Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this work, who are the creation of Takehiko Inoue. Neither do I have any claim over his work in the manga and anime Slam Dunk. I do not earn any profit from this.
Author's Note: Wow, this was a popular request! Thanks for all the support for this series, you guys! I'm so glad the Slam Dunk fandom is still alive and kicking!
Mitsui Hisashi
Birthday: May 22
Nickname/s: "Mit-chan," "Mitchi," "Sportsman," and "Lady-boy" (prior to haircut)
Affiliations: Shohoku High School, Takeishi Junior High
Appearance: Mitsui is perhaps the original "Shohoku Bad Boy," and his appeal certainly lies in that direction. Good-looking despite the perpetually sharp look in his dark eyes, furrowed brow, scar on his chin, and a few missing teeth, Mitsui would probably make a killing as a model if he was ever so inclined. (Even people in the middle of bashing Mitsui with metal bars have remarked on the beauty of Mitsui's hands, so . . . make of that what you will.) While most agree that he looks much better with his black hair clipped short, there are a number of fans of his shiny black lob, so there is a versatility to his looks that give him the advantage of being hot under most circumstances.
Mitsui is lean and well-built, but not as solidly as some members of his team. At half an inch over six feet, there isn't much difference between him and, say, Kaede Rukawa in terms of height, but Mitsui clearly does not have as much power on the court. That being said, Mitsui has the advantage in terms of play, with widely admired form and elegance whenever he plays his ideal position as shooting guard.
Perhaps due to his lifestyle (smoking, drinking, and who knows what else) in the two years he was away from the basketball court, Mitsui is not as in shape as most athletes. He is easily fatigued and suffers from anemia.
He also has constitutionally weak teeth, so if you guys are thinking of kids, start saving up for their dental—especially if they inherit Mitsui's personality.
Personality, Quirks of Note: Mitsui is a guy's guy—quick with a laugh, quicker to lose his temper. His closest relationships are with other tough guys, and this is reflected most strongly in how Mitsui communicates: no bullshit, let's cut to the chase. Unfortunately, this approach doesn't really parse the nuances of human emotions—and boy can Mitsui feel those emotions. Being unable to process his feelings in a healthy way can make Mitsui act out in frustration, sometimes violently. (Important sidenote: there is evidence to show that Mitsui can hit women. Though the incident reported did not involve a romantic partner, this matchmaker is compelled to include this information because it might be a deal-breaker—oh it's not? Okay then. Let's proceed.)
Despite his tough exterior, Mitsui has an intense desire to be loved, supported, and needed. He abandoned basketball for two years and ran around being a delinquent because he felt that Akagi had supplanted him as the heart of Shohoku's team. (Yes, he suffered a knee injury that took him out of commission during a critical time, but the observant will note that it wasn't his temporary inability to play that made Mitsui walk away.)
Those who have had enduring impact in his life are those who have come through for him emotionally in critical moments, e.g. Coach Anzai. Once Mitsui is able to get in touch with what he's feeling, understand it, and channel it in a healthy way, he becomes truly formidable. This is most evident in high-pressure situations or when Mitsui is pushed to his physical limits. Above all else, Mitsui is guided by his emotions and those who help him manage those emotions: he followed Coach Anzai to Shohoku, eschewing more prestigious and high-performing schools like Kainan, Shoyo, and Ryonan. In other words, this is a guy who won't really care as much about how you look or what you do in comparison to how you make him feel.
Mitsui is intensely competitive, and will play dirty in order to come out on top. He has a keen understanding of his strengths and weaknesses, and will maneuver situations in such a way that the fight is fought on his terms. Elements of this bleed into his personal life as well: again, Mitsui wants to be needed and loved. It isn't enough that he is the team's star, or that he keeps winning: he needs to be the most adored, the most needed. (Like a lot of people with a star-complex.)
Mitsui gets constipated when he's nervous, much to the amusement of his friends and teammates.
Finances: While Shohoku is a public school, Mitsui isn't destitute—I mean, someone had to pay for all that dental work. Plus he walks around the court with branded high-end sports gear, so it looks like he has money to burn. Mitsui flourishes in competition, and he really loves basketball, so he will likely pursue it professionally. As he matures, he may also look into coaching, as he does well at directing his teammates when he's off the court.
Outside of that, he'd probably make a pretty good stockbroker. He likes high-pressure, intensely competitive situations, has really sharp instincts that steer him right, and is ballsy enough to take on really big risks with very slim chances. Sure, you'd probably have to push him through business school, but if you manage to get Coach Anzai to bring it up, it shouldn't be a problem.
Family: Mitsui has a contentious relationship with his own family, so expect him to be bringing baggage of that nature into your own family life. His default grumpiness and emotional volatility may mean that his partner will have to be the stable one in the relationship and make sure that Mitsui avoids transmitting his issues to the kids.
With the right partner—i.e. someone more emotionally mature, patient, and self-aware—Mitsui may grow into a measured, loving, and supportive parent, so it is this matchmaker's suggestion that he and his partner not have kids right away and just let Mitsui acclimate to his role as husband before taking on the bigger role of family man. This may take a beat longer than expected. Because of Mitsui's needs and insecurities, he does have a tendency towards jealously—and while this is undeniably hot (yes, I can hear everyone fanning themselves at the thought of Mitsui the Jealous Husband), it can take its toll on any relationship over the long term.
Possible Rivals: Kogure. Or anyone who can offer as much emotional satisfaction as Kogure. Remember that Mitsui is a bad boy with a tender heart, so if you want to keep him you have to realize that the biggest threats to your relationship aren't random hotties, but people who fulfil him emotionally.
Overall Assessment: Everyone loves a bad boy, and Mitsui is one of those bad boys who makes you understand why that trope continues to live. He is certainly worth the effort, but anyone making a go of it with him should understand the amount of effort required. An ideal partner would be someone not enamored with the idea of a bad boy, but a clear-eyed, grown-up partner who knows what they're getting and loves him anyway.
End Notes: Wow, that psychology minor in uni really came in handy while I was writing this, hahaha. Let me know what you think!