Yuji Ookusu

Ookusu is energetic, mischievous and loyal. Like the other members of Sakuragi's Gang, he knows exactly how to provoke Sakuragi and happily joins in when his friend's romantic failures or basketball mistakes provide an opportunity for ridicule.

The joking does not diminish his loyalty. When situations become serious, Ookusu readily stands beside his friends. He accepts Sakuragi's growing attachment to basketball and becomes an enthusiastic Shohoku supporter rather than resenting the sport for taking up his friend's time.

He is also comfortable around violence, reflecting the group's delinquent background. Unlike Sakuragi, however, he is not driven by the same explosive temper and generally operates as part of the group rather than seeking confrontations himself.

Ookusu has experience in street fighting and can handle himself in confrontations with other delinquents. He participates alongside Yohei Mito, Nozomi Takamiya and Chuichiro Noma when the gang becomes involved in fights.

No organized athletic specialization is established for him. His role in Slam Dunk is deliberately separate from competitive basketball, allowing him to remain part of Sakuragi's pre-basketball social circle.

His most practical contribution to the team is as a supporter. The gang attends games, reacts loudly from the stands and even helps Sakuragi during his intensive shooting practice before the national tournament.

Ookusu appears from the beginning as one of the friends who witness Sakuragi's string of romantic rejections. He knows Sakuragi before Haruko Akagi introduces him to basketball, making the gang a reference point for how dramatically Sakuragi changes.

He becomes involved when Hisashi Mitsui's delinquent associates attack Shohoku's basketball club. Ookusu and the other members of Sakuragi's Gang help during the confrontation and subsequently remain committed supporters of the team.

As Shohoku advances through the Kanagawa tournament, Ookusu is frequently among the spectators providing comic commentary and cheering for Sakuragi. Later, he helps during Sakuragi's intensive jump-shot training, participating in the enormous task of feeding him balls as he attempts 20,000 practice shots.

Hanamichi Sakuragi is Ookusu's longtime friend from Wakou Junior High and the central figure of their group. Ookusu relentlessly teases him but also supports his development as a basketball player.

Yohei Mito, Nozomi Takamiya and Chuichiro Noma are Ookusu's fellow members of Sakuragi's Gang and his regular companions both at school and during Shohoku's games.

Haruko Akagi becomes familiar to Ookusu through her friendship with Sakuragi and her importance to his initial interest in basketball.

Hisashi Mitsui encounters Ookusu through the violent gymnasium incident that draws Sakuragi's friends into protecting the basketball club.