Shiraishi Kuranosuke

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Shiraishi Kuranosuke
Kanji	白石蔵ノ介
Kana	しらいしくらのすけ
Nicknames	Shitenhouji's Bible Ku-chan (from Shiraishi Yukari) Kurarin (from Konjiki Koharu)
Characteristics
Gender	Male
Age	15
Height	178 cm
Weight	66 kg
Birthday	April 14
Horoscope	Aries
Shoe Size	27.0
Eyesight (Unaided)	1.5 (both eyes)
Blood Type	B
Family	Mother Father Older Sister Shiraishi Yukari (Younger Sister) Gabriel (Pet Beetle) Pet Cat
School
Current School	Shitenhouji (3rd Year)
Class	3-2
Seat	14
Former School(s)	School
Tennis
Club Position	Captain
Dominant Arm	Left
Play Style	All-rounder
Doubles Partner(s)	Kirihara Akaya Kimijima Ikuto Oshitari Kenya (anime only) Tezuka Kunimitsu (movie only)
Shoes	Diadora Speedzone Pro
Racket(s)	Mizuno Wenew 900Ti
Media
Manga Debut	Genius 249
Anime Debut	Episode (Episode 1 of Nationals OVA)
Seiyuu	Yoshimasa Hosoya
Tenimyu Actors	Harukawa Kyousuke (1st A Cast) Sasaki Yoshihide (1st B Cast) Anzai Shintaro (2nd)

Shiraishi Kuranosuke (白石蔵ノ介, Shiraishi Kuranosuke) is a 3rd year student and captain of the tennis club at Shitenhouji Middle School. He is known for his calm disposition and his absolute mastery of the fundamentals of tennis. His signature Bible Tennis style has earned him the nickname of "Shitenhouji's Bible."

Appearance

Shiraishi has brown eyes and medium length blonde hair. In the manga, his hair varies from white to silver to ash blonde, but in the anime as well as the wig used for Tenimyu his hair is ash blonde. In Doki Doki Survival for the 3DS, his hair is light brown.

He wears a bandage over his left hand covering from his fingers up to his elbow. Under the bandage is a golden gauntlet that is used for training his arm by adding extra weight to his swings.

In official art, he is always dressed stylishly and maturely for his age. He usually is seen wearing suit jackets, cardigans, or sweaters over t-shirts.

Personality

Shiraishi is known for being the calm and collected captain of Shitenhouji who has perfected the fundamentals of tennis. He holds himself to a high standard of "Perfect Tennis," but this ideal is challenged in the World Cup matches with Greece when he begins to realize he has been ignoring developing his own style of tennis in favor of perfecting the basics. He has a hands-off leadership style preferring to let players develop in their own way and lead by example.

On court, he is able to calmly assess his opponent and easily return some special moves (such as Fuji Shuusuke's Triple Counters or Ishida Gin's Hadokyuu) after a moment to assess shot and strategy. Even when he goes to match point with Fuji's advantage, his calm exterior does not break on court. It is only on the very last shot that Shiraishi shows he may have been caught wrong-footed.

The cracks in Shiraishi's armor appear when he is set to play Zeus Iliopoulos Greece during the World Cup. His perfect tennis allows him to immediately realize he is at a disadvantage and that he needs to grow his own style. He works feverishly on improving himself until his next match against France.

He is able to keep Tooyama Kintarou in line by threatening him with his "poison hand," claiming that is what is under the bandages on his arm. Yanagi Renji takes this to mean that Shiraishi could also help manage Kirihara Akaya when Yanagi leaves the U-17 camp. Shiraishi displays in his doubles match with Kirihara that he is able to help him overcome Devil Mode and unlock a new ability Angel Mode by keeping him calm throughout the match.

Despite the fact that he seems like the "cool" type, Shiraishi is a not-so-deeply closeted nerd. He enjoys cataloging poisonous plants, he is shown to "return to basics" not just with tennis, but with comedy (and it falls flat), he keeps a pet beetle named Gabriel who he brings with him to U-17 and speaks to as though Gabriel is his whole world, and just like the rest of Shitenhouji he observes the traditions of Shitenhouji. According to his teammates Oshitari Kenya and Konjiki Koharu, his sense of humor isn't very funny.

History

Two years prior to the main story

Shiraishi joins the Shitenhouji tennis team and is given a golden gauntlet to wear on his left arm by coach Osamu Watanabe. Osamu instructs him to not remove the gauntlet until he graduates from Shitenhouji.

One year prior to the main story

After Shitenhouji wins the Kansai Regional Tournament, Hara Tetsuya passes on the title of captain to Shiraishi. Not entirely sure how to handle this new responsibility, Shiraishi instructs the players to focus on practicing fundamentals of tennis to grow the strength of the team. Shitenhouji needs additional members and Osamu tells the team that they need at least one new member in order to participate in Club activities. According to the handbook, that member has to be a first year. Zaizen Hikaru is the only first year who has not yet joined a club, so the team attempts to recruit him with comedy since laughter is the heart of Shitenhouji. Shiraishi tries a "return to basics" approach with a "big ear" joke which falls flat. Koishikawa Kenjirou is able to recruit Zaizen to attend by simply asking.

Shiraishi leads Shitenhouji to Nationals in his second year where they face Rikkai in the semi-finals. The night before the tournament, Shiraishi works with Osamu and Hara to develop the lineup for the matches, putting himself in singles 1 and Hara in singles 2 to try to avoid the inevitable match-up between Hara and Mouri Jusaburou in singles 3. Hara suggests that he put Kenya in singles 3 since Kenya's speed could be an advantage. Shitenhouji loses in straight sets so Shiraishi's skill is not shown on a National stage, leaving his abilities a mystery until his third year. Kenya takes personal responsibility for the loss, feeling that Shiraishi should be angry with him for robbing Shiraishi of the chance to play and not letting their graduating upperclassman Hara play in his final chance in Nationals.

Nationals

After defeating Makinofuji in the Kansai Regional tournament, Shitenhouji receives a bye in the first round. They defeat Okakura 5-0 in the second round advancing to quarterfinals against Fudomine. Shiraishi did not play in the quarter finals because he was in singles 1 and Shitenhouji was already up 3-0.

In semi-finals, Shitenhouji meets Seigaku. Shiraishi plays Fuji Shuusuke in singles 3. Shiraishi has no trouble returning Fuji's counters, picking apart his play style to the basics. After going up 5 straight games he taunts Fuji saying that he had expected Fuji to be on a level more like Tezuka. This sparks the fighting spirit in Fuji who unveils a variation of his original three counters as well as his new counter Gate Keeper of Hecatoncheires. Though it takes him to the tie break, Shiraishi is able to return the final counter. They are evenly matched until Fuji makes an unforced error, hitting a lob out of the court and giving Shiraishi the win.

Shitenhouji ultimately takes 3rd place in Nationals.

Under 17 Camp

When he is cleaning up at school after practice one day, Shiraishi encounters a kabuto beetle. The beetle clings to his finger and refuses to let go. Shiraishi thinks the beetle is adorable and decides to take it home.

The rest of Shitenhouji go bowling without Shiraishi and Hitouji Yuuji and Konjiki Koharu comment that it seems like Shiraishi has been leaving earlier and seems to be in a daze. They suspect he may have a girlfriend. Shiraishi, however, had been spending his time alone at home caring for the pet beetle he had named Gabriel. His younger sister Shiraishi Yukari tells him that she read in a magazine that Gabriel would not survive the winter, prompting tears to come to Shiraishi's eyes and he turns up the heat in his room in the middle of the summer.

Shiraishi along with most of the Shitenhouji regulars are invited to and choose to attend the Japan U-17 Camp. He pairs with Oshitari Kenya for the 7-point tie-break match. It is the first time they have played one another since before their loss the previous year in Nationals and they both are able to reach closure about how they handled Kenya's match in Nationals from the previous year. Shiraishi wins, remaining with the winners camp.

Before leaving the camp, Yanagi Renji approaches Shiraishi and asks for his help with developing Kirihara Akaya as a player. Yanagi explains that he feels that Shiraishi's work with Tooyama Kintarou makes him best equipped to handle Kirihara's erratic personality.

During the team shuffle matches, Shiraishi ends up on court 5 with the other middle school players. He is among the 7 players Oni Juujirou selects to play against court 3 in the challenge match. He plays doubles 2 with Kirihara Akaya against Shinobu Miyako and Chikahiko Matsudaira. Miyako and Matsudaira are able to successfully draw out Kirihara's Devil Mode despite the fact that Shiraishi attempts to intervene, calming Kirihara by speaking to him throughout the match. Kirihara lashes out, attempting to strike Miyako with his racquet and Shiraishi intervenes, allowing Kirihara's racquet to strike his left arm. This reveals that below his bandages the whole time there was a golden gauntlet. Kirihara immediately snaps back to his senses and Shiraishi removes the gauntlet.

With the gauntlet gone, Shiraishi's swing speed and power increases allowing he and Kirihara to take back the lead. Shiraishi's influence on Kirihara allows him to enter Angel Mode, a variation of Devil Mode with many of the same benefits but without the drawback of Kirihara losing control of himself. They win the match and 5th court overtakes 3rd court.

After the challenge matches versus the top ten players on Team Japan, Mifune announces Shiraishi is the third player representing the Middle School All-Japan team in the World Cup.

World Cup Versus Greece

Shiraishi is chosen for the team to play against Greece in Singles 3 against Zeus Iliopoulos. Shiraishi is dumbstruck by Zeus' aura, sensing that he is omnipotent. Shiraishi instantly realizes that his Bible Tennis style will be completely ineffective on the world stage and becomes paralyzed with fear. Tanegashima Shuuji challenges him to a game of "Look Over There" and wins, declaring that he will sub in for Shiraishi. Tanegashima comments to himself that Zeus would have run over Shiraishi due to his incredible aura and that it would not have been Shiraishi's fault.

Shiraishi realizes that he has been trying to play model tennis as a captain, but that playing by the books doesn't always work when tennis doesn't always go "by the book." He sees Tanegashima as having a play-style he wants to aim toward.

World Cup Versus France

Tanegashima and Touno Atsukyou overhear Shiraishi practicing against the wall, trying to find a new play style for himself. Shiraishi becomes so frustrated that he hits his heels with his racquet, bloodying them. They bandage his leg and Tanegashima goes over Shiraishi's stats with him to display that he has 4's in every stat. He explains that he is well balanced, but he is going to encounter problems when he comes up against an opponent like Zeus, again. Tanegashima offers to practice with him for as long as he likes to help him grow.

Shiraishi plays doubles two with Kimijima Ikuto versus Tristan Bardot and Timothé Moreau. The French pair pose when they enter the court. Kimijima does the same. Shiraishi enters the court without rising to the occasion and is booed by the crowd. The French pair take an early lead, and Shiraishi is not able to score any points. It is revealed through a flashback that Tanegashima had negotiated with Kimijima to buy Shiraishi time during the match.

Shiraishi returns for the second set with a clear mind revealing that he can hit what appears to be Hadoukyuu from the baseline and finally winning a point with a chance ball overhead smash due to the opportunity created by his Hadoukyuu.

Anime only arcs

One Year Prior to the Main Story

Zaizen plays with Koishikawa in doubles against Shiraishi and Oshitari Kenya. Zaizen easily dominates in the match despite claiming he has only played tennis a few times. He calls Shiraishi's style "Textbook Tennis" saying that he can read every shot and that Oshitari's speed tennis doesn't mean anything if he has no control over his accuracy. This wakes Shiraishi up to the idea that Shitenhouji sounds best in "dissonance" and that every player must develop his unique strengths in addition to their strong foundation. Shiraishi ends the match by hitting the Entaku shot, surprising Zaizen. He says his classic tagline for the first time, "Ah~ Ecstacy~" which send the whole team (including Zaizen) into a fit of laughter.

In the Western Japan tournament, Shitenhouji meets Shishigaku from Kyushu. Shiraishi and Oshitari Kenya pair up in doubles against the Wings of Kyushu: Chitose Senri and Tachibana Kippei. Though they are a famed doubles pair, the Wings struggle against Shiraishi and Oshitari due to Chitose's recent injury that left him blind in his right eye and opened a gaping blind spot on his forehand side. Shiraishi loses his temper with the pair, declaring that they are not playing to his lofty expectations. The drive to improve awakens Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami in Chitose. When Chitose leaves Shishigaku in the middle of his first year, he chooses to transfer to Shitenhouji.

Playstyle

Having mastered the fundamentals, Shiraishi plays a no-waste style of "perfect tennis", sealing the opponent's style and techniques. He draws out the full potential of both opponents and his doubles partners.

Team Shuffle Information

Fanbook 10.5 Information

Speed - 4: He moves quickly enough to get to the necessary position. He doesn't waste energy on excess speed.

Power - 4: After taking off the golden gauntlet, he can hit strong shots. However, that's the limit of his power.

Stamina - 4: He always keeps some energy in reserve, allowing him to keep playing no matter how long the match.

Mental - 4: He is very self-confident without overestimating his abilities. He calculates the difference in strength between himself and his opponent and stays calm.

Technique - 4: When he has the advantage, his technique is high enough to turn it into a complete victory. When he's disadvanted, he has the skills necessary to launch a counterattack.

Kurobe's Memo: For a middle school student, he's perfectly balanced. He can furthermore use his special move as finisher. Just what could his weakness be...?

Bible Tennis

With his mastery of the fundamentals of tennis, Shiraishi plays with no excess energy and always picks the best shot placement. He has eliminated the tics and mannerisms many players have when hitting shots to improve his concentration, stamina, and strokes.

Entaku Shot

Shiraishi hits the ball off the frame of the racquet producing heavy sidespin. The ball slides in a circle on the ground when it lands and does not bounce.

Hadoukyuu

Shiraishi fires off a powerful flat shot.

Personal Information

• Favorite Food: Cheese risotto
• Favorite Color: Bright green
• Favorite Motto: 有終の美 ("Finish with beauty" as in completing a task with a perfect result. Derivative of 有終の美を飾る)
• Favorite Movie: Korean movies
• Favorite Book: Illustrated botany guides
• Favorite Music: Trance
• Favorite Type (of person): A girl with a scent of shampoo on her hair.
• Favorite Date Spot: Botanical garden
• Father's Occupation: Pharmacist
• School Committee: Health Committee
• Best Subject: Science
• Worst Subject: None
• Most Visited Spot on Campus: School infirmary
• Hobbies: Chess, Calisthenics
• Dislikes: Girls who hit on boys.
• Spends His Allowance On: Health and fitness goods
• Most Wanted Item: A full-length mirror
• Skills Outside of Tennis: Identifying poisonous plants
• Daily Routine: Doing yoga poses after bathing
• Random Fact: He can identify 200 different poisonous plants.

Daily School Life

• 06:00 - Wakes up.
• 06:30 - Has breakfast after his calisthenics.
• 07:00 - Goes to school. Morning practice.
• 08:30 - First Period: Japanese/Essay on A, I, U, E, O
• 09:30 - Second Period: Social Studies/History of Laughter.
• 10:40 - Third Period: Math III.
• 11:40 - Fouth Period: English/American Jokes.
• 12:30 - Lunch break: Has an extravagant rice bowl in the cafeteria.
• 13:30 - Fifth Period: Chemistry/Gathering medicinal plants.
• 14:30 - Sixth Period: Art.
• 15:30 - Hitouji Yuuji's Imitation Live in the gym.
• 16:10 - Club activities. Special technique training.
• 19:00 - Returns home. Dinner
• 19:30 - Takes a bath.
• 20:00 - Does yoga and stretching.
• 21:00 - Writes the serial story "Poisonous Plant Bible" for the news club.
• 21:30 - Reads a encyclopedia on botany.
• 22:30 - Does maintenance on his bandages.
• 23:30 - Goes to bed

Tennis Bag Contents

Item

Definition

Another item

Another definition

• "He still has lots to work on with laughing matters! Because Kura-rin gets embarrassed...he should take the path of surrealism." - Konjiki Koharu
• "The contents are too maniacal... What's with poisonous plants? Senpai, that's too dangerous." - Zaizen Hikaru

Relationships

Gabriel

Kuranosuke first met Gabriel by chance. He was cleaning up after tennis practice when Gabriel clutched his hand and would not let go. He tried to set Gabriel free, but Gabriel would not leave his side. Now, Gabriel is his most precious person who accompanied him to the U-17 camp. Though, Yukari told Kuranosuke that Gabriel would not survive the winter. One of his character songs is all about Gabriel. When performing it live, Hosoya Yoshimasa began to cry lemetning the loss of his own special partner.

Oshitari Kenya

Shiraihsi and Oshitari have a close friendship that is strained following Nationals in their second year. Oshitari remains upset that Shiraishi wasn't honest with him about being upset, Shiraishi is frustrated that he didn't get to play because Oshitari didn't play his true style. They reconcile at the Under 17 camp.

Tooyama Kintaro

Shiraishi is tasked with keeping Tooyama in line and does so by tricking him into believing that the bandages on his left arm are to hide a "poison hand." He puts the brakes on Tooyama's enthusiasm, though still allows him the occasional concession when it comes to "Koshimae."

Zaizen Hikaru

In Shiraishi's second year when he has recently taken over as captain, Zaizen criticizes both his tennis style and his captaining style as "textbook tennis." He inadvertently helps Shiraishi see that while fundamentals are important, what makes the team strong is all of their individual styles. Shiraishi takes it to heart and starts allowing everyone to be their usual selves the next day.

Kirihara Akaya

Shiraishi is approached by Yanagi Renji at the Under 17 camp with a plea to help with Kirihara's growth since Shiraishi had such luck with Tooyama. During his doubles match with Kirihara, he helps him see past his violent tendencies to achieve Angel Mode.

Chitose Senri

Shraishi meets Chitose at the Western Japan Tournament in his second year. He becomes frustrated with Chitose and Tachibana Kippei for not displaying the strong doubles combination they are known for. He inspires Chitose to enter Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami. Later that year, Chitose follows Shiraishi to Shitenhouji and joins the tennis club.

Trivia

• Shiraishi's bandaged left arm was added to his design to make him appear more mysterious or like the Pyschogun that the protagonist Cobra uses from the COBRA manga.
• His catchphrase "Nnn~... Ecstasy!" was chosen because Konomi wanted an intense phrase that captured the spirit of Osaka.
• Shiraishi's play style was developed by Konomi specifically as a foil to Fuji. He wanted to show that even in a world with a bunch of flashy play styles, that strong fundamental tennis could also be just as powerful.
• Konomi tries to express that Shiraishi is someone that others can look up to through the openness of his heart. He used the example that if someone is speaking badly of another, Shiraishi is the type to stop them.
• Konomi said that if he switched places with Shiraishi for a day, he would do something good to earn 10 kokeshi from Watanabe Osamu. Then he would start a bowling tournament.
• When he was a first year, he slid across the main gate of Shitenhoji. He was later praised and acknowledged by the Principal.
• He was first heralded as “Bible” during the Newcomer’s Tournament during his first year in middle school.
• He won 2nd place in the Complete Swimsuit Eating Contest during his 2nd year in middle school (Oshitari Kenya was the champion).
• He authors an article in the school newspaper called “Poisonous Plant Bible."
• He has a pet beetle named Gabriel who he encountered after tennis practice one day. Gabriel won the “My Kabu-chan is the Best Cup” where he defeated Atobe Keigo’s King of Satan in the finals round.
• Konomi compares Shiraishi to Ashikaga Yoshiteru who was a general and also a master fencer. Both are also from the kansai region.
• Shirashi told Tooyama Kintarou that when Oshitari Yuushi takes off his glasses, he becomes a super hero.
• Yoshimasa Hosoya as Shiraishi was the first Prince of Tennis character to get his own live concert tour. A DVD of the concert was released August 10, 2011.
• Shiraishi was Yoshimasa's first voice acting role and he was still in school when he recorded his audition.

Common Questionnaire

What do you have to focus on to control the team members?

Control? I'm not doing something like that at all. Everyone does what they want. All I tell them is to win.

Is being a captain hard?

It's very difficult. I have to win. But even if I'm not the captain, I still have to win.

It feels like you're captivated by plants?

Of course. Do you know how many plants are poisonous? Listen...(talk about poisonous plants continues for 45 minutes)

If you had a day where you were completely free?

I might look for a new botanical book. There might still be poisonous plants that I don't know about...(talk about poisonous plants continues for 25 minutes).

When were your special skills useful?

Even if someone eats a poisonous plant, I wouldn't be worried. But, it's not like anyone has been forced to eat a poisonous plant.

Words for the Two

Others about Shiraishi

• "All the captains have great presence. Maybe I should wear a beard too...(Then I'll be popular with the girls...)" - Aoi Kentarou
• "I understand the worries of a captain too. Next time, let's talk about it over some drinks. Wait, I mean drinks like coke, you know?" - Akazawa Yoshirou
• "You appear refined with your "The one who wins is the winner," but do you have the resolve to lose everything when you lose?" - Akutsu Jin
• "It seems that Aniki's hadoukyuu was ineffective against Shiraishi-san...please have a match with me one day!" - Ishida Tetsu
• "Hoh, Shiraishi-kun has an abundance of knowledge about poisonous plants...next time, would you like to develop a new Inui Juice with me?" - Inui Sadaharu
• "Shiraishi-san, you have bandages around your arm! Are you hurt!? If you don't mind, please use this favorite medicine of mine." - Ootori Choutarou
• "Shiraishi! You're so noisy with all your "ecstasy"'s! Well, there's a lot I'm thankful for about you." Watanabe Osamu
• "I heard from Kenya that Shiraishi's sense of humor is not that great. And that's what makes him a suitable captain for them." - Oshitari Yuushi
• "Shiraishi's "The one who wins is the winner" is a conviction I empathize with. Your decisive phrase, however, is lacking." - Kite Eishirou
• "Actually, my play against southpaws is perfect. Both of you should gather together, and I'll crush you....just kidding!" - Kirihara Akaya
• "Shiraishi, he's weaker than me yet he's the captain. Isn't that weird? Wah~, I don't want to die yet! I don't want the poison arm!!" -Tooyama Kintarou
• "Shiraishi, I think we would have a lot to talk about. His boke and my tsukkomi would go well together." - Kurobane Harukaze
• "That guy Shiraishi, even though he's popular, he says he's "not good with assertive girls." I'm not envious or anything!" - Oshitari Kenya
• "During second year, Shiraishi's slump after the Rikkai battle was impressive. From then on, he's changed a bit." - Koishikawa Kenjirou
• "Ah~, I want to sneak a peak at Kura-rin when he does yoga after his bath. Even better, I want to do yoga together with Kura-rin~ ♥" - Konjiki Koharu
• "Shiraishi-buchou, really, give me a break with all the endless talk about poisonous plants when we're eating." - Zaizen Hikaru
• "Perfect tennis? Heh~, how cool~. But but, I like more magnificent plays....ZZZ" - Akutagawa Jirou
• "Shiraishi is someone who even Chitose acknowledges. Just by watching his match against Fuji, I can tell Chitose wasn't exaggerating." - Tachibana Kippei
• "Both are impressive. I too will open the next door of muga and challenge them to a match. Wait for me!" - Chitose Senri
• "...Because both of them weren't useful, I lost to Fuji. They were unexpectedly just waiting to be eaten." - Niou Masaharu
• "Tezuka-san's strictness and Shiraishi-san's motto of getting results, I will become a captain who combines both!" - Hiyoshi Wakashi
• "I learned important things from both. This time, I would like to experience the finest thrill in a serious match." - Fuji Shuusuke
• "Shit, Shiraishi, telling me that "karaage is bad for my health!" It's my freedom to eat whatever I want!" - Mukahi Gakuto
• "Tezuka-kun and Shiraishi-kun, you need to be more considerate towards females. That's a requirement for being a gentleman." - Yagyuu Hiroshi
• "Shiraishi, if you admit to being an otaku over your health, it should be quite obvious to you that you must hold back from high calory foods like cheese risotto." - Yanagi Renji
• "I know Aniki's strength the best. For someone to be able to defeat Aniki...Shiraishi-san, he's a person to be feared." - Fuji Yuuta

Shiraishi about others

• About Character: "Quote goes here"
• About Character: "Quote goes here"
• About Character: "Quote goes here"

Music

• Song name
• Song name feat. other characters

Gallery

• 

  Shiraishi's SSR from the Rising Beat mobile game.

• 

  Shiraishi cover for a Prince of Tennis fan magazine.

• 

  Kuranosuke with his irreplaceable partner.

Quotes

• "Ah~ Ecstasy!" (んんーっ、絶頂(エクスタシー）！)