Misataba

Misataba is the slash ship between Ryoya Misato and Shotaro Futaba from the Backflip!! fandom.

Opening
During the opening, Futaba and Misato are seen putting their hands together for the choreography. While, Misato has a serious face on, Futaba has on a face expression filled with joy.

I Want to Backflip!
Misato and Futaba first met at the Inter highs competition when they were both in Junior High and first started talking once Futaba makes a comment on Ao High's performance and how they deserved a higher score but Misato with his friend Mashiro help explain how the score system works. At Ao High the rhythmic gymnastics team was passing out flyers so more people would join their club, Futaba wanted to join but was too scared to ask until he saw Misato asking to join confidently which gives him chills hence the bird feather effect flying around him. Futaba later on peeped inside their club room and got caught by their manager then finally revealed he wanted to join. After Futaba officially joining, the coach asked Misato to do a round-off into a salto backwards layout, a half twist, and a forward salto. Misato agreed and Futaba fixed his eyes on Misato to watch what happens. After Misato did it, Futaba was in admiration and thought what he did was incredible. Near the end of the episode Misato once again shows off his talent, which brings Futaba some courage and motivation to try something similar, and he succeeded in doing so.

I Want to Soar With You!
Misato and Futaba arrive at the club room, and start to do what they need. Futaba starts speaking to Misato and asks "What class are you in?" Misato replies with "Class B." Futaba then states that he wishes they could be together in the same class. Later, the team goes to the university gym and Futaba stands near the gymnastics mat in his own thoughts just staring in amazement but then Misato begins to speak up which snaps Futaba out of his thoughts. When they go back they start to discuss about Futaba and that they will give him a test in a week, which the coach puts Misato in charge of Futaba. Misato was confused why he chose him but Futaba just says "Let's do it, Misato-kun!" with gleam in his eyes. Misato comes into Futaba's room to wake him up early in the morning to train him, Futaba wakes up with a flustered look cause he didn't expect him to be there. Misato thinks about what Futaba said "I managed to do it because I mimicked your backflips." then starts to do a backflip because he knows Futaba is watching and he is with admiration as always. Misato leaves to go home but eventually comes back to give Futaba some words of encouragement and to watch Futaba try to master the thing his coach assigned him, he does so while his teammates watched with admiration even Misato. Then at the school gym he nails it again and Futaba says to Misato that he'll catch up to him.

I Want to Camp!
In the beginning of the episode, Futaba states "I'll get to perform with Misato-kun and my senpais!" with a happy look on his face. Later, the team catches Misato at the shopping mall and Misato asked "Where's Futaba?" with a somewhat curious look and voice.

We're All Rivals!
At the university gym, Futaba looks worried for Misato as his old friend from junior high Mashiro talks about their past. Later, the team is walking outside and Futaba looks upset and Misato knows right away what's bothering him so he decides to talk to him about it. At the dorms kitchen, everyone goes to Kurikoma cause she has a video to show them leaving only Misato and Futaba at the table where Misato decides to start a conversation.

I Want to Hide!
During the hide and seek game that Mashiro suggested, Misato and Futaba are alone. So, Futaba is nervous due to the quiet and awkward atmosphere but Futaba says to himself this could be a chance to get closer to calm himself down. Futaba eventually starts up a conversation and asked some questions but it turns awkward again after Misato doesn't answer his last question so Futaba starts getting nervous again thinking he said something wrong.

Enjoy!
Right before their performance at the prefectural tournament, the boys huddle in a circle while Coach gives them last minute advice. Misato notices that Futaba looks nervous and claps him on the back. Futaba looks surprised but then sees Misato smiling at him.

I'll Look After You!
Misato has moved into the dorms and shares a room with Futaba. Futaba and Misato were later found in the kitchen discussing about Onagawa and both agreeing they'll help him for the time being. Futaba says "come on, Misato-kun." and dashes off without him and Misato chases after him yelling "hang on.. Futaba!", they go to Onagawas room and catch him lying about his foot injury. Onagawa begins to apologize while Futaba starts questioning him but he doesn't answer. So, Futaba looks at Misato and says "Misato-kun?" waiting for Misato to make an answer, Misato says "all right." which shocks both Onagawa and Futaba. Even though they meet not so long ago, Misato already understands how he'll act around Onagawa. So, he refuses to let Futaba room with Onagawa and states "Futaba will just do whatever you tell him." Everytime, Onagawa lets his guard down, Misato yells "Your foot!' with Futaba as an accomplice. Later, in the kitchen Misato and Futaba discuss about Onagawa again. During, practice the coach discusses the new choreography to the team and says "This will require you to try a higher difficulty move. Can you do it?" to both Misato and Futaba. While, Futaba was confident and says "Let's give it our best, Misato-kun!" while turning to look at Misato but notices that Misato has a worried look, which makes Futaba begin to worry about Misato.

Be Needy!
The team starts practicing for the new lift they plan on doing for the regional tournaments. However, Misato seems to be having trouble with it during practice. He runs out of morning practice one day. Futaba goes looking for him but can't find him since Misato skipped school for the day. Coach and Misato decide to visit Misato's house. When they get there, Misato's aunt invites them in and she tells them about an incident that happened during Misato's second year of junior high. She also tells them that he has always feels the need to be independent because he finds it hard to build trusting relatioships. As Coach and Futaba leave, they find Misato outside of the house. Coach leaves the two boys to talk by themselves. Misato says he knows he is socially awkward but plans on trusting his teammates more from now on. Futaba tells him that doesn't sound genuine at all because trust isn't something that can just be decided all of a sudden. Misato asks him what he should do and Futaba tells him he has to be needy, but the former blushes and says he doesn't know how to. Futaba grabs Misato's wrist to bring him back to the dorms. When they get back, Misato apologizes to the team and the senpais celebrate with a little dance. Later in their rooms, Futaba lies on the ground and Misato goes over to sit next to him. During their conversation, Misato begins to call Futaba by his first name "Shotaro", as opposed to calling him by just his last name like before. The former says that their third year of high school will be his last year doing rhythm gymnastics because he doesn't want to drag down his aunt by going to college. He says he must make every day, hour, minute, and second count. Futaba agrees with him, saying he wants to keep performing with him during the next three years, and raises his fist. Misato smiles while blushing and returns his fist bump. During the next practice after Coach gives him advice, the boys are able to do the lift perfectly. As they soar into the air, Futaba smiles at Misato, who smiles back at him.

I Can't Stand It!
Before going to bed, Futaba opens up that he would be more nervous if he was the only first year and that he is grateful that Misato is here also but he then says he was frustrated as first when he learnt that one of the newbies like him was an ace. During the night, Futaba has a nightmare of him messing up during regionals, he starts being anxious in his sleep while sweating but is woken up by a worried Misato.

Give It Your All, Fight Hard
Misato refuses to leave Futaba's side and tells him, "You should be needy too, now and again." This is referring to the past episode, 'Be Needy!'

Tomorrow Too!
While at the hospital, Misato messages the team that Futaba will be fine, then receives a message that seems to shock him. He acts annoyed and Futaba questions him, coming quite close to Misato's face. This is followed by Misato blushing while trying to deny that he got a response on what their score was.

Quotes
"I managed to do it because I mimicked your backflips."

- Futaba to Misato in 'I Want to Soar With You!'

Introduction
Misataba is the most popular ship in the Backflip!! fandom ever since the first episode aired, even if there was barely any evident moments, people still loved their small interactions. The ship is sometimes compared to Kagehina from the Haikyuu! fandom due to the same guy who voiced Kageyama, the character has a similar personality to Misato. Although Futaba does not have a similar personality type to Hinata, he seems to be the more energetic one same as Hinata and both duo's dynamic are pretty hilarious.

The ship began from episode one with the small conversations but also due to the fact of Futaba's very obvious admiration of Misato. Futaba believed in himself after he saw Misato tumble and did so himself, which succeeded. There is rarely any content so far of how the fandom views this ship but it is safe to believe majority does ship this as many fans pointed out how they already see an amazing dynamic between them.

Fandom
FAN FICTION



Trivia

 * Misato usually stands next to Futaba.
 * Misato usually answers all of Futaba's questions even when he doesn't say it aloud.
 * Misato refuses to leave Futaba's side while he was injured.