Miri Natayama

Natayama usually wears a subdued expression but is prone to sudden bursts of anger. She is extremely proud of her shogi ability and has little patience for weaker players who do not appear to share her drive to improve.

She claims not to despise weakness itself; what irritates her is refusing to work toward becoming stronger. This distinction explains both her dedication and her inability to understand why the Shogi Club values Mochibaru's leadership qualities over Natayama's superior competitive record.

Natayama can also be petty when hurt. Being passed over as captain leads her to quit the club despite the potential risk to her scholarship. Her later interactions with Mochibaru show that she is capable of becoming more sociable once her pride is no longer dominating the relationship.

Natayama is a professional-level shogi player despite still being a high-school student. She is easily the strongest player associated with Hakoniwa's Shogi Club and attends the academy on a scholarship.

Her ability is conventional expertise rather than an Abnormality. Natayama's classification as a Special reflects the extraordinary degree to which her skill exceeds that of ordinary students.

Her competitive mind is built around reading ahead, understanding board positions and expecting opponents to improve rather than accepting their current limitations.

Natayama's primary storyline originates in the anime, where her treatment of weaker Shogi Club members creates a conflict with Mochibaru. Although Natayama is the superior player, the club chooses Mochibaru as captain because she is better at creating an environment where less skilled students can enjoy and learn the game.

Feeling unrecognized, Natayama leaves and takes petty revenge on the club. Student Council intervention helps resolve the dispute, and her relationship with Mochibaru begins improving.

Although created for the anime storyline, Natayama was created by Nisio Isin and designed by Akira Akatsuki. She later enters the manga proper. Natayama appears among the students confronting Medaka during the 100 Flowers Run, where her farewell advice is to read two moves ahead.

Sasae Mochibaru is the Shogi Club captain selected over Natayama despite being a weaker player. Natayama initially resents Sasae Mochibaru, but their relationship improves as she begins to understand why the club values Mochibaru's leadership.

Kouki Akune becomes involved in the Shogi Club dispute through the Student Council and makes Natayama's conflict with Mochibaru more difficult to ignore.

Medaka Kurokami later encounters Natayama during the 100 Flowers Run.