| Takenori Akagi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Name | |
| Characteristics | |
| Gender |  Male
|
| Birthday | May 10 |
| Height | 197 cm (6'5½") |
| Weight | 90 kg (198 lb.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Professional Status | |
| Occupation | Basketball player |
| Team | 
|
| Year | 3rd year |
| Position | Center |
| Jersey Number | #4 |
| Personal Status | |
| First Appearance | |
| Anime Debut | Episode 2 |
| Voices | |
| Japanese Voice | Kiyoyuki Yanada |
| English Voice | Jun Legaspi (TV5 Dub) Montreal Repuyan (GMA Dub) |
| [v · t · e] | |
Takenori Akagi (赤木 剛憲 Akagi Takenori) is the captain of the Shohoku basketball team and Haruko's older brother. Despite not thinking too much of Sakuragi at first (who addresses him as "Gori" for gorilla due to his immense physical presence), he actually realizes Sakuragi's potential as a basketball player. Serious and disciplined, Akagi's dream is to lead Shohoku to the National Championship. His determination is shown in the match against Kainan, where he played on despite a serious injury to his ankle. Akagi considers Jun Uozumi of Ryonan to be his rival, though their rivalry is not antagonistic; indeed, there is respect that borders on friendship.
Appearance
Personality
Akagi is a strict and a responsible team captain of the Shohoku Basketball team. He implements discipline towards his players especially Sakuragi. As described by Yasuda. he is very serious with the respect of the older years. He appreciates dedicated person and likes cleanliness. He is also a studious person and can have enough time with basketball and academics.
Despite being strict, he keeps reminding Sakuragi his purpose in the court which is rebounding and as a major support for the team. Above anything else, is his great determination to win, which was shown when he refused to sit down because of his ankle injury against Kainan and continued to play despite hurting. He never gave up on his dream of bringing Shohoku to the National Championship.
Plot
Akagi, along with Kogure and Aota, went to Kitamura Junior High. When he joined Shohoku High's basketball team, he was considered exceptionally tall for a freshman, at 193 cm. Akagi always had a reputation of playing as a one-man team prior to the timeline of the series, because his teammates were too unskilled to complement his abilities.
Shintai University offered Akagi a basketball scholarship prior to the Inter Highs, which they withdrew after Shohoku lost to Aiwa.
Abilities
Regarded as the #1 center in the Kanagawa prefecture, Akagi plays as a fairly typical center, using his height and power to score close to the basket. The best known is his "Gorilla Dunk" which came from his nickname, "Gori", given by Sakuragi.
He is reputed for being a virtually unbeatable defender under the basket along with his "fly-swatter" block. He is also a strong rebounder and Sakuragi learned under his tutelage. Many players noted that there is no other center like Akagi, a center who usually being the heart of the team and playing at a different level despite being in high school.
His performance as center during the Kanagawa Tournament drew the attention of the prestigious Shintai Basketball team, whose coach and ace visited Akagi at his house in order to recruit him.
Rivals
Jun Uozumi
They are each others' nemesis, though it's clear that Akagi is the better center. Their Rivalry is not antagonistic as they also respect each other. Uozumi is the one who woke his spirit up after being outplayed by Masashi Kawata of Sannoh.
Toru Hanagata
Hanagata considered him as the strongest opponent he had faced so far. Akagi also got a hard time defending because he is a technical center that can shoot from other areas and is also a strong rebounder.
Masashi Kawata
Akagi found his match in Masashi as he was outplayed and proved that he is Japan's #1 center indeed. However, with Uozumi's wake up call, he accepted his loss as a Center but not Shohoku losing, which enabled him to fight back and bring life to his team once again.
Trivia
- Akagi's counterpart is most definitely Partick Ewing because they have the same physical appearances and they have same position in the court.
- Akagi has a poster of Micheal Jordan during a lay up, in his room