ATTRIBUTES
VITAL STATS
OVERVIEW
Nijimura Shūzō is Teikō Middle School's former captain and starting small forward — the player who ran the first-string before Akashi, and the last person who could still tell the Generation of Miracles to shut up and play together.
He leaves the team to care for his father in America. The vacancy is what lets Akashi take the captaincy, and one of th factos that let the first-string stop being a team.
NAME ETYMOLOGY
Nijimura (虹村): The kanji 虹 (Niji) means "rainbow" and 村 (Mura) means "village" — a captain whose roster would later split into five colors.
Teikō Naming Pattern: Following a hidden theme where Teikō's core names are colors, Nijimura's 虹 is "rainbow" — every color on one captain.
Shūzō (修造): The kanji 修 (Shū) means "discipline" or "to study," and 造 (Zō) means "to create."
TRIVIA & DETAILS
OFFICIAL KUROFES INTERVIEW
Source: KuroFes Official Fanbook | Interviewer: Kuroko Tetsuya
Q1: [Appearing suddenly out of nowhere] Captain Nijimura, congratulations on taking 2nd place [in the small forward poll]. How do you feel right now?
Nijimura: Woah! Oh... I mean, it's been a while, Kuroko. 2nd place, huh? I mean, am I really the right guy for this? I haven't even played in a match lately.
Q2: What do you think is your greatest strength?
Nijimura: Hmmm... I feel a bit strange saying this myself, but I think I'm pretty good at looking after other people.
Q3: So, is there anything you would like to improve upon in the future?
Nijimura: Having stage fright, and getting hot-headed too easily.
Q4: Who do you want to lose to the least?
Nijimura: Right now, I'm not playing basketball competitively, so no one really. Back when I was playing, I didn't want to lose to anyone, though.
Q5: After graduating middle school, are you still playing basketball?
Nijimura: I'm not in a club. I just play streetball every now and then.
Q6: How has your father been doing since then?
Nijimura: I wouldn't say he's completely cured, but he's doing well. Once he gets a bit better, I'd like to play basketball seriously again.
Q7: Please tell us your fondest memory from your time at Teikō Middle School.
Nijimura: The year you guys joined - my second year - when we won the Nationals. For me, I spent most of it on the bench, but I was happier than the year before because it felt like I was able to pass the baton. ...Though it looks like things didn't go so well for you guys after that. (dry laugh)
Q8: ...I see. So, what's the wildest thing you've ever done in your life?
Nijimura: Taking off on a stolen motorcycle. Keep that between us.
Q9: Please tell us your goals for the future.
Nijimura: I don't have a clear, easy-to-understand goal like you guys right now, but I like basketball, so I want to keep playing it.
Q10: Please give a message to your fans.
Nijimura: I still have that feeling I mentioned earlier - wondering if I'm really the right guy for this - but I'm honestly happy about it. Thanks. I might not end up facing off against the likes of Kuroko and the others, but I hope we can continue to get along.
