Kuroko's Basketball

Kuroko's Basketball (黒子のバスケ) is a Japanese sports manga series written and illustrated by Tadatoshi Fujimaki. It was serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 2008 to September 2014, with its chapters collected in 30 volumes. It tells the story of a high school basketball team trying to make it to the national tournament.

An anime television series adaptation by Production I.G aired for three seasons from April 2012 to June 2015. A sequel manga, Kuroko's Basketball: Extra Game, was serialized in Jump Next! from December 2014 to March 2016. An anime film adaptation of the Kuroko's Basketball: Extra Game manga premiered in March 2017. A stage play adaptation opened in April 2016 followed by more stage adaptations.

The manga has been licensed for English-language release by Viz Media in North America. By November 2020, Kuroko's Basketball had over 31 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series.

Plot

The Teiko Middle School basketball team achieves unprecedented dominance in Japanese middle school basketball, securing three consecutive national championships. Its star players, collectively known as the "Generation of Miracles", gain nationwide recognition for their extraordinary talent. Upon graduating, the five prodigies—Ryota Kise, Shintaro Midorima, Daiki Aomine, Atsushi Murasakibara, and Seijuro Akashi—enroll at separate high schools with elite basketball programs. Rumors persist of a sixth member, a phantom player whose existence remains unconfirmed. This shadow, Tetsuya Kuroko, later joins Seirin High, a newly established school with an emerging team. Alongside Taiga Kagami, a gifted player raised primarily in the United States, Kuroko seeks to elevate Seirin to national prominence by challenging his former teammates.

Seirin's first major test comes against Ryota Kise in a practice match. Kise's ability to replicate and enhance Kagami's techniques initially overwhelms Seirin, but Kuroko's unique skills help bridge the gap, securing a narrow victory. The team then faces Shutoku High in the Interhigh preliminaries, where Shintaro Midorima's superior shooting and Takao Kazunari's Hawk Eyes neutralize Kuroko's misdirection. Despite the challenge, Seirin prevails, only to suffer a crushing defeat against Touhou Academy, led by Daiki Aomine. Losses to Senshinkan and Meisei follow, eliminating Seirin from the tournament. However, the arrival of Kiyoshi Teppei, Seirin's founding member, revitalizes the team. Intensive summer training prepares them for the Winter Cup, including an unexpected rematch with Touhou during their preparations.

In the Winter Cup preliminaries, Seirin and Shutoku battle to a draw, forcing Seirin to defeat Kirisaki Daichi High to advance. Kirisaki's captain, Makoto Hanamiya, employs ruthless tactics as a member of the Uncrowned Kings, but Seirin overcomes these underhanded methods to secure their Winter Cup berth. The tournament begins with a rematch against Touhou Academy. Kagami, now more determined than ever, pushes himself to surpass Aomine. Through Kuroko's newly developed Vanishing Drive and Kagami's refined teamwork, Seirin achieves a historic victory, marking Aomine's first-ever loss. The defeat rekindles Aomine's passion for the sport, dispelling his disillusionment with basketball.

Next, Seirin confronts Yōsen High, anchored by Atsushi Murasakibara's towering defense. Murasakibara's physical dominance initially stifles Seirin's offense, but Kagami unlocks the Zone, matching his opponent's power and leading Seirin to victory. Though defeated, Murasakibara gains a newfound respect for the game, inspired by Kagami's relentless drive.

The final challenge arrives against Rakuzan High, led by Seijuro Akashi, the Generation of Miracles' formidable leader. Akashi's Emperor Eye allows him to anticipate and control every play, overwhelming both Kagami and Kuroko. However, Kagami enters the "true Zone" with Kuroko as his gatekeeper, while Kuroko perfects his Phantom Shot. Together, they dismantle Rakuzan's dominance, securing victory in the Winter Cup and cementing Seirin as Japan's top high school team.

Following the tournament, the Generation of Miracles begin to reconcile their fractured relationships, rediscovering the joy of basketball beyond mere individual supremacy. Kuroko fulfills his ambition not by standing in the spotlight, but by ensuring his teammates shine brightest together.

Media

Reception

The Kuroko's Basketball manga series sold nine million units in Japan by September 2012.[51] In May 2013, the manga has over one million copies of volume 1 in print.[52] By 2013, the manga had over 23 million copies in circulation,[53] a number that grew to 27 million by April 2014.[5] By November 2020, the series has over 31 million copies in circulation.[54] Individual volumes frequently appeared on Oricon's weekly lists of the best-selling manga in Japan,[55][56] and many of them were some of the best-selling manga in the year 2012.[57][58][59][60][61] Kuroko's Basketball was the third best-selling manga series of 2013, with 8,761,081 copies sold in a year.[62] In 2014, the 24th volume of the manga had received an initial print run of one million copies;[63] and the 30th volume in 2015 had an initial print run of 700,000 copies printed.[64] The Kuroko's Basketball light novel series also sold well in Japan in 2014. The first light novel Replace was the ninth best-selling light novel series,[65] while it was the sixth best-selling light novel volume with 215,859 copies sold.[66] DVD sales of the anime series have also been featured on Oricon's weekly Japanese anime DVD rankings various times.[67][68][69]

Kuroko's Basketball is often compared to Weekly Shōnen Jump's earlier basketball-themed manga Slam Dunk. However, Azusa Takahashi of Real Sound pointed out whereas Slam Dunk was very realistic, the newer series is more focused on entertainment and is strongly based in fiction with each character having a "special move."[54] The anime series was awarded the 2013 Tokyo Anime Award in the Television Category.[70]

See also

External links