HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANE is an innovation with built-in toughness and durability that works alongside Shimano's precision engineering. HAGANE is for all anglers.

The MicroModule Gear system creates a smooth retrieve by utilizing smaller teeth to increase the number of contact points between the drive gear and pinion gear. Ultimately, this produces a more efficient gear train with less of a gear feel.

X-Ship provides improved gear durability. By supporting the pinion gear on both ends with bearings, the pinion gear maintains precise alignment with the drive gear. This allows the gears to stay in the same position under the heaviest loads. The added benefit of X-Ship technology is that friction between the spool shaft and gear are eliminated. This further benefits anglers with enhanced casting performance and casting distance of lighter lures.

The HAGANE Body is a metal reel body with high rigidity. The body rigidity and impact resistance virtually eliminates body flexing on the reel while fighting fish. The result transforms the angler's actions directly into cranking power, increasing efficiency through strength.

Intelligent Digital Control braking system allows anglers to fine-tune their reel to the perfect setting for each line/lure combination, achieving trouble-free and enhanced casting distance. I-DC5 has two sets of dial adjustments. With the inside dial, anglers can select the type of fishing line being used: Nylon Monofilament (N), Fluorocarbon (F) or Braided Line (PE). The outside dial adjustment is based on the lure type: 1. Big Lures (5/8 to 1 oz) with low air resistance, 2. Medium Lures (3/8 to 3/4 oz), 3. Small Lures (1/4 to 7/16 oz) with high air resistance or 4. Finesse Lures (3/16 to 1/4 oz). The final setting is the ‘AUTO’ function (A), letting the onboard DC decide the optimal brake setting. The I-DC5 braking system uses more magnets to assist braking compared to the previous systems. With the addition of a ring magnet, brake force can be applied more evenly and increases the maximum spool revolution by 12% at the start of a cast.

S3D technology leads to significantly reduced spool vibration. By designing and constructing a balanced and uniform thin-wall aluminum spool, S3D creates an incredibly smooth feeling when casting and retrieving lures.

S A-RB bearings are put through the same process as Shimano’s A-RB bearings but feature shields on both sides of the bearings. These shields reduce the possibility of salt or sand inhibiting rotation of the bearing.

Super Free Spool eliminates friction on the spool shaft during the cast. Standard baitcasting reels are constructed in a way that when the clutch bar is pressed down, the pinion gear is freed and can actually drag on the spool shaft. This creates friction that can limit the length of a cast. But baitcasting reels with Super Free Spool are constructed so that the pinion gear is supported by a ball bearing. When the clutch is disengaged in preparation for a cast, the pinion gear and spool shaft are kept in perfect alignment. The result: zero friction is placed upon the spool shaft and enhances casting performance.