Takuro Oikawa

Oikawa is a composed and competitive pitcher whose characterization is concentrated on baseball. He takes the mound for a nationally ambitious program and is expected to handle the pressure associated with Ryuou's most important games.

He is not presented with the flamboyant personality of some of the series' rival players. His presence is defined more by the difficulty of facing him and by his role within Ryuou's deep roster.

Oikawa is an accomplished right-handed pitcher capable of working against strong high-school lineups. His command and overall effectiveness make him an important part of Ryuou's pitching staff.

Unlike pitchers who depend almost entirely on raw velocity, Oikawa is dangerous because he can work through a lineup while backed by one of the region's strongest teams. His pitching helps make Ryuou a difficult opponent even before its powerful offense is considered.

Oikawa appears as part of Ryuou Academy, the powerhouse program that becomes Seishuu's most important obstacle in the regional tournament. Ryuou's roster includes multiple high-level players and carries expectations of reaching Koshien.

Oikawa takes a major role on the mound in the decisive prefectural final between Ryuou and Seishuu. The game develops into an extended battle in which neither side can easily break the opposing pitcher.

Seishuu ultimately wins the extra-inning final, ending Ryuou's Koshien bid and giving Kou's team the regional championship.

Kou Kitamura is Oikawa's opposing ace during the decisive Seishuu–Ryuou confrontation. Their pitching performances keep the championship game close deep into extra innings.

Keitarou Mishima is one of Ryuou's strongest hitters and provides Oikawa with elite offensive support.

Tadashi Shimano is another major hitter in the Ryuou lineup that plays behind Oikawa.