to shove his way in to see her, and tells him not to push people while Ichimoku demonstrates how to show etiquette as a true fan by unleashing a gigantic beam from his eyes. Ichimoku is ecstatic to be noticed and thanked by Pop, making Jube jealous, but they are shocked to see Teruo use Trigger and transform into a giant eel.[3] They later befriend Teruo after he was released from the police.
Ichimoku splits up from Jube as the latter is on his way home. He sees Pop and Koichi near a café and greets them, but is scared to see that Knuckleduster is there too. They learn of a villain outbreak happening nearby, and are relieved to hear it was dealt with almost immediately by the likes of All Might and other pro heroes.[4]
Stendhal Arc#
Several days later, Ichimoku sends a message to Kazuho for her and Koichi to meet his senpai, telling them that he has a great sense of justice, so he believes he is someone who can help them in protecting the streets of Naruhata. He and Jube later set up a meeting between Koichi and Pop with their "legendary senpai," who turns out to be Soga Kugisaki. Koichi is scared while Pop is furious, as he attempted to rape and murder her a while ago. The irritated Soga leaves, confusing Ichimoku and Jube.[5]
Senpai Arc#
Ichimoku and Jube participate in a survey by Makoto Tsukauchi, who is being assisted by Koichi. As they are about to tell her that The Cruller is next to her, Koichi signals them to stop talking, which they do. They tell Makoto about their love and admiration for Pop and their immense fear for Knuckleduster. At the end of the investigation, Makoto reveals the results of the survey, with Jube and Ichimoku laughing at Koichi's perception being "helpful but creepy."
Makoto's laptop is swiftly stolen by Emperor Yotsuura, so Jube, Ichimoku and Koichi (dressed up in his costume) chase after him. Yotsuura manages to kick Koichi in the face but is thrown off balance by Ichimoku's eye beam. The delinquents proceed beating the thief up even after Koichi tells them to knock it off. Koichi bragged to Makoto that The Crawler bravely jumped in, to which the middle schoolers say that he didn't do much.[6]
Vs. Queen Bee Arc#
As Captain Celebrity decides to appeal to the male demographic, the delinquents become fans of the American Hero and join his cheering squad.[7] They are seen cheering on Captain Celebrity as he defeats a turtle villain.
The two later congratulate Pop for her upcoming concert, though they unintentionally make her more nervous.[8] They later hand out flyers for the upcoming Narufest at the Marukane Department Store.[9]
They attend Narufest and cheer on Pop despite the lights being out.[10] The concert turns out to be a success and everyone has fun.[11]
Osaka Incident Arc#
As Jube and Ichimoku were walking, Koichi speeds by while being chased by Kirihito Kamachi, but the two decide to let him deal with it on his own.[12] The two later hang around and have fun at another Narufest with Teruo, who is rehabilitating from having been turned into an Instant Villain.[13]
Sky Egg Arc#
Ichimoku and his friends attend a Narufest meeting to brainstorm ideas for merchandise, providing ideas until waking Koichi up after mentioning wearable merchandise. Koichi interrupts and obsessively suggests making All Might hoodies. Makoto takes Koichi's idea for making hoodies, making him happy until he learns that they made Captain Celebrity hoodies instead.[14]
Ichimoku later attends a party with the Narufest gang and celebrates Christmas with Captain Celebrity. Due to Captain Celebrity's heroic actions later that night,[15] his public reception becomes overwhelmingly positive and he is allowed to return to the United States. Before he leaves, Makoto organizes a farewell party for him at the Tokyo Sky Egg, inviting numerous top heroes to attend it, which Ichimoku and the rest of the Narufest group attend.[16] However, the Sky Egg is attacked by Bomber Villains,[17] but the crisis is averted thanks to the combined efforts of Captain Celebrity, Koichi, several Pro Heroes and All Might.[18]
Ichimoku and his friends visit Captain Celebrity as he recovers from his injuries. Two weeks later, they say goodbye to the hero at the international airport. Ichimoku cries as Captain Celebrity gives a heartfelt thank you to everyone.[19]
Final Performance Arc#
Two years pass by, and Ichimoku is unable to attend Narufest as much as he used to because of school responsibilities.[20]
Ichimoku and his friends join in a photo shoot with Koichi and Pop and two girls they rescued.[21] Several days go by, and Ichimoku is informed that Pop has gone missing. He and his friends help to go find Pop, but to no avail. That night, however, Pop emerges as Bee☆Pop,[20] and begins bombing the neighborhood.[22] When Bee☆Pop returned to attack once more, Ichimoku and his friends take cover at Hopper's Cafe and are frustrated that they can't do much to help.[23] Despite the grim situation, Ichimoku enjoys Pop's new song.[24]
Naruhata Lockdown Arc#
The Marukane group visit Hopper's Café once more, and are informed by Ichiro Hotta that Pop's condition is neither worsening nor improving and that Koichi is doing whatever he can. The café staff attempts to cheer them up with food, saying it's on the house.[25] That night, unfortunately, Number 6 initiates his Operation Anonymous, cutting off power throughout Naruhata and making the civilians feel uneasy and paranoid.[26]