| “ | I'm like a Hero, famous. It's true I am not lying. But it wasn't really me that made the team strong, it was THEM | ” |
—Akihito Ninomiya, to Sora Kurumatani and Kaname Shigeyoshi | ||
Akihito Ninomiya (二宮 昭仁, Ninomiya Akihito) is a first year point guard who plays for Kikugawa High. Everyone on the team calls him Nino.
Appearance
Nino is short in height standing about 160 cm. He has blond hair with dark brown eyes. Both his ears have multiple piercings. His jersey number is 12.
Biography
Nino is from a small town Kaisei in Kanagawa Prefecture. He is an ‘itinerant’, throughout his adolescence he has been transferred to numerous institutions in Japan and Kikugawa High is his 15th school. He was first introduced in the ‘Monster Bash arc’ people at the nearby court which included Sora, Shigeyoshi and Kenji were captivated by his street basketball skills. When Nino saw them, he invited Sora and others to join the game.
Although being a great basketball player, Nino believes club activities are not for him and doubts that he will even stay at Kikugawa High for a year. Nino thinks the reason he got popular and gained attention in his middle school years was due to his height. In Kanto region there are not many point guards who are 150 cm tall. Which ever team he has transferred to were already strong, he just offered his support as a team member to them. Okita Ryuji his colleague at Kikugawa High, believes that it is Nino’s innate ability as a basketball player that earned him a recognition amongst his peers. Ryuji believes that Nino is the one who can help the team to qualify for the upcoming Inter-High tournament. Nino told him that as of now he hasn’t made up his mind and will think about it later on. Upon hearing that, Sora told him that he can understand his point of view, as they both are players of similar heights. He shouldn’t undermine himself and consider joining his school basketball team because Kuzuryu High goal is to also qualify for upcoming the Inter-High tournament. Seeing Sora’s determination and passion for the sport changed his perception. After the street ball match Nino texted Sora and informed him that he has officially joined Kikugawa High and will participate in the upcoming Monster Bash Tournament.
Monster Bash Tournament arc
At the beginning of the tournament, Nino is accompanied by his teammates. Before entering the gymnasium, his team meets Sora and others at Kuzuryu High. Nino’s team is amazed that Kuzu-High is a club of only 8 team members. He sees Sora greeting Tokiwa and asks Kurumatani if that person is his friend. Nino tells him that Tokiwa is a player of great skill. Upon hearing that Chiaki gets jealous and asks Nino, “What about me? “How much power does your scouter say I have? Am I above Tokiwa or below him? Nino gets scared of him and says you are above his skill level. Few minutes later Nao meets him and introduces herself to Kikugawa High. Nino falls in love with her but doesn’t say a word to Nao. She then leaves with the rest of the Kuzu-High squad. Nino tells Kaji that it is love at first sight. Ryuji gets angry at him and says he should focus on the tournament.
Nino’s team is one of the first clubs to compete in the first round matches at the tournament. Not much of the game was shown, however Kikugawa High won their match with flying colors. Nino scored most of the points and had 16 assists. After the game everyone in the gymnasium were recognizing his skills. Upon exiting the basketball court Nino gave Sora a thumps up in hopes of competing against his team in the quarterfinals.
Nino with the rest of his teammates watches the match between Kuzuryu High and Team Gorillaz from the stands. He is amazed by the performance of the two point guards Sora and Igarashi, while watching the match Nino provides his point of view to his teammates. When Kuzu-High wins, he becomes excited and looks forward to meeting Sora in the quarterfinals.
In the second round Kikugawa High goes up against Team Grobdas. In the middle of the match Ryuji gets into foul trouble and Nino tells him not be afraid in getting some fouls and he should be aggressive. Team Grobdas has the lead of 12 points. During halftime Nao shouts and provide words of encouragement to Nino’s team. He approaches Nao and informs her that he has fallen in love with her and asks if his team wins this match will she go on a date with him. Nanao agrees which makes Chiaki extremely jealous and shocked. At the beginning of the third quarter Nino gets serious and starts showing his true skills as an efficient point guard. He does a jump fake making his opponent confused and scores the point. He also does an offensive rebound and sends a pass to Ryuji which he scores. Kikugawa High is now down by 8 points. One of the players of Team Grobdas tells his teammates to slow down. Nino steals the ball from them and scores the point. They are now down by 6 points. However, Team Grobdas scores a three taking their lead to 35 to 26. Kaji returns the favor with three of his own and the lead is back to 6. Nino tells his teammates to continue on being offensive and Kikugawa wins the match by a score of 38 to 37. Sora congratulates Nino and tells him if Kuzuryu High wins the quarterfinals match his date with Nao will be called off. Nino says I like your idea, and nothing would excite me more and so I accept your challenge.
The quarterfinals match is between Kikugawa High and Kuzuryu High. At the start of the match Ryuji tells Nino if they win this game their school will become famous in Kawasaki. Nino tells Ryuji that he is being too loud, and he should lower his voice. Nino greets Sora and tells him not to forget the promise they made. Momoharu intercepts the jump ball and Kuzu-High is on the offence. Sora passes to Kenji who is guarded carefully by Kaji. Kenji drives pass him and score the point. Kikugawa tries to score the point but misses, Momoharu grabs the offensive rebound and passes to Sora. Nino is guarding him carefully. The match up is between the two shortest players on both teams. Sora tries to drive pass him, but Nino steals the ball and gets into foul trouble. The referee tells Nino he has an offensive foul. He notices there is a huge difference in Sora’s movements in comparison to their previous meeting in the street ball match. Nino steals the ball again from Sora and scores the point. Nino approaches Sora and tells him confidently that he will never be able to defeat him because there is a huge difference between their basketball skills. Ryuji and Kaji scores the next points for Kikugawa High. The score is 8 to 14. One of the spectators says this game is amazing and it is going beyond the high school level basketball. Kenji scores a three pointer taking Kuzuryu High lead to 17 to 11. Kikugawa High tries scoring the basket but Momoharu gets the offensive rebound. Kenji tries scoring again, Nino yells at Kaji to stop him. While scoring Kenji on the fall twists his right foot. Kaji apologizes to Tobi and tells him that he got carried away. Kenji makes the 2 free throws and exist the court. The game continues and Kaji scores the next point for Kikugawa High and also gets Yasuhara fouled for a three point play. The first half ends with a single digit difference the score is 17 to 19. The start of the second half Nino tries to score but Kuzu-High defence stops him, the ball touches the rim Ryuji gets the rebound and fouls Momoharu. He makes the 2 free throws the score is now tied 19 to 19. Mokichi joins Kuzu-High and tries his hook shot the score is 23 to 21. 4 minutes remains for the game to end. Kaji and Ryuji scores the upcoming points for their team. The tables have turned Kikugawa High leads by 2 points. Nino easily drive passes Sora and scores the point the tally is 27 to 23. Yasu tells Sora to pass him the ball. When the opportunity arrives, Yasuhara misses the shot. Kikugawa scores couple of points the lead is now 29 to 23. Sora has the ball, Nino tries to challenge him 1 on 1, he passes the ball to Yasu, the ball doesn’t go in and it is about to fall out of the rim Momoharu grabs the ball and dunks it. The crowd goes bananas. Kikugawa number 7 tries to make the free throw Momo grabs the rebound and passes to Yasu, who makes the layup. The score is 27 to 29, 1 minute left in the game a two point difference. Nino smiles, he seems to be enjoying the intensity of this match. Ryuji stares at him with concern but doesn’t say anything to him. Someone from the crowd chants Nino’s name. He looks at them and sees it is his former school colleagues who came to cheer him on all the way from Gunma. Nino smiles at them and whispers to himself “dumbasses all of them and we only knew each other for 3 months.” Seeing their support gave him strength as he tries to score a point Chiaki blocks him and Nino passes the ball to his teammate who scores. Kikugawa leads by 4 points. Chiaki tells Sora to take this opportunity and try going 1 on 1 with Nino. Sora tries to challenge him, during that time Ryuji gets into foul trouble with Momoharu. Nino tells him “You’re a Complete Nincompoop Afterall.” This is not the time to get into fouls. During that time Madoka arrives to offer some support to Kuzuryu High. Sora sees her and gets energized. He drives passes Nino and scores the point. A single digit difference the tally is 29 to 31. Kikugawa High calls a timeout. Nino tells his teammates there is no need to worry. He will not let Sora score anymore points. The game begins and Nino scores a three pointer. The gap is back to four points. Mokichi scores the next point for Kuzu-High and offers Sora some words of wisdom that we can do it. Nino passes the ball to Ryuji who tries to score but is blocked by Momoharu. Yasuhara grabs the ball, Kaji stops him. The ball fall of the rim Chiaki gets the rebound. Nino shouts to his teammates don’t let old man pass it inside foul him and we will deal with the free throws later. Chiaki passes to Sora. Nino is shocked that he let his guard down. Sora scores the three pointer and the score is finally reversed the tally is 34 to 33, Kuzuryu High is leading. 4 seconds remaining Kaji grabs the ball and slips passes everyone and goes on to score the final point. At the end of the game Ryuji approaches to Nino and tells him not to abandon Kikugawa High like the previous schools. Nino smiles at him and goes to greet his former school colleagues from Gunma. Sora approaches Nino and tries to congratulate him on his victory. Nino interjects Sora and tells him that he felt humiliated when Sora passed him effortlessly. He says my pride won’t let me accept this victory. The next time when they meet, it will be a regulated match.
Personality
Nino is a very friendly and competitive individual. Prior to meeting Sora, due to his itinerant nature he wasn’t able to form a strong rapport with his previous or incumbent colleagues at school. Meeting Sora changed his perception about teamwork as he was able to develop a strong camaraderie with him. His current focus is to take Kikugawa High to the upcoming Inter-High tournament.
Skills
Nino was a national level MVP in his middle school. He is an efficient point guard. He is good at dribbling, shooting and does a great job at facilitating scoring opportunities for his teammates. He is also good at doing jump fakes.
| Physical Ability | 8/10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | 10/10 | |
| Stamina | 9/10 | |
| Mental Strength | 10/10 | |
| Special Ability | 9/10 | |
Etymology
- The name Akihito means "" (昭) (aki) and "" (仁) (hito).
- Akihito's surname Ninomiya means "two" (二) (ni) and "temple, shrine, palace" (宮) (miya).
Quotes
- "Are ya newbies!? Don't mind don't mind... We're all friends in basketball." - to Kuzuryū High (Chapter 144)
- "You're doing some fancy moves there, Big Bro." - to Kaname Shigeyoshi (Chapter 145)
- "I really don't like that title... Don't call me 'Prince' I am just lucky, that's about it." - to Okita Ryuji (Chapter 145)
- "And yet... I got an award for being small. Just like 'Kaze no Matasa-Buro' I can't stay too long at a school. I doubt I will make a year here at Kikugawa High. That's why club activities ain't for me." - to Kaname Shigeyoshi and Sora Kurumatani (Chapter 145)
- "Who said anything about joining. I said I'd think about." - to Okita Ryuji (Chapter 145)
- “The FEZ (Monster Bash Tournament) is kind of a small deal compared to the real club stuff. But to me all games are the same. Always full power and never forget to smile!!!... So, don’t lose till we meet and have fun.” – to Sora Kurumatani (Chapter 146)
- "That guy Tokiwa just now a friend of yours?... That guy is extremely good. I just can. I've always been able to somehow assess skills." - To Sora Kurumatani (Chapter 147)
- "Hey, what's your name?... Noa-chan? You got a nice name. Say... I got a favor to ask you. If we win this game would you go out on a date with me? I really really like ya? I'll get more power if you promise me. Please... Really? It's a promise then. Yossha." - to Nao Nanao (Chapter 150)
- "That last drive of yours and that demon old man's (Chiaki) killer pass. The humiliation of getting passed so easy. I am a fragile 'Virgo' with 'Blood Type A' you know. My pride won't accept a victory like that." - to Sora Kurumatani (Chapter 154)