Sakaki Tarou is the sophisticated and imposing coach of the Hyotei Academy tennis team, known for his flashy fashion, strict "survival of the fittest" coaching philosophy, and immense personal wealth.
- Occupation: Music Teacher at Hyotei Academy Middle School, Boys' Tennis Club Advisor
- Height: 183cm (179cm in *Pair Puri Vol. 4*)
- Weight: 64kg → 63kg
- Blood Type: O (A in *Pair Puri Vol. 4*)
- Birthday: March 14 (May 24 in *Pair Puri Vol. 4*)
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Dominant Hand: Right
- Age: 43
- Hobbies: Listening to music (on a gramophone), collecting SP records, archery
- Favorite Foods: Filet de bœuf en croûte (beef fillet in pastry), Boeuf bourguignon
- Favorite Color: Amber
- Voice Actor: Jurota Kosugi
Sakaki cuts a striking figure, always appearing in a flashy suit and scarf.
His impeccable and theatrical attire makes him stand out, often causing others to question if he's truly a tennis coach.
He is a man of strict principles, believing that losers should be immediately cut from the regular team roster.
This "defeat means you're out" policy creates an environment of intense pressure and competition within the Hyotei team.
Despite his severe demeanor, Sakaki possesses a surprisingly compassionate side.
He is known to show a degree of mercy and personal care for his players, suggesting his harsh methods are meant to bring out their best. He is also deeply respected and admired by his students, who often give him gifts.
Sakaki works as a music teacher at the prestigious Hyotei Academy.
He is also a man of considerable wealth, as shown by his black card membership and his extravagant wish in *The New Prince of Tennis* to build a structure just to display a pen given to him by a student.
As a coach, Sakaki's methods are both ruthless and strategic.
His core policy is to cut any player who loses a match, a fate that befell both Ryo Shishido and Haginosuke Taki.
He strategically holds back his full team strength until the Kantō Tournament, using sub-regulars in doubles matches during earlier rounds.
However, he is not above adapting his strategy, such as deploying Munehiro Kabaji in a doubles match during a critical 5th place playoff. Interestingly, he often doesn't even accompany the team to early-round matches.
Sakaki dislikes the popping candy a student once gave him.
This, along with the story of the cherished ballpoint pen, reveals that he is well-liked by his students.
His official profile contains conflicting information.
His height, birthday, and blood type are listed differently in the *Pair Puri Vol. 4* fanbook compared to other sources.
"You may go!"
This is his signature line, delivered with two fingers raised, signaling his permission for a player to enter a match.
Coaching Philosophy
Sakaki enforces a strict "loser-gets-cut" policy, which he applies without hesitation.
Players like Ryo Shishido and Haginosuke Taki were dropped from the regulars after defeats, while Wakashi Hiyoshi earned his spot through this system.
Moments of Leniency
However, Sakaki is not completely inflexible.
He recognized Ryo Shishido's determination and allowed him to rejoin the regulars after he proved his worth.
Furthermore, despite their loss in the Kantō Tournament, he kept the roster largely unchanged for the Nationals, only swapping Jiro Akutagawa for Wakashi Hiyoshi. He also showed great concern when Munehiro Kabaji was injured during a match, personally asking Sumire Ryuzaki to examine him.
Evolving Team Structure
Initially, Sakaki believed that "a No. 2 is unnecessary" for Hyotei, and thus the team had no vice-captain under Keigo Atobe.
He later revised this philosophy. After Atobe's departure, he established a new team structure under captain Wakashi Hiyoshi, appointing Chotaro Ohtori as the team's new vice-captain.
Related Tags
The Prince of Tennis
Group Tags
Hyotei: Keigo Atobe, Yushi Oshitari, Gakuto Mukahi, Ryo Shishido, Jiro Akutagawa, Munehiro Kabaji, Chotaro Ohtori, Wakashi Hiyoshi, Haginosuke Taki
Hyotei All-Stars: (+ Hyotei members)
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