
Playing sports brings out a different side of us. This is especially so in sports that require cooperation within a team in order to go up against an opposing rival. It’s easy to put on a front at normal times when you’re composed and in your comfort zone, but it’s a battlefield out on the courts. That’s probably why some people say that you can tell a person’s personality by the way he/she plays on a team.
Here’s a personality analysis derived from the play styles of the characters from a certain popular basketball manga and anime series. Which type of athlete are you? Read on to find out!
Hong Kong-based illustrator and basketball fan Eiji created this personality analysis chart based on his observations of the characters from the all-time basketball themed hit series, Slam Dunk. In other words, this is based on a work of fiction and has no concrete scientific basis, but if you’re on a team or if you’re a fan of Slam Dunk, there’s no harm having a little fun making some references!
1. Reformer
Perfectionist, reformist
“Our goal is not to just be among the top 8 teams, we will reign the Nationals!”
Being the perfectionist, he has high standards for himself as well as others, and he praises sparingly.
Representatives: Akagi, Jin, Nobe
2. Helper
Fraternity type, helper
“One-on-one is just one of the ways of attacking.”
He’s always there to help, and is usually generous. He’s sensitive towards the needs of others and is not very conscious of himself.
Representatives: Sendoh, Miyagi, Hanagata
3. Achiever
Doer, achiever
“You’re never going to beat me in a one-on-one.”
He has an insatiable desire for victory, loves challenges, and dedicates his heart and soul to achieve his goal.
Representatives: Sawakita, Rukawa
4. Individualist
Self-centric, romanticist
“Coach Anzai, I want to play basketball~!”
Led by his emotions, he is sentimental and doesn’t think much of responsibility, but has incredible intuition and creativity in an optimal state.
Representatives: Mitsui, Fukuda, Minami
5. Investigator
Thinker, observer
“Don’t you even think of taking the top seat in my absence!”
He is exceptionally calm and tends to distance himself from others, observing on the sidelines before stepping into the scene.
Representatives: Fujima, Fukatsu, Hikoichi Aida
6. Loyalist
Loyalist, cautious type
“It doesn’t matter if I’m not the star of the team.”
He is hardworking and conscientious, responsible and serious, but tends to falter from anxiety and fear in times of crisis, becoming hesitant.
Representatives: Uozumi, Hasegawa, Matsumoto
7. Enthusiast
Hedonic, dynamic
“Because I’m a genius!”
He is positive and optimistic, brimming with energy, has many talents, and is often in a state of excitement. He detests being bound and controlled.
Representatives: Sakuragi, Kiyota, Kishimoto
8. Challenger
Authoritative, challenger
“There are no weaklings in team Kainan!”
As a natural leader, he is decisive and isn’t bothered by trivial matters. He craves for victory and dominance, and enjoys taking the lead.
Representatives: Maki, Masashi Kawata, Koshino
9. Peacemaker
Harmonious, peacemaker
“Do you need my help?”
Understanding and peace-loving, he dislikes conflicts within the team and is always trying to build harmonious, solid relationships.
Representatives: Kogure, Mikio Kawata, Uekusa
Team sports are fun because players of different personalities spark endless possibilities when their varying play styles come together as one. Which type of player are you?
Source/Image: 籃圖 Basketball Illustration on Facebook

Legendary basketball anime Slam Dunk is getting a brand-new movie
Slam Dunk fans rejoice after spotting a real-life Anzai-sensei on American TV
Taiwanese sports channel airs anime Slam Dunk in place of cancelled NBA games
An anime pilgrimage even non-anime fans will love: Visiting the Slam Dunk movie shrine【Photos】
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Did you know your rice cooker is also a ramen rice cooker?【SoraKitchen】
Ichiran Ramen opens new premium branch in Ginza with high-class boxed noodles
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Skip Tsukiji sushi?!? This seafood-stock ramen restaurant is a great reason to do just that
End of the line for Japan’s absolute favorite waitress uniform and one of its favorite pie places
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply