Keitarou Mishima

Mishima is confident, competitive and intensely interested in testing himself against strong pitchers. Being kept outside Ryuou's principal lineup does not diminish his belief in his own hitting ability.

He is particularly drawn to the challenge Kou presents. Rather than approaching an elite pitcher cautiously, Mishima wants to confront his best pitches and prove that he can hit them.

Mishima is also willing to use intelligence rather than pride alone. Against a pitcher whose fastball is exceptionally difficult to hit, he can alter his approach and use a bunt to reach base rather than insisting that every confrontation end with a power swing.

Mishima is an elite right-handed hitter and third baseman. His bat control, reactions and ability to make contact place him among Ryuou's strongest offensive players.

His skill is sufficient to threaten Shimano's position as Ryuou's star hitter. Once given a regular opportunity, Mishima occupies third base, wears number 5 and bats cleanup.

Against Kou, Mishima demonstrates both technique and adaptability. He can reach base with a drag bunt and remains one of the few opposing hitters capable of making Seishuu treat every pitch as potentially decisive.

Mishima initially sits behind Shimano despite possessing exceptional ability. Shimano wants to remain Ryuou's unquestioned batting star and pressures the team to keep his potential rival from taking that position.

An injury to Shimano eventually creates the opening Mishima needs to enter the lineup more prominently. He develops into Ryuou's cleanup hitter and one of the principal threats Seishuu must overcome in the final regional championship.

In that championship game, Mishima repeatedly confronts Kou in a pitchers' duel dominated by very few hits. Kou eventually strikes him out with a 158 km/h fastball in the seventh inning, and their confrontation remains crucial deep into extra innings.

Tadashi Shimano is Mishima's internal rival at Ryuou. Tadashi Shimano recognizes Mishima as a threat to his position as the team's star batter and works to keep him outside the regular lineup.

Kou Kitamura becomes Mishima's most significant opposing pitcher. Mishima actively wants to test himself against Kou Kitamura's fastball and treats their plate appearances as a direct competitive challenge.

Yuuhei Azuma recognizes Mishima's danger and warns his teammates about allowing him opportunities to change a game's momentum.

Takurou Oikawa is one of the principal pitchers on the Ryuou team Mishima supports offensively.