Taketora Yamamoto, Nekoma High School's second-year ace wing spiker (#4), possesses a distinctive look: a mohawk hairstyle (often blond in high school, reverting to dark post-graduation), cat-like eyes, thick eyebrows, and a lean, muscular frame standing 176.7 cm tall and weighing 69.1 kg. His court presence is intensely athletic.
Loud, hotheaded, and easily provoked, Yamamoto acts impulsively yet takes immense pride in his ace role, acknowledging his limitations in raw power compared to other top aces. Despite this fierce exterior, he is notoriously timid around women, becoming flustered easily, particularly around Karasuno's manager Kiyoko Shimizu. He bonded quickly with Karasuno's Ryuunosuke Tanaka over their shared admiration for Kiyoko and similar fiery temperaments. Academically indifferent, he recognizes complex vocabulary but struggles with spelling. He respects upperclassmen but readily teases peers and underclassmen.
Yamamoto joined Nekoma driven by a longstanding interest since middle school. Early in his first year, he clashed fiercely with setter Kenma Kozume due to opposing attitudes, frustrated by Kenma's skill despite a seemingly lazy demeanor; their conflict escalated to a physical fight stopped by teammate Fukunaga. Yamamoto later recognized Kenma's competitive spirit and game sense, fostering mutual respect; he invited Kenma to call him "Tora" as a sign of friendship. This bond deepened, with Yamamoto frequently encouraging Kenma during matches.
Specializing in powerful cross-court spikes (jump reach: 322 cm), Yamamoto developed a balanced offensive and defensive skillset aligning with Nekoma's "defense-first" philosophy, asserting that "if you can’t defend, you can’t be called an ace." Statistically, he excels in strength (5/5) and stamina (4/5) but scores lower in intelligence (1/5) and speed (2/5). During high-stakes matches, like against Nohebi Academy in the Spring High preliminaries, he initially faltered under targeted psychological tactics but regained composure after teammate Morisuke Yaku's injury. His resilience in critical moments, including scoring from awkward angles, helped secure Nekoma's advancement.
In the LAND VS. AIR OVA, participating in Tokyo's Spring High National Tournament qualifiers, Yamamoto reacted immediately to Nohebi captain Suguru Daishō's taunts about Nekoma's defense, showcasing his short temper and loyalty. When his sister Akane led Nekoma's cheer section, he displayed embarrassed gratitude. During the semifinal against Fukurōdani, he contributed receives and spikes, though the match highlighted Lev Haiba's errors more prominently. His interactions emphasized his team-oriented mindset and emotional investment.
Yamamoto's development focused on maturity and mental fortitude. Early on, he struggled with volatility under pressure, evident when Nohebi targeted him. Over time, he learned to channel his intensity constructively, calming himself during crises to support the team. His bond with Kenma evolved from hostility to profound trust, influencing Kenma's engagement. Post-timeskip, he became a professional outside hitter for VC Kanagawa in Japan's V.League Division 1.
His family includes a younger sister, Akane Yamamoto, who actively cheers for Nekoma, leading chants during tournaments, causing him both pride and embarrassment, revealing a softer familial side contrasting his on-court fierceness.