Momoko Hoshino, later known as Momoko Shigeno, is introduced in the anime Major as a kindergarten teacher who looks after Goro Honda during his early childhood. She takes a special interest in Goro because his mother passed away and his father, professional baseball player Shigeharu Honda, is often away. Her genuine care for the boy leads her to grow close to the family, and she eventually begins dating Shigeharu, accepting his marriage proposal. Tragically, Shigeharu dies after being struck in the head by a pitch during a game, and Momoko remains his fiancée at the time of his passing. Three years later, she legally adopts Goro and raises him as a single parent, providing him with a stable and loving home despite the loss. Her maternal dedication is a driving force in Goro’s life, encouraging his dreams of becoming a baseball player. Several years afterward, she marries Hideki Shigeno, and her surname changes to Shigeno. As a character, Momoko is defined by her selflessness, emotional resilience, and unwavering support for her family. She evolves from a caring teacher into a devoted mother figure, and later into a wise grandmother figure in the sequel series Major 2nd. Her notable abilities lie not in physical feats but in her capacity to nurture, sacrifice, and hold her family together through hardship. Her relationships are central to the story: she is the emotional anchor for Goro, the beloved former fiancée of Shigeharu, and the steadfast partner of Hideki. Throughout the series, she remains a symbol of stability and unconditional love, quietly shaping the lives of those around her.