Haikyuu! has been captivating viewers around the world since its debut. With its intense volleyball matches and its colorful cast of characters, there's a lot to love about it. From powerful aces to talented setters, the characters in Haikyuu! have made the series what it is today. However, a few characters stand out as some of the best players in the series. These players have made significant contributions to the series and have been some of the most exciting to watch.

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From the talented setters to the reliable liberos, the players on this list all have unique qualities that make them stand out from the rest. Whether it's their outstanding skills or unwavering passion, these players have made a lasting impression on the Haikyuu! Fandom. This article will look at the best players in the series and explore the unique characteristics that make them stand out from the rest.

Updated August 15, 2023, by Emedo Destiny: Sports anime rarely get the spotlight, but the masterpiece that is Haikyuu! has finally broken the popularity barrier dominated by action anime. In the exhilarating world depicted by the story, fierce volleyball matches unfold on the court, with a roster of exceptional athletes that showcase their extraordinary talent. From the setters who control the court to the spikers who deliver the killing blow, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the audience. Each character’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and contributions have played pivotal roles in shaping the narrative of Haikyuu!, elevating it to one of the most loved sports anime of all time. Here are some of the best players in the series.

15 Rintaro Suna

Rintaro is a formidable middle blocker from Inarizaki High School, whose abilities make him one of the best at the Nationals. Despite his relatively shorter stature as a middle blocker, Suna defies expectations with his incredible blocking instincts and game sense, allowing him to swiftly deny people.

However, Suna’s unique spiking style sets him apart on the court. Utilizing his torso to its full potential, his wide attacking range poses a daunting challenge for any opposing team. His spikes are notoriously hard to deal with, making him one of Inarizaki’s top scorers alongside their ace Aran.

14 Morisuke Yaku

Morisuke Yaku is the third-year starting libero of Nekoma High. Reminiscent of Nishinoya, he is a short and extremely athletic player with very good receiving instincts. Yaku can calmly and steadily dig powerful spikes, even from formidable opponents like Asahi, whom he had never faced before.

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Due to his position as a libero, his true brilliance lies in the shadows of the court, quietly and efficiently safeguarding his team’s chances of victory. He was dubbed the Guardian and Commander-in-Chief of Nekoma’s defense, and acknowledged to be as important as their ace.

13 Motoya Komori

Widely known as the number one high school libero, Motoya is one of the few prodigious talents in this series. Despite being a libero, he stands at 180cm, making him one of the tallest characters in the series.

He is an expert at receiving and setting, with his play earning him a spot in the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp, which is reserved for the best youth players in all of Japan. His fingerprints are everywhere on the Itachiyama Institute volleyball team, propelling them, alongside their ace, to become favorites to win the Nationals

12 Aran Ojiro

Aran is the third-year wing spiker and ace of the Inarizaki High School volleyball team. Known for his exceptional jump and spiking power, he became one of the five best aces in Japan. His thunderous jump serve can wreak havoc on defenses, unsettling players even if they are received.

In addition, his incredible brute strength allows him to bulldoze through even the toughest three-man defenses, drawing comparisons to Ushijima. But Aran’s talents extend beyond his impressive prowess, priding himself in his ability to take on defensive responsibilities with equal determination.

11 Wakatsu Kiryu

To be named one of the top three aces in Japan is not an easy task, and Kiryu of Mujinazaka High has shown several times why he is worthy of such honors. Considered by Atsumu to be more well-rounded than Ushijima, Kiryu is the ultimate combination of offense and defense.

His school’s emphasis on physical training has gifted him with very strong legs that allow for astonishingly high and precise jumps, making him a force to reckon with regardless of the quality and height of the setup. He is also an adept receiver and a master of the jump serve, with his self-doubt being his only flaw.

10 Tetsuro Kuroo

Kuroo is the captain of Nekoma High's Volleyball Team, the "destined rivals" of Karasuno High. He is renowned for his excellent read-blocking skills, which enable him to stop powerful serves from spikers like Bokuto, one of the top five in the country.

Kuroo is also a proficient offensive player, an all-rounder adept at both offense and defense. With his Personal Time Difference Attack, he is able to throw off the defending blockers by altering the timing of his jump. He uses his blocks to pressure opponents and make receives easier for his team to handle by narrowing or blocking a spiker's path.

9 Yu Nishinoya

Nishinoya is among the five second-years on the Karasuno High Boys' Volleyball Team. As the libero, his defense is remarkable with his fast reflexes, extraordinary stamina, and flexible arms. He can make seemingly impossible saves, even using his feet to save a ball during Karasuno's first match against Date Tech and later during the match against Nekoma High School.

After a short adjustment period, he is able to receive serves and spikes from powerful opponents like Toru Oikawa, Wakatoshi Ushijima, and Atsumu Miya. Nishinoya is known for his innovative techniques, such as "Rolling Thunder" and the 'libero toss' which sets him apart from other liberos. His reputation as the team's guardian is well-deserved, given his proficiency as a libero and his consistency in pushing his team to the finish line.

8 Korai Hoshiumi

Hoshiumi was one of the players invited to the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp. He is a fantastic all-rounder, known for his speed, agility, and high stamina. He is likened to the "Little Giant" due to his height and impressive jumping power. Despite his size, he can block opponents and get past taller blockers with his unique running technique.

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Korai's jump serve is a force to be reckoned with. His spikes have a lot of power behind them, making them difficult to receive. He has an extensive repertoire of attacks, such as feints, wipes, straights, and crosses, all of which he performs immaculately. On top of that, he displayed his natural setting skills at the All-Japan Youth Training Camp, even though his regular position is outside hitter—a testament to his versatility.

7 Kotaro Bokuto

Bokuto is one of the top five aces in the country, playing as the ace and captain of the prestigious Fukurodani Academy volleyball team. His athleticism and dedication to practice have earned him much praise. His impressive strength and technique allow him to easily break through two-person blocks. His accuracy is also remarkable, hitting line and cut shots with enough power to penetrate the smallest openings between blockers.

His powerful spikes make him a match for any blocker, even one of the best like Tendou. In the match against Mujinazaka, he single-handedly helped his team recover from a six-point gap. Bokuto is undoubtedly a formidable server with a jump serve that packs a punch and disrupts defenses

6 Kiyoomi Sakusa

Sakusa is one of the best aces in the country. Although he rarely appears in the anime, his reputation precedes him. With his extraordinary technique, accuracy, and shots, he is shown to be an intimidating force. Against Fukurodani, he managed to drive the ball out of bounds past a triple block with a powerful wipe. He stands out due to his incredibly flexible wrists, which enable him to spin his spikes and serves so that they are harder to block and receive.

Sakusa is a formidable defender as well. He is highly skilled in digging, and his defensive capabilities are on par with that of a Libero. His specialty is in blocking serves, and he can receive serves from powerful players like Kageyama and Ushijima.

5 Shoyo Hinata

Hinata plays as one of the Karasuno High volleyball team's middle blockers. Despite his clumsiness, he is an incredibly athletic player, praised for his incredible speed and reflexes, as well as his seemingly infinite stamina. He takes advantage of these qualities on the court, using his impressive jumps to offset his small stature. His swift movements and explosive jumps give him a great advantage on the court, allowing him to score points before his opponents can mount a defense.

He is nicknamed the "Ultimate Decoy" for his ability to draw the opponent's attention, allowing other spikers to score more easily. He and Kageyama's signature attack, the freak quick, makes him an invaluable player to the team. Hinata's main asset is his fortitude and determination to win. His passion for the sport and mental resilience is unparalleled, and no other character has seen such growth in their volleyball skills.

4 Toru Oikawa

Toru Oikawa is a highly skilled player and one of the best in the prefecture, notable for his powerful, accurate jump serve that he has honed since a young age. Oikawa's serves have pinpoint accuracy, specifically targeted at a member of the opposing team or a gap between two players, often producing a service ace.

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His talent lies in his natural ability to draw out the full potential of his teammates: finding weaknesses in the opposing teams and making precise tosses that are easiest for his teammates to hit. He is also shown to be talented at performing dumps at unexpected times, a method he does not often use to surprise opponents.

3 Tobio Kageyama

Tobio Kageyama is the starting setter for the Karasuno High School boys' volleyball team. He was one of the few first years chosen to attend the All-Japan youth training camp. His presence on the court instantly catapults Karasuno High into the competitive realm they had previously fallen out of. Kageyama is dubbed the "King of the Court" for his remarkable technique and knowledge of the game. He is a gifted all-around player, capable of executing all of the skills of the sport with accuracy.

As a setter, Kageyama can determine the ball's trajectory and toss it to the desired spot from any angle. He considers the spiker's preference and adjusts his sets accordingly, enabling him to create the famous quick attack with Hinata. Kageyama also has a knack for game-saving dump shots and service aces, which he has used against formidable teams like Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa.

2 Atsumu Miya

Atsumu Miya is a second-year student at Inarizaki High School and the starting setter for their Boys' Volleyball Team. He is Japan's top high school setter and server. His tosses possess great accuracy and consistency, tailored to make it easy for spikers to hit. He is also highly observant, learning Kageyama and Hinata's signature move and coordinating with his twin brother Osamu to recreate the God-Like Quick.

Atsumu is an absolute force to be reckoned with. His playing style allows him to hit powerful spike serves and lightning-fast, unpredictable floaters. He has mastery of both the spike serve and jump floater and often produces a service ace. Atsumu is an expert at pressuring opponents and has the power to dominate any court completely.

1 Wakatoshi Ushijima

Ushijima Wakatoshi is unstoppable on the court. The third-year student and captain of the Shiratorizawa Academy Boys' Volleyball Team is renowned for his strength and stamina. His powerful spikes are virtually unstoppable, as he can easily get past opposing blocks and receives. His high contact point, as well as his ability to extend his hang time in mid-air, gives him an extra edge against defenders. His most potent weapon is his left-handedness, which gives his spikes a unique spin, making it difficult for opponents to defend.

Ushijima's jump serve is particularly effective and was very damaging during the match with Karasuno. His skill set is unparalleled - he is one of the best opposite spiker in the show, one of the best servers, and an excellent blocker and defender. His impressive endurance allows him to consistently execute powerful spikes and serves throughout the match. Ushijima is the number one ace in Miyagi Prefecture and among the top three in the country—a true testament to his strength and skill.

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