When it comes to sports anime, the list feels incomplete without the notable mention of Haikyuu characters from the series. Haikyuu!! is a popular manga and anime series that started in 2012. Haikyuu is the 4th best-selling manga series in 2020, having sold over 50 million copies. Haikyuu!! Has many characters and it’s so difficult to pick favorites.
Every character is unique- they have interesting backstories, skill sets, relationships, conflicts, and strife. They add something to the story, like a part of a bigger puzzle. With every piece, something new and vibrant flavors can be felt. Curiosity – Triggered!!!!!!! Aesthetic – Top Notch!!!!!! Cliffhangers – intensified!! Haikyuu!! Keeps you on the edge of your seat all the time. It makes you craving for more.
Haruichi Furudate deserves a huge round of applause for introducing us to such refreshing and warm characters. Fictional they may be, but they have left a strong impression on the viewers.
Throughout the series you can feel the essence, the hunger for victory, the sheer agony of experiencing a devastating defeat, the intense pressure, self-reflection, and the power-packed gut-wrenching moment of action followed by the elevating tension. Baam! You can feel them all.
Let’s take an in-depth review at some of the popular Haikyuu characters who have left a mark.
Kei Tsukishima
Kei Tsukishima is a first year student enrolled in Karasuno High. He is the middle blocker of the team. Tsukishima’s smirk and condescending behaviour in the series actually add some humour. His blunt nature and antagonistic feature, his casual smugness and snickering in the background is very adorable. He is one of the most interesting Haikyuu characters.
Yu Nishinoya
The libero and a second-year student of Karasuno High. He is the shortest player on the team. Despite his short stature, he is not an opponent who can be taken lightly. He is one of the two prodigies in the Karasuno High volleyball team. His cheerful and energetic disposition makes him one of the most likable Haikyuu characters.
Toru Oikawa
Toru Oikawa is a third year Aoba Johsai High captain and setter for their team. He was Kageyama’s senior in Junior High. Oikawa is quite serious about volleyball, and because of this, he didn’t see Kageyama in a positive light due to his own insecurities. He is a cunning and sly person who doesn’t shy away from using underhanded methods to make cheerful remarks followed by intimidating comments. This makes him one of the most interesting Haikyuu characters.
Kozume Kenma
Kozume Kenma is a second year Nekoma High student. He is the setter of the Nekoma High school team. Despite his average build and height, he is a very dependable member of the team. His analytical skills and cool personality helps the team in dire situations. He is friends with Hinata Shoyo despite having an unapproachable aura and shyness in nature.
Daichi Sawamura
Daichi Sawamura is the third year Karasuno High school and the captain of the men’s volleyball team. He is a very responsible person who cares about his team a lot. His patient but scary nature when he gets angry is a strong characteristic. A bickering Kageyama-Shoyo will immediately cease fire in his presence. He’s a dependable captain who understands the needs of his team.
Ukai Keishin
Ukai Keishin is the present coach of the Karasuno High men’s volleyball team. He is the grandson of former coach Ukai Ikkei. Keishin also owns a Sakanoshita store. Previously he has played as a setter in the volleyball team. Keishin has a very dynamic and charismatic personality. His blonde dyed hair, ear piercings and brown eyes have an appealing charm. He is an easygoing person but very competitive in nature. Keishin is one of the best tacticians among all the Haikyuu characters.
Tanaka Ryunosuke
Tanaka Rynosuke is a second year student at Karasuno High. He is the wing spiker of the team. Tanaka is loud, hot-headed and gets riled up very easily. He is supportive and caring about his friends. He’s the hidden underdog of the Karasuno. His strong mental disposition is one of his forte.
Kageyama Tobio
The star setter of Karasuno High is the unrivaled and dominating “King of the Court”. He has formed an unlikely alliance with the middle blocker Hinata Shoyo, whom he considers his nemesis. They got off on the wrong foot but gradually they become a power-packed duo and scary opponents for their rivals. Kageyama is a prodigy who was invited to join All-Japan Youth Train camp. He is one of the main Haikyuu characters.
Click to read more about Kageyama
Hinata Shoyo
The energetic and surprise package chibi is a middle blocker of Karasuno High who has earned the nickname “The perfect decoy”. Shoyo and Kageyama keep constantly bickering and competing over trivial things, but when it comes to volleyball, he is tenacious and extremely dedicated. He believes as long as Kageyama sets the ball for him, he will never miss it. Hinata is one of the main Haikyuu characters.
Click to read more about Hinata
Miya Atsumu
Miya Atsumo is a second year student at Inarizaki High. He is the setter of his team and is also known as Japan’s best setter (High school). Atsumo was invited to the All Japan youth training camp where he met Kageyama and dissed him. He is a carefree and confident person. He certainly fits the bill of one of the most interesting Haikyuu characters. Atsumu is a force to reckon with.
