Kuroko

Kuroko, written 黒子 in Japanese, is a term that can refer to several related concepts. In theatre and film, kuroko are stagehands who wear black clothing to blend into the background, making them visually inconspicuous to the audience. The intention is for their movements and prop handling to go unnoticed, allowing scenes to unfold without drawing attention away from the performers.

In the performance arts, kuroko operate off-stage or in masked areas, coordinating with directors and performers to manage set changes, lighting cues, and other technical tasks. This practice is common in traditional forms such as kabuki as well as in contemporary theatre and film production, where the visual illusion of the stage is carefully controlled.

In popular culture, Kuroko no Basuke (Kuroko’s Basketball) is a manga and anime series that uses the same kanji for the protagonist’s surname. The character Tetsuya Kuroko is a quiet, unflashy player whose skill lies in misdirection and subtle passing, earning him the metaphorical nickname of a “shadow” on the court. The series follows his high school basketball team, Seirin, and its rivals as they compete for national prominence.

Beyond specific works, kuroko is also used more broadly in Japan to describe behind-the-scenes contributors who support a project without seeking the spotlight. In English-language contexts, the term may be translated as “black-clad stagehands” or referenced in relation to the manga and anime.