Tetsuya Kuroko (黒子 テツヤ, Kuroko Tetsuya) is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series Kuroko no Basuke (Kuroko’s Basketball). He was the Phantom Sixth Man of the renowned Generation of Miracles during his time at Teikō Junior High, known for his unique style of play which revolves around misdirection and exceptional passing abilities. After graduating from Teikō, Kuroko joined Seirin High, where he plays as a regular on their basketball team with the goal of leading the team, alongside his teammate Taiga Kagami, to the top of Japan’s high school basketball.

Kuroko is calm, quiet, and unassuming, often going unnoticed by both teammates and opponents alike, which is integral to his ability to specialize in misdirection on the court. He is extremely humble, polite, and rarely expresses strong emotions, but he has a strong sense of dedication to his team and his friends. Despite his calm demeanor, Kuroko is deeply passionate about basketball, especially when it comes to playing for his teammates rather than personal glory.

Kuroko holds a strong sense of justice and has a clear vision of how basketball should be played—focused on teamwork and cooperation. This philosophy puts him at odds with his former teammates in the Generation of Miracles, who relied more on individual skill and dominance than teamwork. Kuroko’s belief in team play is further strengthened when he meets Taiga Kagami, whom he recognizes as someone who shares his goal of winning through teamwork.

Although quiet and serious most of the time, Kuroko has a sense of humor and can be surprisingly blunt with his observations, often catching others off guard with his straightforward remarks.

Kuroko’s passing ability is his strongest asset. He can deliver quick, accurate passes that often catch the opposing team off guard because they fail to notice him or the ball until it’s too late. His passes are often so fast and precise that they allow his teammates to score with ease.

Kuroko uses his misdirection ability to its maximum potential, making not only himself but his teammates seem invisible to the opposing team. This creates confusion on the court, as the opponents struggle to keep track of Seirin’s players.

One of Kuroko’s signature techniques, the Ignite Pass is a powerful, fast pass that can easily be caught by his teammates but is difficult for opponents to intercept due to its speed and precision. Kuroko later develops an even stronger version of this pass, the Ignite Pass Kai, which adds more power to the ball, making it almost impossible to stop.

This is an advanced form of misdirection in which Kuroko uses his ability to disappear from his opponent’s sight while dribbling the ball. The move is so effective that it leaves defenders confused and unable to follow Kuroko’s movements.

Kuroko’s hidden shooting technique. Using his misdirection, he shoots the ball in such a way that the trajectory seems impossible to predict, making it difficult for defenders to block or intercept.

• Kuroko’s birthday is January 31st, and he is an Aquarius.
• He is known for having a sweet tooth and loves vanilla milkshakes.
• Kuroko’s name “Tetsuya” can be written with the kanji for “iron” (鉄) and “arrow” (矢), symbolizing strength and precision, while “Kuroko” literally translates to “black child,” which also refers to stagehands dressed in black in traditional Japanese theater who remain unnoticed while working behind the scenes—a fitting metaphor for Kuroko’s style of play.
• In popularity polls, Kuroko often ranks as one of the most popular characters due to his unique abilities and quiet yet determined personality.