When it comes to its storyline, Haikyuu!! can be boiled down to the typical sports anime narrative where an underdog team makes its way to the top. But, what makes it stand out from most other sports anime—or rather shounen anime—is its character development.
Other than exploring the day-to-day volleyball adventures of its central dynamic duo (Hinata and Kageyama), the anime keeps shifting its focus to other secondary protagonists, delves into intriguing backstories, and even balances out its volleyball action with comic and equally poignant moments. All in all, primarily by the virtue of its well-written and diverse characters, it's a well-rounded anime that almost anyone can enjoy.
Shōyō Hinata: You're Bubbly, But Seriously Pursue Your Dreams
Hinata's foray into the world of volleyball was full of pitfalls, with one of them being his small stature. However, it's his energy and enthusiasm towards the sport that has gotten him really far. Initially, because of his lack of experience, he was easily intimidated by players far bigger than him. But, after learning all the ins and outs of volleyball, he has proven that his height is a mere number and he can be as good—if not better—than Tenma (a.k.a "The Little Giant.")
Hinata is the kind of kid who can only focus on one thing at a time. That explains why his grades are rarely impressive, but his volleyball skills only get better with time.
Tobio Kageyama: Your Actions Speak Louder Than Your Words
Once known as the "King of the Court," Kageyama was considered a volleyball prodigy. His fellow players were sore towards his self-centered game and oppressive attitude, but he ignored them and became a force to be reckoned with. However, no matter how stoic and insensitive he seemed on the outside, Kageyama always had a softer side.
For instance, there was a time when he feared being abandoned by his Kitagawa Daiichi team because everyone despised him. After playing alongside Hinata and befriending the players of Karasuni High, Kageyama has gone through a major catharsis. He's still a man of a few words, but now understands the importance of teamwork.
Yū Nishinoya: You're Quirky And Always Looking Out For Others
Nishinoya's ridiculous but hilarious antics always garner a lot of negative attention, but he usually cares little about what others think. Due to this, he often ends up saying silly things, only to later deal with serious ramifications.
Despite being so impulsive outside the court, he manages to keep himself calm and focused during volleyball games. Along with that, he never fails to cooperate with his team's dynamics and even shows immense empathy towards his friends. Overall, he's both goofy and amicable at the same time.
Tohru Oikawa: You're Confident, Ambitious, And Wicked Smart
Known to be a ladies' man, Oikawa is among the smartest characters in the roster of Haikyuu. He has an eye for detail and easily figures out the strengths and weaknesses of his fellow players. But, despite having impressive abilities and a vigorous work ethic, he isn't bereft of insecurities.
That's one big reason why he feels inferior in the presence of other talented players like Kageyama. However, even during these times, he refuses to give up on his big ambitions by reminding himself how much he loves volleyball.
Koushi Sugawara: You're Mature And Always Uplift Others
For the most part of the series, Sugawara's a substitute. Even so, he still serves as a leading figure for many on the team. As Karasuno's vice-captain, he plays his role with the utmost commitment and always encourages his fellow players to do better.
Because of how nurturing he is, no one thinks twice before approaching him with their everyday snags. There are times when he, too, brings out his playful side, but that's only to tease his team members and help them cheer up when they're low.
Kei Tsukishima: You're Blunt And Hate Being Looked Down Upon
At first, Kei comes off as a salty, mean character who has antagonistic tendencies. Yet, as his backstory surfaces, it becomes evident that he holds himself in low regard because of the fear of being average. Due to this, he initially holds himself back from working too hard.
But, with the support of his team, Kei slowly builds momentum and gains enough confidence to find his place as an accomplished volleyball player. He never entirely loses his brash attitude, but he learns to take the sport more seriously by channeling his undying urge to prove his worth.
Kiyoko Shimizu: You're Shy, Caring, And Mentally Strong
As seen when she gives inspiring speeches to the team, Kiyoko is shy and reserved. Instead of succumbing to her limitations, she always stays strong and makes sure that the boys of Karasuno High are in the best of spirits. While her mental strength is always on full display, her physical strength comes into the picture during dire times when her team urgently needs her help.
Using her impeccable track and field experience, she sprints over to Hinata's mother and brings him his shoes right before the beginning of a volleyball match.
Tetsurou Kuroo: You're Cool, Mindful, And Reliable
For the uninitiated, Kuroo can give off all the wrong vibes because of his purposefully provocative demeanor, but the ones close to him very well know that he's respectful towards his peers and elders, and, even when he's intentionally annoying, he knows where to draw a line.
Kuroo also has the unique ability to look right through people be it on the volleyball court or off it. It's this ability that allows him to hack into his opponents' Achilles heel and stem his place as a very reliable teammate.
Kenma Kozume: You're Stoic, Modest, And Work Hard In Silence
Kenma is a wallflower. He keeps to himself and has a small circle of friends. With an impassive expression on his face almost all the time, he works hard in silence to hone his skills as a volleyball player. He never boasts about it, but the result of his hard work often show when he displays strong technical and analytical skills on the court.
He's also an avid gamer, accomplished stock trader, and YouTuber, but, despite having a long list of achievements, he stays grounded and modest.
Ryūnosuke Tanaka: You're An Idol For A Younger Generation And Thrive On Anger
Compared to his peers at Karasuno High, Tanaka is way too laid-back and seems to take pride in that. Still, his overly protective nature, especially towards his juniors, has won him everyone's respect. He's late for practice almost every single day, but he still outshines many players in the court when he's angry.
He's also self-aware and never allows someone else's opinion to bring him down. Every once in a while, he does question his abilities but then snaps back to his confident self by putting in the work to become better.