Haikyuu!!might just be the most popular sports anime of all time. Haruichi Furudate’s manga concluded its run in 2020, producing 402 chapters and 42 volumes in the process. The anime has produced over 80 episodes and a couple of movies, with 2024’sDumpster Battlefeature covering roughly up to chapter 324. While almost there, the adaptation still has some content to cover, so Karasuno High’s beloved characters are likely to make a comeback sooner or later.
Karasuno High may be the team to take the main stage for the majority of the series, butHaikyuu!!is just as much about this club as it is about their relationships with their opponents. In addition to the main Karasuno members, many other players from away teams play a critical role in the entirety of the anime. All the friends and foes (but mainly friends) thepowerful Kage-Hina duomeet throughout their journey make for a lengthy roster.
Long-time fans ofHaikyuu!!have shown a lot of love to the wide cast of players, appreciating each one of them for their unique playstyles and personalities. For any dedicated fans or any new faces looking to get into the series, here are the profiles of the main characters inHaikyuu!!. Questions like “How tall is Hinata Shoyo?” will be answered.
The article focuses on the anime and not the manga, so spoilers for the latter are mostly kept to a minimum. That said, people who have not watched all the show should keep in mind thatHaikyuucharactersfrom the entire run are included.
Updated on July 15, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Haikyuu has some fantastic dialogue, with pretty much all the characters producing some great quotes. Consequently, I’ve added a great quote for a few of the main Karasuno players and figures.
Haikyuu!! Statistics Chart
When it comes to volleyball (among a handful of other sports), statistics like height can be very important to a player’s overall profile. While it may be a trivial detail in other cases, these dedicated volleyball players make it a point to record their heights as accurately as possible. To help these stats be much more accessible, the following table has been made to keep track ofeach main character’s age, birthday, and height.
16
5'4.6"/164.2cm
5'11.6"/181.9cm
18
5'9.6"/176.7cm
5'8.7"/174.6cm
6'1.4"/186.4cm
17
5'3.2"/160.5cm
5'10.2"/178.2cm
5'9.1"/175.4cm
6'2.8"/190.1cm
5'10.9"/180.0cm
5'10.9"/180.2cm
5'8.8"/174.7cm
5'5.4"/166.2cm
15
4'10.9"/149.7cm
29
5'5.6"/166.5cm
26
5'10"/178.2cm
6'2"/188cm
5'6.9"/170cm
6'0.6"/184.3cm
5'10.6"/179.3cm
6'4.1"/193.3cm
6'1.5"/186.6cm
6'4"/193cm
6'1.2"/186cm
6'0/183cm
6'2.6"/189.5cm
6'1.9"/187.7cm
5'11.5"/181.5cm
5'9.8"/177.2cm
6'0.3"/183.6cm
6'0.4"/183.8cm
6'0.7"/184.7cm
5'9"/175.2cm
6'1.1"/185.7cm
August 06, 2025
6'2.4"/189cm
Want to read more about each character? Then scroll down to read sections dedicated to eachHaikyuucharacter, covering info like their debut dates, teams, and voice actors.
Shoyo Hinata
Played For: Yukigaoka Junior High, Karasuno High
For the most part, sports anime have ensemble casts, especially if they focus on a team activity. Consequently, viewers do not have to love the protagonist to enjoy a series, and there are more than a few instances where an MC ranks among a show’s least liked personalities. Fortunately,Hinatais not one of those cases.
While enamored with volleyball, he is considerably shorter than the average player, which is usually a death sentence; however, Hinata does not know how to give up, and he is more than ready and able to prove all his doubters wrong. When he was young, he was inspired by Little Giant, a highly talented player who was not held back by his size. He showed Hinata that the sky is the limit if someone has the passion, drive, and talent to take on the challenge.
A tall, tall wall looms in front of me. What’s the view on the other side? What does it look like? It’s a view I could never see on my own. But if I’m not doing it alone… – Season 1, Episode 1
Hinata had a very frustrating middle-school run as part of the volleyball club, and he only got to take part in one official match. After that, he went to Karasuno High and quickly established himself as a vital player in the team, building a partnership with Kageyama in the process. While he is initially quite rough around the edges,Hinata grows rapidly throughout the anime, comfortably becoming one of the best players.
Tobio Kageyama
Played For: Little Falcons, Akiyama Elementary, Kitagawa Daiichi, Karasuno High
Hinata’s partner in crime and also the series' deuteragonist,Kageyama, is an essential part of the story as he plays a large role in Hinata’s (and also his own) personal growth. Kageyama and Hinata act as foils for one another, yet still manage tomake each other stronger. In the beginning, Kageyama is seen as a selfish “King Of The Court” who doesn’t understand teamwork; however, throughout the series and his journey working alongside Hinata, he eventually matures.
The only time I will ever feel despair is when I won’t be able to play volleyball anymore. – Season 3, Episode 6
The once egotistical and cold Kageyama slowly blossoms into a cooperative team player who constantly brings out the best in not only Hinata but also the other students who step onto the court alongside him. An argument could be made that Kageyama is Karasuno’s most important player, as he is a tactical powerhouse who is responsible for managing the team’s tempo.
Daichi Sawamura
Played For: Izumitate Junior High, Karasuno High
The Team Captain,Daichiis often seen as the “dad” of the group and is constantly left to deal with the younger members' quarrels and antics. He is the backbone of Karasuno; without his leadership, the members can lose motivation and direction. He is by far one of themore mature membersof the team and knows not to crack under pressure, even if just to keep up a calm appearance for the sake of reassuring the rest of the players.
I can’t do any fancy plays, but I can give you a solid foundation. – Season 2, Episode 15
Daichi knows how to keep the other players in check, particularly Hinata and Kageyama, when they were struggling to see eye to eye during their early days. As a dependable receiver, Karasuno’s captain is a crucial part of the team, even if he is just a good player rather than a great one.
Koshi Sugawara
Played For: Nagamushi Junior High, Karasuno High
While the Team Captain, Daichi, is often seen as Karasuno’s father figure,Sugaserves as the team’s tough but fair mother figure. Suga is a kind upperclassman and often comforts the other members when they’re down, but still makes sure to scold them when they are in the wrong.
Apparently, every player feels the same pride about the fact that they’re going to be on the court. No matter whether they’re some genius or just a regular guy. – Season 1, Episode 22
Sugawara is a setter and also the Vice-Captain of Karasuno. However, don’t be fooled by his kind demeanor, Suga tends not to hold back when it comes to reprimanding his teammates when there’s an important lesson to be learned. On the court, Suga tends to shine at reading a match’s flow, allowing him to step up to the plate and connect plays. He is the type of player who brings out the best in others while not necessarily shining himself.
Asahi Azumane
Played For: Sekodai Junior High, Karasuno High
WhileAsahiis the team ace and stands a daunting six feet tall, he’s much less menacing than he looks. While he is often teased forhaving a “scary” appearanceby other classmates, he’s incredibly kind and wouldn’t hurt a fly. This gentle giant is surprisingly very sensitive and often lets the stress and/or guilt of a match’s outcome weigh on his shoulders, despite being a third-year with more experience.
The dependable guardian behind me…the easy-to-spike tosses he sends me…I lack nothing. I had forgotten such simple, obvious things…I’m not fighting this battle alone. – Season 1, Episode 9
Even with Suga and Daichi being his age, poor Asahi often finds himself being scolded by the two for not being confident enough in his abilities. As the team’s ace, he puts himself under considerable pressure to perform, a role that he has not always felt up to fulfilling. Still, despite his wavering confidence, Asahi is an absolute powerhouse who is a threat to any competing team. If he has the opportunity to spike the ball, it is almost a guaranteed goal.
Yu Nishinoya
Played For: Chidoriyama Junior High, Karasuno High
While height can be an advantage in the realm of volleyball, second-year,Noya, is proof that even shorter players can have their time to shine. Noya is the libero of the Karasuno team and uses his height to his advantage. While taller players excel at things like spiking or blocking, he specializes in agility. His abilities make Karasuno’s defense a force to be reckoned with.
All right. There’s nothing to worry about. All of you, keep your eyes forward. Because you have me guarding your backs. – Season 1, Episode 16
Even with being the shortest member of the team (even falling a few centimeters behind Hinata), Noya contributes just as much as everyone else. Although not exactly the most patient person ever, his unwavering determination and relentless energy help to keep up the team’s morale when they are facing off against overwhelming opponents. Karasuno is always better when Noya is on the court.
Ryunosuke Tanaka
Played For: Oujitsu Junior High, Karasuno High
Second-year and wing spiker,Tanakais a great upperclassman to his younger teammates. He often acts as a mentor to Hinata and Kageyama, keeps Tsukki and Yamaguchi in check, or breaks up any fights. Despite Tanaka’s best efforts to come off as intimidating and tough, deep down, he’s akind person who genuinely caresabout treating his teammates well and taking good care of his underclassmen.
I’m sorry! I didn’t call the toss just now. I got scared for a second, damn it! I’ll have all of my regrets after the match! There’s no point in someone worthless like me bringing everyone down because I’m upset about my own mistake! I’ll get it next time! – Season 1, Episode 20
However, when it comes to Tanaka on the court, he’s a completely different person. He may have a heart of gold, but when it comes to going up against his opponents, he’s incredibly competitive and tends to be a prideful person. While he does have moments when he becomes overwhelmed by the quality on the other side of the court, Tanaka is mentally strong and tends to bounce back really quickly.
Chikara Ennoshita
Played For: Karasuno High
Chikara Ennoshita does not get all that much time to shine inHaikyuu!!, but that does not mean he is not an important part of Karasuno’s team. Essentially, this second-year student acts as Daichi’s vice-captain, serving as a calming influence on both the more energetic and younger players. While by no means terrible,Chikarais admittedly a pretty average player who does not shine in any specific area on the court; that said, he does not have any obvious weaknesses either, so he is a flexible option to have on the bench.
Don’t think I’m gonna be warming that bench forever. – Season 2, Episode 8
Chikara is a useful hand and head to have around, and he is more than capable of stepping up during clutch situations, like when he needed to replace Daichi during the Wakutani Minami High match. While ultimately a minor player in the grand scheme of things, he does contribute to the overall show.
Kei Tsukishima
Played For: Amemaru Middle School, Karasuno High
Middle blocker and first-year,Tsukkibegan his journey on Karasuno as acold and uncooperative teammate. Although he may still have a bit of a way to go, Tsukki’s personal growth throughout the series was key to the team’s overall chemistry. Tsukki started as an aloof person, participating as a part of the team but not finding any real drive or motivation like the other members.
This is so stupid. I’m not Hinata. To think that I actually want to fight until the end… – Season 3, Episode 9
Eventually, Tsukki had his big moment when he realized the game and his teammates meant a great deal to him. While his love for mocking his companions never really subsides, Tsukki’s attitude becomes far more teamwork-oriented in the sequel seasons of the anime. The journey was long, but he eventually realized that he did not need to suppress his love for volleyball.
Tadashi Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi, despite his tendency to crack under pressure, is Karasuno’s pinch server. Yamaguchi is a first-year student and Tsukki’s closest buddy. It was thanks to Yamaguchi’s perseverance that he roped Tsukki back in when he began to waver the team’s synergy.
What else do we need besides pride?! – Season 2, Episode 8
Yamaguchi was initially introduced as a very nervous person and as a result,didn’t perform well under pressure, which was when the team needed him the most. With the help of his teammates and their support, Yamaguchi eventually overcame his anxieties and learned how to handle the pressure like a pro.
