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Yoshitaka Moriyama (森山 由孝 Moriyama Yoshitaka) was a third year shooting guard at Kaijō High. After the Winter Cup, he retired along with the rest of the third years.

Appearance[]

Moriyama has short black hair with a green tint that he parts to the right side, his eyes are very narrow and he is of average build.

On the court, he wears the blue and white Kaijō jersey with the number 5, outside he is normally seen wearing his school uniform.

Personality[]

Moriyama ready to impress a girl

Moriyama ready to impress a girl

Moriyama is a ladies' man to the point that he only started playing basketball after hearing that it was popular with women. He is constantly on the lookout for cute girls, even while standing on the court before a tournament game, and will occasionally dedicate whatever game he is about to play to a stranger in the stands that caught his eye.[1] Moriyama has never once been successful despite this interest, however, as most (if not all) of his knowledge on women comes from guides on the internet.[2]

Straightforward and dense, Moriyama will blindly believe most relationship advice he reads and attribute his failures to reasons outside of his control, such as the fundamental differences between men and women. Such foolish determination has led Moriyama to be nicknamed as the "pitiful handsome guy," as in spite of his good looks, his stifling tenacity almost guarantees him to fail. His dedication has yet to be shaken by anything, be it his teammates' vocal disapproval or the continued rejection of countless women, and he holds an almost blind faith that his efforts will succeed one day. This has led him to rope his teammates into his antics on multiple occasions, such as dragging them out to hit on girls with him[3] or forcing Ryōta Kise to host a mixer for the five of them.[2][4]

Although Moriyama may have started playing basketball for selfish means, he truly loves the sport alongside the rest of his team and can easily talk about it for hours on end, even at the expense of a potential date.[3] He has no issue focusing when he is actually in a game and is fully capable of being serious when need be. He is close friends with Yukio Kasamatsu and knows when he needs to be alone even when minimal words are spoken between them.[5]

Story[]

Interhigh[]

Moriyama thinking about girls

Moriyama thinking about girls

Moriyama appears for the first in the Kaijō High locker room before their Interhigh game against Tōō High, still daydreaming about a girl he saw in the stands. When the match starts, Moriyama is a starter and lines up with the rest of his team.[6] The tip-off is given and the ball goes to Tōō after an Daiki Aomine's steal. Kōsuke Wakamatsu swings the ball to Ryō Sakurai, who shoots with a very quick release and Moriyama is unable to block the shot.[7] Later, at the end of the first quarter, after a bad shot by Yukio Kasamatsu, the ball goes from Mitsuhiro Hayakawa to Moriyama, who pulls up for his unique, bad-rotation shot and nails it.[8]

At the 1st quarter break, he congratulates Ryōta Kise for stopping Aomine, but he replies that things are only get started yet. Aomine quickly turn the tide and begin to widen the gap. During Kaijō's timeout, Kise says he'll try copying Aomine, to Moriyama's and his team-mates surprise. Kaijō is determined to gain time for their ace and has to keep up as long as possible. After Aomine's foul on Kasamatsu, Moriyama somehow doubts Kise's ability to copy Aomine. Kasamatsu replies that they have to believe in Kise. [9]

Moriyama wants to meet girls

Moriyama asks Kise to introduce him some girls

Moriyama desperately blocks Sakurai three-pointer in the 3rd quarter, to stop the gap from widening. Kise is amazed by his determination but Moriyama tells him to focus. He further adds that he'll have to introduce some girls in a party if they win, something that Hayakawa disapproves.[4]

Moriyama then witnesses his team's ace Kise copying Aomine and the battle between the two. Before the 4th quarter, Moriyama asks him if he's fine. Kise responds affirmatively but Moriyama insists that the team will need him in defense even if Aomine will be excluded.[10] Kaijō slowly catches up to the score, but Kise is finally beaten near the end of the match by Aomine. Nevertheless, Moriyama and his team-mates comfort him. The match ends a 98-110 for Tōō.

Moriyama and his team-mates are disappointed, but more importantly, he sees that Kise struggles to stand up. Moriyama blames that to his copy of Aomine's play. Kise is helped by Kasamatsu and then line up with the whole team. After leaving, Kise notices that Kasamatsu is not with them. Moriyama replies that he asks them to leave first. Kise says he'll wait for him, but Moriyama tells him not to, and to leave him alone.[11]

Pre-Winter Cup[]

Moriyama and Hayakawa training

Moriyama practicing with his team-mates

In the anime, Moriyama is attending for the match between Seirin High and Kirisaki Daiichi High. During the match, he is revolted about the rough play of Makoto Hanamiya and his team-mates.

Moriyama is later seen practicing for the Winter Cup with Kaijō High where he comments on Ryōta Kise being in good shape.[12]

Winter Cup[]

Quarter-Finals[]

At the Winter Cup, Moriyama plays with Kaijō High in the first game of the Cup.[13] He is also seen watching Seirin High's quarter-finals and warms up when it's their turn. Mitsuhiro Hayakawa notices Kise's determination. Moriyama tells him that the main cause of it may be their next opponent, because of his reaction when viewing a video data of them.[14]

Moriyama misses a shot

Moriyama misses a shot

The Winter Cup quarter-finals against Fukuda Sōgō Academy commences and the first ball possession goes to Kaijō. Moriyama gets the ball from Yukio Kasamatsu and shoots his unorthodox shot, getting the first three points of the game. A little later, Shōgo Haizaki copies Moriyama's shot, but tweaks the rhythm. When Moriyama tries to do his shot again, he subconsciously loses his rhythm and misses. Haizaki has stolen his move.[15]

The match progresses to the fourth quarter and Kaijō is struggling. Without the back-up of their ace and the difficulty of using their specialities, Moriyama's team has fallen back to a good 15 points. After Ryōta Kise awakens his Perfect Copy and pushes back Haizaki, he leads the team to victory.[16]

Semi-Finals[]

Moriyama's concentration

Moriyama's concentration

Moriyama's team later goes against Seirin High. On the pitch and as usual, Moriyama is peeping at the spectators for cute girls.[17] Mitsuhiro Hayakawa asks if Moriyama is being serious but he answers he has been looking forward to this and is so focused that none of the girls are interesting him. Through the first half, Moriyama is often seen guarding Junpei Hyūga and scoring some three pointers with his unorthodox shot.

In Kaijō High's locker room at half-time, Ryōta Kise is demanding to be subbed in again, as he is the only one who can face Taiga Kagami and asks for Moriyama's support. Moriyama feels guilty for almost saying to put him back, because of the lack of alternative to Kagami's two man-mark.[18] The issue is settled by Yukio Kasamatsu who didn't allow Kise's entrance before the end.

Moriyama vs Hyuga

Moriyama versus Hyūga

The match continues with the second half: Kaijō is hanging on, with Moriyama scoring more three pointers. Hyūga comments on how his shots are impossible to guess. Moriyama's shot are eventually blocked by Hyūga who matches his timing. Kise is later subbed in again for the last 4 minutes, and Kaijō is going all out. Moriyama and the other are hardening their defense. He steals the ball from Shun Izuki, and thinks to himself that Izuki is unusually too obvious.[19] At the last second, Seirin manages to win. Close to tears, Moriyama and the others wish luck to the winners for the finals.

Finals[]

Without their ace, Kaijō High is powerless and loses to Shūtoku High for the third place.

Moriyama and his team-mates then arrive to watch Rakuzan High versus Seirin High already in the third quarter, only to see Seirin High in a hopeless situation.[20]

Skill[]

Physical Ability
 
6/10 Moriyama chart
Technique
 
9/10
Stamina
 
8/10
Mental Strength
 
7/10
Special Ability
 
7/10

Unorthodox shot[]

Moriyama shot

Moriyama's unorthodox shot

Moriyama focuses mostly on shooting. Moriyama possesses an Unorthodox Shot (modified underhanded set shot) to score three-pointers. He throws the ball underhanded, which gives a very high arc and almost no rotation to the shoot. According to Ryō Sakurai, his shooting form is unique, as if he has a bad rotation.[21] This was further explained during the quarter-finals of the Winter Cup. This form is apparently the most comfortable way for him to shoot and creates an unusual form that is hard to block. Junpei Hyūga comments on how it became his own personal weapon.[22]

Etymology[]

  • The name Yoshitaka means "reason, case, cause" (由) (yoshi) and "filial piety, obedience" (孝) (taka).
  • Yoshitaka's surname Moriyama means "forest" (森) (mori) and "mountain, hill" (山) (yama).

Trivia[]

  • Moriyama ranked 24th on the second character poll, with 117 votes.
  • Moriyama was accepted into the same university as Yukio Kasamatsu and Kōji Kobori, although he ultimately went elsewhere after seeing the "girl of his dreams" at a different school's venue.[23]
  • Moriyama and Kasamatsu are pursuing the same science-related major.[23]
  • According to the CHARACTERS BIBLE:
    • His motto is "Ladies First".
    • His favorite food is Kitsune Udon.
    • His hobby is playing futsal.
    • His specialty is palm reading.
    • His best subject is Mathematics.
    • He has a father, mother and an older brother.
    • He doesn't like girls who are too trashy.
    • He spend his days off by playing futsal with his friends.
    • He started to play basketball because he had heard that basketball is popular with girls.
    • He player he has his eyes on is Hyūga.
  • Historically, the underhanded shot was popular in the 30's-70's amongst guards and forwards, but there was very little arc then[24]. Rick Barry used this for his free throws[25]. Harlem Globetrotters holds the Guinness World Records for the most underhanded half-court shots in a minute, and the longest underhanded shot.[26][27]

References[]

  1. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 63 page 8
  2. 2.0 2.1 Kuroko no Basuke Replace PLUS chapter 6
  3. 3.0 3.1 Kuroko no Basuke Replace PLUS chapter 4
  4. 4.0 4.1 Kuroko no Basuke chapter 69, page 13
  5. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 73 page 12
  6. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 62, page 17
  7. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 64, page 10
  8. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 65, page 16
  9. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 67, page 13
  10. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 71, page 7
  11. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 73, page 12
  12. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 112, page 9
  13. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 114, page 4
  14. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 169, page 20
  15. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 171, page 16
  16. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 173, page 12
  17. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 184, page 8
  18. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 192, page 14
  19. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 198, page 4
  20. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 247, page 7
  21. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 65, page 15
  22. Kuroko no Basuke chapter 171, page 13
  23. 23.0 23.1 Kuroko no Basuke -Replace 6- chapter 1
  24. Two Handed Set Shot: How Basketball Was Played in the 50s
  25. Free Throws
  26. World Record For Underhand Half Court Shots! | Harlem Globetrotters
  27. World Record Longest Underhand Basketball Shot! | Harlem Globetrotters

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