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Momoharu Hanazono

Momoharu Hanazono (花園 百春, Hanazono Momoharu) is a second-year student at Kuzuryū High School and serves as the captain of the boys’ basketball team in the anime and manga series Ahiru no Sora. He primarily plays as a center, though he is also capable of filling the role of power forward when required. Momoharu is the younger fraternal twin brother of Chiaki Hanazono, who also plays for Kuzuryū High.

Alone, you say? They are my precious pals. Compared to that, my pride is worth nothing
– Momoharu Hanazono

Personality

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Momoharu Hanazono’s appearance wearing his Kuzuryū High basketball jersey

Momoharu Hanazono is portrayed as having a strong-willed and sometimes overbearing personality, with traits that suggest a mild superiority complex. His confidence and stubbornness, combined with moments of insecurity about his own basketball abilities, make him a complex leader. His fraternal twin brother, Chiaki, often advises others to avoid confronting him directly due to his headstrong nature.

Although initially distant from basketball, Momoharu’s passion for the sport is reignited through Sora Kurumatani’s persistence and enthusiasm. Once committed, he takes both the game and his role as captain seriously. In a five-on-one practice match against Sora, he was the only player who avoided foul play, underscoring his respect for fair competition and his disciplined approach to the game.

As captain of Kuzuryū High, Momoharu accepts the responsibilities of leadership, willingly facing consequences on behalf of his teammates and guiding the team with a sense of accountability. His mix of pride, discipline, and rekindled dedication defines his role both on and off the court.

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Appearance

Momoharu Hanazono stands at approximately 187 cm (6 ft 1 in), making him one of the taller members of Kuzuryū High’s basketball team. At the beginning of the series, he is depicted with a blond pompadour hairstyle, which he later trims short after the Inter-High District Qualifiers as an act of atonement for his role in causing a fire at the team’s clubhouse.

Although he has poor eyesight and owns glasses, he rarely wears them. On the court, Momoharu plays with the jersey number 4 and typically wears ASICS Gel Double II sneakers.

Biography

From a young age, Momoharu Hanazono developed a strong passion for basketball. Alongside his twin brother Chiaki, he frequently stayed after school to practice. Despite his dedication, Momoharu struggled with depth perception and poor shooting accuracy, which limited his opportunities to participate in official games during junior high. His coach’s repeated criticism of his shooting ability further discouraged him, ultimately leading him to abandon basketball.

By his second year at Kuzuryū High, Momoharu had largely distanced himself from the sport. However, his encounter with Sora Kurumatani reignited his interest. Inspired by Sora’s unwavering enthusiasm and determination, Momoharu rediscovered his love for basketball and decided to return to the court, taking on the responsibility of leading the Kuzuryū High boys’ basketball team as captain.

Skills

Momoharu Hanazono serves as a central figure in both offense and defense for Kuzuryū High, with the team relying heavily on his rebounding and shot-blocking ability. His exceptional jumping power allows him to compete effectively against taller opponents, including players such as Shinichi Chiba of Maru High.

Although primarily positioned as a center, Momoharu is also capable of playing power forward, a role he typically assumes when Kaname Shigeyoshi is on the court. Despite his strengths in defense and interior play, Momoharu struggles with shooting and layups, weaknesses that limited his performance in earlier years. However, his height and leaping ability enable him to execute dunks, adding an offensive edge to his skill set.

Etymology

The given name Momoharu (百春) is composed of the characters momo (百), meaning “hundred,” and haru (春), meaning “spring.” His surname, Hanazono (花園), combines hana (花), meaning “flower” or “blossom,” and zono/sono (園), meaning “garden,” “park,” or “plantation.” Together, his full name can be interpreted as “garden of a hundred springs in bloom.”

Trivia

    • The Hanazono twins’ playing styles contrast with one another: Chiaki specializes in offense, while Momoharu excels in defense.
    • Momoharu’s character design is believed to be inspired by Hanamichi Sakuragi from Slam Dunk. Both share similarities in hairstyle, skills, and specialization on the court.
    • Like Sakuragi, Momoharu is particularly known for his rebounding ability, aided by his exceptional jumping power.