TEIKO MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Teiko Middle School basketball team.
In its brilliant history, there were five once-in-a-decade prodigies in one year...
...the "Generation of Miracles."
Ryota Kise. Shintaro Midorima. Daiki Aomine.
Atsushi Murasakibara. Seijuro Akashi.
And the menace standing against them was Seirin High School...
With its shadow... and light.
It's finally time.
Winter Cup semifinals...
A rematch against Kaijo and Kise!
I'm gonna do this!
Alex... Why... Why are you sleeping in my bed!
It's so cold... Don't take the futon...
Then put some clothes on!
You'd slam clothes at your master using the ultimate move she taught you?
Jeez...
Alex, were you okay last night?
- Yeah, of course. - And Tatsuya?
Just scratches. He went back to the hotel right after.
I see...
I have a good idea what you came out to do then.
Don't worry. I'm sure Tatsuya feels the same way.
Yeah...
Anyway, you ready?
Yeah, of course...
Huh?
54TH Q. I'LL TAKE THIS FOR NOW
Your shoes broke? Moron! And why do you only own one pair!
Like, what is with you boys... Don't synch up at times like this!
"You boys"?
Hi there.
Wait, how'd you destroy your shoes too?
That's my line.
None of the places carry my size...
Kagami-kun, your feet are big... Needlessly...
What's with the "needlessly" bit!
There's another shop here. I'm gonna go ask.
Outta my way!
Oh, sorry! I'm in a slight rush... Crap!
I'm really sorry!
That jersey...
Did they have any?
They didn't.
Fine...
Let me ask... She's very reliable at times like this.
Their basketball shoes broke?
Both at the same time? What's up with that?
Will they make it?
Well, I'm sure they'll be okay time-wise since our game's in the late afternoon.
I'm so sorry...
Oh my, are you all right? You should be more careful.
T-Thank you...
Coach!
You know, you should protect girls properly, okay?
That guy...
Let's see... Tape, cold spray... Is this all?
Oh, and powder mix for the drinks!
What's wrong?
- Another extra large. - S-Sure...
- What the? - He eats more than Kagami?
And he's ripped too... Is he a pro wrestler?
- Tetsu-kun! - Sorry for calling so suddenly...
No, not at all! More like I'm super happy!
It's nice that you'll help me look for shoes...
...but why're you here!
That's what I wanna know.
- Dai-chan has lots, so he'll give you a pair! - What? I didn't say that! Quit fooling!
You wear the same 29.5 cm size, right?
- How'd you know? - Here!
Hey! Don't bring my shoes without telling me!
- I was using the same type... - There happened to be a pair.
It's a different color, but you're the model-loyal type, right, Kagamin?
Her data gathering is really something! But Kagamin?
But...
This color is nice too...
Fine... I'll give it to you if you win a one-on-one.
What for! I have a game right after!
- Three possessions. It'll be quick. - But!
Just do it.
I'll give you a short lecture while we're at it.
Aomine-kun punched Haizaki-kun?
Oh, but it was something he had to do to save Ki-chan...
Isn't it bad if word gets out?
But I have a feeling Shogo-kun won't do anything anymore.
I can't really put it into words...
But I think there's a part of him that's relieved Dai-chan stopped him.
He's a bit twisted, but he's still someone who wore the Teiko uniform with you...
Satsuki, we're done. Let's go.
That fast?
I said it'd be quick.
How'd it go?
- My overwhelming victory. - Hold it! One more! One more!
I want the shoes, but I can't accept losing! One more match!
You've got a game to play... What are you talking about? Here...
- Take it. - What do you mean?
- In any case, I don't need it anymore. - I-I can't take it on a loss!
- Take it back! - Just put it on, idiot!
You're fine the way you are. Besides, you're facing Kise.
Play a half-assed game with shoes that don't fit and I'll kill you. Let's put our showdown on hold.
Then... Sorry, man, I'll take these.
- It's just on hold! - Hurry up and go!
SEIRIN HIGH WAITING ROOM
Sorry we're late!
You're late!
- Did you get shoes? - Yeah.
Yes.
The Rakuzan-Shutoku game's about to start.
So... Exactly how strong is Rakuzan?
They're a super powerhouse that's been in every Winter Cup since the inaugural tournament.
They've won it more than any school.
In recent years, they've won all three major tournaments five years in a row.
Put simply, they're the strongest high school team.
Even with that, they say this year's lineup is the strongest they've ever had.
You mean the Generation of Miracles... Seijuro Akashi?
Yeah, but that's not all. Remember the Five Uncrowned Kings?
The five prodigies in the Generation of Miracles's shadow. Kiyoshi and Hanamiya...
And the other three are all at Rakuzan.
I do not know defeat.
What? Is that supposed to be sarcastic?
No, I'm sorry. I just thought that right now.
It's not that I'm seeking it. I'm merely interested because I don't know it. That's all it is.
And people call that sarcasm.
Fine, I'll teach you the concept someday.
You're right.
If I have to go up against you, I can't go easy on you after all.
Though I have zero intention of losing.
- By the way, Shintaro... - Shut up. I resign.
KAKUGYO (BISHOP)
Midorima, what's that?
- My lucky item. - Good thing it's small today.
- And what rank were you today? - Second.
What's with that? Go get first. I'll bury you.
It's just fortune-telling.
All right, it's time! Let's go!
Yeah!
It's the qualifying veterans 11 years straight!
The king of veterans, Shutoku High School!
And here they come!
The strongest high school...
The emperor since the beginning of time... Rakuzan High School!
I overate...
You're filthy! What's with binge eating right before the game?
- I get more power when I eat meat. - Still, look! Those guys! They're badass!
- You're so noisy! - They really look strong! So badass!
- Right, Akashi! - Yeah. They are strong.
- Sei-chan, you're starting? - I have the coach's approval.
That's good news.
Our opponents till now have been way too easy.
Wish I'd eaten more.
- I put the towels over there. - Yeah.
Then shall we?
They're a strong team, so I thought they'd be a lot less friendly...
But they look kinda normal.
What are you saying? I'll fry you!
If anything, they're abnormal.
Akashi wearing #4 means he's captain.
Normally, a first year never could be, no matter how good he is.
What's even more abnormal is that the entire team, including the bench, shows no sign of discontent.
And that includes the Five Uncrowned Kings.
Each of them is quite a stickler, full of pride.
And all of them are accepting of this.
For those in the know, it's nothing but abnormal. At least...
...you wouldn't call someone who can naturally make others so subservient normal.
Man, this is such a chore.
If you wanna watch, you shoulda come by yourself, Muro-chin.
Don't say that, Atsushi.
- Can I go home after all? - I have salt 'n' nori flavor too.
I'll have some.
See, the game's about to begin.
Which team do you think will win?
Who knows? If you're talking about shogi, I've never seen Aka-chin lose.
Shogi?
The two of them often played during breaks.
Well... I can't imagine a scenario where Aka-chin would lose.
I'll get the win, Akashi.
That's impossible, Shintaro. Have you ever had me resign even once?
Shogi and basketball are different.
They're the same. I have not once in my life said anything in error.
I win in everything, and everything I say is correct.
The Winter Cup's first semifinal game between Rakuzan and Shutoku will now begin!
- Bow! - Let's have a good game!
All right!
Just kidding!
Badass! Right from the start?
Everything you say is correct?
Don't make me laugh, Akashi.
Someone who's only seen victory shouldn't talk like they know it all!
Bring it on, Akashi. I'll teach you like I promised...
...about defeat!
Oh?
Not a hint of grazing the ring!
It's like we're watching a precision machine!
Nothing less from him... Look at that aura. Man, is he really a first year like me?
Takao, you're on Akashi. Got that?
Yeah. But can I say one thing?
- Sorry if I don't cut it. - Do your best!
- You wanna do this or not? - Of course I want to!
- But Midorima's afraid of this guy. - I'm not afraid!
Don't snap at me!
Concentrate...
Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate...
So fast! But...
Nice pass!
RAKUZAN SHUTOKU
The first quarter's over!
The king and the emperor... Neither one's budging!
Atsushi, is he really the captain of the team you were on?
Yeah, why?
What's going on? It's true he's good... He's skilled, and his field of vision is amazing.
I have to say he's perfect as a point guard.
But the skill difference isn't so great that I can't put up a fight.
Is this the captain of the Generation of Miracles, Seijuro Akashi?
It's going well.
No changes to our game plan.
I leave detailed plays to Akashi. If anything comes up, follow his orders.
Yeah!
It's definitely not like Akashi is cutting corners.
How he's playing reminds me a lot of shogi.
He's in the starting moments, just testing the waters...
And if the game state is going to move... Yeah, it should be soon.
So let's set something up first.
The break is over! Starting the second quarter!
Don't take us lightly, Akashi.
You're taking it pretty easy, testing the waters all first quarter.
You surely can't be thinking you can win without using your Eye?
I'm not taking you guys lightly, Shintaro.
You could say I'm being as cautious as I can.
I can't play my trump card so easily...
However, at this rate, the game might be over without me having to.
What?
This is...
They're double-teaming Midorima!
And Shin-chan's having a hard time?
As expected from Rakuzan. Just their training in defense is like nothing else!
Well, that's what I thought would happen.
All right, one-on-one! Bring it!
What are your eyes twinkling for, huh?
I'll run you over with Kimura's mini-pickup!
Huh? He's good at dribbling!
All right!
- What's with you getting passed so easy! - Sorry!
Come on... You're not asleep, are you? Get a grip!
Sorry, sorry!
Kotaro.
I'll totally get payback! Don't get mad, Akashi!
Fine. If you're not up to it, I'll sub you out.
I'm fine! I won't lose to anyone when it comes to dribbling!
- Oh, it's Hayama! - He's going right to payback?
Huh? Like I'd let you!
No, I'm gonna do it.
I guess three is enough?
Three?
Dribbling harder makes the ball faster and harder to steal...
But what is that...
What I said earlier... If it was hard to understand, I'll say it again.
What's with this dribbling? My eyes can't follow it... No...
It disappeared?
It's not worth directly doing something.
That's all there is to it.
Shintaro, you're strong. But I can see the results.
Don't take Shutoku lightly, Akashi. I know you best. I will beat you!
55Q. I KNOW NONE OF THAT Unyielding tenacity... Let's test how long that spirit lasts.