Ayako

Strict yet reliable female manager

Second-year manager of the Shohoku High School basketball team and Miyagi's classmate. A straightforward and dependable person who speaks her mind without hesitation, even to Sakuragi Hanamichi. Skilled in calligraphy, she supports the team by writing and posting motivational goals in the gymnasium.

Quotes

  • Do you like basketball?
  • Sakuragi-kun, you should do it more like this!
  • Don't slack off, go all the way to the end!
  • Don't worry because I'm here.

Trivia

  • Ayako is Miyagi Ryota's classmate, and he calls her 'Aya-chan'.
  • The scenes where she hits Sakuragi Hanamichi with a harisen are beloved by fans.
  • She's skilled in calligraphy and writes and posts goals in the gymnasium.
  • In the fourth movie, there's a scene where she hits Sakuragi and Miyagi with a harisen.
  • The series depicts her having an interest in sumo.

Alternate names

Aya-chan Ayako

Tags

Shohoku High School Basketball Manager High School Student Sports Helper Hot-blooded

Find Ayako goods

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
Black straight hair, usually seen in her school uniform. Gentle yet courageous, a caring and dependable friend to her teammates.
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Excellent calligraphy
  • Confident demeanor
Iconic items
  • Harisen
  • Calligraphy tools
  • Manager bag

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Gutsy
Detailed personality
Speaks bluntly with unwavering courage. Strictly instructs Sakuragi without hesitation and takes good care of her teammates. Broad-minded with no prejudice against delinquents. Aware of Miyagi's affection, she interacts with him calmly and gently.
Keywords
  • Gutsy
  • Dependable
  • Strong sense of justice
  • Attentive
  • Competitive
Talents
  • Calligraphy master
  • Strength as a mental pillar
  • Interpersonal mediation skills
Skills
  • Basic basketball instruction
  • Team management
  • Calm judgment
Motivation
To support the team's victories and the growth of her teammates.
Habits
Harisen tsukkomi is her trademark.
Favorite foods
Yaki udon, Japanese food
Hobbies
Calligraphy, Sumo watching
Favorite colors
Red, White

History

Backstory
Drawing on her experience as a manager at Tomigaoka Middle School, she became the manager of Shohoku High School's basketball team. Miyagi Ryota's classmate, she supports the players' mental state with her gutsy personality. Teaches Sakuragi Hanamichi the basics of basketball and plays a key role in his growth by sometimes being strict with him.
Debut date
circa 1990
Work title
SLAM DUNK
Media type
Manga

Bridging Sakuragi Hanamichi and Haruko

Significant event
Bridging Sakuragi Hanamichi and Haruko
Description
As a manager, she influenced Sakuragi's entry into the basketball club by supporting Haruko's presence, which served as the trigger.

Manager appointment

Significant event
Manager appointment
Description
Officially began activities as the manager of Shohoku High School's basketball team starting from her second year.

Mental pillar for the team members

Significant event
Mental pillar for the team members
Description
Focused on caring for the players' worries and anxieties, strengthening the team's unity.

Relationships

Miyagi Ryota

Classmate

Classmates; Miyagi calls her 'Aya-chan' and admires her, but she doesn't pay much attention though she shows care at key moments.

Sakuragi Hanamichi

Mentor

Instills basketball basics into Sakuragi, sometimes instructing with a harisen—a strict yet reliable presence.

Akagi Haruko

Colleague

Fellow basketball team manager supporting the team together.

Shohoku High School Basketball Team

Shohoku High School Basketball Team: mascot

Media appearances

SLAM DUNK

Manga / Protagonist

1990s

SLAM DUNK TV Anime

Anime / Supporting

1993-1996 TV series

THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

Movie / Supporting

2022 theatrical release

Voice cast and creators

Eriko Hara

Voice actor
Eriko Hara
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime Edition

Asami Seto

Voice actor
Asami Seto
Language
Japanese
Version or series
THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

Takehiko Inoue

Creator name
Takehiko Inoue
Role
Original author

Related goods

Ayako figure

Item name
Ayako figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Harisen-shaped pen

Item name
Harisen-shaped pen
Category
Stationery
Availability
Limited

Find Ayako goods