Haikyu!! is a volleyball-themed manga currently being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump as of 2018. Haikyu!! follows Hinata Shoyo, a boy who aspires to be like the former ace of Karasuno High School, as he enrolls at the same school and improves his volleyball skills alongside his teammates. Haikyu!! is home to many popular characters. This time, we'll be taking a closer look at the appeal of one of the most popular characters, Kageyama Tobio, who is a secondary protagonist and partner of Hinata Shoyo.
The All-Rounding Genius Rookie Setter!! About Kageyama Tobio
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
Kageyama Tobio is a first-year student on the Karasuno High School volleyball team, playing as a setter. He has short black hair and narrow eyes, and is often seen angry. Having played volleyball since she was little, she is highly skilled and serves as the starting setter at Karasuno High School despite being a first-year student. She has a passionate and enthusiastic personality when it comes to volleyball. However, she barely pays attention to anything else and is not good at studying.
Is Kageyama Tobio's goal to win the national championship?
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
Kageyama Tobio lives his life solely focused on improving his volleyball skills. He's extremely dedicated to practicing and competitive. With a dream of becoming a professional volleyball player, he aims to lead Karasuno High School to victory in the national tournament. He originally wanted to attend Shiratorizawa High School, a school with a strong volleyball team, but after failing the entrance exam he enrolled at Karasuno High School. In Haikyu!!, which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in July 2018, he has already competed in the national volleyball tournament, the Spring High Volleyball Tournament. He is also talented enough to be selected individually for the All-Japan Men's Youth National Team training camp.
The All-Rounding Genius Rookie Setter! Tobio Kageyama's Special Skills
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
So far, we've introduced the personal stats and details of Tobio Kageyama, the secondary protagonist of Haikyu!!. So, what abilities does he have, and what makes him so strong? Let's take a closer look at some of his special skills.
The All-Rounding Genius Setter!! Kageyama Tobio's Special Skill #1: His Extraordinary Setting Skills
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
Kageyama's first special skill is his extraordinary setting skills. From quickly tossing the ball around the opponent's block to timing the toss to coincide with Hinata's shot, he has the concentration and technique to effortlessly pull off things that other players just can't. His eccentric quick attack with Hinata is a technique that only Kageyama can pull off, so it could be said to be one of his weapons. Previously, he would make tosses that even his opponents couldn't hit in order to avoid the block, but he has corrected this since entering Karasuno High School.
The Versatile, Genius Rookie Setter! Kageyama Tobio's Special Skill #2: His Powerful, Killer Serve
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The next special skill we'll introduce to you is Kageyama Tobio's powerful, killer serve. Kageyama's serves are both highly accurate and powerful, resulting in numerous aces in his matches. In addition to his fast serves, the secret to his strength is also his quick wit, which allows him to surprise his opponents by hitting soft shots where they are positioned. He is one of the most skilled characters in Haikyu!!, and he practices his serves based on Oikawa Tooru's from middle school.
The All-Rounding Genius Setter! Tobio Kageyama's Special Skill #3: His High-Spec Physical Ability
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The last special skill I'd like to introduce to you is Tobio Kageyama's high-spec physical ability. While Kageyama plays as a setter, he also possesses above-average skills in receiving, spiking, and blocking. So, when it comes to volleyball, he has almost no weaknesses. While there are few players who are physically inferior, he can become easily impatient when being overtaken.
The Versatile Rookie Setter: Tobio Kageyama and His Relationships with Other Characters
Source: Haikyu!! ©Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
So far, we've introduced Tobio Kageyama's personal information and strengths. So, what kind of people are around Kageyama Tobio, and what kind of relationships do they have? We will introduce some of the most important characters related to Kageyama Tobio.
First-year student Hinata Shoyo shows off his perfect teamwork with Kageyama!
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The first character we'll introduce, someone closely related to Kageyama Tobio, is Hinata Shoyo. Hinata Shoyo is a first-year student and a member of the Karasuno High School volleyball team, just like Kageyama. They faced each other only once in their junior high school days, and while Kageyama was amazed by Hinata's physical abilities, Kageyama's junior high school team won by a landslide. Since becoming members of the same team, they have often competed against each other, but their combination has improved since he adopted an eccentric fast attack that matches the pace of Hinata's hits. As a result, the two of them have become a mainstay of Karasuno High School's teamwork.
Kageyama's senior and role model!! Oikawa Toru
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The next character closely related to Kageyama Tobio is Oikawa Toru. Oikawa Toru attended the same junior high school as Kageyama Tobio, making him two years older than him. Since Oikawa Toru plays the same position as Kageyama, Kageyama imitated Oikawa in order to improve, and his skills steadily improved. Oikawa once became impatient with Kageyama's rapid growth and ended up hitting him. However, with the support of his teammates, he regained his skills as a setter. Since then, Oikawa has clearly viewed Kageyama as an enemy, and even after entering high school, Karasuno High School and Oikawa's Aoba Johsai High School have engaged in many fierce battles.
Former members of the same team, a fateful relationship! Kindaichi Yuutaro
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The next character closely related to Kageyama Tobio is Kindaichi Yuutaro. Kindaichi Yuutaro is a member of the volleyball team at Aoba Johsai High School, the same school as Oikawa Toru, mentioned earlier. He and Kageyama attended the same junior high school, and were former teammates and classmates. During their junior high school days, Kageyama was strict with himself and others, and would often make reckless tosses in order to shake off blockers. This caused a strained relationship between him and Kindaichi.
Former Members of the Same Team, a Fateful Relationship!! Hide Kunimi
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate / Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The next character closely related to Tobio Kageyama is Hide Kunimi. Like Yutaro Kindaichi, Hide Kunimi is a first-year member of the Aoba Johsai High School volleyball team, and Kageyama is a former member and classmate. He is one of the players who could no longer keep up with Kageyama's domineering tosses, and holds a grudge against him. Kunimi also has a different way of thinking than Kageyama; he is always mindful of his energy allocation and is the type to perform at his best in the second half when the team is tired. However, he has often disagreed with Kageyama, who always gives his all.
A talented player in the same position! Miya Atsumu
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
The last character closely related to Kageyama Tobio is Miya Atsumu. Miya Atsumu is a member of the Inarizaki High School volleyball team. He plays the same position as Kageyama, a setter, and met Kageyama at the All-Japan Men's Youth National Team training camp. He has the same level of ability as Kageyama, and their playing styles are similar, so Miya is the one who is attracting more attention. He is also capable of launching fast attacks using negative tempo, and they faced each other at the Spring High Volleyball Tournament.
The All-Rounding, Genius Rookie Setter! The Charm of Kageyama Tobio
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
So far, we've looked at Kageyama Tobio's personal traits, abilities, and relationships with other characters. So, what is his appeal? Kageyama is clumsy, not good at talking, and not good at communicating, but he wants to win by excelling in volleyball technique, so his bravery in trying to communicate and cooperate with his teammates, even if only little by little, is what makes him so relatable. Also, his ace-like presence and strength during matches are cool, and it could be said that he is a character who is likely to be popular with both men and women.
[Haikyu!!] Karasuno High School's Strongest Decoy!! A Thorough Explanation of the Appeal of Hinata Shoyo!! Summary
Source: Haikyu!! © Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, "Haikyu!!" Production Committee, MBS
This article introduced the charm and characteristics of Kageyama Tobio, a character from Haikyu!!. Kageyama is one of the most important characters in Haikyu!!, and his growth alongside Hinata is captivating. Haikyu!! is very passionate and has many moving scenes, so it is recommended for both men and women. If you haven't seen it yet, why not give it a try?
