INVINCIBLE
TEIKO
TEIKO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Hey, Dai-chan, decide on which club to join?
Don't ask something so obvious after all we've done.
Of course it's the basketball team.
I heard it's pretty strong, so I look forward to it.
Oh, then maybe I can be team manager or something? Want me to make you lunch and stuff?
No thanks.
- If you did, I couldn't play. - Wait. What's that mean?
Excuse me.
Sorry...
Wait, huh?
What's wrong?
Nothing...
Oh well...
Oh, you like books? How about the lit club?
- No, this is in fact a phone book. - A phone book is a fine book!
Why are you carrying a phone book?
It was in fact an Oha-asa lucky item.
Whoa, you're so tall!
Wow! The volleyball team... Please join!
Hm? What to do...
Or rather, that's a bother.
- Hey, isn't he really handsome? - Yeah, so handsome!
We'd love you!
Oh, no...
Is this spot really fine?
- Yes. I won't need a chauffer tomorrow. - Your father will take issue...
It's not about him. Besides, if every morning was like this, I'll be mocked.
Let school at least be somewhere I have freedom.
LET'S DO OUR BEST SO WE CAN GET GAME TIME REAL SOON TO FULFILL OUR PROMISE!
I'm joining the basketball team too of course.
63Q. A DAY WITH BLUE SKIES
First up is a placement test.
Only the first string gets to play in official games as part of the regular roster.
I hear no one makes first string in these tests.
Seriously? So second string at best?
Then for this test, our goal should be second string...
Let's do our best.
Oh, sounds pretty rowdy there. I wonder what club that is?
What to do...
If I tried, I know I'd be able to do it. No matter what it was...
I'm announcing the test results!
First, third string.
Line up in front of the third-string coach when your name is called. #2, Nobuo Saito.
Here!
- #4, Kazuhito Nakazawa. - Here!
#10, Hiromichi Fujita. #12, Yuji Takagiku.
#28, Shunsuke Shimada. #30, Jun Tanaka.
#31, Tetsuya Kuroko. That is all.
Next, second string.
- All right, I'm on the second string! - Good job!
#14, Dai Kuroki. #35, Masao Yagi.
Next, I'm announcing the first string.
Did he just say first string?
He's kidding, right?
#8, Daiki Aomine.
#11, Shintaro Midorima.
#23, Atsushi Murasakibara.
#29, Seijuro Akashi.
That is all.
Those not on second string, do your best next time.
Right!
I'M STILL A BENCHWARMER AND DON'T GET MUCH GAME TIME
SECOND TEACHER'S OFFICE Extra practice?
That's fine, but don't stay past campus curfew.
Okay.
Mm... Well, yeah.
- I'm jealous you're old friends with Aomine-kun. - Does he have a girlfriend?
He totally shined in the nationals.
He's so awesome!
Whoa.
Do be careful.
Thank you for everything. I appreciate how you support our team daily.
Let's go, Midorima.
- Akashi-sama sure is fine too. - "Sama"?
Well, he's already vice-captain as a first year.
Yeah...
I see you're often deep in thought lately, Akashi.
Oh, I guess so...
About the nationals the other day?
We did win, but there were a few scares.
Thinking one or two years ahead, we can't say things are concrete.
It's not enough for us to grow our skills?
Potential-wise, we have no issue at present.
But everything is too straightforward. What I want is a curveball...
For instance, a valued sixth man who can change the game's momentum.
A player of that nature.
Who is that there?
Aomine-kun?
There's been a rumor lately of a ghost in the gym. So I assumed that was the case.
- I'm just getting extra practice. - Impressive.
Not many are doing that, even in first string.
That's it. I've made up my mind.
I'll practice with you every day from now on. Let's share the court someday.
- Is that okay? - Idiot.
It's not about being okay or not! Nobody who plays basketball can be a bad guy.
Let me be frank. It's impossible for you to be on our team.
I know how hard you've been trying until now. But even then, your placement has fallen.
Quitting the team isn't an order. It's up to you to decide.
What should I do...
Huh? Why's that?
I do love basketball... But it seems like I can't be of any use to the team at all.
Nobody's completely useless to the team.
Even if you couldn't play in games...
Someone who stays later than everyone else to practice can't possibly be completely useless.
I won't say you'll definitely make it if you don't give up. But if you do give up, there's nothing left.
Aomine.
Akashi...
I thought I hadn't seen you lately. You were here?
Yeah, since the other gym's pretty crowded. So the two of us always practice here.
The two of you?
Huh? Was there a guy like this on our team?
I'm slightly interested in him.
I'm sorry, but can you come with me for a minute?
This is a first. Someone as devoted to basketball as you, yet the results don't come with the effort.
I'm sorry... I'm not in the mental state to accept that statement.
I apologize... That's not what I meant.
I find it laudable.
Your motor skills aren't terrible.
Your career and amount of practice are enough to call you a veteran.
Yet still, I feel nothing at all looking at you.
This is quite a peculiar thing.
Practice hard in a sport and anyone's seasoned veteran's aura will show through.
It's something that's bound to show. Yet you lack much presence at all.
This is not a fault but an advantage for you.
If you can capitalize on it, it's sure to become an enormous weapon for the team.
Capitalize on the lack of presence? Can I do something like that?
I'm sorry, but this is as much as I can say.
When you find the answer, come see me.
Is that the sixth man you were talking about?
You heard all of that?
- You really think someone like that will transform? - Who knows?
I felt the possibility, but he's a stranger I just met. Far from a friend.
I have no obligation to tend to this and that.
I only let the string hang down...
Whether or not he can use it to climb up depends on him.
What you can do for the team? That's what you talked to Akashi about?
Yes. I'm not a good shooter, so I thought it would either be passing or assisting.
Well, Akashi isn't almighty either, so maybe it's something only you can do?
For instance?
Like a pass that totally bends and stuff.
Like, whoosh!
- Whoosh! - Enough.
- I'm going to stop in here. - Yeah, see you tomorrow.
COIN MAGIC / CARD MAGIC EASY MAGIC / ENCHANTING MAGIC
TECHNIQUES FOR GUIDING LINES OF SIGHT
Hey, Akashi! You have a visitor!
It's been three months, Kuroko-kun.
- Found the answer? - Yes.
- Then let's start the test. - Um...
If possible, can you take a look at it in a game?
Nijimura-san. About what I said...
Right... So he's the one you mentioned a while back.
Shoot!
- When did he... - Where'd he sprout from?
Hey, what is this? I'm surprised with the passes, but is it really possible to lose sight of him midgame?
Misdirection...
A technique to guide lines of sight, often used in magic.
Magic?
For instance, before cutting, line of sight and gestures guide his man's eyes to the ball or other players.
Coupled with his original lack of presence, he disappears from the court as if a phantom.
2ND STRING 3RD STRING
Did you know that it was all going to end up like this?
No, this is beyond expectations.
From today, you're first string. You made that chance yours.
Yes!
Excuse me... Is Kuroko-kun here?
Oh, that's me.
Lacking... His presence is so lacking...
I brought over Tetsuya Kuroko-kun.
Oh, thank you.
You're here, Tetsu.
Hey, I've been waiting for you.
Welcome to the first string of the Teiko basketball team.
INVINCIBLE And engrave this into your heart. From this moment, you only have one mission...
...to win.
- It's Haizaki. - Huh? Gimme that!
- Haizaki! Where are you now? - Sorry, I caught a cold.
Haizaki is absent with a cold.
Kuroko.
You're on the starting lineup in his place.
Let's have a good game!
Tetsu, relax.
Whoa, no good. He's like a newborn fawn right now.
Stay calm, Kuroko-kun. First, take it easy...
I'm sorry. I tripped on my own foot...
- I'm fine. - No, you're not fine at all.
- That's like, impossible... - Tetsu...
- Subbed out after one second... - This is definitely beyond expectations.
I guess we have no choice. Nijimura.
Okay.
Teiko is changing members!
Here comes Teiko's captain, Shuzo Nijimura.
Said to be the number one power forward in middle school!
Well, the small lectures will come later.
For now, win.
- All right! - Idiot!
This was to review the system with the first years!
You need to hold back more.
- Did your nosebleed stop yet? - Yes.
All right, change with Nijimura.
Out of bounds. Black ball.
- Hey, what was that? Playing around? - I'm not playing around.
- I'm gonna crush you, okay? - Please don't crush me.
I see... I have a good idea what his style is now. It truly is amusing, but...
He's making too many mistakes...
Is it nerves, or is this play style not truly his yet... or both?
NANBARA TEIKO
GO FOR IT Mine-chin, what's that?
A lunch packed by Satsuki... Want some?
Looks gross, so no thanks.
I'm gonna go to the convenience store real quick.
Huh? This is Mine-chin's wallet, right?
- What did he leave to do? - Convenience store.
I'll deliver it.
Don't toss it so suddenly.
You're the slowpoke.
Demoting Tetsu?
We still have the afternoon game! Give him another...
I can't. There's no reason to look further.
He will be demoted.
If he's no good in the next game, I'll demote myself too! So please...
Put him in one more time!
He's going to be our savior someday.
I don't know why, but that's the feeling I get!
- Come on, say hello. - Heya.
Haizaki's face looks horrible!
A second stringer found him at the arcades. He seemed well despite a cold, so I brought him.
But now he's on his last breath!
For the afternoon game, the starters will be Akashi, Midorima, Murasakibara, Aomine, and Haizaki.
Kuroko, I'll have you step in during the second half. Got that?
HARANISHI TEIKO
You need to correct your passing speed. The first stringers are agile.
Start a step sooner than with second or third stringers or you won't make it. In short, it's a matter of timing.
That, and misdirection becomes vastly effective only when you can control your on-court presence.
To do that, don't openly show your emotions.
Fighting spirit is necessary. But keep it inside.
I understand.
The ball...
...curved?
I'm getting pass after pass from Aka-chin with impossible timing. This is super easy...
When it functions, the change is this drastic, Kuroko?
Tetsuya Kuroko. You're officially on the bench for this year's games.
Your jersey number is 15. We look forward to you playing an active role as the sixth man.
KNEW YOU COULD DO IT. SEE YOU AT NATIONALS IN SUMMER! I PROMISE!
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
Kuroko's a regular, huh? Guess what you saw was genuine.
That's from his own efforts.
- But you'll be leading the team now. - Nijimura-san?
64Q. ...SORRY I'm counting on you, Akashi.