Initially, Haikyuu might appear as a simple anime revolving around a volleyball tournament, yet it turns out to be quite an engaging series. This engagement largely stems from the fact that the narrative primarily delves into the characters rather than just the sport. While we won’t attempt to determine the ‘best’ character among these ten main ones in Haikyuu, we can certainly explore an intriguing question: Who is the most skilled player in the show?
Wondering who the top volleyball players from Haikyuu are? Dive into this article as I’ve compiled a list of the 10 finest!
Ever wondered about the standout volleyball players in Haikyuu? This article ranks them all, starting with number 10 and going up to the very best!
10. Kenma Kozume
We kick off our roster of Haikyuu’s main characters with Kenma Kozume. At Nekoma High School, Kenma Kozume was a sophomore, serving as the school’s volleyball team’s setter. His fellow players often referred to him as the “heart” and “mind” of the squad.
Kenma generally maintains a composed and thoughtful demeanor. He seldom becomes flustered or excited over things, instead keeping a low profile most of the time. He’s quite reserved, courteous, and often holds back his opinions as he worries about others’ perceptions and dislikes being noticed.
Kenma is often referred to as Nekoma’s “mastermind” due to his exceptional strategic thinking and talent for creating complex strategies to outwit his opponents. His deep concern about how others perceive him has given him a keen intuition when it comes to understanding the behavior of others.
Through keen observation, he can detect even the slightest traits of his adversaries – their mental states and character nuances – and capitalize on these vulnerabilities. Prior to formulating a comprehensive game plan, Kenma evaluates the skills of his opponents, ensuring his teammates are strategically positioned for successful execution.
Initially, most of his plans often escape detection, but over time they tend to thrive, leaving his rivals oblivious to the fact that they’ve fallen into his trap.
At first glance, many of his strategies are overlooked, but given enough time, they prove effective. This means that his opponents frequently find themselves unwittingly ensnared by him.
Kenma excels in strategic planning but falls short when it comes to athleticism and endurance, making him less desirable among our Haikyuu volleyball characters. Coach Ukai suggests that as a setter, Kenma’s strengths are amplified by the team’s collective receiving power, enabling him to capitalize on his skills more effectively due to their ability to consistently return the ball back to him accurately.
Lately, he’s been playing with a more assertive approach, opting for attacking opportunities instead of solely concentrating on perfect passes among his teammates. Just like the rest of his team, he’s flexible and adept at both catching and retrieving the ball.
In most matches, Nekoma tends to begin slowly due to the need to adapt to the unique playing styles of their opponents. However, as the game progresses, they become more aggressive, quickly making up for any potential points lost earlier by effectively exploiting the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses in the closing stages.
9. Tetsuro Kuroo
As a movie buff might put it, I once attended Nekoma High School in my third year of undergrad. There, I led the Boys’ Volleyball Club as their captain and middle blocker, earning me the nickname “The Cunning Captain.” Fast forward to November 2018, I switched gears and joined the Japan Volleyball Association’s sports marketing division.
Tetsuro Kuroo Kuroo exhibits a relaxed yet strategically manipulative demeanor, earning him the nickname of a master provoker. At times, he intentionally antagonizes others and stands firm in his sarcastic jabs. This was evident when he infuriated Tsukishima during the summer training camp, as the first-year blocker took a casual approach to volleyball.
Tetsuro Kuroo appears tough on the outside, but he’s actually more compassionate and truthful than people might think. After realizing he overstepped a boundary with Daichi, Kuroo takes the time to apologize sincerely. Later, his actions prove that while he is known for provoking others, sportsmanship remains important to him.
Kuroo is often praised for his exceptional skills in applying pressure on opponents through blocking. He’s Tsukishima’s mentor when it comes to blocking techniques, and his methods are highly refined. However, due to less game experience, he initially ranked lower among the top volleyball players in Haikyuu.
Kuroo’s exceptional blocking ability comes mostly from his deep grasp of intricate details like proper positioning, timing, and jumping techniques. Instead of moving sideways to block, he prefers to leap vertically. Simultaneously, he aims to coordinate his jump with the ball’s downward spike. Furthermore, Kuroo now focuses on blocking opponents who are larger or heavier than himself.
Tetsuro Kuroo is a multi-talented player who contributes significantly to Nekoma’s team efforts, excelling on both offense and defense. Just like his teammates, Kuroo demonstrates remarkable adaptability and efficiency in receiving the ball.
In place of the usual rotation where a middle blocker is replaced by the libero, Kuroo has demonstrated his ability to play in the back row due to Yaku’s injury. Currently, he remains the sole newcomer with an impressive jumping serve.
8. Korai Hoshiumi
As a diehard Haikyuu fan, I’d like to spotlight the eighth character on our list: Krai Hoshiumi. During his time at Kamomedai High School, he was not just any student, but their exceptional ace volleyball player. His talent was recognized beyond the school gates, earning him an invitation to the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp.
At present, he belongs to the Schweiden Adlers, which is a top-tier professional volleyball team within Japan’s V.League Division 1. Additionally, he represents Japan on their national volleyball team.
Krai Hoshiumi may be short in stature, but he’s built quite sturdily. He has an appearance reminiscent of a bird, with eyes as large and wide as a seagull’s and hair that looks like the feathers of a bird, spiky, rough, and light-colored.
In his second year of high school, Krai decided to return to the short hairstyle he sported when he was young, having previously grown out his locks.
As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but notice how calmly and collectedly Hoshiumi navigates the gaming world. Yet, beneath this cool exterior lies a fiery spirit that is not afraid to express its opinions openly and with pride. He carries himself with an air of confidence, attributing it to his exceptional talents, which he believes have left others in awe due to his remarkable height.
1st: Ever since third grade, Hoshiumi has found it challenging to deal with his short stature and the associated hardships. This is especially true when people don’t react in awe or make remarks about his height.
Initially upset about the perceived injustice of his short stature, he eventually accepted it following his mother’s advice. He then focused on developing various abilities, aiming to excel as a player irrespective of his height.
Krai Hoshiumi is an exceptional volleyball player with versatile skills, excelling at serving, receiving, setting, blocking, and spiking. He employs an unusual running method to clear taller blockers, twisting his legs inward for a powerful vertical leap, which culminates in an impressive spike from the back line.
Additionally, he boasts an extensive repertoire of offensive maneuvers such as feints, swipes, straight shots, and crosses, as suggested by the data. Furthermore, his jump serve is powerful and precise, as demonstrated.
At the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp, Eikichi Chigaya pointed out that Hoshiumi gives off a “Small Giant” impression because of his stature and jumping prowess; this same moniker was used by a commentator during Hoshiumi’s debut game at the Spring High tournament.
7. Kiyoomi Sakusa
At the Itachiyama Institute, star volleyball player Kiyoomi Sakusa was considered a front-runner for the national championship. Alongside Kiry and Ushijima, he ranked amongst the nation’s top three spikers, with an unusual distinction – being the only second-year student among this elite group.
Following his high school graduation, he participated in a college volleyball league and was designated MVP. Eventually, he became a member of MSBY Black Jackals, a top-tier V-League Division 1 club, as an outside hitter. During the 2021 Olympics, he made it onto Japan’s national team.
Kiyoomi Sakusa appears calm and collected, yet he’s fiercely competitive and takes great pride in his abilities. When he scores the deciding goal, he doesn’t display any outward emotion, but when he identifies a player he views as a potential threat to himself, he intensely focuses on them. Additionally, he became frustrated when Kageyama suggested that, given his popularity, he seemed ordinary.
He’s known for being cautious in his gameplay, carefully considering a serve before he spikes, and this thoughtfulness seems to carry over into his daily routines. In essence, he comes across as a pragmatist, which suits his tendency to ask many questions to fully understand situations.
Kiyoomi Sakusa is an exceptionally skilled volleyball player who was recognized among Japan’s elite aces as early as his sophomore year, ultimately earning the title of Most Valuable Player in the college league. His versatility on the court, where he shines both offensively and defensively, places him in the upper echelons of Haikyuu volleyball players. Notably, he has bested top-ranked ace Bokuto and frequently engaged in intense matches with Ushijima, cultivating a fierce rivalry between them.
In the match against Fukurodani, he was noticed performing an unusual triple block, followed by a powerful spike that sent the ball out of bounds with a sweep. Sakusa employs unconventional spikes and serves to overpower opponents, despite not having the immense strength found in Ushijima or Kiry.
He is a fearsome player because of his technique, discipline, precision, and special shots.
In addition to being an exceptional spiker, Sakusa also excels as a reliable defender. Starting from his days competing against Ushijima’s powerful left-handed attacks in junior high school, he has dedicated time to improving his defensive skills by focusing on his receive passes. Over the years, his efforts have paid off, resulting in notable improvements and consistent assignments to defend against strong servers on the court.
At the All Youth Japan camp, Sakusa was warmly received in recognition of his talents. From the instant Kageyama laid eyes on the spiker, he couldn’t help but feel captivated and eager to study him closely during the camp. However, he later asserted that the spiker appeared less extraordinary than his reputation might have implied.
During the camp, he’s often noticed hitting precise shots that fall within the area spanned by the endline and the sidelines. His teammate, Motoya Komori, who was also at another youth camp, finds Sakusa nearly flawless.
6. Koutarou Bokuto
At Fukurdani Academy, Ktar Bokuto – a distinguished third-year student – led his volleyball team as both their ace and captain. He was widely recognized as one of the nation’s top five volleyball aces, narrowly falling short of claiming the top three spots.
Following his high school graduation, he joined the MSBY Black Jackals, a top-tier team in Japan’s V-League, as an outside hitter. Additionally, he represents the Japan National Volleyball Team.
His employees characterize him as someone who experiences rapid changes in mood, with minor incidents easily triggering these shifts, which can impact his work performance. Yukie, the team’s experienced leader for three years, labeled him as “impulsive” due to this behavior.
Ktar Bokuto’s character is cheerful, amiable, boisterous, and reminiscent of a child. Despite this, he is admired and respected by not only his fellow team members but also his competitors due to his remarkable skill and uplifting disposition.
When Ktar Bokuto emerges from a period of poor performance, he confidently showcases his top-tier skills and asserts that he is the most powerful amongst his teammates and opponents.
Bokuto is a lively figure, always ready with a witty remark on any topic and known for inventive performances in his plays. He strives to earn admiration and appreciation from his teammates by doing so. Remarkably versatile, he manages to connect well with almost everyone.
Bokuto is among the top five volleyball players in Japan, and people often compare him to the top three when he’s focused. He shines in every facet of the game, from attacks and defenses to setting.
According to Kageyama, Bokuto possesses both the mental agility to understand and evaluate situations instantly, and the physical prowess to react swiftly.
During training sessions, Bokuto frequently pushed himself to exceed expectations, staying far longer than others even after practice was over. He also worked harder during scheduled practices, a habit that left his teammates feeling exasperated since they couldn’t keep up with his endurance or skills. In response, they occasionally attempted to discourage him from working out and found various excuses not to train together due to the disparity in their abilities.
In line with his towering stature and physical prowess, Bokuto frequently powers past double blocks using sheer strength alone. However, what truly sets him apart is his exceptional technique and precision – he consistently lands precise strikes on narrow openings or even between defenders, delivering shots with enough force to penetrate through.
1. Regardless of managing to slide beneath it, the power of the collision still makes excavation tough. This is demonstrated by Bokuto’s numerous successful wipes and block-outs against Nekoma’s strong defense. Moreover, Bokuto possesses the skill to manipulate the ball for a more advantageous setup through bounces.
2. Slipping beneath it may be possible, but the force of the crash makes burrowing tricky. This is evidenced by Bokuto’s numerous successful wipes and block-outs against Nekoma’s robust defense. Additionally, Bokuto has the ability to rearrange the ball for a better position through bounces.
3. Despite being able to dodge under it, the impact’s strength makes digging challenging. This is evident in Bokuto’s numerous successful wipes and block-outs against Nekoma’s formidable defense. Furthermore, Bokuto can maneuver the ball for a superior setup by using bounces.
4. Skirting under it might be achievable, but the impact’s strength makes digging difficult. This is proven by Bokuto’s numerous successful wipes and block-outs against Nekoma’s robust defense. Moreover, Bokuto can manipulate the ball for a more strategic position through bounces.
5. Evading beneath it could be feasible, but the collision’s force makes digging tricky. This is demonstrated by Bokuto’s numerous successful wipes and block-outs against Nekoma’s sturdy defense. Additionally, Bokuto has the ability to reposition the ball for a better position through bounces.
6. Escaping beneath it may be an option, but the impact’s force makes burrowing tough. This is shown by Bokuto’s numerous successful wipes and block-outs against Nekoma’s robust defense. Furthermore, Bokuto can maneuver the ball for a more strategic position through bounces.
5. Toru Oikawa
Amongst us passionate film enthusiasts, I’d like to draw your attention to Tru Oikawa, affectionately known as Toru Oikawa in English adaptations. Toru Oikawa is a seasoned professional setter in Volleyball, representing the Argentine Volleyball Federation and Club Atlético San Juan. For most of the series, he was a third-year student at Aoba Johsai High School, leading the school’s volleyball team as their captain and setter.
By the end of the Final Arc, he obtained Argentine citizenship and will serve as the initial setter for the Argentine national team. During the Interhigh and Spring High Preliminary Arcs, he is the main antagonist.
In spite of his immature behavior and tendency to be flirtatious, Oikawa is an exceptional, all-around volleyball player who approaches the game with utmost seriousness. Due to his arrogant and seemingly carefree attitude, he’s often viewed as having a distasteful personality by both opponents and teammates.
Oikawa is recognized for delivering optimistic remarks, often preceded by subtle criticisms or threats. His intellect and wit enable him to swiftly identify weaknesses in not only his teammates but also his opponents as well.
Contrarily, Oikawa frequently demonstrates a high degree of thoughtfulness and affection not just towards his teammates, but particularly towards individuals such as Hinata.
Instead of being solely focused on his ambition and driven by a single-minded pursuit, it’s unveiled that Oikawa secretly feels inadequate when compared to those he perceives as naturally superior, like Ushijima and Kageyama.
In order to keep his drive in check, Oikawa puts in immense effort and sometimes undergoes grueling solo training sessions beyond his regular team practices. At home, he reviews past matches of his rivals, predicting their strategies, and devising tactics to outsmart them.
Toru Oikawa is widely recognized for his powerful and accurate jump serve, a skill he’s perfected and excelled in since his youth. No matter how nerve-wracking a game gets, he consistently maintains a calm and composed attitude.
In the prefecture, Oikawa stands out as an exceptional all-round player, even though he’s not often referred to as a prodigy or genius.
Instead of Kageyama’s exceptional setting technique, Oikawa excels due to his inherent physical abilities, his knack for utilizing his teammates effectively, his talent in spotting flaws within opposing teams, precise targets, and powerful serves. Remarkably, he swiftly pinpointed Tsukishima and Hinata’s vulnerabilities during their matches, and countered Kageyama and Hinata’s seemingly divine speed with finesse.
In my humble opinion, this extraordinary performance didn’t just happen overnight; it took years of dedicated effort and unwavering dedication. Even the formidable Ushijima from Shiratorizawa Academy couldn’t help but admire Oikawa’s talent, attributing his strength to his ability to draw out the maximum potential in every team he plays with.
4. Atsumu Miya
As a passionate movie reviewer, let me share my thoughts on a captivating sports drama that follows the journey of Atsumu Miya, a driven second-year student at Inarizaki High School. He’s not just any ordinary student; he’s the star setter for our school’s volleyball team. The plot thickens when this talented young athlete receives an invitation to the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp. You see, Atsumu Miya is no stranger to recognition – he’s been hailed as Japan’s top high school setter and server! This film promises a rollercoaster ride of emotions as we witness his growth, challenges, and triumphs in the world of competitive volleyball.
As of 2018, he was part of MSBY Black Jackal, a top-tier volleyball team in Japan’s V.League Division 1. Currently, he represents the Japan National Volleyball Team and participated in the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
Atsumu generally appears laid-back and self-assured, often sporting a casual smirk. He has a knack for teasing others and doling out unexpected praises.
At times, Atsumu Miya can come off as haughty and self-absorbed. According to Osamu’s description, he’s the type of person who often disregards the opinions of others, fails to return things he borrows, and is prone to telling lies.
Apart from being a coach, Atsumu Miya is known for setting incredibly high standards, both for himself and his spiking players. He strives to provide the perfect toss for his players, yet insists they maintain a top-tier competitive edge. If his players fail to meet his expectations, he isn’t hesitant to voice his disappointment, even going so far as to criticize them harshly – including his identical twin brother.
Currently, Atsumu stands out as Japan’s top-tier high school setter. His serves are famed for their swiftness and precision, remaining consistent without a hint of waver or error, creating an illusion that the spikers have mysteriously improved their skills.
In most cases, Atsumu makes every effort to provide his spikers with the optimal serve, but even in challenging circumstances that require an underarm toss, he remains committed to this goal.
Atsumu Miya, similar to Kageyama and Hinata, can perform the God-Like Fast in perfect harmony with his brother Osamu. However, unlike Kageyama, his execution lacks the finesse of a well-prepared toss. While he’s outstanding as a setter, he also clinched the title for Best Server at both middle school and Interhigh levels.
3. Wakatoshi Ushiwaka
As I count down my top three Haikyuu characters, let me shine a spotlight on Wakatoshi Ushijima, the indomitable captain and ace of Shiratorizawa Academy’s volleyball team. In his final year, he was more than just the Miyagi Prefecture’s number one ace; he was a force to be reckoned with, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Sakusa and Kiry as one of the nation’s top three aces in our volleyball landscape.
After completing high school, he signed up for Schweiden Adlers, a top-tier professional team in Japan’s V-League Division 1. In 2014, he represented Japan’s National Team in the World League, and is set to compete for his country in the Olympics in 2021.
Wakatoshi is currently a member of Orze Warszawa, a Polish professional team.
Ushijima is a well-built athlete, standing tall with an impressive physique that includes stamina, size, and jumping agility. He poses a significant threat on the court due to these qualities. Ushijima’s spikes are renowned for their immense power, enabling him to overpower opposing blocks with tremendous force, often leaving only destruction in his wake.
Due to his towering stature and impressive jumping skills, Ushijima is able to attack from a challenging height, which makes it tough for his opponents to block effectively. Additionally, he extends his time aloft in the air to counteract the timing of the blockers.
Ushijima’s primary asset is being left-handed, one of his numerous characteristics. As a lefty, he can add an unusual touch to his spikes, significantly increasing their power.
Because many teams are accustomed to blocking spikes from right-handed players, Ushijima’s spikes prove challenging to defend against.
In essence, Ushijima’s approach is straightforward and heavily reliant on his physical abilities. His strategies tend to stay similar across various competitions, which gives opponents a chance to adapt and develop strategies against him.
Despite Wakatoshi Ushijima’s impressive strength and height, it’s more about talk than actual performance. However, in a single match against Karasuno, he managed to score an impressive 40 points, which almost equaled his team’s total, making him one of the top contenders for the best Haikyuu Volleyball players.
2. Shoyo Hinata
In the narrative of Haikyuu!!, created by Haruichi Furudate, Shoyo Hinata serves as the primary character. Hinata was motivated to embark on a volleyball journey following his encounter with a player from Karasuno High School, famously known as the Little Giant, who managed to score points against larger opponents.
He joined Karasuno High School following his initial defeat in a high-school volleyball match against Tobio Kageyama, who was famously known as the “Court’s King.” Interestingly, he later found out that Kageyama had already planned to attend Karasuno.
In the story, Hinata started as a freshman at Karasuno and played as the main middle blocker in the volleyball team for most of it.
After completing high school, Shoyo Hinata spent two years in Brazil honing his skills in beach volleyball. Upon returning to Japan, he signed with the MSBY Black Jackals, a top-tier team in the V-League.
In the year 2021, he represented Japan’s national team during the Olympics. Later in 2022, he became part of Asas S Paulo, a top-tier club competing in the Brazilian Super League.
Hinata initially showed a careless side, yet he possesses remarkable athletic abilities. Upon joining Karasuno, he was relatively unknowledgeable about volleyball, focusing primarily on spiking techniques. However, he swiftly picked up the fundamental rules and basic skills with the help of his fellow teammates.
Although Hinata may not be an expert yet, he’s eagerly figuring out ways to contribute during the game. He’s not shy about trying fresh concepts and can swiftly adapt when plans deviate from the original course.
Shoyo Hinata swiftly picks up skills by mimicking other players’ movements, and he boasts an exceptional ability to perceive the entire volleyball court when diving for the ball.
Instead of being famous for his physical strength, it’s Hinata’s agility and stamina that truly shine. However, what sets him apart is not just his resilience but his unyielding determination to prevail above all else.
1. Tobio Kageyama
As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: Among all the captivating characters from Haikyuu, none captures my heart quite like Tobio Kageyama, famously known as the “King of the Court.” This prodigious talent hails from Karasuno and was handpicked to attend an esteemed All-Japan youth training camp. To some, he’s simply a “genius” setter, but to me, he embodies the spirit of volleyball brilliance that keeps me hooked on every serve, spike, and block.
As a passionate moviegoer, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary mental agility displayed by Tobio Kageyama on the volleyball court. In the blink of an eye, he seems to calculate not just one, but multiple angles and positions, enabling him to execute precision passes like a true master.
Due to his exceptional skill and strategic understanding, Kageyama is known as the “Court’s Ruler” and a volleyball prodigy. It’s only fitting that he ranks first on our list of top Haikyuu volleyball players. With his extraordinary talent as a skilled setter, Kageyama has the power to bring the team together; however, initially, he faces challenges in communicating effectively with his teammates.
Over time, he’s mastered utilizing his skills to optimize the performance of his spikers. Rather than relying on them to compensate for him constantly, he now takes their condition into account and adjusts his throw accordingly.
Kageyama excels as a versatile professional in volleyball, mastering both fundamental and intricate aspects of the game. Beyond his exceptional accuracy and technical skills as a setter, he demonstrates a wide range of abilities across all positions, showing deep understanding of both basic and advanced volleyball concepts.
Tobio Kageyama exhibits versatility in his play, competently handling multiple positions like the wing spiker. However, he expresses a strong preference for assuming the role of the team’s strategic hub, functioning primarily as a setter. Moreover, Kageyama is an advocate for unconventional strategies and was the one who suggested exploiting Hinata’s imposing court presence as a diversionary tactic.
Due to careful thought on various factors, it was decided that Kageyama would participate in the All-Japan Youth Training Camp for an intense training period.
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2025-05-28 23:51