TV-Series
Description
Kaku Yabuuchi, occasionally identified as Madoka Yabuchi, attends Kuzuryū High as a second-year student and competes as the small forward on the girls' basketball team. Her athletic, slim physique features shoulder-length black hair and dark eyes, earning her the team's "Gem" moniker. She wears jersey number 8 and Mizuno Wave Hope sneakers during games.
Kaku displays a kind, respectful demeanor toward peers and elders while approaching basketball with intense passion. She initially warns Sora Kurumatani about the delinquent-dominated boys' team. Upon discovering Sora's relation to her idol—former player Yuka Kurumatani—she forms an immediate bond with him.
Residing in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Kaku's elder sister Sumi works as a nurse at Kanagawa National Hospital. Sumi's care for Yuka during her hospitalization allows Kaku frequent visits, deepening their connection. Yuka's death plunges Kaku into depression, straining her family and social relationships.
Romantically, Kaku faces unreciprocated feelings for boys' team captain Momoharu Hanazono. After his rejection, she briefly dates Tsukasa from Tamagawa Gaukin but prioritizes her basketball career, ending the relationship.
As team ace, Kaku exhibits strong fundamentals. Her skills flourish under coach Tomohisa Kurumatani (Yuka’s husband), refining her ball-handling, jump shots, rebounding, and screens. This growth propels the team in tournaments like the Kanto Tournament and Inter-High Preliminaries. Her skill ratings are: physical ability 6/10, technique 7/10, stamina 8/10, mental strength 8/10, special ability 7/10.
Her quotes highlight her supportive insight: encouraging Sora with "I’ll place some hope on you. Do your best, newbie team member!"; observing his practice ("1021 baskets... Ah, make that 1022. In total... He missed only four times."); and advocating for him to Momoharu: "He believes it’s in you!"
Kaku displays a kind, respectful demeanor toward peers and elders while approaching basketball with intense passion. She initially warns Sora Kurumatani about the delinquent-dominated boys' team. Upon discovering Sora's relation to her idol—former player Yuka Kurumatani—she forms an immediate bond with him.
Residing in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Kaku's elder sister Sumi works as a nurse at Kanagawa National Hospital. Sumi's care for Yuka during her hospitalization allows Kaku frequent visits, deepening their connection. Yuka's death plunges Kaku into depression, straining her family and social relationships.
Romantically, Kaku faces unreciprocated feelings for boys' team captain Momoharu Hanazono. After his rejection, she briefly dates Tsukasa from Tamagawa Gaukin but prioritizes her basketball career, ending the relationship.
As team ace, Kaku exhibits strong fundamentals. Her skills flourish under coach Tomohisa Kurumatani (Yuka’s husband), refining her ball-handling, jump shots, rebounding, and screens. This growth propels the team in tournaments like the Kanto Tournament and Inter-High Preliminaries. Her skill ratings are: physical ability 6/10, technique 7/10, stamina 8/10, mental strength 8/10, special ability 7/10.
Her quotes highlight her supportive insight: encouraging Sora with "I’ll place some hope on you. Do your best, newbie team member!"; observing his practice ("1021 baskets... Ah, make that 1022. In total... He missed only four times."); and advocating for him to Momoharu: "He believes it’s in you!"