Akagi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Takenori Akagi 19 24
Alias(es)	“Gorilla” 8 28
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kobe Jaguars; formerly Shohoku High School basketball team 10 19
Occupation/Role	Professional basketball player; Jaguars captain and center 19 42
Status	Active 49
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Background / History

Akagi was a Shohoku teammate of Sakuragi Hanamichi, Ryota Miyagi, Hisashi Mitsui, Rukawa Kaede, and Kiminobu Kogure. After high school, he attended university while continuing to pursue basketball. 10 24 48

When Kogure was pushed out of his original university team, Akagi recruited him to transfer schools, continue studying economics, and rejoin basketball. Akagi urged Kogure to rediscover his optimism and fulfill their shared ambition of dominating the nation. 24

Akagi entered the JBa Draft after his first university season and was selected first overall by the Kobe Jaguars. Kogure was selected eighth overall by the Fukuyama Flying Waves in the same draft. 24

By Sakuragi's return from the United States, Akagi was the Jaguars' captain and starting center. He reunited the former Shohoku core in Kobe, with Miyagi and Mitsui already on the roster and Sakuragi and Rukawa joining as new additions. 10

Personality

Akagi is stern, disciplined, and intensely protective of his teammates. He keeps Sakuragi from leaving the hospital before medical clearance, but quickly forgives him after the preseason ejection against the Nagoya Ninjas and prioritizes his condition over the result. 10 16

As captain, he responds to adversity with practical leadership. During the military-base training camp, he organizes stranded teammates to find food, build shelter, and maintain their resolve. Following the Jaguars’ loss to the Sado Island Glories, he openly acknowledges the team’s shortcomings and rallies them to resume training. 12 42

Abilities & Skills

Interior Defense

Akagi serves as the Jaguars’ primary defensive anchor in the paint.

• Uses his size, positioning, and timing to contest shots around the basket. 40 41
• Recorded a reverse block against Sado Island center Shirai after being beaten on an earlier and-one attempt. 41
• His foul trouble significantly weakens the Jaguars’ interior defense, as shown in the loss to the Glories. 40 41

Post Offense

Akagi is the Jaguars’ most dependable half-court interior option.

• Uses physical post positioning and spin moves to attack opposing centers. 20 44
• Scores with hook shots, including a hook off the glass against Sendai’s Qianli. 44
• His interior presence is used to create opportunities for the Jaguars’ perimeter players. 44

Pick-and-Roll Execution

Akagi has strong on-court chemistry with Miyagi.

• Sets effective high screens to free Miyagi for pull-up jumpers. 27 28
• Can roll decisively to the basket after screening, finishing one such play with a two-footed Gorilla Dunk. 28
• Uses eye contact and timing with Miyagi to vary the team’s pick-and-roll actions. 28

Gorilla Dunk

Akagi’s signature power finish.

• A two-footed dunk typically used after establishing deep position or rolling to the rim. 28
• Sakuragi openly celebrates the move and calls it the “Gorilla Dunk.” 28

Equipment / Items

• Jaguars jersey No. 4 — worn as the team’s captain and center. 19
• Jaguars uniform — presented alongside the team’s equipment during official competition and training. 13 19

Relationships

• Sakuragi Hanamichi — Former Shohoku teammate and current Jaguar teammate. Akagi acts as a stern, brotherly figure, protecting Sakuragi’s health, forgiving his mistakes, and expecting him to use his judgment on court. 10 16 40
• Haruko Akagi — His younger sister. Akagi’s concern for her is evident when he brings up Sakuragi’s recovery after striking him. 8 10
• Ryota Miyagi — Former Shohoku teammate and current Jaguar teammate. They form a reliable pick-and-roll partnership. 10 27 28
• Hisashi Mitsui — Former Shohoku teammate and current Jaguar teammate. Mitsui recognizes Akagi’s leadership during the military-base camp. 10 12
• Rukawa Kaede — Former Shohoku teammate and current Jaguar teammate. Akagi supports Rukawa’s development and praises his court vision. 10 22
• Kiminobu Kogure — Close friend and former Shohoku teammate. Akagi helped Kogure restart his basketball career after his college setback; they remain brothers off court despite playing for opposing teams. 24 32
• Omoki Ishimoto — Jaguars head coach. Omoki considers Akagi the team’s pillar in the paint and relies on him as a central half-court option. 10 44

Story Role / Major Arcs

Shohoku Reunion and Jaguars Training Camp

Akagi helps welcome Sakuragi back after his rehabilitation and confirms that the old Shohoku teammates are reunited with the Kobe Jaguars. He takes responsibility during Omoki’s military-base camp, leading teammates through the mountain survival exercise. 10 12

Preseason Incident

During the preseason game against the Nagoya Ninjas, Akagi supports Sakuragi after Takano Jinglei’s rough plays and later reassures him following his ejection. 15 16

Professional Debut Against the Deer Horns

As Jaguars captain, Akagi prepares the team for the Deer Horns’ former Hainan core. He starts at center and anchors the interior in Sakuragi’s professional debut. 19

Flying Waves Match

Akagi reunites with Kogure before the Jaguars face the Fukuyama Flying Waves. In the game, he and Miyagi use their coordinated pick-and-roll to give the Jaguars an early advantage. 27 28

Sado Island Glories Defeat

The Glories target Akagi with foul-drawing tactics, forcing him out early and exposing the Jaguars’ weakness in the paint. Despite a notable reverse block, he fouls out as the Jaguars collapse to defeat. 40 41

Recovery After Defeat

Following the loss to the Glories, Akagi takes responsibility for the team’s arrogance and low morale. His appeal convinces Omoki to continue guiding the Jaguars, restoring the squad’s resolve before the Sendai trip. 42

Trivia

• Akagi was the first overall pick of the fourth JBa Draft. 24
• He studies at university while remaining active as a professional player. 48
• Sakuragi frequently calls him “Gorilla,” including while celebrating his signature dunk. 8 28