"Hanebado!" is a badminton-themed anime series that began airing in July 2018. Based on the manga of the same name by Kosuke Hamada, this youthful badminton story centers around the Kitakomachi High School badminton club, which is aiming to compete in the Inter-High School Championships. It depicts the fierce battles and friendships of high school students. Today, we'll be introducing Kentaro Tachibana, the coach of the Kitakomachi High School badminton club, to which the main characters belong.
Does he tend to look suspicious?
Source: Hanebado © Kosuke Hamada, Kodansha / "Hanebado!" Production Committee
In the anime, Tachibana Kentaro is depicted just before becoming the coach of the Kitakomachi High School badminton club. Wearing sunglasses and gazing out at the tennis court, he looks nothing like a suspicious character. Before our protagonist, Ayano Uesaki, joined the badminton club, she tried out for the tennis club with her childhood friend, Elena Fujisawa. When a ball was thrown at Elena, Ayano used her natural athletic ability to protect her. Seeing this, Kentaro recognized Ayano's talent, and when he first met her, he persistently stroked her hand, making him seem suspicious. However, he's actually a very serious coach.
Does he have drive? His passion for badminton is incredible!
Source: Hanebado © Kosuke Hamada, Kodansha / "Hanebado!" Production Committee
Though often described as a suspicious character or a pervert, Tachibana Kentaro has a strong passion for badminton, having previously won the men's singles at the Inter-High School Championships. He had hoped to compete in the Olympics, but a knee injury forced him to give up on that goal. As a result, he becomes the coach of the Kitakomachi High School badminton club, entrusting his dream to the club's captain, Nagisa Aragaki, and the story's protagonist, Ayano Hanesaki.
Stoic coaching?
Source: Hanebado © Kosuke Hamada, Kodansha / "Hanebado!" Production Committee
In the manga version of "Hanebado!", after Kentaro Tachibana became coach of the Kitakomachi High School badminton club, practice became so intense that eight members quit. As a result, six members remained: captain Nagisa Aragaki, vice-captain Riko Izumi, and Manabu Isehara from the third year, and Yu Ebina, Sora Isehara, and Yukiteru Hayama from the second year. It was at this time that the protagonists of this work, first-year students Ayano Uesaki and Erena Fujisawa, joined the club. Their enthusiastic coaching to strengthen the club is a classic scene in youth sports stories, and I think Kentaro Tachibana is a classic character.
His trademarks are his tall stature and blonde hair!
Source: Hanebado © Kosuke Hamada, Kodansha / "Hanebado!" Production Committee
Tachibana Kentaro's height and hairstyle are particularly striking. He's 181 cm tall and has dyed blonde hair. Is his blonde hair supposedly a reflection of his desire to win a gold medal? Kentaro is also a third-year student at Azamino University of Physical Education.
Surprisingly popular...?
Source: Hanebado © Kosuke Hamada, Kodansha / "Hanebado!" Production Committee
Kaoruko Serigaya, a student at Konan High School, has a crush on Tachibana Kentaro, calling him "Mr. Tachibana Kentaro" and describing him as a wonderful man. The manga also features a scene in which Nagisa Aragaki confesses her feelings to Kentaro. Kentaro is often described as a suspicious person and a pervert, but he has good looks and is actually quite popular with girls...?
Everyone's Coach! Kentaro Tachibana Summary
Source: Hanebado © Kosuke Hamada, Kodansha / "Hanebado!" Production Committee
What did you think? This time, we introduced Kentaro Tachibana, the coach of the Kitakomachi High School badminton club, to which the main characters belong. He's a character essential for youth sports stories, and he's also a popular character thanks to his popularity among girls. We look forward to seeing more of Kentaro Tachibana's work in the future. Thank you for reading to the end.
