Recaps

Taoka and Takato came to assess Shohoku’s new center, Kawamoto Kazuki, while worrying about the players their own teams would lose to graduation. Kawamoto laid out a bold opening plan to shake Shoyo’s confidence, and both teams took the court with Fujima starting for Shoyo.

• Taoka learned that Tsukubu rookie Koichiro Nango had transferred to Shohoku, while Takato came to judge Kawamoto Kazuki after Maki praised him.
• Anzai entrusted Shohoku’s pregame tactics to Kawamoto, who planned to open with a half-court three and then attack Fujima directly.
• Kawamoto named the starting lineup and told Miyagi he would enter after the opening play, prompting him to consider the challenge of sharing possession among Shohoku’s strong players.
• Shohoku formed a circle and called for victory before taking the court.
• Shoyo prepared its countermeasures, and Fujima started in place of Ito.

Shohoku opened against Shoyo with a daring deep three by Kawamoto, then Shoyo answered with a lightning-fast break to make the score 3-2. As both teams settled into the game, Kawamoto felt energized by the fierce back-and-forth.

• Akagi won the opening tip, and Shohoku's four other players boxed out Shoyo to clear the paint for Kawamoto.
• Kawamoto made a half-court shot that gave Shohoku a 3-0 lead and stunned the arena.
• Nagano inbounded quickly, and Shoyo rushed into Shohoku's half before its defenders could recover.
• Fujima slipped a behind-the-back pass past Kawamoto, and Hanagata scored to cut Shoyo's deficit to 3-2.
• Kawamoto met Fujima's gaze as Shoyo retreated on defense and felt excited by the matchup.

Kawamoto dominated the opening minutes against Shoyo, scoring Shohoku’s first twelve points with forceful drives, two three-pointers, and a tomahawk dunk. After his final and-one made it 12:6, Shoyo’s Fujima and the watching rivals were left stunned by Kawamoto’s strength.

• Kawamoto drove past Fujima, drew a defensive foul, and made the free throw to put Shohoku ahead 6:2.
• Fujima used Nagano’s screen and a pass through Kawamoto’s legs to set up Takano, who passed back for Fujima’s basket.
• Kawamoto pulled up for a three-pointer after a feint, extending Shohoku’s lead to 9:4.
• Fujima passed to Hanagata, who hit a fadeaway over Akagi to make the score 9:6.
• Kawamoto powered past Fujima and through Takano, then dunked over Hanagata while drawing another foul.
• Kawamoto made the extra free throw, giving Shohoku a 12:6 lead and scoring all twelve points himself.

Shohoku turned an early struggle against Shoyo into a commanding lead as Kawamoto shifted from scoring to orchestrating the offense and Akagi regained his confidence. Shoyo called its second timeout trailing 23-12, while the spectators recognized that Fujima had run out of answers.

• Fujima called Shoyo's first timeout and ordered a team defense against Kawamoto, while Hasegawa suggested blocking the shooter's vision as a possible tactic.
• Hanagata continued scoring fadeaways over Akagi, but Kawamoto passed to Akagi for a powerful dunk that eased Akagi's frustration.
• Kawamoto began directing Shohoku's offense with precise passes, setting up scores for Akagi, Mitsui, Sakuragi, and Kaede Rukawa.
• Shohoku extended its lead to 23-12, prompting Fujima to call Shoyo's second timeout seven minutes into the first half.
• Shinichi Maki judged Shoyo's morale broken, while Moichi Taoka told Uozumi to work on his footwork and hook shot.

Shoyo adopted Hasegawa’s eyeshield defense to disrupt Shohoku’s shooters, but Fujima struggled to use the tactic and Kawamoto scored another three. Fujima finally agreed to switch assignments, leaving Hasegawa to guard Kawamoto.

• Fujima agreed to use Hasegawa’s eyeshield defense after his teammates urged him to do whatever it took to win.
• Hasegawa blinded Mitsui during a corner shot, causing him to air-ball, and Fujima scored on the ensuing fast break to make it 23-14.
• Takano copied the tactic against Sakuragi, who elbowed him in midair and was called for an offensive foul.
• Fujima hesitated to cover Kawamoto’s eyes, allowing Kawamoto to make a three-pointer and extend Shohoku’s lead to 26-14.
• Hasegawa confronted Fujima and offered to guard Kawamoto himself; Fujima slowly agreed to switch assignments.

Shohoku widened its lead over Shoyo with Rukawa and Kawamoto leading steals and fast breaks. After Hasegawa vowed to hold Kawamoto under five points, Kawamoto promised to score at least fifty over him as Shohoku prepared to attack.

• Fujima fed Hanagata for a hook shot, but Rukawa answered with a midrange jumper to make it 28-16.
• Kawamoto intercepted Ito's pass and sent Rukawa in for a layup, then Rukawa stole the ball from Hanagata and passed to Kawamoto for a tomahawk dunk that put Shohoku ahead 32-16.
• Hasegawa switched onto Kawamoto, poked the ball out of bounds, and declared that he would hold Kawamoto to fewer than five points.
• Rukawa, Akagi, Sakuragi, and Mitsui urged Kawamoto to take over the scoring and voiced their confidence in him.
• Kawamoto told Hasegawa he would score at least fifty points over him, and Rukawa prepared to inbound the ball.

Shohoku’s players set aside their individual ambitions to support Kawamoto, whose strength had earned their trust and respect. Coach Anzai watched Kawamoto lead the team and believed his rise to national prominence was near.

• Akagi told Kawamoto to shoot while he focused on defending and rebounding, and the rest of Shohoku’s players urged Kawamoto on.
• Rukawa, Mitsui, Miyagi, and Sakuragi each chose to support Kawamoto’s leadership, trusting him to guide Shohoku toward victory.
• Coach Anzai recognized that the team had willingly united behind Kawamoto without surrendering their pride.
• Coach Anzai watched Kawamoto handle the team’s expectations and concluded that his rise to national fame was not far off.

Shohoku repeatedly fed Kawamoto Kazuki open looks as he unleashed a barrage of three-pointers against Shoyo. His scoring left Shoyo's players and spectators stunned and numb.

• Hanamichi Sakuragi grabbed Hanagata's missed shot and threw a long pass to Kawamoto, who saved it near the baseline and scored a three-pointer.
• Akagi secured a defensive rebound and led the fast break, passing to Kawamoto for another three; Kawamoto then scored again after Akagi rebounded his first miss.
• Rukawa, Sakuragi, and Mitsui helped create and recover chances that let Kawamoto score another three from the left wing.
• Shohoku continued defending, rebounding, and passing to Kawamoto, who scored from the arc, near midcourt, along the baseline, and over two defenders.
• Hasegawa's defense failed to stop Kawamoto, while Shoyo's players and the crowd fell silent and watched his scoring barrage in despair.

Kainan's Coach Riki Takato explained why Shohoku was so difficult to contain, while Moichi Taoka realized Ryonan was unlikely to beat Shohoku. Taoka decided to focus on defeating Kainan and securing second place to qualify for nationals.

• Riki Takato told Shinichi Maki that Shoyo's dependence on its stars and inability to stop Kawamoto had left it outmatched by Shohoku.
• Riki Takato described Shohoku's strengths and said only a player of NCAA caliber might challenge Kawamoto, prompting Nobunaga Kiyota to suggest recruiting one.
• Shinichi Maki understood that Shohoku would be difficult to handle but resolved that Kainan would not give up without a fight.
• Moichi Taoka recalled Shohoku's practice game against Ryonan and angrily realized that Mitsuyoshi Anzai had hidden Kawamoto Kazuki's ability.
• Moichi Taoka judged Ryonan outmatched by Shohoku and decided to target a win over Kainan to qualify for nationals in second place.

Kawamoto scored 71 points in the first half as Shohoku led Shoyo 86-26 at halftime. Shohoku kept widening the gap without him in the second half, as every player contributed to the scoring.

• Kawamoto hit a series of three-pointers, and Miuradai's Murasame rallied his teammates to cheer for Shohoku.
• Kawamoto beat the halftime buzzer with his 21st three-pointer, giving him 71 points and Shohoku a 60-point lead.
• Shoyo's players reacted to the 86-26 halftime score, while Shohoku celebrated Kawamoto's record-setting first half.
• Kawamoto sat out the second half, and Miyagi replaced him as Mitsui, Rukawa, Miyagi, Akagi, and Sakuragi kept scoring.
• Shohoku's lead grew from 90-30 to 128-40 during the first ten minutes of the second half.

During Shohoku’s blowout against Shoyo, Kawamoto discussed borrowing motorcycles from Nango’s friend for a summer business venture. Reporter Sanae Nakagawa arrived, learned Kawamoto had scored 71 points in the first half, and began interviewing him, ending with her struck by his appearance.

• Nango offered Kawamoto the use of his new Suzuki motorcycle, then suggested borrowing several used bikes from a friend for Kawamoto’s planned summer delivery business.
• Sanae Nakagawa arrived at the gym and learned Shohoku led Shoyo 128–40 with 3:01 remaining, after Kawamoto scored 71 points in the first half.
• Nakagawa decided Kawamoto’s performance warranted a major feature and asked Coach Anzai for a one-on-one interview.
• Coach Anzai agreed if Kawamoto was willing, and Kawamoto introduced himself to Nakagawa beside Shohoku’s bench.
• Nakagawa observed Kawamoto up close and felt her heart thump.

After scoring seventy-one points against Shoyo, Kawamoto told Sanae Nakagawa that Shohoku’s goal was to win the national championship and spoke about his plans beyond basketball. Their interview shifted to Chinese culture when Kawamoto recognized her copy of Jin Yong’s Ode to Gallantry, and he asked to borrow it.

• Sanae Nakagawa interviewed Kawamoto about his first-half performance and he credited his teammates and Shoyo’s defense.
• Kawamoto said he wanted to win the national championship with Shohoku and would keep developing both on and off the court.
• Kawamoto noticed Sanae Nakagawa’s copy of Ode to Gallantry and said he was interested in Chinese history, culture, and characters.
• Sanae Nakagawa explained that the book was a wuxia novel by Jin Yong, and Kawamoto asked to borrow it.
• Sanae Nakagawa agreed and handed Kawamoto the book.

After Shohoku defeated Shoyo 146–68, Kawamoto Kazuki exchanged words with Kenji Fujima, who revealed his interest in writing stories and drawing manga. Kawamoto then met Miuradai’s players, whose captain Kengo Murasame claimed their business venture was already showing promising results.

• Sanae Nakagawa reflected on her book exchange with Kawamoto Kazuki and decided to take greater interest in writing about him.
• Shohoku defeated Shoyo 146–68, leaving Kenji Fujima as the only Shoyo starter still standing.
• During the postgame handshake, Kenji Fujima praised Kawamoto and told him he wrote stories and drew manga in his spare time.
• Kenji Fujima said he would cheer for Kawamoto when Shohoku reached nationals, and Kawamoto thanked him.
• Kawamoto stopped to speak with Kengo Murasame and the Miuradai players, who had been comparing Shoyo’s defeat with their own loss to Shohoku.
• After Kazunari Miyamoto nearly admitted their business had lost money, Kengo Murasame claimed Miuradai’s venture had promising prospects and aimed to dominate Kanagawa within five years.

Kawamoto Kazuki asked Murasame and his friends for business advice, then studied Ode to Gallantry and developed a plan to transform its wuxia story into Japanese ninja fiction. The chapter left him refining the idea and considering a manga adaptation.

• Kawamoto asked Murasame to show him the business and later promised to share his own business plan during summer vacation.
• After Kawamoto left, Murasame told Araki, Takatsu, Kawasaki, and Miyamoto that they should hear Kawamoto's idea and consider working with him.
• Kawamoto slowly translated the opening poem of Ode to Gallantry and was struck by its heroic imagery and spirit.
• Kawamoto rewrote the poem's imagery as a ninja tale and considered adapting the novel's wider story into a Japanese setting.
• Kawamoto saw potential in a manga adaptation and resumed analyzing Ode to Gallantry for his business plan.

After Yoko asked Sakuragi and Kawamoto to persuade her injured boyfriend Oda not to play against Kainan, Sakuragi agreed despite his lingering feelings for her. Kawamoto offered to go with him, and they set out to speak with Oda.

• Sakuragi and Kawamoto met Yoko, who recognized Kawamoto as the player who scored 71 points against Shoyo.
• Yoko told Sakuragi and Kawamoto that Oda’s old foot injury had flared up and that he intended to play against Kainan despite the doctor’s orders to rest.
• Sakuragi agreed to try to persuade Oda, explaining to Kawamoto that he did not want Oda’s injury to end his basketball career.
• Kawamoto offered to accompany Sakuragi and promised to persuade Oda himself if Sakuragi could not change his mind.
• Sakuragi accepted Kawamoto’s offer and resolved to follow through on his promise to Yoko.

Kawamoto discussed Shohoku’s crowded offense and suggested reducing the veterans’ playing time to give younger players more opportunities, but Coach Anzai urged him to consider the seniors’ final summer and outlined a future lineup with more balanced possessions. Coach Anzai asked Kawamoto to start against Kainan, just before a school security guard arrived with Basketball Weekly.

• Kawamoto told Coach Anzai that Shohoku’s players needed more possessions to develop and proposed that Akagi, Mitsui, and he play less.
• Coach Anzai explained that Akagi, Mitsui, and Kogure deserved to compete fully in their final summer and said he had already planned a future lineup with Nango at center, Sakuragi at power forward, Rukawa at small forward, and Kawamoto at shooting guard.
• Kawamoto accepted Coach Anzai’s reasoning and reconsidered his plan to make Sakuragi a shooting guard.
• Coach Anzai promised to arrange practice games against strong teams after the prefectural tournament and asked Kawamoto to start against Kainan.
• A school security guard approached Coach Anzai with the latest issue of Basketball Weekly.

Basketball Weekly’s report on Kawamoto Kazuki’s 71-point half against Shoyo spread across Japan, prompting rival teams to assess Shohoku and its new star. The chapter ends with Jousei’s Mikoshiba dismissing Kawamoto and claiming he could shut him down.

• At Meihou Industry, Hiroshi Morishige read about Kawamoto Kazuki and wondered whether the rookie was better than him, while his coach praised Morishige as Japan’s top high-school interior player.
• At Aiwa Academy, Dai Moroboshi read the report, admired Kawamoto’s scoring, and looked forward to facing him at nationals.
• At Sannoh Industrial, Goro Domoto warned his players about Shohoku; Eiji Sawakita recognized Kawamoto’s name and wondered if he was someone from his past.
• At Toyotama, Tsuyoshi Minami, Kishimoto, and Daijiro Itakura reacted dismissively to the report, with Minami contemplating targeting Kawamoto and Itakura proposing to unsettle him with trash talk.
• At Daiei Academy, Atsushi Tsuchiya recognized Kawamoto’s playmaking and leadership as threats and suggested disrupting his connection with Shohoku’s team.
• At Jousei, Mikoshiba dismissed Kawamoto’s ability and boasted that he could stop him.

Kawamoto Kazuki and Hanamichi Sakuragi confronted Tatsumasa Oda about playing through his injured leg, and Kawamoto frightened Oda out of risking permanent damage by imagining a future as a wheelchair basketball star. Oda ran off to seek treatment, while Kawamoto told Sakuragi that Yoko’s feelings were not his responsibility.

• Kawamoto Kazuki and Hanamichi Sakuragi went to Takezono High School after promising Yoko they would speak with Oda.
• Sakuragi told Oda his foot was seriously injured and warned him not to play against Kainan, but Oda insisted he would sacrifice anything to face Shinichi Maki.
• Kawamoto described how Oda might lose his leg, become a wheelchair basketball player, and lead Japan to a Paralympic medal.
• Oda panicked at the possibility of amputation and a wheelchair, then ran toward the hospital and abandoned plans to play against Kainan.
• Kawamoto explained to Sakuragi that he had pushed Oda’s reckless reasoning to its extreme so Oda would frighten himself into backing down.
• Kawamoto told Sakuragi that Oda would get treatment and that Sakuragi did not need to take responsibility for Yoko’s feelings.

Shohoku's players argued over their feelings for Haruko and Ayako, while Akagi and Kogure prepared for the Kainan game. That night, Haruko was cornered by Mitsuaki Okubo and his thugs, and Sakuragi, Nango, Miyagi, and Kawamoto Kazuki heard her cry for help as they approached the alley from different directions.

• Akagi and Kogure reaffirmed their determination to defeat Kainan and reach nationals together.
• Sakuragi and Nango argued about confessing their feelings, and Miyagi joined in when he learned Nango had once praised Ayako.
• Haruko walked home through an alley and was confronted by Mitsuaki Okubo and his followers.
• Sakuragi, Nango, and Miyagi separately reflected on their feelings for Haruko and Ayako as they approached the alley.
• Kawamoto Kazuki considered adapting the Black Iron Tokens in his story into nine sealed beasts or power cores.
• Haruko cried for help, and the four boys approaching from different alley entrances looked up.

Hanamichi Sakuragi, Koichiro Nango, and Ryota Miyagi rushed to rescue Haruko Akagi from Mitsuaki Okubo and his gang, but Okubo drew a knife. Kawamoto Kazuki stopped him with a single word, forced him to injure his own arm, and warned him never to target Shohoku students again before leaving the others stunned by his influence.

• Haruko Akagi cried for help, and Sakuragi, Nango, and Miyagi charged into the alley to fight off her attackers.
• Mitsuaki Okubo drew a switchblade and thrust it at Sakuragi, but Kawamoto Kazuki called his name and stopped him cold.
• Kawamoto ordered Okubo to stab his own arm and warned him that Shohoku had Kawamoto standing behind it.
• Okubo apologized and fled with his men, while Sakuragi, Nango, Miyagi, and Haruko wondered who Kawamoto was.
• Kawamoto asked Haruko if she was all right, told Sakuragi to walk her home, and headed to the convenience store.

Kawamoto recalled a fierce fight with a biker who had vowed to claim Shonan, then watched Kainan overwhelm Takezono at the prefectural gymnasium. As Takezono’s cheer squad mourned the loss, the Sakuragi Gang pretended to be Kawamoto to impress the girls and promised Shohoku would defeat Kainan.

• Kawamoto remembered the biker he had fought on Route 134 and suspected the boy had failed to establish control over Shonan.
• Kawamoto joined Akagi, the Sakuragi Gang, and Shohoku players to watch Kainan face Takezono at the prefectural gymnasium.
• Muto, Jin, and Kiyota led Kainan in crushing Takezono during the first half without using all of Kainan’s starters.
• Takamiya, Okusu, and Noma approached the distressed Takezono cheer squad and falsely claimed that each of them was Kawamoto.
• The Sakuragi Gang promised the girls that Shohoku would beat Kainan and avenge Takezono, then Takamiya asked for their contact details.

After Kainan defeated Takezono, Kawamoto Kazuki and Shinichi Maki met briefly, with both looking ahead to facing each other on the court. Two days later, Maki saw Kawamoto working at Toyomi Fish Market and was shocked to discover the life he led outside basketball.

• Takamiya, Okusu, and Noma accepted the Takezono girls’ phone numbers, then worried the girls would come cheer for them as the Kawamoto brothers against Kainan.
• Takamiya returned to Shohoku’s stands and impressed Kawamoto Kazuki with his vivid descriptions of the Takezono girls.
• Kainan defeated Takezono and advanced, then Shinichi Maki shook hands with Kawamoto in the passage as their teams crossed paths.
• Two days later, Riki Takato brought Maki to Toyomi Fish Market, where Maki watched Kawamoto tirelessly unload heavy bonito alongside the fishermen.

Riki Takato showed Shinichi Maki the hardships Kawamoto Kazuki endured while balancing basketball with work and survival, prompting Maki to apologize for his earlier remarks. Takato offered Kawamoto a place at Kainan with a full tuition waiver and a possible three-million-yen annual stipend, and Kawamoto left the choice open as he weighed it against his own plans.

• Riki Takato explained to Shinichi Maki how Kawamoto Kazuki worked at a fish market and convenience store to support his family while still training for basketball.
• Maki watched Kawamoto work and realized their different circumstances had shaped their paths, then apologized to Kawamoto for his earlier comments.
• Riki Takato offered Kawamoto admission to Kainan with tuition and fees waived and said he would seek a special stipend of three million yen a year.
• Kawamoto calculated the offer against his own savings and plans, deciding that Kainan was a safe fallback but that waiting five years would be too long.
• Kawamoto said he would consider the offer and give Takato an answer before the next school year began.

As Shohoku prepared to face Kainan, Kawamoto weighed the different gambles everyone was making and resolved to win his own. On game day, Kainan and Shohoku faced off as Kainan’s players entered the court.

• Sakuragi noticed Kawamoto seemed distracted, and Kawamoto reflected on how his Shohoku teammates accepted him without judging his family or work.
• Akagi reminded Kawamoto that the game against Kainan was his chance to conquer Kanagawa, and Kawamoto agreed to focus on winning.
• During his night shift, Kawamoto compared Kainan’s scholarship offer with his risky summer vacation plan, then chose to gamble on his own future.
• Kawamoto thought about the ambitions and sacrifices of the biker, Kainan’s players, and Shohoku’s teammates, and concluded that he had to win his own gamble.
• Kawamoto went to bed early after work and translating Ode to Gallantry, then Kainan and Shohoku gathered for their game the next day.
• Shinichi Maki led Soichiro Jin, Nobunaga Kiyota, Kazuma Takasago, and Tadashi Muto onto the court as Kainan’s supporters called out, “Ever victorious!”

Shohoku prepared to face Kainan as the stands filled with supporters, defeated rivals, and people placing their hopes on Kawamoto Kazuki. Coach Anzai named the starting lineup and ordered Kawamoto to suppress Shinichi Maki on offense and defense.

• Takamiya, Okusu, and Noma pretended to be Kawamoto Kazuki’s older brothers and told Takezono’s girls that he was their weakest brother playing in red number 15.
• Hotta’s group, the Shoyo team, and Murasame’s Miuradai companions arrived to cheer for or watch Kawamoto, while Ryonan players basked in praise for their recent 51-point victory.
• Coach Anzai announced Miyagi, Rukawa, Mitsui, Akagi, and Kawamoto as Shohoku’s starters against Kainan.
• Coach Anzai told Kawamoto to break Maki’s defensive confidence and prevent him from directing Kainan’s offense and transition game.