Kawakami, full name Noboru Kawakami (かわかみ のぼる) is a math teacher at Nekketsu High School who was first featured in Downtown Nekketsu Baseball Monogatari: Yakyū de Shōbu da! Kunio-kun. He often ends up leaving students behind during lessons, but he will take the time to explain until they understand to anyone that asks a question.
Kawakami has no interest in sports, but despite this and the complaints from students about his lack of qualifications, he is made the coach for the school's baseball team. He has a strong lack of confidence whenever he tries to direct the team.
Appearances[]
Downtown Nekketsu Baseball Monogatari: Yakyū de Shōbu da! Kunio-kun[]
Kawakami debuted in Downtown Nekketsu Baseball Monogatari: Yakyū de Shōbu da! Kunio-kun as the coach for Nekketsu High School's team.
River City Girls[]
Kawakami appears during the intro of the game teaching math lessons in detention at River City Highschool. When Misako and Kyoko get up from their seats after being notified that Kunio and Riki have been kidnapped, Kawakami asks the girls to take their seats, though gets the chairs thrown at him instead. Misako angrily tells Kawakami that he can't stop their love for Kunio and Riki and comments that his lessons are boring before leaving.
In the international version of the game, Kawakami is instead named Mr. Rudis, which is named after the game's director Bannon Rudis. The Japanese version of the game changes the character to be Kawakami instead.
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms[]
Kawakami plays the role of Zhu Jun, a general in the late Han dynasty.
In the story mode, Zhu Jun is first mentioned in the first chapter by Lu Zhi (Madoka). When Liu Bei (Gōda) goes to see her in Guangzong for directions on what to do next, she points the brothers towards Zhu Jun in Changshe to help him fight against the Yellow Turbans. Upon reaching Changshe, Guan Yu (Kunio) comes to the conclusion that Cao Cao (Yamada)'s army must've already helped him, though Liu Bei insists that they drop by to visit Zhu Jun regardless. Liu Bei greets himself and Zhu Jun informs him that Cao Cao has already showed up and cleared the Yellow Turbans in the area in a flash. Zhang Fei (Godai) appears upset that Cao Cao has stolen all the glory, though Zhu Jun apologizes for having them come all the way down for nothing. Liu Bei lightens the mood by stating that him and the citizens of Changshe being safe is all that matters, but Zhu Jun would prefer if he's at least able to leave the brothers with a gift. Zhu Jun then gives out the location of the Yellow Turban's hideout in Handan and suggests that Cao Cao likely does not already have the information.
During the ending of the chapter, Zhu Jun arrives to the Yang Castle and appears shocked that the brothers were able to successfully defeat Zhang Bao (Sawaguchi). Zhu Jun praises Lu Zhi's eye for talent and asks the brothers if they plan on continuing to fight for the Han, as he now believes it's their divine role. Liu Bei thanks Zhu Jun for the compliments and confirms that they intend on continuing their journey. Zhu Jun goes off to tell others about the brothers to make their name more known and warns them to never forget that having power comes with lots of responsibility.
River City Girls 2[]
Kawakami makes a cameo appearance inside of River City Highschool during the prologue and inside of Burg's Books in Uptown.
Other media appearances[]
Kunio-kun! Nekketsu Battle![]
Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun Gaiden River City Girls[]
Kawakami was to be played by Tomoyuki Mende, though the play would be cancelled due to one of the cast members testing positive for COVID.[1]
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