Haikyu!! is one of the best sports anime out there. It focuses on two characters, Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobiyo, who are polar opposites of each other but become a force to be reckoned with while they’re on the same team.
Picking out the best characters in Haikyu!! isn’t easy, as each character has a lot of depth and is fun to watch. But some characters definitely have more of an impact on the watcher compared to others, and that’s exactly what makes them stand out.
13Satori Tendo
Shiratorizawa Academy’s Middle Blocker, Satori Tendo is also referred to as the Guess Monster due to his unbelievably precise guesses while blocking. Tendo appears as a cheerful character and is the only person Wakatoshi Ushijima, Shiratorizawa’s Ace, is casual with.
Satori Tendo’s witty remarks and facial expressions make him stand out among the rest of the team. Aside from the court, Tendo’s interactions outside of volleyball with Hinata and Ushijima are always fun to watch.
12Tetsuro Kuroo
Nekoma’s Captain and Middle Blocker, Tetsuro Kuroo is like a big brother to the rest of Nekoma’s team and plays a similar role for his team as Daichi Sawamura. Kuroo is also exceptionally skilled at blocking and doesn’t shy away from sharing his knowledge with other Middle Blockers, such as Tsukishima.
Aside from his volleyball skills, Kuroo also plays an important role in Kenma Kozume’s life and gets him hooked on volleyball. Kuroo is one of the characters that always lightens up the mood whenever he is on the screen.
11Kenma Kozume
Nekoma’s Setter, Kenma, has found a rival in Hinata Shoyo, and has finally started to enjoy volleyball because of him. Kenma, while having a reserved personality, can be exceptionally smart on the court, and that can be seen in Nekoma’s every match.
Kenma Kozume’s relationship with Lev Haiba and Tetsuro Kuroo is always fun to watch. Even during matches, Kenma is always one to watch out for due to his exceptional setting skills and always being quick to analyze the opponent’s team.
10Daichi Sawamura
Karasuno’s Captain and the team’s backbone in every sense of the word, Daichi Sawamura is the one who holds Karasuno together. Daichi also boasts an exceptional defense and is always there to fill in for the team’s lack of defense.
Daichi plays an important role in Karasuno’s every victory. Daichi’s stern yet easy-going relationship with his teammates keeps their behavior in check and ensures that none of the Karasuno’s members step out of line.
9Sugawara Koshi
Sugawara is Karasuno’s back-up Setter, and while he’s not a regular, every time he makes his entry onto the court, things are bound to get interesting. Sugawara isn’t as skilled as Tobiyo, but he makes up for his lack of skill with his experience and clever tactics.
Sugawara has a deep bond with the rest of Karasuno’s third-years but is also always trying to cheer up and help out the first-years. Karasuno’s back-up Setter always makes the opposing team uneasy whenever he’s switched in.
8Bokotu Kotaro
Bokotu Kotaro is Fukurodani Academy’s Captain and Ace. Bokotu may appear like an airhead at first sight, but he’s exceptionally strong. Only held back by his mood swings, Fukurodani’s Captain is easily one of the best spikers in the region.
Bokotu’s team revolves around their captain’s mood swings and has mastered the ability to hype up Bokotu so he can get them those points. Bokotu is also incredibly friendly and easily gets along with everyone.
7Ryunosuke Tanaka
Ryunosuke Tanaka is Karasuno’s Wing Spiker, and while he lacks the firepower of Asahi Azumane, he is still always one of the key factors in Karasuno’s victories. Aside from being an exceptionally great Wing Spiker, Tanaka has saved his team multiple times with clutch saves.
Tanaka may appear to be a hot-headed guy at first, but he’s incredibly chill and funny. Tanaka’s antics with Nishinoya are always fun to watch and are the life of the series.
6Miya Atsumu
Miya Atsumu is Inarizaki’s Setter and the twin brother of Miya Osamu. Atsumu considers himself one of Tobiyo’s rivals and is a greatly skilled setter. Atsumu is a little hungrier for volleyball compared to his twin brother, and that could be seen during their match against Karasuno.
Miya Atsumu also keeps his eyes on Hinata and feels pity for Tobiyo that he has a teammate that demands so much from him. Miya Atsumu also plays a big role in Kageyama and Hinata’s growth later on in the series.
5Nishinoya Yu
Nishinoya Yu is Karasuno’s Libero and the most skilled player at receiving. Nishinoya is shorter than Hinata Shoyo, but his lack in height doesn’t hinder his defensive abilities when he’s at the back of the court.
Nishinoya shares an exceptional bond with Karasuno’s Ace, Asahi Azumane, and desperately wants him to score. Karasuno’s Libero has saved them many points and is an integral part of their strength as a team.
4Tsukishima Kei
Tsukishima is Karasuno’s Middle Blocker and is the tallest player on the team. Tsukishima is laid back and doesn’t like to put much effort into volleyball, but after seeing how hard his team is trying, Tsukishima has finally started to enjoy the game.
Tsukishima is also quite smart and loves to laugh and look down on opponents after successfully blocking them out. Tsukishima is also referred to as Karasuno’s wall, and given that he’s the tallest person on the team, that title does him justice.
