Karasuno and Nekoma

Itachiyama Academy
A private school in Tokyo. The team is considered one of the strongest in the capital. Its roster includes outstanding players: Kiyomi Sakusa (one of the top three aces in the country), Tsukasa Iizuna (setter), and Motoya Komori (libero). Itachiyama is renowned for its powerful offense and defense.
Fukurodani Academy
One of the strongest teams in the Kanto region. The team's mascot is an owl, a reference to the aces Bokuto and Akaashi. The roster includes, for example, Kotaro Bokuto (the team's ace) and Keiji Akaashi (the setter). The team regularly competes in national competitions.
Nohebi Academy
Their style is characterized by feints, precise serves, and blocking. While the players are often polite to opponents and referees, they are sometimes called "snakes" behind their backs (the word "hebi" means snake in Japanese). Suguru Daisho is one of their members.
Shiratorizawa Academy
Considered one of the strongest in Japan, it ranks among the top 10. Its key figure is Wakatoshi Ushijima (one of the country's top three aces). The team's strategy is built around supporting Ushijima, which is why it is often symbolized by an eagle.
Other notable teams
Aoba Johsai High's strength lies in setter Tooru Oikawa.
Date Tech Elder - Known for her blocking tactic, "Date Tech Iron Wall."
Inarizaki High is renowned for its long list of strong players, including the Miya brothers.

Seijoh is the abbreviated name of Aoba Johsai Private School.
Composition (Aoba Johsai / Seijō School)
The name "Seijo" was created by combining the first and third kanji of the full name "Aobajosai" (青葉城). This is sometimes literally translated as "blue castle."
Brief description
Aoba Johsai is located in Miyagi Prefecture. Its men's volleyball team is one of the strongest in the prefecture: it consistently ranks in the top four and has reached the Spring Games finals for many years, second only to the Shiratorizawa team.
The team's key figure is Tooru Oikawa. He is the captain of the volleyball club and serves as the team's setter. He is considered the one who can unlock the potential of all the team's players by masterfully orchestrating the game.
Other notable players include Hajime Iwaizumi (a strict, almost Tsukishima-like vice-captain, an ace with powerful picks and serves, Oikawa calls him Iwa-chan), and Kentaro Kyotani (a second-year player with strong picks).

Appearance
Hitoka is a petite girl with light-colored hair (cut just above her shoulders, jaggedly) and light brown eyes. She often wears a bright star-shaped hair clip and pulls part of her hair back into a ponytail on the left side. She usually wears the Karasuno High School uniform. Some of the boys (Yahaba, Kindaichi, Yamamoto, Yamaguchi) find her attractive. After the timeskip, her appearance changed slightly: her hair became slightly longer, and she now ties it back into a ponytail.
Character
Hitoka has a vivid imagination: she often gets scared by her own assumptions and later apologizes for judging people based on first impressions. She's timid and easily embarrassed—for example, she blushes and closes her eyes when the volleyball team changes uniforms. She also has low self-esteem: she underestimates her abilities and believes she's unsuitable for a managerial role because she knows nothing about volleyball. At the same time, Hitoka is inquisitive, neat, and organized. She loves to write things down and keeps meticulous notes—partly because her mother was a graphic designer. This leads her to unwittingly become a tutor for Hinata and Kageyama when they fail exams. She's also caring and tries to cheer up those around her when they're down. Over time, Hitoka learns to better manage her nervousness.
Role in the plot
Hitoka is a first-year at Karasuno High School and one of the volleyball club's managers. She initially accepted the role because Kiyoko (the previous manager) asked her to replace her, and Hitoka was thrilled that Kiyoko, whom she considered very beautiful and popular, would even approach her. At first, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to handle it, but gradually warmed up to the team, especially Hinata.

Appearance
Kiyoko has short black hair that falls just below her shoulders. One strand is often tucked behind her left ear, while the rest hangs loosely on the right side. Her eyes are gray, with noticeable long eyelashes. A distinctive feature is a small mole on the lower left side of her chin. She also wears thin-framed glasses (sometimes with soft pink frames).
Her appearance even earned her the nickname "goddess"—students from other schools would notice her. In everyday life, she often wears black tights: in middle school, she ran hurdles and got scratches, so she's used to hiding her legs.
Character
At first, Kiyoko appears quiet and reserved. She takes her role as manager of the Karasuno volleyball team with utmost seriousness and passion. However, beneath her cold exterior lies a kind and caring nature. She genuinely cares for her teammates: for example, she repaired and cleaned the old Karasuno sign to boost morale. After Hitoka Yachi joined the team, Kiyoko became much more outgoing: she smiled more often and joked to help her new colleague fit in. At the same time, she retained her observational skills.

Role in the plot
Kiyoko is a third-year student at Karasuno High School, and she serves as the volleyball team manager. Daichi Sawamura approached her about becoming a manager. She takes her job seriously, organizing the club and supporting the team.
Before enrolling at Karasuno, Kiyoko competed in track and field (hurdles). Leg injuries left her with scars, which she later concealed with black tights. She abandoned track and field at school to focus on her role as a manager.

Appearance: A short, sweet blonde with slightly slanted eyes and a pointed chin. She wears four earrings. Her clothing often reflects a rebellious spirit: dark leather items, tops with exposed midriffs or cleavage, bracelets with metal studs, light brown pants, and a black belt.
Personality: Loud and outspoken, like her younger brother, Ryunosuke. She loves to rebel and avoid school, but she knows her moral boundaries and doesn't cross them. She often carries the image of the "cool older sister": the second-year volleyball club members (especially Nishinoya) perceive her as such. At the same time, she genuinely cares for her brother (often cooking dinner for him).
Role in the plot: Saeko is Ryunosuke Tanaka's older sister. During her school years, she was a classmate of the "Little Giant" (Shoyou Hinata) and saw him play during practice matches. Later, she begins to actively interact with the Karasuno team: helping with logistics (for example, driving Kageyama and Hinata to Tokyo), sharing memories, and also beginning to attend matches and interact with the players.
Nicknames: The second-year volleyball club members call her "Cool Big Sis."

Appearance
Tanaka has a shaved head with a receding hairline.
He is of medium height, with a thin but strong build.
During his first year at Karasuno, he had short, fluffy light-colored hair (blonde in the anime), but he later grew it out and returned it to its natural dark color.
His eyes are blue-gray (golden-brown in the colored manga illustrations) with a sharp gaze, often causing strangers to mistake him for a delinquent.
Tanaka often makes scary faces in an attempt to scare others, which Daichi scolds him for.
Character
Loud, hot-tempered, and easily irritated. Not averse to starting fights.
Something of a slacker, as evidenced by his work ethic at school and his habit of being late for practice.
At the same time, he cares about his teammates and protects the younger students.
He doesn't like people who put others down (for example, he got upset with Kei Tsukishima for badmouthing others in a 3v3 match).
Behaves politely with girls.
He shows a strong interest in girls—his room is full of posters of female idols. He's especially interested in Kiyoko Shimizu: he often tries to talk to her, though his advances are usually ignored, which turns him on.
Ryunosuke Tanaka is a member of the Karasuno High School volleyball team. For most of the series, he was a sophomore, playing as a wing spiker and considered the team's promising ace. His outburst and comical moments (facial expressions, reactions) provide many hilarious scenes throughout the series. Tanaka quickly took newcomer Shoyo Hinata under his wing.
Nicknames
Ryu (as Saeko and Nishinoya call him).
"The Bald Man from Karasuno."
Energeizer.
"Zinger".
There is a sister named Saeko.

Appearance
Tadashi is a young man of average build and above-average height. He has short, tousled hair (often with a grayish-green or chestnut tint), sticking out in all directions. His eyes are large and amber. As a child, he was bullied for his freckles and thinness, but by the time the story begins in high school, this no longer bothers him.
Outside of matches and training, he wears the black, orange, and white Karasuno High School uniform (with the number 12 on the back), black knee pads, and white sneakers with dark gray stripes. In everyday life, he wears a black gakuran (Karasuno's school uniform).
Character
Yamaguchi is a rather shy and timid person who often relies on others. This trait likely stems from childhood bullying. However, he's generally a nice guy and a loyal teammate. He and Tsukishima can tease others (like Kageyama or Hinata), but he's also capable of defending a friend if he feels they've been bullied. Yamaguchi is hard-working: he asks for extra training and continues to improve when he realizes he's falling behind. Initially, he doubted his abilities and struggled to cope with his nerves, but through persistent training and the mentorship of Makoto Shimada, he has become more confident.
Role in the plot
At the beginning of the story, Tadashi is a first-year player on the Karasuno volleyball team. He plays middle blocker and serves as a "substitute server" (a float serve). Over time, he develops: from an insecure rookie, he grows into a reliable player capable of significantly contributing to the team. His floaty jump serve becomes one of the key elements of Karasuno's game. Under Shimada's guidance, he not only improved his technique (increasing the speed of his serve and improving his aim), but also became more persistent and confident.
Even in elementary school, Tadashi was bullied for his freckles and thinness. One day, Tsukishima helped him fight off the bullies, and this laid the foundation for their bond: Yamaguchi began to look up to Tsukishima and set a goal of becoming "just as cool."

Appearance
Sugawara is of average height and slim build. He has light gray (ash) hair, brown eyes, and a mole under his left eye. He usually wears a gentle smile.
Character
Koshi Sugawara has a multifaceted personality. On the one hand, he's kind, compassionate, and insightful: he's sensitive to his teammates' emotions and acts as a support system for them. He's a great inspirer and never gives up, even in difficult situations.
On the other hand, he has a mischievous and slightly hooligan side: he can tease and even lightly slap his teammates when he's nervous or trying to cheer them up. He also occasionally displays a bit of pride. However, at critical moments, his behavior can change dramatically—for example, during the match with Shiratorizawa, he became so angry over the team's loss that he began babbling incoherently and sulking, despite usually maintaining a mature demeanor.
Role in the plot
Koshi Sugawara is the vice-captain of the Karasuno High School volleyball club and a third-year student. His position is setter: although he stopped being the main setter after Kageyama's arrival, he continues to play and fill in for Tobio when needed.
His role in the plot is multifaceted:
Team support. As vice-captain, he creates an atmosphere of trust within the team and helps his teammates maintain their spirits.
Nicknames
Teammates and other characters have given him several nicknames:
Suga is the most common and affectionate term, often used in close circles.
Suga-chan - that's what Kuroo calls him.
Suga-san is a greeting from Tanaka.
Mr. Cheerful (sometimes "Mr. Refreshing," "Mr. Optimistic," or "Mr. Sunshine," as Oikawa calls him).

Height: Originally stated as 159 cm, it was changed to 160.5 cm in Chapter 207. Yu himself has a complex about his short stature and often combs his hair up, making him appear about 10 cm taller.
Build: Lean but strong.
Hair: Dark, tousled. A strand of hair falling over the forehead is bleached.
Eyes: large, brown, unusually shaped.
Uniform: As a libero, he wears an orange shirt and shorts with black panels on the sides. He also wears white sneakers with red stripes, black knee pads, and a single black elbow pad on his right arm. In everyday life, he prefers brightly colored shirts, such as those with slogans like "One-Man Army" or "Three-Point Headstand."
Character
Energetic, cheerful, and emotional, his boisterous nature and impulsive actions often draw attention to him.
At the same time, he is quite tactful and attentive to the feelings of his friends, and supports them.
He can be impatient, excitable and impulsive - he can say something tactless without thinking.
At the same time, he is unexpectedly shy when it comes to talking to unfamiliar girls.
He has a quirky habit of spontaneously coming up with ridiculous names for his movements during training.
In-game, his demeanor changes dramatically: he becomes incredibly serious, focused, and does everything he can to provide the team with the support it needs. For this, he is highly respected at the club.
Role in the plot
Yu Nishinoya is a second-year student at Karasuno High School, playing as the libero. He chose this position because he understood it was one of the most important on the team. His strength is defense: he is a master at saving balls, often in difficult situations.
His role is particularly noticeable in the plot:
At critical moments in matches, it is Nishinoya who is often the player who manages to save the ball.
He has the ability to instantly adapt to the flow of the game and make unconventional decisions. A prime example is the match against the Iron Wall, when he kicked the ball away after realizing he couldn't reach it with his hands. This move drew admiration even from his opponents and coach.

Appearance
Daichi has short dark hair, dark brown eyes, and tanned skin. He has a large, muscular build. Many note that his appearance immediately conveys the impression of maturity and makes him well-suited to the role of team captain. He usually has a gentle smile, but when he's angry, his eyes become dull.
Character
Daichi is a caring and responsible captain who always puts the team's interests first. He's patient and understanding, but when angry, he can become truly intimidating. He also has a childish streak: for example, during lunch, he would accidentally set off the hazard warning lights while wrestling with the basketball captain. His combination of mature responsibility and occasional naivete makes him both respected and slightly feared by the team.
Role in the plot
Daichi is a third-year student at Karasuno High School and captain of the volleyball club (he plays as a wing spiker). He's not only a leader who inspires his teammates, but also a defensive specialist: he's often tasked with difficult plays (like Oikawa's serve) or covering other players' mistakes. When the original coach, Ukai, was hospitalized, Daichi took over as temporary coach.

Appearance
Asahi is a tall man with a strong, athletic build. He has long brown hair, which he usually wears pulled back, large brown eyes, and a small goatee. Over time, he began wearing a hair tie to keep his hair out of the way while playing. In the second season, he stopped tying his hair in a bun and started wearing a headband.
Character
There's an interesting contrast here: Asahi appears stern and even intimidating on the outside, but at heart he's kind, quiet, and very vulnerable. He's often described as having a "fragile heart": he takes criticism hard, which can lead to depression.
At the beginning of the story, Asahi exhibits weakness: after the team's loss to Date Tech High, he felt he had let his teammates down and attempted to quit the team. But after returning thanks to the support of Shoyo and the other players, he realized his passion for volleyball was stronger and gradually gained self-confidence. In later chapters, he clearly states that he will not allow anyone to take his position as ace from him—a sign of his personal growth. However, he still sometimes doubts himself and can appear insecure or even cowardly.
Role in the plot
Asahi is a third-year student at Karasuno High School, playing as a wing spiker and the team's ace. His strength is a powerful shot that can break through most blockers. He is often trusted with decisive attacks, especially when there are multiple blockers on the court. One of his signature techniques is a high shot slightly off the net. After the match against Nekoma, he learned to perform a baseline attack, often using it in conjunction with Hinata (who acted as a decoy), and later synchronized it with libero Nishinoya's throw.
Nicknames
Asahi has several nicknames that reflect his appearance and how others perceive him:
"Negative Bearded Man" (Sugawara);
"Drool" (Nishinoya);
"Long-haired" (spectators, rivals).

Appearance
Height and Build: Very tall (he was the tallest on the Karasuno team during his high school days), average build for a volleyball player.
Hair: short, slightly tousled, light.
Eyes: golden.
Skin: pale.
Characteristics: Often appears frowning or with a sly grin.
Attire: During games, he wears the Karasuno uniform with the number 11, black knee pads, and white sneakers with green stripes. Outside of games, he wears a black gakuran (Karasuno High School uniform) and headphones around his neck (Somi brand, a play on Sony).
Character
A conservative Japanese man of traditional upbringing.
Formalist: addresses everyone except peers and family as "you".
Sarcastic, likes to tease his peers.
Reserved, does not like to show emotions.
He has an analytical mind: he is calm, calculating, and carefully thinks through his actions on the court.
Sometimes giggles when someone does or says something stupid.
At the same time, he seems intimidated by his older comrades.
Despite his outward aloofness, he is hard-working and kind – his loved ones (for example, his older brother) speak of this.
Role in the plot
Kei is a middle blocker on the Karasuno volleyball team. His arc revolves around personal growth. He develops complex but meaningful relationships with various characters: teasing Hinata and Kageyama, and a deep friendship with Yamaguchi, who becomes a source of support for Kei.
Nicknames
"Smart blocker" (that's what Yamaguchi calls him).
"Glasses" (that's what Kotaro Bokuto calls him).
"Ordinary guy" (nickname from Tendo).
It is also sometimes called "Tsukki".
Some interesting details
The name "Kei" (蛍) means "firefly," and the family name "Tsukishima" (月島) means "moon island." Contrast: Tsukishima's family name contains the word "moon" (tsuki), while Hinata's family name contains the word "sun" (hi), reflecting their contrasting personalities.
There are other small details in the plot: his favorite food is strawberry pie.

Shoyo Hinata is the main character, a middle blocker. Despite his short stature (around 164 cm), he compensates for it with speed, agility, and incredible leaps. He possesses enthusiasm and motivation for training. He is known as the "Little Giant."
Tobio Kageyama is a setter and the "King of the Court." He possesses exceptional volleyball skills, able to accurately judge the ball's trajectory. As the story progresses, he learns to communicate better with his teammates.
Daichi Sawamura is the team's captain and wing spiker. He is a reserved and caring leader who puts the team's interests first. He has excellent receiving and anticipation skills. Koshi Sugawara is the setter and vice-captain. His nickname, "Mr. Refreshing," comes from his infectious positivity. He is the team's emotional support. Ryunosuke Tanaka is the wing spiker. He is known for his bold personality and unwavering confidence, ready to take on even the strongest opponents. He is known for his powerful spikes and his loyalty to the team. Kei Tsukishima is the middle blocker. He is reserved and calm, with an analytical mind. He was raised in a traditional manner.
Asahi Azumane is a wing spiker. A powerful player capable of driving through middle blockers and dishing out devastating serves.
Yuu Nishinoya is the libero. He's energetic and impulsive, but he's shy when meeting unfamiliar girls. Tadashi Yamaguchi is the pinch server. He's hardworking but lacks confidence. He steps up during the most tense moments. Kiyoko Shimizu (the team manager) is a former hurdler. She's organized, caring, and always tries to encourage others.

Taketora Yamamoto is a wing spiker. He stands out for his blond mohawk. He's loud and hot-tempered, but shy and awkward around girls. He's choleric by temperament. Nobuyuki Kai is the vice-captain and a wing forward.
Morisuke Yaku is a libero. (Kenma, Kuroo)

Appearance
Height: 187.7 centimeters. Build: Athletic, with broad shoulders and well-built arms. Eyes: Amber. Hair: Black, tousled, with bangs on the right side that partially cover his right eye. This hairstyle has earned Kuroo the nickname "prickly head." Clothing: Most of his wardrobe consists of dark colors. His uniform consists of a black T-shirt, a red tracksuit with the "Nekoma" engraving, and matching sweatpants and shorts. During official matches, he wears a red uniform with black accents and the number "1."
Character
Calm and confident, yet sarcastic and intriguing. Considered a "master of provocation," this is evident, for example, in his interactions with Tsukishima during the Tokyo expedition. Reliable and responsible—as captain, he always takes responsibility, and his teammates can count on him.
Caring towards friends and teammates. Can apologize if he realizes he has crossed the line.

He is known as the setter of the Nekoma volleyball team, and is called the "brain" and "heart" of the team.
Height: approximately 169.2 centimeters (in April 2012), later 170 centimeters. Eyes: cat-like, golden. Hair: blonde with black roots (sometimes called "pudding-like"). In his first year of middle school, Kenma dyed his hair to "blend in" after Yamamoto compared him to Sadako. After the events of the Spring Tournament, he allowed his hair to grow out a bit, and it partially returned to its natural dark color.
Clothing: Subtle, usually wearing the standard black and red uniform of the Nekoma Volleyball Club. Accessories: Often seen with a handheld game console or mobile phone.
Character
Calm and level-headed, Kenma rarely loses his cool and doesn't usually get excited or get carried away by anything (except for Hinata, video games, and Lev). He's reserved. He rarely expresses his opinions, as he's afraid of others' opinions. He doesn't like to stand out or be noticed. He's shy. His shyness makes it difficult for him to make friends, with the exception of his childhood friend, Tetsurou Kuroo. He rarely shows emotion, which can make him seem cold.
Caring. Despite his outward aloofness, Kenma thinks about his friends and notices changes in their behavior. For example, when Kuroo was depressed after losing a match, Kenma asked if he wanted to practice and "level up."
Analytical and strategic. Possesses a keen mind, able to analyze opponents and develop counter-plans.
Hobbies and interests
Video games. Kenma enjoys handheld gaming consoles, particularly the PSP. His video game nickname is applepi.

Muscular build, lean but strong appearance.
Black hair, cut short, with bangs that hang just above dark blue eyes.
The everyday look consists of either a school uniform or workout clothes.
Character
Initially, Kageyama came across as sullen, arrogant, and short-tempered. He was a domineering perfectionist, caring only about winning and ignoring the opinions and well-being of his teammates. His habit of complaining about their play and barking orders led other players at Kitagawa Daiichi Middle School to nickname him "King of the Court." However, most people didn't know that Kageyama was far more sensitive and childish than he appeared. He simply didn't know how to control his frustration, and therefore expressed his thoughts and emotions inappropriately. After entering Karasuno High School, Kageyama changed for the better. He became more respectful of upperclassmen and more tolerant of people whose abilities and views differed from his own. He rediscovered the importance of teamwork and mutual trust in sports. Kageyama is passionate and dedicated to volleyball. He genuinely wants to do his best and is extremely dedicated to his craft.

Appearance
Height. At the beginning of the story, he's 162.8 centimeters tall; by the middle of the school year, he's grown to 164.2 centimeters. He's one of the shortest players on the volleyball team (only Nishinoya is shorter). Hair. Unruly red (some sources say orange).
Eyes. Brown.
Build: Relatively slender. Due to his short stature and thin frame, Hinata is often mistaken for a junior high or even elementary school student.
Clothing. He usually wears the Karasuno school uniform—a black jacket and black pants, with a beige or brown sweatshirt underneath. During matches, he wears a black tank top and shorts with white and orange stripes on the sides. On the back is the number 10 and the school name written in kanji. On the court, he wears knee pads and white volleyball shoes with red stripes.
Cheerful and energetic. A fun and easy-going guy.
He's simple-minded, which sometimes leads to rash decisions. He's observant and sensitive. He's very sympathetic to the suffering and experiences of others, often saying what others need to hear to nudge them in the right direction.
Friendly and straightforward. He makes friends easily and can befriend even the quietest of people.
Perseverance and the will to win. Never gives up during a match, even when faced with difficulties.
He's easily intimidated, especially by larger and stronger opponents. Because of this, he's developed a habit of hiding behind his teammates. However, he quickly recovers and confidently confronts opponents. He gets nervous before matches due to his lack of experience. He becomes clumsy and may experience an upset stomach or need to urinate constantly. Over time, he learns to cope with pressure.