Shintarou Midorima

Midorima is serious, reserved and uncompromising about both basketball and everyday routines. He dislikes frivolous behavior and tends to speak bluntly, making kindness toward opponents particularly difficult for him. His confidence can resemble arrogance, but it is tied to his belief that results must be earned through exhaustive preparation rather than talent alone.

His guiding philosophy is to do everything humanly possible and then leave the outcome to fate. This explains the apparent contradiction between his intense work ethic and his devotion to horoscopes: Midorima does not expect luck to substitute for preparation. He trains his shooting relentlessly, protects his dominant hand and follows every precaution he believes might affect the day's outcome.

His partnership with Kazunari Takao gradually exposes a less solitary side of him. Takao's teasing irritates Midorima, but the point guard becomes someone he trusts deeply. That growth eventually allows Midorima to perform the Sky Direct Three Point Shot, a technique that requires him to begin shooting before Takao's pass reaches his hands and therefore depends on absolute trust in his teammate.

Midorima's defining weapon is his extraordinarily accurate high-arcing three-point shot. Provided his shooting motion is completed cleanly and the ball is not touched, his shots are effectively guaranteed to enter the basket. His range expands from half-court during his Teikou years to the entire court at Shuutoku, allowing him to threaten the basket from positions where conventional defense would not normally account for a shot.

That range carries physical costs. Longer shots require a longer shooting motion and consume more stamina, meaning opponents can pressure him before release or attempt to exhaust his finite supply of full-court attempts. Midorima consequently develops variations in timing and fakes to prevent defenders from simply anticipating the same release.

Against Rakuzan, Midorima and Takao unveil the Sky Direct Three Point Shot. Midorima enters his shooting motion without possessing the ball, and Takao passes it directly into his hands at precisely the required instant. The technique demonstrates how far Midorima has moved from Teikou's individualistic philosophy, since any error or hesitation from either player destroys the play.

Midorima is the first Generation of Miracles member whom Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami encounter as an opponent after Kise. His presence at Shuutoku turns one of Tokyo's traditional "Three Kings" into an even more formidable team and gives Seirin its first direct experience against his limitless shooting range.

His rivalry with Kagami becomes particularly important because Kagami's extraordinary jumping ability provides one of the few direct counters to Midorima's release point. Their encounters force both players to adapt rather than relying exclusively on their signature strengths.

Shuutoku later faces Rakuzan in the Winter Cup semifinals. Seijuurou Akashi's Emperor Eye creates an especially severe problem for Midorima, but the pressure also produces one of his clearest demonstrations of personal growth: he entrusts Takao with the timing of his shot. Shuutoku ultimately loses, and Midorima and Takao openly acknowledge the frustration of defeat together.

Kazunari Takao is Midorima's point guard, closest Shuutoku partner and frequent source of irritation. Takao calls him "Shin-chan" despite his objections and initially wants Midorima to acknowledge him as a worthy partner. Their eventual Sky Direct Three Point Shot demonstrates the complete trust that develops between them.

Tetsuya Kuroko was Midorima's teammate at Teikou. Midorima respects Kuroko's unusual abilities even while criticizing some of his decisions and ideals.

Taiga Kagami becomes one of Midorima's most significant opponents because his jumping power can challenge shots that most defenders cannot reach.

Seijuurou Akashi was Midorima's captain at Teikou. Their Winter Cup confrontation places Midorima's precision against Akashi's Emperor Eye and forces Midorima to rely more completely on Takao.

Daiki Aomine, Ryouta Kise and Atsushi Murasakibara are Midorima's fellow Generation of Miracles members and former Teikou teammates.