"Could it be that you are trying to adapt to match me, Mei-san? If you are, then please stop.
I know I'm lacking at the moment, but I will climb to where you are without fail!"

Overall, Itsuki's abilities aren't much to shake a stick at compared to those around him - and especially compared to the catcher whose shoes he's filling. But there's no way that Itsuki could be on the first string, and eventually become the starting catcher, without there being something there. Overall, his stats are fairly average (3/5), with his batting stats actually under average (2/5), although his shoulder and general physical strength are above average (4/5). He also has a keen, observant eye, and is smart on the field.

But the one thing that should really be considered an exceptional skill is his determination to grow, and to help his pitcher and their team with all he can. His potential is blatant, and there's nowhere else for him to go but up, meaning these stats and his abilities are bound to change.

Upon meeting Itsuki for the first time - or even simply looking at him, honestly - one might find that he's... particularly harried. This isn't an inaccurate observation, really, but he's far more than just that.

Tadano Itsuki is a good kid, one that is respectful to all people he interacts with. He's shown being an encouraging teammate, supportive of everyone that he plays with, even if they're, well, Mei. But we'll get to his relationship with Mei shortly. What's really of interest is the fact that he just seems like a friendly person, someone that doesn't have a bad thing to say about anybody, really. And, honestly, it's difficult to see how he could look quite so stressed and tired as he always seems to be. Personable, polite, always ready to stop and talk to or help someone, even telling horrible puns and jokes to lighten the mood when he thinks things are a little too heavy - what could be wrong?

Well. For the most part, it almost seems like Itsuki doesn't really have much of a backbone if you're taking his interactions with Mei at face value. He's harassed, heckled, picked on, and even straight up bullied by his senpai, and yet he... still respects him. A lot. Really, the person Itsuki is cited as respecting most is Narumiya Mei, who pushes him around constantly, to the point that it's a wonder that he gets a word in edgewise sometimes. Mei goes so far as to make him carry his bag as "punishment," frequently squeezes his cheeks, and often belittles him or calls him cocky, an upstart, et cetera. Outside observers might find that Itsuki is - as his journal name indicates - something of a doormat, who is too nice for his own good and an easy pushover.

This, also, isn't necessarily inaccurate.

Mei can get away with a lot when it comes to Itsuki, but at the same time, there's no one else more willing to call Mei on his shit directly to his face than Itsuki. He may respect him, and he may want to do him proud, but he's not afraid of standing up to him. Many people on Inashiro generally give Mei shit, and tell him off, but for the most part Mei doesn't seem to listen to any of them. The only person that had much control over him was their previous catcher, who Itsuki has taken over for since his retirement. They're big shoes to fill, but there's some steel in Itsuki's spine that most people wouldn't expect, given how nice he is and how he interacts with Mei before these confrontations. It doesn't take too much to get them to that point, though - all it takes is one word, and like he's rising up to an unspoken challenge, Itsuki will stand up against Mei - for himself, for the team, for Mei himself - rather than backing down and being cowed.

For someone so calm and patient, so genuinely nice, Itsuki is actually a somewhat snarky kid that has a stubborn streak a mile wide and a determination to go with it, which is what allows him to stand toe-to-toe with the prince of the capital. He seems a little exasperated and anxious sometimes, but that doesn't change the fact that he very, very much has the thirst for victory that many of his teammates on Inashiro do. He fits right in with them, in the grand scheme of things, and will do whatever it takes to get better, especially when he's feeling that he's not up to task. But he's actually rather humble in this, no matter what Mei might say about him being cocky. He knows he has limits, and he doesn't want his team to try and match themselves to him, because he wants to grow to match them instead. Though, admittedly, he does make heavy promises along the lines of "I'll catch it, even if it kills me."

The way he says it, though, Itsuki makes it sound like a promise that he will literally do anything to fulfill.

Which makes loss a heavy weight on his shoulders. Itsuki wants nothing more than to make his teammates proud, make Mei recognize him, so he takes loss a little heavily. When Inashiro loses against Ugumori, the entire team is crushed, there's no denying it. But Itsuki seems to be one of the ones to take it the hardest, especially since Mei shook all of his signs and his attempts to ensure the team's victory, nevermind the fact he dropped a ball, allowing a runner to make it through home safely. Wouldn't his predecessor have been able to tag him out? Certainly Harada would have been able to at least tag Ugumori's ace beforehand, rather than getting him out because the umpire thought that his glove had touched Umemiya.

Itsuki, more than anyone else, knows how far he has to go. He may be perceptive, and willing to put forth all the blood, sweat, and tears that comes with rigorous training so that he can grow, but there are days that seem harder than others sometimes. He can pick himself back up again, but there's no denying what the disappointment of loss can do to a person before they're prepared to start again.

★ Inashiro jersey ( #2 ), including hat, pants, socks, and cleats
★ catcher's gear, including padding, mask, and glove