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Hisashi Kinoshita (Japanese: 木下 (きのした) 久志 (ひさし) Kinoshita Hisashi) was a second-year student at Karasuno High. He was one of the substitute wing spikers and pinch servers for the Boys' Volleyball Team.

As of 2018, he is working for a train company.

Appearance[]

Kinoshita has short, spiky light brown hair and large narrowed eyes. He is average in height and is the shortest second-year apart from Nishinoya.

Post-timeskip, Kinoshita's appearance appears to have changed very little.

Personality[]

Kinoshita is a kind although somewhat shy individual. He gets along relatively well with his team and is not afraid to occasionally poke fun at them; such as mocking Tanaka for stripping off his shirt during the first-years match.

When playing volleyball, he's very anxious when it comes to his own abilities and constantly worries about whether he's good or not even though he has been noted to have an "uncanny knack of putting points on the board" by Ukai. Even though he isn't a regular, he is very supportive of his team and can seen wholeheartedly cheering for them during matches. Kinoshita is shown to be hard working in wanting to perfect his jump float serve to the point that Yamaguchi felt nervous about being replaced as the regular pinch server.

Background[]

In his first year, he joined Karasuno boys' volleyball team, which had been more of a recreational club than a team at that time. However, Ikkei Ukai returned from retirement shortly after and restarted training. Unable to keep up with it and not finding it fun anymore, Kinoshita left the volleyball team, along with Ennoshita and Narita, for a while.[1] By the time they realized how much volleyball meant to them and decided to return, Ikkei Ukai was already gone again. Regretting their decision, they started to call themselves the "Ungrateful Second-Years".

Plot[]

Karasuno High Team Formation Arc[]

Kinoshita s1 e5

Though briefly seen during practice, Kinoshita makes his full debut in the 3-on-3 match in the anime.[2] During the game, he acts as the scorekeeper. As usual, he comments on the abilities of the first-years and also teases Tanaka when he gets too fired up. In the manga, he doesn't debut until the practice match against Aoba Johsai.

Aoba Johsai Practice Match[]

Kinoshita is seen in the background as Daichi explains the roster for the practice match.[3] Kinoshita doesn't get to play in this match, but cheers on his teammates on the sides.

Nekoma Practice Match[]

Narita

During the training camp, Hinata and Kageyama approach the second-years after hearing Ennoshita's comment about how he ran away.[1] Shamefully, Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita reveal their past and how they quit the team for a while after the original coach, Ikkei Ukai, returned during their first year at Karasuno; explaining that they were part of the club for fun and had a kind captain but then it became all about winning when Ikkei began coaching again. They, and several others, were unable to keep up with the rigorous training and left for a short while but eventually returned when they realized how much they enjoyed volleyball. By the time they did, Ikkei had left the team due to health concerns and believed that Daichi and the new team captain allowed them back because the team didn't have many members. However, they did promise the first-years that they would continue to work as hard as they could for the team.

Kinoshita doesn't play during the match against Nekoma, but instead appears to be one of the refs during the game.

Interhigh Arc[]

Kinoshita is the main pillar of Karasuno's cheering squad.

Tokyo Expedition Arc[]

Narita, Kinoshita, and Ennoshita help Nishinoya and Tanaka study for the exams at Tanaka's house so they can attend the summer training camp in Tokyo.[4] When Saeko first appears and is revealed to be part of a taiko drum group, Kinoshita remarks that she's a really cool person.

He, along with the rest of the team, takes part in the training camp with Nekoma High, Ubugawa High, Shinzen High, and Fukurōdani Academy. He's part of Karasuno's B Team during practices.[5]

Spring High Preliminary Arc[]

Kinoshita doesn't play in any of the matches but supports his teammates on the side.

Karasuno vs Wakutani Minami[]

When Ennoshita is subbed in to replace Daichi, Kinoshita is seen being slightly worried, but that uneasiness is vanquished once he sees the newly appointed on-court captain acting like one. Kinoshita is also shown in a flashback of the "Ungrateful Second Years" trying to come back to the club, Ennoshita is seen trying to help Kinoshita and Narita when he spots them showing signs of wanting to return to the club as well. When Karasuno loses the second set, Kinoshita calls out the temporary captain for being the only one with a lack of confidence and that they'll win the match. When Ennoshita makes an impressive dig, Kinoshita and Narita both cheer loudly for their teammate. Despite Karasuno's victory, Kinoshita and Narita notice Ennoshita being upset but are unsure why.

Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa[]

Despite not having played in the matches leading up to the match against Shiratorizawa, Kinoshita is confident that Karasuno is going to nationals. The next day, during Karasuno's first time-out, Kinoshita praises Nishinoya for being so close to receiving Ushijima's spikes, but Nishinoya tells him that the spikes he's managed to get his arms on still weren't at full power yet. When Karasuno was able to win, Kinoshita joins in rushing to his teammates on the court to celebrate.

Tokyo Nationals Arc[]

Kinoshita s4-e6-1

Kinoshita trains with the whole team and focuses on honing his serves before the Nationals. Throughout the practices, he is shown being able to make several jump float serves that even Nishinoya is not able to receive, and even causes Yamaguchi to be worried about being surpassed by his upperclassman.

During the practice match against Date Tech, he is sent in as the pinch server instead of Yamaguchi. Though he is noted to be a bundle of nerves by Ukai, Kinoshita is able to score a service ace when Date Tech's receivers are unable to pick up his serve. His second serve lands out and he is taken off the court with the warning not to try to hide again when Ukai decides to send him into a game or else he will be forced to sit next to the coach anytime they have to go anywhere. After the practice match, he continues to practice with Nishinoya and his serves continue to frustrate the talented libero as he is not able to receive any of them properly. He would question Nishinoya of why he doesn't stick with underhand receives for jump floats to which Nishinoya would answer that jump floats require a different method of receiving and that this is a weak point he must work on in order to get better.

When in Tokyo, Kinoshita admits to admiring Sugawara's calmness while he studies. The next day, Kinoshita and Narita offer to help the rookies in watching over the team's bags since it would give them something to do and focus on. However, none of them noticed when a young boy had mistakenly taken the bag containing Hinata's shoes.

Karasuno vs Tsubakihara[]

Kinoshita's first time playing in a match is when Karasuno is facing Tsubakihara Academy in the first round of the Spring Tournament. Despite encouragement from his team, Kinoshita's serve lands out but Ukai sees that the second-year is letting determination and ambition build inside him.

After the match, Kinoshita and the other second-years briefly reunited with their previous captain, Kurokawa. When the team returned to their inn, Kinoshita and Narita pretended not to eavesdrop when they saw Tanaka talking with Kanoka but their cover was blown by Ennoshita telling Tanaka that he finally had a chance to have a girlfriend.[6] Kinoshita would attempt to comfort Tanaka when he believes that he's never had a chance with Kiyoko and now may be the object of affection for Kanoka.

Karasuno vs Inarizaki[]

Kinoshita is sent in to serve during the game against Inarizaki after Ukai helps him remember that they are playing against regular high school students. When he is off the court again, he reveals great confidence in the first-years and he prepares himself for his next chance to go back on the court by mentally visualizing making multiple service aces in a row. During the third set, Kinoshita is sent in once more. Despite his best efforts, his serve is cut off and he is taken out of the game.

Kinoshita s4-e21-2

As he leaves the court, he silently reveals that he feels like he's being left behind as the other second-years have all had their amazing, heroic moments, such as Tanaka finally utilizing his new cross shot, Ennoshita having played during the match against Wakutani Minami High, and Narita having played in the game against Shiratorizawa. Throughout the set, Kinoshita noticed Nishinoya's frustration of not being able to receive several of Atsumu's jump float serves.

Karasuno s4-e25-5

Shortly after Nishinoya reveals how fearful he was as a child, Kinoshita is able to help the libero move into place when he again became hesitant and was unable to move as he was again targeted by Atsumu. Afterwards, Nishinoya would point to Kinoshita in a sign of appreciation for helping him overcome his fear of jump floats. When Hinata was able to receive Aran's spike in the third set, Kinoshita is shown being surprised at the action. When Karasuno wins the match, Kinoshita joins the others in rushing onto the court to celebrate.

Karasuno vs Nekoma[]

Kinoshita cheers for the team when they face their rival, Nekoma. When the Nekoma team unleashes a five-person synchronized attack, Kinoshita is seen being surprised along with the rest of his team as they have never seen Nekoma perform this attack before. Later during the set, Kinoshita notices that the ball seems to be getting by Lev more than usual but Tsukishima believes that it is on purpose and that Lev has learned to use his blocks to direct where the opposing spikers should hit the ball. Like the rest of the team, Kinoshita celebrates when Hinata is able to win the second set for Karasuno.

Karasuno vs Kamomedai[]

Near the end of the first set, Kinoshita is subbed into the game when Tsukishima is up to serve. Though his serve was successful in being received awkwardly, Kamomedai is still able to counter. After the tournament, Kinoshita is seen tearfully biding farewell to the third-years when they retired and graduated.

Final Arc[]

In the Final Arc, Kinoshita attends the game between the Schweiden Adlers and the MSBY Black Jackals along with Narita and other members of the team who joined after the third-years retired. He briefly reunites with Tanaka and Kiyoko while still trying to accept the two married. After high school, he became an employee for a train company.

Statistics[]

High School Statistics
Power
 
3/5
Jumping
 
2/5
Stamina
 
3/5
Game Sense
 
2/5
Technique
 
2/5
Speed
 
4/5

He is a good overall player, whose main strength lies in his ability to accurately aim for specific spots on the court with his serves. He has experience in the jump float serve and is one of Karasuno's pinch servers.

As of mid-November:

  • Fingertip Height: 223 cm.
  • Jumping Reach: 297 cm. (spike) / 280 cm. (block)

Relationships[]

Karasuno High[]

  • Karasuno High: Kinoshita has a good relationship with his teammates and is very supportive of them during matches. He is good friends with Tanaka and Nishinoya and helped them study for the exams, though he doesn't hold the same power over them as Ennoshita.
  • Chikara Ennoshita and Kazuhito Narita:
    Narita
    They are good friends with one another and are often together during practice or matches. They have also been seen together outside of team events. Additionally, the three support each other after being subbed in matches, most notably when Ennoshita lead Karasuno to defeat Wakutani Minami and Narita after he subbed for the team's regular middle blockers a few times. In fact, this made Kinoshita self-conscious about being the team's least useful player.
  • Yū Nishinoya:
    Kinoshita and Nishinoya s4-e20-1
    It is shown during Nationals that Kinoshita and Nishinoya have a good relationship, though they have been seen practicing together a few times where he was willing to use his time to help Nishinoya out with his upper-hand receives. He's also often seen to cheer on for Nishinoya whenever he seems anxious or troubled. This was most evident during Karasuno's match against Inarizaki as he not only supported his friend but also helped him to overcome his fear of being targeted by Atsumu's jump float serves and perform a perfect overhand receive, which Nishinoya is grateful to Kinoshita for.

Quotes[]

  • (To the second-years regarding the next captain of Karasuno) "No way, I'll pass."[7][8]
  • (To Karasuno) "That's a given, if we're going to the nationals!!"[9][10]
  • (To himself) Our opponents aren't university students, nor working adults, nor are they some aliens... but I know... they also aren't... your run of the mill high schoolers either. They've worked harder and accumulated much more experience than I have. Not all chances are created equal. But still, they exist!"[11][12]
  • (To himself) "... I thought at the very least, I'd be able to... make some kind of dramatic play when my number was called. I thought I would be able to have my heroic moment too, if only just for a flashing moment. [It] turns out I was... completely naïve about everything."[13][14]

Trivia[]

  • Star Sign: Aquarius.
  • He wears white gym shoes with black accents.
  • In the anime, his jersey number is switched from 7 to 8 during the Interhigh Preliminaries matches against Date Tech and Aoba Johsai. In the second season, his jersey number is switched back to 7. It is not known whether this was an animation error or was done on purpose.
  • He owns a VHS.
  • The first time he's shown playing in a match is in Season 2 Episode 1. However, Furudate did mention that he was unsure about Kinoshita's stance towards "club activities"[15].
  • In Haikyuu's first popularity poll, Kinoshita ranked 31st with 367 votes.[16] In the second popularity poll, he dropped to 41st with 497 votes.[17]
  • When asked about Kinoshita's name, Furudate said that it may have come from his grandfather or grandmother[15].
  • Kinoshita shares his Japanese and English voice actors with other characters.
  • Nomenclature:
    • Hisashi (久志) – Always
    • Kinoshita (木下) – Under the Tree

References[]

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