Kotaro Hitaki is a middle-aged coach at the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp, distinguished by his short hair, glasses, and preference for tracksuits during sessions. Tasked with evaluating talent for national tournaments, he collaborates with staff such as Coach Fuki to monitor players’ progress, offering focused guidance to individuals like Tobio Kageyama while maintaining a primarily observational role rather than directing on-court tactics. A pivotal moment reveals his introspective side: he privately challenges conventional notions of prodigy status, suggesting a nuanced philosophy toward talent assessment that subtly shapes his coaching priorities. Though his specific methodologies remain undefined, this reflective mindset underscores his commitment to fostering potential. His narrative presence is strictly anchored to the Tokyo Nationals Arc, with no exploration of his personal history, prior career, or extended storylines in supplementary media. His contributions begin and end within the structured environment of the training camp.