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The only ones who get to stay on the court... are the best.
Tobio Kageyama to himself[1][2]

Tobio Kageyama (Japanese: 影山 (かげやま) 飛雄 (とびお) Kageyama Tobio) is the deuteragonist of the Haikyū!! series. For the majority of the series, he is a first-year student at Karasuno High School and plays as the starting setter for the boys' volleyball club.

He was chosen to train at the All-Japan youth training camp during his first year of high school and joined the V. League as soon as he graduated. He became a part of Japan's national volleyball team at the age of 19, participating in the Rio Olympics in 2016. In November 2018, he was playing as a setter for the Japanese V-League Division 1 team Schweiden Adlers. Currently, he is a member of Ali Roma, an Italian professional team in Italy Serie A.

Appearance

Kageyama's height and impressively sharp glare are said to be his most prominent physical features and source of attraction to several female classmates. He is of a lean but muscular build. He often emits an intimidating aura, which is heightened by the almost permanent scowl on his face. His black hair is cropped short, with a fringe that hangs just above his dark blue eyes. His typical attire consists of either his school uniform or practice clothes.

Post-timeskip, Kageyama has grown to be 188 cm. His hair is now parted down the middle similar to that of how Kunimi had his. By the end of the series, Kageyama now has short bangs that end just above his eyebrows.

Personality

Perpetually sullen, arrogant, and undeniably short-tempered, Kageyama originally came off as a typical overbearing perfectionist, caring only about winning and completely disregarding the opinions and well-being of his teammates. His habit of complaining about their performance and barking orders at them eventually led the other players in Kitagawa Daiichi to nickname him the "King of the Court", a constant reminder of the oppressive, egocentric attitude he demonstrated during his volleyball career in junior high.

Unbeknownst to the majority of his schoolmates and acquaintances, however, he is much more sensitive and childish than he appears to be; he simply does not know how to control his frustration, and hence expresses his thoughts and emotions in an inappropriate way. After everyone in Kitagawa Daiichi became fed up with him and abandoned his side, Kageyama was filled with genuine regret and developed an intense fear of being despised and mistrusted but refused to openly discuss his problem until Tsukishima confronted him about it.

Despite his inability to properly socialize, he sincerely wishes to do his best and is extremely passionate and dedicated when it comes to volleyball, to the point where he gets overly excited about nearly every successful move he pulls off with Hinata.

Since joining Karasuno, he has grown to be more respectful of his upperclassmen, as well as more accepting of people whose abilities and/or views differ from his own and has come to once again understand the importance of teamwork and mutual trust in the sport he treasures so much. Additionally, this has also helped him regain his confidence as a setter. He has also come to realize that he doesn't call the shots on the court and has learned to give up control to Hinata and other spikers.

During high school, he still gets extremely angry when he is called by his nickname, "King of the Court", but by the Final Arc, he has changed greatly on how he views the nickname.

Background

Even shortly after he was born, Kageyama was shown to already have a great love for volleyball when he held on dearly to his older sister's volleyball and refused to let his grandfather take it away from him[4]. When he was around four years old, Kageyama started playing volleyball with his grandfather, Kazuyo, and his older sister, Miwa, and soon found a passion for the sport, and became a setter due to it being the position that got to touch the ball the most. During his time at Akiyama Elementary, Kageyama is soon recognized as a prodigy.

Once he entered Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High, it was clear that his potential would be much higher than the other players on his team, including the current third-year setter Tōru Oikawa. However, Kageyama's exceptional abilities and lack of consideration for others led him to develop a demanding demeanor and an inability to cooperate with his teammates, causing them to refer to him as the "King of the Court". Since the true meaning of this nickname was only known to the players at Kitagawa Daiichi, outsiders simply assumed that it referred to Kageyama's incredible talent. Additionally, he would often practice more than required, which his teammates, Kunimi and Kindaichi, would notice and judge him for and at times try to avoid.

By his third-year of junior high, Kageyama's attitude had already destroyed his relationship with his teammates to the point where Kindaichi and Kunimi considered asking the coach to bench the setter. Despite the setter's lack of teamwork, Kitagawa Daiichi still managed to be a favorite to win at the Junior High Athletics Meet. It was at the tournament where he would first meet and begin his long-term rivalry with Shōyō Hinata.

Kageyama s4-e11-1

Kitagawa Daiichi was said to have moved forward with the tournament but lost in the finals; it's hinted that Kageyama may be one of the main reasons for the loss due to his picture being on an article about the match. At some point during the junior high competitions in his third-year, Kageyama sent a toss to his teammates in the middle of a game only to find no one behind him. His teammates refused to hit his tosses anymore, showing their clear desire of having him removed from the team. Kageyama was then benched and ended his final game at Kitagawa Daiichi in shame. Not long after this, Kageyama fails to enter Shiratorizawa and his grandfather passes away, which is shown deeply affecting him and his sister, Miwa.

Plot

Kageyama makes his debut appearance during the middle school volleyball tournament when he arrives at the gym with his team, Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High. Its first match was against Hinata's team, Yukigaoka Junior High School. Before the game began, Kageyama went to the bathroom, where he encountered Hinata being bullied by members from Kitagawa Daiichi. Kageyama coldly criticized them before turning his attention to Hinata. Despite Kageyama's mocking of Hinata's lack of height and overly idealistic ambition, Hinata wasn't fazed and challenged Kageyama instead, surprising and irritating the latter. Kageyama accepted angrily before leaving.

As expected, Kitagawa Daiichi easily overwhelmed Yukigaoka, but Hinata remained determined. Kageyama admired Hinata's high jumps, overall athletic abilities, and determination, but didn't change his poor opinion of the wing spiker. In the end, Kitagawa Daiichi won both sets (25-5, 25-8). As the teams lined up, Kageyama angrily asked Hinata what he had been doing for the past three years before getting called away. Afterward, as they were leaving, Hinata ran up to Kageyama and vowed to defeat him next time they faced each other.

Karasuno High Team Formation Arc

Hinata and Kageyama encounter

Hinata and Kageyama encounter each other again at Karasuno.

Kageyama arrives at the second gymnasium early and practices serves[5]. Suddenly, the door slams open and Hinata rushes in, loudly asking Kageyama why he's here too. Kageyama recognizes Hinata but doesn't remember his name, prompting the latter to reintroduce himself. Hinata states that Kageyama has probably already forgotten him, but Kageyama denies it, thinking back to Hinata's reflexes, jumping power, and speed. Kageyama instead insults Hinata, leading to an argument. Hinata asks Kageyama why he's here and Kageyama reveals solemnly that he didn't get into the best school in the prefecture. Hinata wonders how since Kageyama's the King of the Upper Court and Kageyama yells at Hinata before getting interrupted by the third-years.

Daichi, Sugawara, and Tanaka are walking in while talking about Kageyama. They greet Kageyama and talk to him a bit. Hinata loudly greets the third years and Tanaka, taking the attention of Kageyama momentarily. They compliment Hinata for his performance last year and he exclaims that he'll become Karasuno's ace. This causes Kageyama to insult him, reminding him to not waste another three years again. Daichi tries to stop the argument, but the first-year's ignore him, too engrossed in their fight.

The vice-principal then comes in and the upperclassmen try to cover up the situation, but Hinata and Kageyama end up challenging each other to a mini-match. Hinata exclaims that he's not the same as last year and Kageyama replies with the same words and smiles excitedly, surprising Hinata.

The match begins and Kageyama does a jump serve that Hinata avoids at the last moment. Kageyama asks if this behavior is any different from last year's and Hinata asks for another try without any hesitation. Kageyama serves again but to his surprise, Hinata moves quickly to where the ball goes. However, the ball bounces off his arms and then his face before flying towards the vice principal. It knocks the vice principal's wig off, silencing everyone in the gym. Coldly, the vice principal asks Daichi to go outside for small talk as Kageyama and Hinata watch on.

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Hinata and Kageyama are kicked out of the gym.

When Daichi returns, he rounds everyone up and begins lecturing the first years before getting cut off by Kageyama. The setter criticizes Hinata and blames him for everything and Daichi interjects coldly. He explains Karasuno's goals to go to Nationals before asserting that he doesn't want any players on his team who would fight with one another. He then throws the two first years out. They aren't allowed to join until they begin to view each other as teammates.

Hinata begs to be let back in while Kageyama stays silent initially. After coming to terms with his situation, he pushes Hinata aside as he claims that he'll be able to work with the latter. Daichi opens the door and asks if he's sure. However, Kageyama replies sheepishly that with Hinata's current skill level, he would rather take on all the roles by himself than work with Hinata. Daichi laughs and asks Kageyama how he would be able to do that in a game where teamwork is so essential.

The two remain outside the gym. After a while, Kageyama storms away, wondering what he would do since he can't see Hinata as a teammate. He announces arrogantly that he has the potential to make Karasuno better so he has to be allowed on the team. He then proposes to challenge the upperclassmen to a 2-on-2 match. He adds that he doesn't want to be on the same team as Hinata, but they have to cooperate to join. Hinata agrees after thinking it over.

3-on-3 First Years Match

Later on in the evening, as the Karasuno members are cleaning up, Hinata and Kageyama announce their challenge. Secretly, Kageyama still refuses to work with Hinata and may have been planning on winning the game with serves and dump shots only. Daichi sternly asks them if they had considered the possibility of them losing and Kageyama replies that they'll take any punishment.

Daichi agrees and changes the match to a 3-on-3 with the duo against the other two first-years. Tanaka is placed on the duo's team while Daichi joins the other one. However, if the duo loses, as long as the third years are around, Kageyama will never get to play as the setter. A shocked Kageyama tries to reason as Daichi reminds him of his selfish behavior from junior high. Despite Daichi telling him that he can join the club as another type of player, Kageyama exclaims that he is a setter only. Daichi replies that it'll be okay as long as Kageyama wins, and the latter accepts begrudgingly.

Kageyama leaves angrily with Hinata trailing behind him. The latter remarks that even if Kageyama isn't the setter, he'll be able to play as a regular anyway and exclaims that spikers are cooler than setters anyway.

This annoys Kageyama, who grabs Hinata and exclaims that a setter is the team's leader since he is the one who handles the ball the most in a match. Hinata timidly responds that setters just seem boring to him and calming down, Kageyama explains the speed at which the setter tosses the ball and how he opens the path for the spiker. Hinata still doesn't seem to understand that well, but Kageyama drops the subject.

Just as they begin worrying about where to practice, they hear Tanaka discreetly telling them what time morning practice is, allowing them to come up with a plan. They then both leave as they decide to come at 5:00 AM tomorrow.

The next day, they arrive to find the door locked. Tanaka then appears with the key and they begin to practice. However, Hinata has trouble receiving and Kageyama easily loses his temper[6]. Tanaka starts to lecture them, but the door suddenly opens, scaring the three.

Sugawara appears and offers to help. Kageyama continues training with Tanaka as Hinata goes to Sugawara, but Hinata's dissatisfied by this arrangement and pesters Kageyama for a toss. Kageyama blatantly refuses because of Hinata's low skills and reveals that he's planning on only using Tanaka during the match on Saturday. He tells Hinata to just focus on not dragging the team down, angering the latter. Hinata asks if Kageyama will toss to him if he can receive the ball properly and Kageyama replies that he will only if it's necessary because he doesn't see Hinata as essential to helping him win.

Sometime later during the school day, Kageyama goes to buy a drink from a vending machine outside and sees Hinata and Sugawara talking. He's surprised to see Hinata practicing even during his lunch break and eavesdrop on the two. Hinata expresses his desire to become stronger than Kageyama so he can then defeat other strong players and after considering the former's words, Kageyama leaves quickly.

For the next few days, the two practices together wherever they can and Hinata seems to improve, but Kageyama still refuses to toss to him. At one point, Kageyama exhausts Hinata with his continuous spikes, but Hinata refuses to back down. Angrily, Kageyama spikes a ball to the back of the gym and despite being at his limits, Hinata runs to it and saves it. As it's sent back to Kageyama, the setter remembers all the things he said to Hinata before getting into a tossing position.

To everyone's surprise, Kageyama sends a toss to Hinata, who happily spikes it. Kageyama then walks over to the shorter first year and states that they're going to win on Saturday, finally acknowledging him as a teammate.

Sometime later, the two are practicing outside when the ball gets stuck in a tree. Hinata climbs the tree while Kageyama yells at him and tries getting the ball with a stick. Annoyed, Hinata calls Kageyama a damn King, angering the latter, but Kageyama doesn't retort.

TsukishimaKageyama1

Tsukishima mocks Kageyama.

They end up practicing into the night and are soon interrupted by Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, the other first-years. Tsukishima takes the ball and teases Hinata before turning his attention to Kageyama. He brings up Kageyama's past with Kitagawa Daiichi and offers to throw the game so Kageyama and Hinata could win. The setter darkly replies that either way, they're going to win. Tsukishima then continuously calls him a King before reminding him of a game during his junior high days. Kageyama angrily grabs the blond but lets him go after a few seconds of silence. He then storms away, and Tsukishima insults him even more.

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Kageyama stops himself from hitting Tsukishima.

Having enough, Hinata jumps up and grabs the ball out of the blond's hands, shocking everyone. He exclaims that he'll defeat Tsukishima, who laughs at him before leaving. Kageyama walks away too, yelling at Hinata that they'll beat the other two.

The next day, both teams prepare for the match. Tsukishima brings up Kageyama's past with Kitagawa Daiichi while the latter ignores him, though Kageyama's shaken up. However, to his surprise, Tanaka comes to his defense.

The match begins shortly[7]. Hinata has trouble spiking past Tsukishima while Kageyama decides to use his powerful serves. To his surprise, Daichi's able to receive them perfectly. Before the first year can plan another attack, Tsukishima starts teasing him again and reveals that Kageyama's former teammate gave him the nickname "King" as a reference to his egocentric playing style. He reminds the setter of his last game, when his teammates abandoned him, refusing to go after his toss. As a result, Kageyama was benched.

Having enough, Kageyama reveals that that experience when no one came to him frightens him. Before he can continue though, Hinata interrupts and says that it's only a thing of the past because Kageyama has him now.

The match continues and Kageyama's about to spike to Tanaka until Hinata comes from behind and calls him. Kageyama instinctively tosses to him, even though Hinata has trouble spiking from that angle. Just as Kageyama begins yelling at Hinata, the latter stops him and tells him how he was behind the setter. Hinata exclaims that Kageyama's past doesn't matter to him and he'll hit any ball Kageyama gives him.

Motivated, Kageyama tosses to Hinata again and inadvertently performs a quick with him. An impressed Tanaka asks them about it, but Kageyama replies that he has no intention of performing quicks with someone he's not in sync with. Hinata gets annoyed and Tsukishima takes the chance to insult him again, bringing up his lack of height. Solemnly, Hinata acknowledges that fact and reiterates how he would always get blocked no matter how high he jumped. However, the Small Giant had the same predicament, and he overcame that, inspiring Hinata to do the same.

Hinata's words remind Kageyama of his troubles with Kitagawa Daiichi and how he was ultimately benched, motivating him to finally act like a true setter to Hinata. He tells Hinata to just go for his toss without thinking and Hinata excitedly agrees despite barely understanding the strategy.

KageyamaHinata S1E4

Kageyama and Hinata have trouble synchronizing initially.

As expected, the first few quick strikes fail. Exasperated, Kageyama yells at Hinata to move faster but Sugawara interrupts, pointing out that Hinata's ability is being diminished by Kageyama's toss. The best way for the two of them to synchronize is if Kageyama adjusts to Hinata's abilities and limits.

KageyamaHinata-1 S1E4

The quick strike succeeds.

Kageyama thinks over Sugawara's words and decides to try out the third year's idea. He tells Hinata to use his highest jump and his best speed and Kageyama will get the ball to him. They get into position and Kageyama concentrates on finding the best angle. At the perfect timing and height, he tosses the ball right into Hinata's palm. The quick strike succeeds, but Kageyama's shocked to find out that Hinata had his eyes closed the entire time. Still, it shows how much Hinata trusts him, motivating Kageyama to try the quick again.

The next quick fails and Kageyama realizes that adjusting to another player's tempo isn't easy, but he's starting to have fun. He tries another quick, but with a different strategy with Hinata going towards the opposite side just in time to trick the blockers. It succeeds and soon, they're able to overwhelm Tsukishima's team.

In the end[8], Hinata and Kageyama's team win, securing their admission in the team. The two hands in their papers just as Kiyoko comes in with the team jackets. Now officially part of the team, the two head right to practice for future matches.

Aoba Johsai Practice Match

Just then, the club advisor, Takeda rushes in, announcing a practice match against Aoba Johsai, one of the prefecture's top four teams. Kageyama's excited until he hears that he would have to play as the main setter for the entire match. The other members are outraged, wondering if Aoba Johsai only agreed to play with them because of Kageyama. However, Sugawara agrees to the terms, surprising Kageyama.

Despite being excited to be on his first official match on the team, Kageyama seeks out Sugawara to apologize for taking his spot this time and vows to earn it properly for the next match. Sugawara agrees to the challenge but asks Kageyama how he feels about Aoba Johsai since most of his former teammates will be there. Surprisingly, Kageyama doesn't have any problems with it.

On the day of the match, Karasuno arrives at Aoba Johsai, and Kageyama wanders off with Tanaka, Yamaguchi, and Tsukishima. They encounter Kindaichi, who mocks Kageyama. However, Kageyama doesn't retort and simply walks away.

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Kageyama gets angry after Hinata serves into the back of his head.

The match begins and Hinata's immediately overwhelmed. Kageyama gets flustered dealing with Hinata's mistakes and the insults from Kindaichi and Kunimi. The problems reach a climax when Hinata serves right into the back of Kageyama's head. Daichi instantly reaches out to Kageyama, but the first year coldly replies that he's fine. He walks to Hinata silently as the latter backs away in fear. Right as Hinata hits the wall, Kageyama questions his anxiety, emphasizing his words by smacking his head. He finishes by yelling at Hinata to get back into the game, surprising the latter, who was expecting a harsher punishment.

The two first-years try out their quick strike, but it fails the first time. Kindaichi tells Hinata that Kageyama's bound to yell at him again, but Kageyama apologizes for the poor toss instead. The second attempt at a quick strike succeeds and Kageyama announces that they're going to start a counterattack now. Karasuno does well initially, but Kageyama notes that Yahaba isn't the regular setter[9]. Just after the realization, Oikawa arrives and Kageyama reveals that he's his former upperclassman and an extremely skilled player. With Oikawa on the team, Aoba Johsai quickly regains its points, but Karasuno wins with the first years' quick strike in the end.

Kindaichi Kageyama S1E7

Kageyama tries to apologize to Kindaichi.

After the match, Kageyama approaches Kindaichi in the bathroom. Before he can say anything, Kindaichi shouts at him for not apologizing, reasoning that everything that'd happened is already part of the past. To him, Kageyama's still the oppressive king and the person he wants to defeat no matter what so next time, he will win the match. Kageyama accepts and replies with: "We will win", shocking Kindaichi as Kageyama had never used such an inclusive pronoun before.

Before Karasuno heads home, Oikawa meets them at the gate. He points out the players' mistakes before focusing on Kageyama, announcing that he's going to crush him in a regular game.

Asahi and Nishinoya's Return

After the team returns to the school, Kageyama heads home with the others. Tanaka questions why Kageyama's at a school like Karasuno anyway and the latter replies that Shiratorizawa rejected him, much to Tsukishima's amusement. Kageyama adds that no matter which school he's at, the opponents are still high schoolers so there's no reason they can't win. His confidence causes Hinata and Tanaka to laugh at him.

The next day, Kageyama's practicing his serve aim when Hinata gets in his way. As Hinata runs to get the ball, Kageyama serves again. This time, it's received perfectly by a stranger. The upperclassmen then arrive and introduce the two to Nishinoya, a second year and the team libero[10].

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Kageyama and Hinata meet Nishinoya.

Nishinoya asks Kageyama what junior high he's from and he replies with Kitagawa Daiichi. After Nishinoya talks about how he'd lost to that team once, Kageyama asks him why he came to Karasuno when he's from a champion team as well. Nishinoya responds gravely that he came for the girls' uniforms, leaving Kageyama speechless.

Nishinoya then asks if Asahi returned, but when he finds out he didn't, the libero storms out of the gym, leaving Kageyama curious about Karasuno's past. Later that evening, Nishinoya returns thanks to Hinata's coaxing to teach the first-year's how to receive. However, Kageyama's the only one to understand the language and Tanaka snaps that when Kageyama tries to explain things, no one understands him either.

The next day, Hinata and Kageyama approach Asahi at his classroom and are introduced to the former ace. They're surprised when they realized that Asahi has no intention of returning to the team, even after Hinata's appeals. Kageyama asks Sugawara about the past and Sugawara reveals the match last year that traumatized Asahi. Kageyama listens but notes that he doesn't think Asahi truly hates volleyball.

Later on, during practice, the team finds out about a training camp and a practice match against Karasuno's fated rival at the end of it. During a break, Hinata remarks that if Asahi comes back, the team's morale would be a lot better. Kageyama replies that Asahi needs to understand that he doesn't need to bear all the responsibility because no one can win on his own. To this, Hinata brings up Kageyama's former attitude towards teamwork, leading to a small scuffle.

The next day, the two of them approach Asahi again. Hinata yells that without Asahi, the upperclassmen aren't happy, and Asahi responds that he can't get over the image of being blocked so many times. Hinata sympathizes with him but adds that he isn't like that anymore because he's found a way to get past that with Kageyama's help. When Hinata explains his jealousy of Asahi's height and ability, Kageyama stares at him silently before taking him away. As he leaves, Kageyama adds that Asahi can't win alone so he has to rely on his teammates; this is something he'd just learned so he can't criticize Asahi too much for it.

That evening, Keishin Ukai, is introduced to the team as a temporary coach and the players get ready for a practice match against the Neighborhood Association. Sugawara chooses to play on the association's side and Kageyama states that he doesn't want this to be Sugawara standing down; he'll rather fight for the position rightfully. Sugawara solemnly explains that he was afraid of competing for his position with Kageyama, but at the same time, he was relieved because he was always afraid of tossing a ball that would be blocked. But he's joining the other side, not for that, but so he could toss again to Asahi and get past those obstacles.

Kageyama encourages hinata as decoy

Kageyama encourages Hinata to accept his position as a "decoy".

The match begins and Kageyama and Hinata impress everyone with their quick. Sugawara hesitates on sending another toss to Asahi, but Kageyama shouts at him to keep trying. Sugawara and Asahi do well and Hinata starts getting restless. He announces that it's time for him and Kageyama to show their skills as well.

The quicks work well initially, but Kageyama starts noticing that Hinata's being distracted by Asahi's abilities. This culminates in Hinata getting knocked over by Asahi's spike and forced to face Kageyama's rage. Kageyama yells at Hinata for being jealous of Asahi and Hinata argues back that someone tall like Kageyama wouldn't understand.

The match restarts, but it's tense between the two. Suddenly, Kageyama announces to the opponents that he'll be setting to Hinata. He then turns to the middle blocker and explains that right now, he lacks all the traits for being an ace, but as long as he's here, Hinata's the strongest. With that said, Kageyama tries the quick again, but with Hinata dodging. It succeeds and Kageyama reminds him that he's just as valuable to the team as an ace. Finally accepting his position, Hinata replies that he doesn't think being the ultimate decoy is lame anymore[11].

In the end, the association wins and Asahi and Nishinoya return to the team.

Nekoma Practice Match

Kageyama number 9 jersey

Kageyama's number 9 jersey.

The Golden Week begins and Karasuno busily prepares[12]. Kageyama runs early in the morning and starts asking his teammates to practice with him so he can be accustomed to individual toss styles. The starting lineups finally decided with Kageyama as the official setter. The members receive their new jerseys and Hinata gets annoyed when he realizes that Kageyama's number is lower than his. Kageyama admonishes him and notes that he should be grateful for being a starter in his first year.

That evening, they're in their room when Kageyama notices Hinata's intense concentration. He quickly reminds him to not overwork himself and Hinata retorts that he isn't going to. Kageyama leaves it in the end.

Karasuno and Nekoma meet the next day and Kageyama approaches Hinata when he realizes that he knows Kenma. Hinata introduces him as Nekoma's setter and Kageyama immediately becomes interested, intimidating Hinata with his intense competitiveness.

The match soon begins and Kageyama's immediately annoyed when Inuoka remarks that he isn't underestimating Hinata. The duo performs a quick right away and scores easily. The subsequent quicks succeed, but Kageyama starts to notice that Inuoka seems to be keeping up. Kageyama keeps his calm initially and goes for a spike, announcing to Hinata afterward what type of attack it was.

However, Inuoka is able to catch up and block Hinata ultimately, shocking Kageyama[13]. He quickly recovers his composure and reminds Hinata to not let it get to him, but the duo continuously gets blocked after that. Just as Kageyama's worried that Hinata would be pressured, he's surprised to see him smile. Hinata reasons that he's excited to have a rival like Inuoka and asks Kageyama to toss to him again. Kageyama replies affirmatively.

The next toss, Hinata opens his eyes but misses. Immediately, Ukai calls a timeout and asks Kageyama to change his toss in hopes of changing Hinata's attack. Though it should be difficult for normal setters, Kageyama replies confidently that he'll do it.

Hinata misses the ball in the beginning, but their reactions improve over time. The first success goes out, however. Nekoma subs in Kuroo, who looks at Kageyama and Hinata. Immediately, Kageyama becomes cautious and pulls Hinata aside, nothing that their new attacks won't work against Kuroo.

For the rest of the game, Kageyama plays carefully, choosing to toss to Asahi instead in case Hinata would get blocked again. It's only at the last point does he toss to the middle blocker using the new attack. It succeeds, only for Kenma to send the ball back. It lands on Karasuno's court, winning the game for Nekoma.

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Kageyama showers Kenma with questions.

As the teams are cleaning up, Kageyama watches Kenma intensely, trying to gauge his abilities and unintentionally scaring the second-year setter into running away. Afterward, Karasuno goes homes, and Kageyama remarks to Hinata that if this was a regular game and they'd lost, they would've been eliminated from the competition. As he says this, he thinks back to his time in Kitagawa Daiichi[14].

Interhigh Arc

Back at Karasuno, the players prepare for Interhigh. Kageyama listens as Ukai names the strongest opponents for them and wonders if Date Tech is the reason for the tension between the upperclassmen. When he discovers that he would face Date Tech and Aoba Johsai, he grins in excitement.

Kageyama races to school on the first day of Interhigh, speeding past Hinata and increasing his wins to thirty-one. Hinata admits that it's thirty-two because, around this time last year, Kageyama beat him in the tournament. He then stands up and challenges Kageyama again[15].

Karasuno soon arrives at the stadium, where it overhears a couple of players insulting them. Though the members loom over them, they don't do anything and proceed to head inside. As they pass, Kageyama glares at a few guys who called him by his nickname.

Karasuno vs Tokonami

At the gym, the players are warming up when Aoba Johsai comes by. Oikawa greets Kageyama and Hinata as the former glares cautiously.

The match against Tokonami begins and Kageyama's completely calm, as opposed to Hinata. For the first attack, Kageyama sends the ball to Tanaka to scare the opponents. Karasuno easily overwhelms Tokonami, especially when the quick with Hinata is used.

In the end, Karasuno wins the first match[16]. Kageyama yells at Hinata for spacing out while cleaning up and Hinata remarks that they won. Kageyama's confused initially but responds that they have another match to play now. Hinata happily exclaims that they can continue to stand on the court as Kageyama watches, silently agreeing with him.

Karasuno vs Date Tech

As Karasuno's resting before the next match, Kageyama notices Hinata's exhilarated face. After catching Kageyama's stare, Hinata hastily defends himself, but Kageyama smirks darkly instead. He happily states that it's fine for Hinata to be noticed because the opponents would be more distracted. When Hinata replies that he doesn't understand, Kageyama grabs his head.

Sometime later, the two are practicing outside when Hinata mentions Date Tech and its past with the upperclassmen. Suddenly, Sugawara approaches them. To their surprise, Sugawara bows and asks them to defeat Date Tech with their strengths as the ultimate decoy and superior setter.

The match against Date Tech soon begins. Kageyama's thrown off by Aone's high jump and the possibility of his stopping Hinata. However, he recovers easily and isn't fazed when Aone does block Hinata, confident that Hinata will score. He turns to Hinata and smirks, stating that he'll get the ball to him.

The two try their quick strike the next turn and easily succeeds. They continue with their attacks and Date Tech becomes focused on Hinata, according to plan. Taking advantage of this, Kageyama waits for the right moment as the opponents rush to Hinata to send a toss to Asahi for a back pipe attack[17].

Hinata admits to Kageyama that though he didn't score, he still feels just as satisfied. Kageyama affirms that the strongest decoy is just as good as an ace.

In the end, Karasuno wins with Asahi's spike. After Asahi calls his teammates heroes, Kageyama listens happily before they head off the court. Hinata walks beside him and notes that their opponents didn't notice their signals.

Karasuno vs Aoba Johsai

Back at home, Karasuno prepares for the match against Aoba Johsai. Kageyama thinks of the practice match against Aoba Johsai until Hinata interrupts him. The middle blocker exclaims that they'll defeat the Grand King and Kageyama agrees, noting that they have to defeat Oikawa to move forward[18].

The day of the match comes, and Oikawa picks out Kageyama instantly. As Oikawa challenges him, Hinata jumps in and yells that they won't lose. The match starts and Oikawa goes for a spike, surprising Kageyama. He responds with a quick strike and later, a surprise dump shot.

As he recovers, Kageyama remarks to Hinata that though Oikawa has stronger overall power, Kageyama won't lose as a setter. However, Kageyama starts noticing that some of the opponents seem to be playing better than they did in the practice match. Things get worse when Oikawa suddenly remarks that he's finally understood, and Aoba Johsai calls for a timeout.

As Oikawa explains to his teammates, Kageyama suspects that he figured out the signals to his quick. Noticing his tension, his teammates quickly tease him and remind him of his skills. Though Kageyama recovers his composure for a moment, he quickly becomes stressed again once his quicks start getting blocked.

He becomes hyper-aware and continuously messes up his serves and tosses until Karasuno calls for a timeout. Kageyama apologizes for losing his cool, but Ukai reminds him to focus not on Oikawa, but Aoba Johsai instead and to remember that he has a team as well.

However, the match still turns into Kageyama battling Oikawa to see who the better setter is. After losing to Oikawa at pushing the ball over the net, Kageyama starts to get frustrated and makes more mistakes. In the end, Kageyama's switched out.

As he heads to the bench, Hinata suddenly screams that he'll be the one to defeat Kageyama. Kageyama recovers and responds that the match isn't over yet, so he hasn't lost yet[19].

As he rests, he observes Sugawara in play. During a break, the two setters converse on Aoba Johsai, and Sugawara admits that having a strong setter like Kageyama waiting behind him is a relief. He'll fight Aoba Johsai in his way and Kageyama will find a way to fight as well. Hinata then jumps in and asks if Kageyama's depressed. Angrily, Kageyama replies that when he gets back in, he'll make Hinata spike balls like crazy.

The match progresses evenly, and Kageyama starts getting restless. He gets switched back in and approaches his teammates silently. Without warning, he smiles darkly, scaring Hinata. He goes up to serve, noting that the ball feels good in his hands, and scores right away[20].

Tanaka gives him a high-five, surprising Kindaichi and Kunimi, before Kageyama goes to compliment Hinata. When Tsukishima gets switched in, Kageyama reluctantly asks him what type of toss he prefers, shocking everyone. Though his social skills are rough, it's obvious that Kageyama's trying now.

It's at the final match now. Hinata rushes back into the game at full power and scores with a broad attack. Kageyama tosses to Asahi for a pipe attack but notes that Hinata's performance as a decoy is so skilled that he almost sent the ball to him instead[21].

Both sides are evenly matched, but Kageyama starts noticing his former teammates playing better. As he remembers his time at Kitagawa Daiichi and compares Kunimi and Kindaichi to the way they are now, he starts to despair, wondering how Oikawa's able to bring out that much potential. Just then, Sugawara calls for his attention, reminding him that he has his comrades at Karasuno.

Despite his newfound confidence, his final toss to Hinata ends up being blocked. Karasuno fails to receive the ball and Aoba Johsai wins[22]. While resting outside, Kageyama apologizes to Hinata. The middle blocker angrily grabs him and yells that it wasn't a mistake to toss to him. Takeda interrupts them and adds that this defeat is just a trial to overcome. If they remain on their knees, they'll never win. Fully understanding their situation, the two rise up.

Karasuno heads to a restaurant to cool off. After Ukai gives a brief speech of encouragement, the players start eating tearfully.

Loss and Decision

Kageyama s1-e25-1

Back in school the next day, Kageyama is shown to be greatly affected by the loss against Seijoh and goes to the gym to release his frustration. Hinata comes in a while later and joins him in the practice. After Hinata points out that the final round of the tournament is taking place that day, the middle blocker starts screaming and running around the gym. Kageyama joins him a second later.

As they cool off, Kageyama remarks that he's not going to apologize anymore and that he has to throw a toss that he won't have to apologize for. Sometime later, the players are gathered around Ukai as he explains that Aoba Johsai lost to Shiratorizawa in the finals. Despite hearing the team they lost to was also beaten, Kageyama and his teammates are still determined to make it to the Spring Tournament.

Tokyo Expedition Arc

FirstYears-1 S2E2

Karasuno eagerly agrees to the training camp but some become nervous when Takeda mentions the need to pass final exams. Kageyama is shocked to hear that supplementary exams will be held for all those who fail and goes silent, seemingly not breathing as well. As a result, the upperclassmen agree to help him, Hinata, Tanaka and Nishinoya prepare for their exams. Before they begin studying, Hinata suggests to Kageyama that they ask Tsukishima for help and Kageyama reluctantly accepts after some persuasion.

Kageyama initially has trouble memorizing certain things, but when Daichi interferes and quizzes him on volleyball signals, Kageyama shows perfect memory and notes that he memorized everything the same day he was taught. Daichi then remarks that Kageyama now has no reason to claim that his memory is bad.

Sometime later, Kageyama and Hinata are leaving Yachi's apartment when Hinata notices that they're near Shiratorizawa Academy. As they mention it, Ushijima appears behind them[23]. Kageyama approaches him and, without warning, asks to study the Shiratorizawa team. Ushijima agrees, but remarks that they can come if they can keep up with him and that it wouldn't matter if Kageyama and Hinata examined his team. Easily provoked, the two follow him as he makes his way back to campus and surprise Ushijima in that they can easily keep up with him while arguing. After arriving at Shiratorizawa, Kageyama introduces himself and adds that he failed to get into Shiratorizawa. However, Ushijima remarks that he expected that since their team doesn't need a setter that can't devote himself to the ace.

Kageyama gets angry but is distracted by Hinata's comments in agreeing with some of Ushijima's statements. The two bring up Oikawa and Ushijima adds that Oikawa should've gone to Shiratorizawa since he is the type of setter who can bring out the maximum potential of his spikers. After Ushijima insults Aoba Johsai, Hinata becomes serious, unnerving Kageyama as well. A stray ball suddenly comes towards them and as Ushijima reaches for it, Hinata jumps ahead of him and grabs it before challenging him by Kageyama's side. Kageyama adds that Oikawa may be the strongest in the prefecture according to Ushijima, but he intends to surpass that. As the two leave, Kageyama states that they possibly can't beat Shiratorizawa the way they are and that going to the training camps may be their best way to get stronger.

Sometime later, the test scores come out and Kageyama and Hinata are revealed to have failed their exams. Despite that, they have no intention of missing the first training camp and are still planning on getting to Tokyo no matter what. Tanaka then steps in and reveals that his sister could drive them after supplementary lessons.

Thanks to this, they're able to pass their make-up exams and get to Tokyo; albeit a little late. With Kageyama and Hinata here, Karasuno is finally able to start winning practice games. After the first night of the camp, Hinata starts changing. He approaches Kageyama and states that he's going to stop closing his eyes during their special quick attack[24]. Kageyama refuses to change the attack but calms down and explains that he has no intention of tossing to someone who will miss.

The two go outside with Sugawara later. Hinata explains that he wants to fight on his own, but Kageyama replies that the quick strike is Hinata's greatest weapon and changing it could be fatal. When they return to Karasuno, Hinata approaches Kageyama and asks for a few sets. They try out letting Hinata attempt to spike with his eyes open, but it fails every time. When he demands more sets, Kageyama angrily argues that they only need their already perfected quick strike and should work on other things, but Hinata refuses to back down. When Kageyama mentions that he'll only toss to him if he is essential to victory, Hinata attacks him and the two start fighting, forcing Yachi to find Tanaka to separate them.

Oikawa Kageyama s2 e6 2

The next day, Kageyama goes to the Lil' Tykes Volleyball class in hopes of getting advice, only to encounter Oikawa. Kageyama tries to ask Oikawa for advice, but the latter brushes him off. Swallowing his pride, Kageyama bows before Oikawa and loudly pleads for his help. Oikawa finally accepts only after taking a photo of Kageyama bowing to him and, after hearing the situation between the two first-years, remarks that Kageyama's acting like a dictator by refusing Hinata's request. He adds that Hinata's the one who has control of the quick attack and not Kageyama, surprising the younger setter with this revelation.

Not long after his talk with Oikawa, he's approached by Ukai who brings him into his shop to discuss a new type of set that would allow Hinata to have more control while in the air. Ukai states that Kageyama should change his toss to one that would momentarily float in the air while at its peak and thus give Hinata more attacking possibilities. Remembering his conversation with Oikawa, Kageyama agrees to give this new set a try.

Kageyama starts practicing on his own in the evening while Hinata continues with his own practice with Ikkei Ukai. During the second training camp at Shinzen High, Kageyama begins to deliver the new set to Hinata. After several failed quick attempts, Hinata and Kageyama notice the changes the other is going through. During a match against Nekoma, Kageyama sees how frustrated Hinata has gotten from not having been able to land any decent spikes. He subconsciously sent Hinata an easier set but was promptly called out by the middle blocker. Seeing that Hinata had been right about the set, Kageyama realizes that he had done this from being concerned about Hinata not playing well. That evening, he states to Hinata that he will not be practicing with him until he can perfect the new set. Kageyama is eventually able to figure out how to make his new set work by using visualization.

New Quick s2 e10

It would be during Karasuno's final match of the camp against Fukurōdani that Kageyama would finally send Hinata the new set. When the new quick works, the two first-years happily celebrate before Kageyama suddenly scolds Hinata for not giving him any warning beforehand and Yachi happily celebrates how the two were now able to get past their earlier fight. Despite their best efforts, Karasuno would lose to Fukurōdani but took their loss with the knowledge that all of their new attacks were proving to work against stronger opponents. After leaving the training camp, Kageyama trains for Spring High with the former Coach Ukai and Hinata or by jogging on his own[25].

Spring High Preliminary Arc

Karasuno vs Ohgiminami

Karasuno's first match is against Ohgiminami. Kageyama performs a service ace in the beginning and Karasuno continues dominating. Karasuno wins this match 2-0.

Karasuno vs Kakugawa

The next match is against a team with a 201 cm tall player, but Kageyama is seemingly one of the few not frightened by Hyakuzawa's height. He's also surprised to see Hinata's reaction and asks if he's scared, confident that Hinata wouldn't be. Kageyama maintains his composure even as Hyakuzawa blocks his first attack with Hinata.

After Hinata gets a ball over Hyakuzawa, Kageyama suddenly states that today feels like a good day[26]. To Hinata's surprise, Kageyama requests to try the new quick attack and it succeeds easily while shocking everyone in the arena. Before long, Karasuno wins the first set.

During the break, Hinata asks Kageyama why he asked if he was scared before, wondering if Kageyama knew the quick would work today. Kageyama replies that he felt he was in even better form today, but he was confident that Hinata wouldn't be scared because he faced worse opponents in Tokyo. In the end, Karasuno wins the match and proceeds to the next round. As they leave, Hinata says to Kageyama that with this victory, they're finally going to be in the same arena as Ushijima and Oikawa.

Karasuno vs Johzenji

Before the qualifiers begin, Kageyama has the idea to go observe Aoba Johsai's volleyball club. His disguise was originally composed of things that wouldn't make him recognizable but after Yachi suggests that wearing sports clothes may help with blending in, he takes her advice although his intense aura still attracts the attention of the other students as he walks through the school grounds. When coming back to Karasuno's gymnasium later that night, he tells Hinata that he wouldn't think he'd ever become a better setter than Oikawa as he was able to get his sets to be comfortable with college students that he'd just met and adjusted to only after a few plays. Kageyama then admits that he is afraid of Oikawa but still grins confidently because he is certain that Karasuno can win as a team.

Kageyama s2 e15

The next day, at the Sendai City Gymnasium, Hinata vows to defeat Aoba Johsai and as he dashes ahead, Kageyama yells at him. When encountering Johzenji, Hinata confirms that Johzenji was part of the top 4 during the Interhigh tournament. Kageyama is one of the first players to serve in the match against Johzenji and Higashiyama is surprisingly able to save it during his first try. After Kageyama and Hinata perform their quick attack, Terushima expresses his awe. Kageyama would impress Terushima once more when the captain tells Hinata of how impressive he finds his setter to be. Despite this, Futamata, Johzenji's setter, would still hit his face once attempting to spike past him.

When being told he is bleeding, Kageyama tries to deny it but is outmatched by his teammates urging him to go get medical support. Yamaguchi then resorts to dragging a grumpy Kageyama out of the court. When coming back from the court, Kageyama mocks Hinata for telling him that he'll "hold down the fort" for him as he got subbed out as well. Despite this, the two rookies both cheer and compete for and against Sugawara and Narita when they pull off a quick set.

Before long, Kageyama and Hinata are about to be returned to the court, Ukai asks them if they are ready and Kageyama is about to use vulgar language until he catches himself. He's soon switched in along with Hinata and they continue their quicks. In the end, Karasuno wins the match. After winning the match and court B's game ends, Hinata and Kageyama are eager to see who their next opponents are.

Karasuno vs Wakutani Minami

Karasuno's next match is against Wakutani Minami and Kageyama performs a quick strike right away[27]. Wakutani Minami's attacks surprise Karasuno initially, but Kageyama continues with Hinata's attacks until Daichi reminds him about using Asahi to throw the opponents off.

After Daichi gets switched out because of an injury, Karasuno starts having some trouble and Wakutani Minami wins the second set[28]. Kageyama sees Hinata staring at Nakashima and reminds him that play the same way since he can't compete, annoying Hinata.

The two try countering with a quick strike from an abnormal angle, surprising everyone. Kageyama reasons that despite being up against a wall, their weapon is having the firepower to break through. Kageyama then attacks with a service ace.

In the end, Karasuno wins this match. Afterward, Hinata watches Nakashima and remarks that he wasn't able to have a head-to-head battle with him and he's more of a Small Giant than Hinata is. Kageyama responds that Hinata's a hundred years too early for that anyway, annoying the latter.

Karasuno vs Aoba Johsai

After Aoba Johsai wins their match against Date Tech, he has flashbacks of the match at Interhigh. The team heads downstairs to prepare and Hinata notices Kageyama's stern expression. He asks if Kageyama's scared and the setter admits that he is because Oikawa's strong. However, he's going to take revenge for Interhigh no matter what[29].

The players of both teams gather to warm up. Kageyama reaches for the ball at the same time as Oikawa, who grabs onto it and teases Kageyama. Oikawa lets go of the ball and Kageyama tumbles backward.

The match begins and Kageyama starts off unable to set as he received the ball. It then goes to Nishinoya, who tosses to Asahi. Karasuno starts with the first point, but Kageyama then serves out and gives Aoba Johsai the next point.

Both teams continue evenly, but Kageyama seems to get more unnerved over time. He kicks Hinata and yells at him to stay calm despite the irony. The two then try the new quick strike, which succeeds, showing their evolution over the summer.

However, when Kyōtani is switched in, Aoba Johsai catches up easily and starts to point the gap. Kageyama watches Oikawa warily, taken aback by this new play style. Kageyama decides to try a back attack with Hinata, only to get it blocked by Oikawa–who had been expecting it, angering Kageyama.

Oikawa scores a service ace, but Sugawara is switched in to play alongside Kageyama. They suddenly switch their positions on the court, surprising Aoba Johsai as Kageyama spikes a straight[30]. However, Aoba Johsai doesn't let up and Oikawa continues with another service ace, pulling the gap further. Despite that, Kageyama keeps his composure, showing his difference from Interhigh.

Yamaguchi served in helps with the gap and Karasuno pulls up to Aoba Johsai's side but right after Kindaichi gets a point back, it becomes Oikawa's serve again. The serve and the follow-ups lead to Aoba Johsai's victory in the second set.

The second set begins and Kunimi goes to spike. Kageyama realizes that Kunimi's going for a feint and successfully receives it. After Karasuno scores off it, he and Kunimi exchange a look. Hinata is later switched in and says to Kageyama that Oikawa is amazing. Kageyama solemnly agrees, thinking of how Oikawa utilized all the members of Aoba Johsai. However, Hinata adds that even so, with him here Kageyama will be the strongest.

The next move, Hinata jumps up too close to the net but rather than panicking, Kageyama quickly tosses to that point. Hinata scores and discovers a new attack[31]. Kageyama reasons that he only tossed there because Hinata was so close; it was a good thing it worked out.

Both teams are nearly at set point and Kageyama notices that Hinata at that intense concentration stage again and wonders where it comes from. Kyōtani goes to serve, and Kageyama tries to block, but Hinata adds to it by slamming into his side.

Sugawara gets the first touch, hindering the two-setter attack, but Karasuno prepares for a synchronized attack instead. To everyone's shock, Kageyama does a dump shot, pulling Karasuno ahead. Both teams fight evenly and Hinata goes up against three blockers. However, using their knowledge from the training camp, the two are able to go for a different angle–the tips of Kyōtani's fingers. The ball goes to Oikawa, who fails to receive it.

With that, Karasuno wins this match[32]. Kageyama and Oikawa approach each other and Oikawa states that this only makes it one win and one loss. Kageyama replies that he won't let it get to his head and the two teams part ways. At the scoreboard, Hinata remarks to Kageyama that they'll show Ushijima the power of those who sprouted from the concrete.

Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa

When Hinata's former teammates come to cheer him on, they are surprised that Kageyama is on their team. When Hinata mockingly skims over his 'tragic backstory', Kageyama yells at him. On the court, Kageyama is awed that they get to play on center court, which counteracts the rest of the team, who are highly demotivated or nervous when seeing Shiratorizawa's big cheer squad. During the warm-ups, Kageyama follows Ukai's advice of not faltering to pressure and impresses the whole crowd with a quick set with Hinata. Nevertheless, Kageyama yells at Hinata once more when he bows the opposite way. During the game, Kageyama fools Shiratorizawa's blockers by making them think he's going to spike but abruptly changes to a set. Shirabu admits that they've been fooled but is not surprised as he doesn't expect anything less from Oikawa's underclassman. After Tanaka praises him for keeping his composure despite facing such an opponent as Shiratorizawa, Kageyama isn't afraid to admit that nothing more scares him than Oikawa.

Kageyama scores a service ace shortly after, and Ukai isn't surprised that both he and Nishinoya adapted so quickly to that game. During the second set, Tendō easily stuffs Kageyama. At this, Hinata tells him to brush it off, but Kageyama kicks him. Right in the next rally, Kageyama uses the other players as decoys for Hinata, but he is blocked by Tendo again. After this, Kageyama has a hard look on his face due to having his set being read so easily right after being blocked. During the next rally, to keep him from being read, Kageyama sets to Hinata during the last second. Although Tendo has just been scored past, he still remarks that Kageyama is a sore loser.

During the second set, Sugawara is subbed in once more and he and Kageyama pull their setter switching move in addition to Karasuno's synchro attack. Near the end of that set, Kageyama pulls an unexpected setter dump, treating Shirabu with a taste of his own medicine. Kageyama is focused on once more when he has Hinata move around wildly but decides to set to Tanaka. As Karasuno is one point away from winning the second set, Kageyama serves, though he is unable to score as his serve gets caught in the net. Although Daichi had a hard time passing the ball with his bump, Kageyama still manages to set it to Hinata to perform a backset. Shortly after, Kageyama attempts to smash the ball from a distance but Taichi saves it with his arm. Despite this, Kageyama does a backset to let Hinata score. After Tsukishima is able to block Ushijima, Kageyama wonders if he had been waiting for an opening from Shirabu.

As the third set begins, Kageyama continues to focus on Shirabu and notices that he's more composed now. After Ushijima tells Hinata off, Hinata remarks that he's quite similar to Kageyama in terms of personality. When Hinata tells Kageyama this, Kageyama wishes that he could spike like him one day, which frustrates Hinata. Near the end of the third set, Kageyama and Goshiki face-off, and Kageyama is surprised once he sees that Goshiki is able to score through the narrow spot between his arm and the net's antenna. Shortly after, Kageyama sets to Asahi while having choices for hitters during Karasuno's synchro-attack. Taichi, who is the rotation's middle blocker, is anxious about the incoming attack but is able to block Asahi nevertheless. Sometime later, Kageyama serves, and Yamagata has a hard time dealing with it. Kageyama then gets ready to set. Warry for another setter dump, Goshiki takes time to figure out that it would be illegal for him to do so as he is rotated in the back row. However, he takes too long to process this, which leaves Kageyama time to set to Hinata.

Kageyama sets to Tsukishima, however, Taichi who is on blocking duty, notices that they're out of sync. However, Tsukishima manages to save the ball with his arm. This leaves Karasuno reaching 24 points, but Shimada, who is watching remarks that going against a veteran national's contender must be extremely tough for Karasuno and that even having to play five sets- or even the current fourth set could be difficult to deal with. Additionally, he also observes that as the setter, and the one who touches the ball the most in games, Kageyama must keep his composure. When Karasuno fails their block, Tendō goes to Kageyama and tells him that this situation must be the end of the world for him, however, Kageyama retaliates and tells him that the end of the world, for him, would be when he hears the news that he'll never get to play volleyball again. However, Kageyama gets genuinely frustrated when he sees Hinata and thinks to himself that nothing makes him feel angry than his teammate. Despite Kageyama's effort throughout the game to keep his perfect form to prevent Tendo from reading him so easily, he would falter because of fatigue. Nevertheless, Kageyama is still able to set to Hinata in the following rally.

However, Kageyama would be subbed out for Sugawara. When the whole team goes for a synchro-attack due to Nishinoya's set, Kiyoko asks him why he doesn't do what Sugawara did in that rally, meaning being part of the synchro attack and being set to spike despite being a setter. Kageyama explains that he can't since he hadn't practiced with Nishinoya. Although Ukai had decided to have Sugawara in as setter for the set, Kageyama is subbed in nevertheless. At his first serve, Yamagata is disturbed at how Kageyama manages to pull off such a difficult serve to receive right after he got subbed in. In the very same rally, Kageyama and Hinata do their quick attack. Sometime later, Kageyama is shocked once he sees that Tendō saw that he was going to do a setter dump. After Karasuno's victory, Kageyama encounters Ushijima, and both he and Hinata vow to defeat him once they face off again.

Tokyo Nationals Arc

Preparation for Nationals

Hinata and Kageyama s4-e1-3

Kageyama tells Hinata that he's going ahead.

After their victory against Shiratorizawa, Karasuno is seen preparing for Nationals, and retaking their measurements is the first step. Kageyama excels at the top among his teammates in jumping reach[33]. Hinata frustratingly challenges him for more, but Kageyama ends up beating him completely, much to Hinata's dismay. Just then, Takeda comes rushing at the gym with a big announcement in tow, informing the team that Kageyama is invited to the All-Japan Youth Camp. Karasuno is both shocked and ecstatic for Kageyama. The latter accepts the invitation and mockingly bids the jealous Hinata farewell, as he is continuing to move further ahead than him.

Later on, Kageyama prepares for his trip to the National Youth Training Camp with Takeda. As the days until the camp creep by, he is also seen practicing overtime with Hinata.

National Youth Training Camp

While commuting to the camp, Kageyama finds himself lost in Tokyo Station and takes out the directions that Takeda wrote him. However, he struggles with reading the kanji without furigana spellings. Despite this, Kageyama eventually makes it to the Ajinomoto National Training Center, where he is soon confronted by none other than Kiyoomi Sakusa. Sakusa realizes that Kageyama is from Karasuno High School, and remarks that that was the team that somehow beat Ushijima. Kageyama also recognizes Sakusa, and notes internally how he gets to watch one of the top three hitters in the whole country up close[34]. He then introduces himself to the other, and heads to the training camp.

Once inside the gymnasium, Kageyama is immediately awestruck with the place. After listening to a speech from Fuki Hibarida, Kageyama notes that there's a player who is almost as short as Hinata attending the camp and wonders if he's a libero.

A while later, Kageyama is seen playing a practice game with the other youth camp players. He manages to set a botched pass from one of his teammates, Motoya Komori, to Sakusa, another one of his teammates, who spikes the ball. It's received by another player, and flies above the net. Kageyama realizes that he can spike the ball back to the other side but is blocked by the short player he noticed earlier, Kōrai Hoshiumi. However, Komori succeeds in saving the ball, and Kageyama, in his excitement, sets a minus-tempo toss, expecting a player to be there to hit it. Of course, no one is, and Kageyama apologizes, calling it "habit."[35].

Group s4-e4-1

Kageyama calls Sakusa "normal".

Later on, Kageyama eats dinner with Eikichi Chigaya. Dubbing him "Broccoli No. 2", Kageyama mostly ignores Eikichi's attempts at conversation, eating his food silently and answering his questions with short responses. Sakusa then approaches the two, asking Kageyama why Shiratorizawa lost, and if it was because Ushijima was physically injured which caused him to not play at his best. Kageyama answers that Ushijima seemed in perfect shape to him. Sakusa reacts with disbelief and begins questioning if Karasuno used tricks or actually stuffed Shiratorizawa's ace. Kageyama confirms the latter, which provokes Sakusa to interrogate Kageyama on who managed to pull off the feat. Komori soon intervenes and tries to pass off Sakusa's behavior as being over cautious and needing to know as much about potential opponents as possible. Kageyama asks Sakusa if he had gotten serious at the camp yet, stating that he has seemed awfully normal so far. This annoys the spiker, and he leaves for a bath, with Komori soon departing as well. Eikichi comments on Kageyama's bold remark to one of the top three hitters in the nation, and Kageyama justifies himself by saying that he only meant Sakusa seemed normal 'so far'. The conversation drifts to the short player who had blocked Kageyama earlier, Hoshiumi, and Eikichi asks if Kageyama knew him. He denies this, and Eikichi then asks if Hoshiumi is as good at jumping as Hinata only for Kageyama to answer that Hoshiumi is even better.

The next day, Kageyama plays another practice match. He tries and fails to reach a ball going over the net to set it. The coach of the youth team, Kotarō Hitaki, tells Kageyama to position himself further from the net. As the game continues, two spectators comment on Kageyama's ability to sync up with a left-handed middle blocker right away, as well as his keen instinct and impeccable technique. Kageyama is then seen asking Eikichi about his set, and how it could be better. Komori sees this and reflects on how it's scary that Kageyama could take a vague request and actually manage to do it. Kageyama then goes on to try to talk with his other teammates, and Eikichi notes that though the setter isn't good at the communication thing, he's really trying his best at it. The match goes on, and Kageyama closely observes Hoshiumi as he takes his jump and spikes the ball past the blockers.

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Hoshiumi confronts Kageyama.

After practice, Kageyama is doing his stretches when Hoshiumi confronts him, asking where the setter had seen him previously. Kageyama denies ever seeing him before, and Hoshiumi snaps; questioning why Kageyama wasn't more surprised when he saw him playing. He then goes on to rant about how most people think he is not a formidable player because of his height, but when they see him play, they realize how scary he is. Kageyama confirms this, saying that he finds Hoshiumi scary, but that he's a useful reference, too. Atsumu Miya then inserts himself into the conversation, informing Kageyama that for the prickly first impression he gave, he's a "goody-two-shoes" out on the court[36].

A day passes, and Kageyama is seen standing awkwardly with a scowl on his face. He thinks back to that one game in middle school, when his teammates purposely turned their backs on him, ignoring his set. The words from Oikawa and Atsumu then run through his mind; the former telling him to put the ball exactly as the spiker wants it, while the latter informs him that he's a "goody-two-shoes". Hitaki, the coach, asks another man if something was wrong with Kageyama, who responds that not with his condition, at least. The man brings up Kageyama's middle school career, and how he never stood out even though he was a "prodigy." In return, Hitaki muses about how prodigies are the furthest from being a perfect player, and that's what makes them so interesting. Atsumu is then seen looking at Kageyama, laughing a bit, and wondering if he had said anything wrong.

Group s4-e5-1

Kageyama gives high fives to Atsumu and Hoshiumi.

The last day of camp arrives, and Kageyama is playing another practice match wherein they have switched to playing different positions. Komori digs a dink, and Kageyama notices that the other boy immediately got out of the way of the back row attacker's approach. Hoshiumi sets the ball, and Kageyama scores. He is then seen giving high-fives to Hoshiumi and Atsumu. A man comments that Kageyama makes a good left-side wing spiker, and Hitaki, the coach, adds that he can play any position pretty well[37].

The match continues, and Kageyama feels himself rising to everybody else's level. Atsumu sets the ball to Kageyama, who scores again. On the sidelines, the coach chuckles to himself about how he hopes that the players don't go back to their own teams and wonder: "What happened?", after spiking Kageyama and Atsumu's sets.

Group s4-e5-6

Practice ends, and Atsumu approaches Kageyama while he's stretching, asking him how he liked spiking. Kageyama states that it was fun, and compliments Atsumu on his setting skills. As the conversation continues, Atsumu asserts that Kageyama was more cut-out to be a wing spiker than a setter, because he actually looked like he had fun while playing as a hitter. Kageyama simply replies that he plays setter, though. He then asks Atsumu what he meant by "goody-two-shoes," with the latter replying that Kageyama was "serious and obligin' on the court — a real good boy".

The camp concludes with a speech from the coach, and the players depart back home. Atsumu says his goodbyes to Kageyama, and he returns the gesture. Hoshiumi, Sakusa, and Komori then pass him by, with the first two sending him glares and Komori waving goodbye. Kageyama gives a respectful bow to all of them. Eikichi pops up, also saying his goodbyes and wishing him good luck in the tournament. Kageyama expresses his gratitude, and subsequently asks where the station is, with Eikichi saying that he'll walk him there. The two are seen leaving together.

Date Tech Practice Match

Hinata and Kageyama s4-e6-2

Kageyama tells Hinata that he can jump higher.

Kageyama arrives at Karasuno High School and sees Hinata for the first time in almost a week. Immediately, the two start racing to the clubroom, with Hinata squeezing out the win with a dive to the door. After catching their breaths, Kageyama asks what Hinata did the past week, with the latter saying that he learned how to play ball boy. Kageyama is surprised at first, but quickly responds with a grin to the smaller boy's statement. Afterward, the two start passing a volleyball around, since neither of them has the key to the clubroom or the gym. Hinata asks Kageyama about his camp, and he brings up Hoshiumi, informing Hinata about the other "Little Giant" and how amazing he was.[38] Tanaka eventually arrives with the key to the clubroom, and as they climb the stairs, Kageyama tells Hinata that he can jump way higher. The rest of the team arrives, and Daichi calls for serve drills. Kageyama starts practicing his jump serve, and he notices that the ball didn't hit his hand right. His serve heads out of bounds, however, Hinata manages to quickly move into its trajectory, surprising Kageyama and everybody else. Around the end of practice, Coach Ukai approaches Kageyama, and asks him about the camp and whether there was anything that concerned him. Kageyama brings up Atsumu's "goody-two-shoes" comment, and Ukai tells him that: "There is no better set than the one that's easier for [the] hitter to hit"[39], and that he has nothing to worry about on that front.

Practice ends, and Hinata approaches Kageyama, asking what the setter meant when he told him he could jump higher. Kageyama explains (in various sound effects) how Hinata was jumping like "ba-boing ba-boing," but really awesome jumps went "dun" instead.[38] He elaborates that Hinata should think about where he rests his weight when he jumps, and that high, stable jumps are ones where you can hear the sound of your feet kicking off the floor.

The third years are then seen heading into the clubroom, and Sugawara remarks how crazy Kageyama and Hinata are for volleyball, practicing so vigorously even after attending training camps. Asahi though, notes that ever coming back from camp, Kageyama seemed upset.

Back at the gym, Kageyama and Hinata practice the new jump, with the latter complimenting Kageyama internally for his amazing and consistent sets. After a couple of failed attempts, Kageyama yells that Hinata should actually think about where he puts his weight when he jumps, focusing it on the ball of his foot. Hinata takes his next jump with Kageyama's advice in mind, and it seems that he'll actually get it this time, but Daichi interrupts the two, yelling at them to go home. The next day at practice, Hinata mentions that when Kanji Koganegawa set for Tsukishima back at the mock training camp, the latter hit the ball at a higher point[40]. Kageyama hears this and takes on a look of deep thought. Karasuno then heads over to Date Tech for their practice match, and Kageyama is seen glaring at Koganegawa, thinking about Hinata's earlier words. The game starts, and Kageyama sets to Asahi, who is completely blocked. Ukai notes that for Kageyama, this game might be a harder match than Shiratorizawa due to the pressure exerted by Date Tech's blockers. The game continues, and Date Tech manages to shut out a good portion of Karasuno's attacks. In fact, Kageyama notices that they managed to scare him out of going down the middle. However, this only makes Kageyama more excited, thrilled to play against such good opponents.

Kageyama and Nishinoya s4-e7-1

Kageyama provokes Nishinoya.

As the match proceeds, Nishinoya manages to dig a dink, though Kageyama immediately tells him that he's in the way in a disrespectful manner. This provokes the libero, and he confronts Kageyama after the rally ends. Kageyama explains that to him that he was in the way of the back row hitter's approach, and Nishinoya instantly understands and backs off. Tanaka then approaches Kageyama, telling him he could have put it in another way, to which the latter asks how. This pisses Tanaka off, but Daichi quickly intervenes. Off to the sidelines, Yachi notes that the situation seemed scarier than normal.

As the game continues, Date Tech's blockers do very well, managing to get a hand on a bunch of Karasuno's attacks. This puts a lot of pressure on Kageyama, and Hinata notices his odd behavior, like how he's abnormally quiet. As Karasuno's hitters continually miss or have their spikes blocked, Kageyama is seen getting more and more frustrated, and when Asahi apologizes for hitting the ball out, Kageyama tells him to just score already. Tensions are high, and the team notes how on edge Kageyama is.

After Karasuno loses the first set, Asahi approaches Kageyama, only for the latter to finally snap, yelling that he was putting up the ball the way his teammates wanted it, so they should just score already. Immediately, Kageyama realizes that he had just acted like his junior-high self, a look of shock appearing on his face. Tsukishima butts in, remarking that the king is back, and Kageyama starts to apologize, only to be interrupted by Hinata, who asks what's so bad about being a king. He then declares that it doesn't matter if Kageyama is tyrannical or egotistical, because he could just not listen to him if he doesn't agree. The other members agree, and Hinata adds that though it doesn't matter whether Kageyama is "king" or not, being a "king" is pretty cool. Coach Ukai then approaches the pair, stating that though the best set is one that is easiest for the spiker to hit, that doesn't mean that Kageyama can't argue for what he wants.

Set 2 begins, and Kinoshita mentions that Kageyama is surprisingly considerate of everybody. Yamaguchi brings up the falling-out he had with his teammates back in middle school as a possible explanation, and Sugawara comments that that was what woke up Kageyama to the possibility that he could be the one in the wrong. Close by, Coach Ukai and Takeda discuss the benefits of arguments, with Ukai noting that though Kageyama is finally figuring out how to tell others what he thinks, he wonders if his teammates will be able to nit-pick his playing since he's levels above everyone else. However, Ukai's doubts are quickly proven wrong when back on the court, Hinata calls out Kageyama for barely setting the ball to the middle blockers the entire game.

Arriving in Tokyo

On a run a few days prior to the national tournament coming, Kageyama gets a text from Hinata which asks him if he is willing to come to the year's pilgrimage along with Yamaguchi. When Kageyama refuses, Hinata is seen throwing away his phone. Soon after, however, Kageyama encounters Hinata, Tanaka, and Nishinoya in front of Karasuno's gym and reveals to Daichi that he simply felt like coming over. After this, Daichi urges the four to come home while pushing them away.

The next day, Hinata becomes awed at being able to play on the stage the Little Giant was able to play in. At this, Kageyama corrects him by saying that the Little Giant played someplace else. Shortly after, Kageyama meets Komori. After a short conversation, Kageyama asks the libero of Sakusa's whereabouts since he knows that the two attend the same school.

Karasuno vs Tsubakihara

Kageyama s4-e10-1

In Karasuno's match against Tsubakihara, Kageyama shows signs of having trouble adjusting to the new surroundings. He sends his first serve out-of-bounds and later is not able to sync up with Hinata. Kageyama requests a little time to get his senses in order and the team do their best to give Kageyama the time he needs. Through several plays, Kageyama gets closer and closer to getting back on track though it is still clear that he is sending imperfect sets to the spikers. When Tsubakihara reaches 15 points, Kageyama feels he has finally adjusted and notices Hinata's eagerness for a set. In the next rally, Kageyama is able to send Hinata a perfect set for a quick attack.

Kageyama further frustrates the Tsubakihara team when he executes a setter dump and is heavily praised by most of his team though Asahi claims their 'compliments' are actually insults. After Kageyama serves, Shimada believes that Kageyama would not be able to make the set but the first-year surprises everyone when he is quickly able to rush forward from just serving and sets to Hinata. When Himekawa causes problems in the second set with his ceiling serve, Kageyama makes the request of high receives no matter how short they may be. Nishinoya is able to carry out the request and Karasuno stops Himekawa. Karasuno eventually goes on to win the match.

After the match is over, Kageyama stumbles upon Hoshiumi, along with Hinata and Yamaguchi. Soon later, Karasuno's first-years watch Kamomedai's match against Chikuida. When Yamaguchi wonders if Hoshiumi ever featured in a big magazine, Kageyama declines and explains that the ace despises being interviewed.

Karasuno vs Inarizaki

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At the first quick attack Kageyama and Hinata attempt, Kageyama is stunned to see Hinata use his new jump. He is left speechless when Hinata forgets to hit the spike which results in Inarizaki gaining the point. Kageyama angrily warns Hinata that if he were to repeat what he just did that he would not receive any more sets for the rest of the game. Despite this, Kageyama is shown with a smirk at seeing Hinata is making his new jump work.

Kageyama would attempt to block Aran when Atsumu turned the first touch into a set but was unable to make it in time. When Daichi unintentionally sends a receive close to the net, Kageyama purposely spikes the ball into the blockers to give Karasuno another chance to attack. This proved to be to their advantage when Hinata does a wide broad attack that stuns everyone watching. Even though the attack was successful, Kageyama was able to tell that Ōmimi was nearly caught in Hinata's feint. During Kageyama's next serve, he is not affected by the Inarizaki cheer section trying to overwhelm him with booing. Instead, the cheer section decided to use a rhythm that slowly increased in order to throw off his timing. Kageyama's serve, while off, manages to get over the net but was received by Akagi. Immediately, Kageyama would witness Atsumu make a perfect first step into his set. After Saeko and her taiko group arrived, Kageyama used Hinata's want to do a back attack to set to Daichi. Although his captain was able to score, Kageyama saw that Ōmimi was able to stop himself from being drawn into blocking Hinata. Later in the set, Kageyama would catch onto the Miya twins attempting to copy the super quick attack. He and the others are speechless when they see the twins manage the quick attack on their first attempt. Shortly after, Atsumu was able to predict what attack Kageyama would try since the receive made was thrown off. Atsumu correctly guessed that Hinata would be the one Kageyama would trust the set to, but Atsumu was able to block Hinata's spike. Atsumu is able to predict Kageyama's next move as well, but Hinata surprises him by doing a block-out against his hand.

During one play, Kageyama purposely sets a ball to Tsukishima at a higher point. The attack was successful although neither player would admit it to one another[41]. When Hinata is later able to block Osamu, Kageyama would claim that it was a fluke and points out Hinata is the most surprised that his block worked. When Hinata later makes an emergency set to Asahi, Kageyama credits most of it to luck. Shortly after Yamaguchi is removed from being a pinch server in the set, Daichi receives Kosaku's serve but it heads out-of-bounds on Inarizaki's side. Kageyama stuns everyone watching when he suddenly rushes under the net and manages to return the ball to Karasuno's side without causing a penalty or foul[42].

During the second set, a triple block is able to get the ball in the air after Aran tried to spike past Karasuno's blockers. Kageyama attempts to push the ball over when it got within reach, but it was saved by Akagi. Kageyama would try to help block Aran again, but the ace was able to get past them. At Aran's third attempt to spike, Kageyama is unable to block him. After Riseki is removed from the court, Kageyama is able to score a service ace right away. After a timeout, Kageyama is again able to score a service ace when Osamu is unable to receive the serve. His third serve is received but because of the tension Aran had built, the Inarizaki ace put too much power into his spike, and it landed out as a result. Kageyama's fourth serve is received, and he immediately goes to set when the ball had returned to Karasuno's side. However, the twins and Aran were quick to put an end to his serves with a counterattack. During a timeout when Asahi was trying to encourage Nishinoya, Kageyama ruined the moment when he requests high sets instead of a-passes and is pointed out by Hinata for having bad timing[43]. During a brief flashback, Ukai had decided to have Kageyama pared with Aran with the intention of having the Inarizaki ace faced with a high block to try to keep him from finding a rhythm. Kageyama is successful in shutting down Aran's spike.

Near the middle of the set, Kageyama would catch that Atsumu would bait Hinata and Tanaka into blocking him as he switched from an apparent setter dump to a set. He later is taken by surprise when Hinata would make a perfect receive on Aran's spike and mutters: "Nice receive". Although Karasuno would lose the point in this rally, Hinata would question if the team had seen his receive. Kageyama would lie and say that he missed it even though Hinata claims he heard the setter compliment the save. Midway into the third set, Kageyama and Tsukishima were unable to sync up which caused a lost point. While Tsukishima would try to take the blame, Kageyama instead says he was the one at fault and will adjust his sets to Tsukishima's needs.

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When Inarizaki reached match point, a flashback shows that Tanaka had made a request of Kageyama in the first set of wanting fewer sets. However, Kageyama refused to agree to the request by stating that Karasuno needed Tanaka and his attacks. Kageyama would then make a silent threat to Tanaka to prove why the setter has so much faith in him. Tanaka would be successful in landing a super straight shot and Kageyama would give a sign of respect[44]. With Inarizaki still at match point, Kageyama serves and gets a service ace when the power behind the serve causes the ball to land out when Osamu tried to receive it. Kageyama would then throw Inarizaki for a loop when his next serve is a soft serve. Inarizaki would receive the serve but Kageyama and Hinata would use their quick attack to score. At one point, Kageyama would have to make a one-handed set to Hinata, but the ball begins to fall short. He becomes fearful that the ball will land without anyone saving it only for Hinata to use his foot to kick the ball over and put Karasuno at match point. Kageyama would then tell Hinata that he had the right to complain about the set only for Hinata to instead request to have the next set.

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Hinata and Kageyama block Osamu.

After several exhausting rallies, Kageyama does a setter dump that would put Karasuno at match point once more. Like the team, Kageyama would soon be caught up in a fast pace as they became more desperate to gain the point and finish the game. He was oblivious to Ukai trying to get them to calm down and is only able to slow his pace when Hinata was able to send his receive high into the air to give them room to breathe. He is able to save Tanaka's blocked spike but the ball heads toward the back of the court. Tsukishima and Daichi were able to get the ball back to Inarizaki where Kageyama and Hinata would spot the Miya twins prepare to attempt the quick attack. The two were able to block the spike and gain the final point that would win the match for Karasuno.

Kageyama and Hinata would find themselves surrounded by their team as they celebrated their win. Afterwards, Hinata would claim that he was the one who was able to block the spike, but Kageyama instead would claim he blocked it, with the two beginning another argument. After the teams shake hands, Kageyama would witness Atsumu call out to Hinata with the promise of one day setting for him but also warned that he would defeat Karasuno at the next Interhigh. When the team is back at their hotel, Kageyama would listen to Hinata as he spoke about facing Kenma in the next match and how the Nekoma setter may not be too interested in the outcome of the game.

Karasuno vs Nekoma

Kageyama is the first to serve during the match but seems annoyed when Kai was able to receive the serve without much trouble. He and Hinata would soon use the quick attack to score the first point of the match. Kageyama would again be annoyed as Kai picking up his next serve but would appear to be more cautious of Kenma. When Kuroo was able to spike past Hinata, Kageyama was the only one who could make the receive which led Nishinoya to make a set. Throughout the first half of the first set, Kageyama remains calm and levelheaded which allows him and Hinata to perform the quick attack several times.

When Tanaka is able to receive Yamamoto's serve, the ball appeared like it would head back to Nekoma and Kuroo appeared ready to slam the ball down until Kageyama beat him to the ball and made a set to Hinata although Yaku would receive the attack. When later faced against Lev trying to block him, Kageyama would attempt to get the better of the middle blocker by hitting the ball against his arm only for his spike to be received and Lev would successfully counter by using his incredible height to spike over the block. When Hinata mentions his belief that his attacks are getting received more than normal, Kageyama tells him that he's simply imagining things. Kageyama is later able to tell that Kenma tricked Asahi and Tsukishima into blocking him when he looked like he would do a setter dump but changed to a set at the last minute, similar to what Atsumu had done the previous day. Kageyama and the others are left speechless when Kenma was able to win the first set for Nekoma when he returned the ball directly in the path where Kageyama made his forward approach and the confusion it caused allowed the ball to land before anyone could attempt to save it[45]. When Sugawara points out how Nekoma is using the same tactic on Hinata that Karasuno had done with Aran, Hinata is flattered at thinking he's being compared to one of the top five aces only for Kageyama to quickly shut down his train of thought.

When Hinata is able to score using the wide broad jump in the first rally of the second set, Hinata would attempt to get a compliment from the setter only to be ignored. Ukai states that Kageyama uses his actions to get the message across to Kenma that he will have to think of something else if he wants to contain the super quick attack. When he and Hinata decide to start using Hinata's new improved jumping, Kageyama, like many others, is stunned when Hinata is able to reach a higher spiking point but barely managed to tip the ball over to Nekoma's side. He is quick to criticize the middle blocker on this but soon gives him another chance to use this new attack again. This time, Kageyama compliments Hinata on having made an acceptable jump and in turn receives a compliment from Hinata about his high toss. Near the end of the set, Kageyama becomes on edge when he sees Inuoka being brought into the match. He is soon proven right to be concerned when Hinata's next attack was right away blocked by Inuoka. However, he would relax some when Hinata was able to make his next attack count.

As the third set begins, Kageyama right away scores a service ace. His next serve is picked up by Kai and stopped. Later, as Tsukishima and Kuroo begin to face off more, Kageyama becomes aware of Lev's presence at the net and admits that he is nervous about the middle blocker lying in wait[46]. Although nervous, he still gives Tsukishima the set and the attack made it through. When Kageyama serves again, he continues to be countered by Kai. As the set inches closer to ending, he is able to land a setter dump and then perform the quick attack with Hinata that puts Karasuno at match point. After Karasuno won the match, Kageyama makes a request of Kenma for them to meet at the national stage again the following year, although Hinata would claim that Kageyama stole his line.

Fukurōdani vs Mujinazaka

Not far into the match, Bokuto manages an impressive chest receive. Despite the crowd being amazed, Kageyama instead finds this a fluke. Sometime later, Kageyama gets angry at Hinata's observation.

Karasuno vs Kamomedai

While many of his teammates were somewhat nervous or on edge about facing Kamomedai, Kageyama appears to be excited[47]. After the meeting, he is spotted by Hinata, Kiyoko, and Yachi as he writes in his volleyball journal. Just before the team is about to head to the court for their match, Kageyama hears Saeko calling out to Hinata to inform him that the Little Giant has come to watch the match. He follows Hinata as he rushes to meet Karasuno's original Little Giant, Tenma Udai. Kageyama mostly stands close by as Hinata asks his idol about his current involvement with volleyball only to learn that Udai retired from volleyball after high school. At this point, Kageyama notices that it's time for the match to start. He and Hinata rejoin their team where Hinata states that he is surprisingly not upset after meeting Udai, to which Kageyama says: "Finally".

For Karasuno's first attack of the game, Kageyama and Hinata perform the quick attack down the center. Although Hinata had been faced with a triple block, he was still able to make it through with no problem and even left some of the blockers stunned. Afterwards, Kageyama noticed that Hirugami picked up that Karasuno would attempt a center attack and had decided to continue with the attack even knowing that there were blockers waiting. With Karasuno having scored, Kageyama was now up to serve. Four of Kamomedai's players are prepared to receive the attack with the hope of stopping him at just one. Nozawa managed to receive the serve which led to Hoshiumi gaining the lost point for Kamomedai. After Tsukishima was able to perfectly lead a triple block to stop Hoshiumi's spike, Kageyama informs the Kamomedai ace that his time to surprise others has ended[48].

Near the midpoint of the set, Kageyama notices that Kamomedai's blockers were starting to do a dedicated shift on Asahi and therefore gave Tsukishima the set since he looked to be clear to score unmarked. However, all three Kamomedai blockers would surprise the setter by appearing right before Tsukishima and blocked him. Kamomedai eventually was able to win the first set. At the start of the second set, Kageyama's powerful serve is received by Hoshiumi. After several sets, Hinata is soon making a running approach into what looks to be his second wide broad attack. However, Kageyama instead performs a successful setter dump that puts Karasuno in the lead at 5-4. The two were later able to perform a perfect quick attack despite being off balance and further frustrated the opposing blockers. While Kamomedai is trying to figure out who will be to attack, Kageyama and Hinata perform a back attack. Their attack and Tsukishima's blocking cause the three first-years to be given heavy praise by the tournament announcers. This caused Sugawara to try to convince Daichi and Asahi not to let the first-years take all the spotlight.

When the score reaches 14-14, Kageyama is up-to-serve. He surprises Kamomedai by performing a soft serve instead of his normal powerful serve. This earns him a no-touch service ace when Hakuba and Nozawa hesitate on who will make the receive. Hoshiumi is able to receive Kageyama's next serve but in doing so keeps him from making an attack. After a timeout, Kageyama is complimented by Sugawara for his play with Tsukishima. Kageyama admits that he was aware of Hirugami being able to stick with the quick attacks and was becoming frustrated about it. Because of this, Kageyama had decided to try to get at least one attack past him.

As Tanaka receives Hoshiumi's second serve, Kageyama feels Hinata already preparing for a minus tempo attack. However, Hinata also uses his new jump combined with his speed. Despite this, Kageyama still delivers a perfect set and Hinata is able to get by Hirugami and Hakuba and leaves many people speechless in the process. Hinata is quick to grab Kageyama's hand and excitedly praise his sets to be at their peak. Kageyama pushes the middle blocker away but notices something afterwards.

In the third set, Nishinoya was able to receive Hoshiumi's serve but the ball appeared like it would go over the net. Before it is able to, Kageyama was able to reach the ball and set to Hinata, but the attack was right away blocked by Hirugami. Shortly after Hinata was able to keep the attention of the blockers long enough for Tanaka to get an attack in, Kageyama and others hear Hinata confess that he would now like to have the nickname The Strongest Decoy, having overcome how he had originally believed the title to not be very pleasing. Kageyama reminds him that being the decoy is the best position one can have after being a setter[49]. When Tsukishima rotates back onto the court, Kageyama is quick to use the same threat on the middle blocker that he had done on the setter of not running away, annoying Tsukishima in the process. After Hinata's serve is received and returned to Karasuno, Kageyama attempted a setter dump but was caught by the blockers. He would get a chance at revenge after Hinata was able to receive Hakuba's spike and the two performed the minus tempo back attack.

Although the team celebrated the success of this attack, their joy quickly turned to worry when Hinata suddenly collapsed. Kageyama then reveals to the others that he suspects the middle blocker has a high fever, having noticed how hot Hinata's hands had felt when he had praised the setters set during the second set. When Hinata tries to deny this, Kageyama points out Hinata's behavior since the start of the tournament and how he has never seemed to get the proper rest, nor had he been eating properly. Hinata is soon revealed to have a temperature of 39.1°C and, after he made a desperate attempt to stay, the decision is made to remove him from the match entirely so he can be taken to get medical care. Once the game is about to continue, Kageyama repeats what Ennoshita had once told him of all Karasuno's spikers being strong. Not long after, Kageyama attempted to set to Tsukishima only for the middle blocker to get a sudden leg cramp. Tsukishima is taken out of the match and Yamaguchi is sent into the game in his place. Kageyama surprises everyone when he gives Yamaguchi a set despite him just moving onto the court.

Karasuno eventually lost the match and afterwards Kageyama confesses that he would have liked to help the current team go even further, surprising his team at his admission[50]. Sugawara is moved to tears that Kageyama was able to make this kind of emotional connection with the Karasuno team and is certain that he will be able to feel this way about other teams in the future.

Final Arc

Immediately after graduating high school, Kageyama joined a professional team in Japan's Division 1 volleyball league instead of attending college and played in the 2016 summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro[51]. In November 2018, upon Hinata's return to Japan and entering the V-League as a new member of the MSBY Black Jackals team, Kageyama reunites with his former partner. Kageyama currently plays as the starting setter for the Schweiden Adlers and is teammates with Ushijima and Hoshiumi.

As the match is about to start and Kageyama prepares to deliver the first serve of the game, the announcers note that he had recently played against France and scored five service aces in a row. However, his serve is received by Hinata. Hinata would then counter and score the first point of the match. When Nicollas Romero scores the first service ace for the Adlers, Kageyama is shown giving great support. When Romero's next serve is received and Hinata and Atsumu perform their own version of the super quick attack, Kageyama is able to receive the ball but, to his annoyance, it lands out of bounds. Despite this, Kageyama seems to start a new rivalry with Atsumu upon remembering how the former Inarizaki setter promised that he would one day set to Hinata and now, not only made good on his promise, has formed a new version of the super quick attack[52].

While the Adlers are in the lead at 3-2, Kageyama attempted to receive Sakusa's spike but was unable to due to the unique spin of Sakusa's spike that Akaashi states is thanks to Sakusa's flexible wrists. When Hinata later does a jump serve that narrowly missed landing in, Kageyama mocks Hinata for his failed serve. When Hinata next attempted to try to keep Romero from attacking, Kageyama proceeded to set for the Brazilian ace and the attack was successful. Kageyama was immediately given praise by Romero that caused envy in Hinata, Bokuto, and Atsumu[53]. When Romero next tried to trick the Jackals by using a feint shot and Hinata was able to make the receive, Kageyama notices something about Hinata during the play. After several more rallies, Romero points out to his teammates that he recognized Hinata as the famed Ninja Shōyō. However, Kageyama, Ushijima, and Hoshiumi are unfamiliar with what Romero is speaking of. Kageyama, however, makes a connection from Hinata's new nickname and realizes that he is now acting as a decoy for himself. When Hinata appears to attempt a wide broad attack, the Adlers blockers are temporarily distracted by this long enough for Meian to get a spike through the block. Kageyama then hears Atsumu state how great the play felt and glares at him in annoyance.

Early in the second set, Kageyama notices Hinata's improved balance when he is able to receive Ushijima's serve and blames the training Hinata must have done on the sand. Kageyama begins to shine more in the set when he is first able to score a service ace and then perform a one-handed set to Romero, although he does not understand Romero praising him in Portuguese. In another rally, Kageyama appears like he will make a set only to suddenly lower his hands and allow the ball to pass over to score[54]. It was at this time that Atsumu would tell Hinata that it was because of him and the other players of Karasuno that Kageyama became so skilled as he had learned to have a wide variety of sets to use for his hitters. Kageyama himself acknowledges that it was because of his former Karasuno teammates that he became as skilled as he is now. Shortly afterwards, the Adlers would win the set 25-21.

Kageyama delivers the first serve of the third set. While Hinata was able to receive the serve, Fukurō Hirugami was able to block Meian's spike. Kageyama then scores a no-touch service ace. His serves are eventually stopped when Shion Inunaki was able to receive and the Jackals would score. Later on, Ushijima attempted a block-out and Atsumu dove to save the ball. This left Hinata to once more be called on to make the set. Kageyama tries to figure out what Hinata will attempt only to be caught off guard when Hinata suddenly spikes the ball with his left hand and wins the set for the Jackals[55].

Just past the mid-point of the fourth set, Kageyama angers the Jackals when he performs a power tip after looking like he would do a regular setter dump[56]. He would soon repeat what he had done during the game against Inarizaki by running under the net to make a set back to Hoshiumi. He begins to put pressure on the Jackals by delivering several powerful serves. As each team begins to rack up points and the set starts getting closer to the end, Kageyama attempted to block Hinata when he and Atsumu tried to use their quick attack, but he was unable to stop Hinata's spike. Kageyama attempts another one-handed set to Romero who attempted a feint, but Hinata was able to receive the ball. As Hinata attempted to spike, Kageyama was able to block him. However, Hinata would kick the ball up with the back of his foot and then launch himself into what appeared to be a wide broad attack. Kageyama and Hirugami are distracted by his actions and are therefore late to try to block Bokuto from winning the game.

While the teams shake hands, Kageyama congratulates Hinata for finally making it to his level. Hinata then gives a grand total of wins and losses of their personal competitions before the two-start debating if they should add their separate competitions from Brazil and other scrimmage matches into the amount. During their cool down stretches, Kageyama overhears Hinata speaking with Romero and his son, Rubens Romero, in Portuguese and questions how many languages Hinata can actually speak at this point. During an autograph session, Kageyama spots Kindaichi and Kunimi in the crowd. He calls out to them and asks if they would be willing to play volleyball with him one day. The two agree to his request. Afterwards, Kageyama is seen reuniting with Hinata, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and Yachi.

In 2021, Kageyama once more plays on the National Team for the Tokyo Olympics and is seen eagerly awaiting the opportunity to once again play against Oikawa. In their first attack of the match, Kageyama and Hinata perform their famous super quick attack. In 2022, Kageyama is now part of the Italian Serie A profession team Ali Roma. He is once more faced against Hinata who is now part of the Brazil Super League team Asas São Paulo. As they face one another in the finals of the FIVB Club World Championship, Hinata and Kageyama each vow that they will be the winner.

Statistics

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

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

Post-Timeskip Statistics
Power
 
4/5
Jumping
 
4/5
Stamina
 
5/5
Game Sense
 
5/5
Technique
 
5/5
Speed
 
5/5

Kageyama is known as the "King of the Court" and a volleyball genius for his incredible technique and game sense. As a high-caliber setter, Kageyama has the potential to unify the team with his overwhelming talent, but he originally struggles with effectively communicating with his teammates. Over time, he has learned to utilize his skills to bring out the best of his spikers. He now pays attention to his spikers' condition and adjusts his toss accordingly instead of forcing them to match him all the time[57].

In addition to his astounding accuracy and technical skills as a setter, Kageyama is a skilled all-rounder with a remarkable grasp of both the basics and the complexities of volleyball. He is capable of playing many other positions, including wing spiker,[37] but chooses to become a setter due to his love for being the team's control tower. Kageyama also has an affinity for improvised strategy and is the first person to suggest using Hinata's prominent presence on the court as an effective decoy. Due to all these factors, Kageyama is one of the players selected to participate in the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp.

Height and reach:

  • April 2012:
    • Jumping Reach: 335 cm.
  • November 2012:
    • Fingertip Height: 239 cm.
    • Jumping Reach: 337 cm. (spike) / 320 cm. (block)
  • Post-Timeskip:
    • Jumping Reach: 348 cm.[58]

Skills

Post-Timeskip Skills Parameter
Serve
 
10/10
Serve Reception
 
7/10
Dig
 
8/10
Setting
 
10/10
Spike
 
8/10
Block
 
9/10
  • Pinpoint Accuracy:
    Haikyuu-ep-4-image-15

    Kageyama pinpoints the exact position where Hinata is about to spike.

    Kageyama's most prominent and praised skill is his ability to accurately determine a ball's trajectory and tossing it to the exact point. Combined with the fact that he can set from any angle at incredible speeds, this makes his sets almost impossible for most of his opponents to predict and counter. His pinpoint accuracy is a necessary component in Kageyama and Hinata's infamous "Freak-Quick" sets. He can calculate Hinata's exact spike point to send the ball straight to him at the perfect moment in time. Moreover, Kageyama uses his accuracy and fast handling of the ball for other purposes too, such as straight shots and setter dumps. Like Atsumu, Kageyama's sets are also easy to hit and give the hitters the impression that they have gotten better.
  • Minus-Tempo Quick Strike: Also known as the "God-Fast Spike", "Freak-Quick" or the "Oddball Combo", this is an offensive maneuver developed by Kageyama and Hinata during their three-on-three match against Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and Daichi. It combines Kageyama's setting talents with Hinata's speed, agility, and extraordinary jumping power. Kageyama uses his pinpoint accuracy to set the ball to Hinata's exact spike point. His toss is so accurate that Hinata can spike even with his eyes closed. Ever since the summer training camp, Kageyama has modified his toss to one that stops and falls around the spiker's hitting zone to give Hinata more control in mid-air. He also can send a toss close to the net for Hinata to spike it straight down[59].
  • King's Toss: His best set is known as the "King's Toss," which causes the ball to go straight with a lot of force past through the spiker's point of impact. Originally, his teammates found this sort of set to be impossibly fast to spike. Following Karasuno's summer training camp, Kageyama learned to perform a set that falls around the spiker's point of impact by adding a backspin. The brutal force he'd habitually put into it would thus die out and allow the spiker to manipulate the ball in whatever way he wished.
  • Jump Serve:
    Kageyama s3-e8-1
    Kageyama has a powerful jump serve that his opponents are wary of. Early on, he hasn't learned how to aim it yet, but during the Shiratorizawa match, he displays the ability to manipulate the power he puts into the serve to catch his opponents off guard (by dropping the serve shorter than expected, for example). By the time Karasuno reaches nationals, his jump serve has become a reliable weapon. He is seen scoring many service aces[60] and even adding a side-spin to avoid the receivers[61]. When he joins the V league, he becomes the top ranked server beating out other players like Atsumu (before the debut of his hybrid serve) and Romero. He has even gotten 5 serve aces in a row against the French national team.
  • Dump Set: Kageyama often utilizes dump sets and rarely gets blocked. He's adept at finding the perfect moments to perform a dump set, often surprising both his opponents (such as Oikawa) and his teammates. He can also fake this to set up a short-range quick attack. Kageyama can also change his simple dump to a power tip, this knocks the ball off the blockers' hand, causing it to land in the outer edge of the court.
  • Two-setter Attack: Kageyama also has a sharp straight spike, which allows him to act as an extra wing spiker on the right side when Sugawara is used as a setter[30].
  • One Person Time Difference Attack: Kageyama has shown the ability to match his spikers to perform a One Person Time Difference Attack. He utilizes this attack with Tsukishima, who delays jumping to throw off the blockers, during Karasuno's match against Shiratorizawa.
  • Glance Feint: A technique he learned from watching Kenma Kozume, Kageyama will look to one side of the court in order to trick opposing blockers that he will set in one direction before setting in the opposite direction[62]. Because this is a move he very rarely uses, it is very successful when implemented.
  • Receives: Due to his position as a setter, Kageyama often does not participate in receives. Despite this, Kageyama is shown to have incredible defensive skills and does not have much trouble making receives when needed.

Relationships

Karasuno High

  • Shōyō Hinata:
    Hinata and Kageyama's final confrontation
    Kageyama has a highly competitive but friendly relationship with Hinata. Rivals since they first met at the junior high volleyball tournament, Kageyama originally did not think much of Hinata but came to see his natural athletic abilities during the tournament and the start of their first year at Karasuno. He constantly points out how his teammate has not made full use of his talents and often scolds him for making mistakes, referring to him as "ボケー (ぼけー) (Bokē, not to be confused with bokeh)/Dumbass". Due to their competitiveness, the two had kept track over who has the most wins/losses over the other since they met. While they tend to argue with each other, they rarely ever result to physical violence and mostly just yell at one another; Kageyama mocking Hinata's lack of volleyball skills and Hinata pointing out Kageyama's lack of socialism and comedy.
    After joining Karasuno, Kageyama initially refused to work with Hinata as he felt that Hinata would not be of any use due to his lack of skill. However, he eventually saw that Hinata was not going to back down and was soon inspired to accept him and begin setting to him. Since becoming teammates on the volleyball team, Kageyama admits his jealousy of Hinata's speed and reflexes but doesn't seem to understand how Hinata is able to put full trust into his sets that allowed them to perform the original version of their super quick attack. Seeing that Hinata would make a natural and effective decoy, Kageyama was the one to suggest that Hinata become the decoy as well as a middle blocker as he figured his speed, reflexes, and jumping capabilities would be useful for Karasuno.
    As teammates, Kageyama and Hinata work extremely well together but still do not hold back on mocking one another on the court. However, Kageyama at one point had a falling out with Hinata when the middle blocker had requested a change of their signature quick attack when he realized that it was not working as effectively against taller and faster opponents. Kageyama refused to change things at first as he felt that the attack was perfect the way it is but soon saw how it could be beneficial to everyone and gained better setting skills in the process. Since then, Kageyama and Hinata's relationship returned to normal, and they became an even more troublesome pair to opposing teams. Post-timeskip, Kageyama and Hinata have remained competitive with one another but still remained a powerful duo on the Olympic team.
  • Kei Tsukishima:
    KageyamaAndTsukishima
    Kageyama is shown to struggle with getting along with Tsukishima most out of everyone on the team. As Tsukishima would often remind Kageyama of his past and continues to call him King/Your Majesty, Kageyama is always quick to fire back which leads to near arguments most of the time with their upperclassmen having to keep them apart. Once Kageyama began to understand that he needs to trust his players more and gave Tsukishima the sets he requested, the two began to work better together and their relationship began to be less tense. As teammates, Kageyama acknowledges Tsukishima's blocking abilities and strategic planning and does not hesitate to follow his lead when Tsukishima has formulated plans to block larger or trickier opponents such as Ushijima and Suna. While they continue to bicker with each other, they appear to be on friendlier terms.
  • Tadashi Yamaguchi: As Yamaguchi tended to join Tsukishima in teasing the setter, Kageyama originally did not like Yamaguchi. Over time, they began to view each other as reliable teammates and Kageyama started to view Yamaguchi as a reliable pinch server.
  • Hitoka Yachi: Although Yachi was intimidated by Kageyama at first, the two quickly became friends when Kageyama and Hinata sought her out for help with their studies. During the summer training camps, Kageyama was often helped by Yachi in trying to perfect his new set for the improved quick attack. While they are not often shown interacting together, Kageyama respects Yachi and is grateful for the things she has done for him.
  • Yū Nishinoya: Kageyama was initially overwhelmed by Nishinoya's energy yet intrigued by his excellent receiving skills. Though Nishinoya teases Kageyama often with Tanaka, they view each other as trustworthy teammates.
  • Ryūnosuke Tanaka:
    Tanaka and Kageyama s1-e22-1
    Somewhat overwhelmed by Tanaka's personality at first, Kageyama quickly saw how strong the second-year is as a volleyball player and is shown to work well with him during matches. While he is often teased at by Tanaka, Kageyama values his support and encouragement. During the match against Inarizaki, Kageyama would prove how much he trusts Tanaka and his abilities when he denied Tanaka's request to not be sent any sets for a short time and managed to execute his straight shot.
  • Chikara Ennoshita:
    Karasuno s1-e21-1
    Through Ennoshita, Kageyama was able to better understand that different spikers require different sets in order to perform at their best. Due to Ennoshita's calm personality and natural leadership, Kageyama views the second-year as the perfect candidate to become the next team captain.
  • Kōshi Sugawara:
    Kageyama-sugawara
    Kageyama greatly respects and admires Sugawara as a fellow setter and his upperclassman. Kageyama was initially jealous of how Sugawara was able to easily gain the trust and friendship of others but was soon encouraged by the older setter to do the same in order to have a better relationship with his teammates. Kageyama is often greatly supported by Sugawara but is also wary of the third-year when he becomes angered. When the two play in a match together, they work extremely well together, and Kageyama shows no hesitation of following Sugawara's lead when he has a plan that can help Karasuno. Post-time-skip, Kageyama is shown to still be supported by Sugawara.
  • Daichi Sawamura:
    Kageyama and Daichi s2-e16-1
    Kageyama respects Daichi since he's the captain and a third-year and Daichi sees Kageyama as one part of Karasuno's secret weapon. Kageyama greatly worked to prove himself trustworthy to the captain after the trouble he and Hinata first caused trying to join the club. Since then, Kageyama is shown to be cautious of making Daichi mad but also listens to the third-year carefully both on and off the court. He sees how Daichi provides a stable foundation to the team and is able to keep everyone calm yet motivated during critical times.
  • Asahi Azumane: Kageyama sees Asahi as a reliable teammate. He was instrumental in Asahi's return as he had encouraged Sugawara to toss to Asahi during the match against the Karasuno Neighborhood Association, helping to restore the ace's confidence in himself. Once Asahi had regained confidence in himself and as the ace, Kageyama witnessed how capable and powerful he is and is always ready to give the ace the best sets he can.
  • Kiyoko Shimizu: Kageyama is one of the few characters who does not seem to be attracted to Kiyoko. He respects her as an upperclassman and the manager of the team but doesn't fawn over her.

Aoba Johsai High

  • Tōru Oikawa:
    Conductors
    Oikawa is known to be one of Kageyama's greatest rivals and the setter that he hopes to surpass most. During middle school, Kageyama originally looked up to the setter due to his incredible skills and would often ask for advice and tips only for Oikawa to treat him poorly and refuse to help him as he saw the younger setter as a threat; although Kageyama seemed unaware of this and instead resorted to simply watching Oikawa to learn jump serves and blocking.
    As high school students, Kageyama continued the rivalry with Oikawa and continued to be put down by the older setter who mocked him for not being able to properly connect with his teammates and understand their individual strengths. Despite their competitive relationship, Kageyama acknowledges Oikawa as an extremely talented and skilled setter who is able to bring out the peak of his teammates. Even after high school, the two continued their rivalry.
  • Yūtarō Kindaichi:
    KindaichiAndKageyama
    Kindaichi was a former classmate and teammate of Kageyama's from Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High. During their third year, Kageyama is shown to have had a tense relationship with Kindaichi and was incredibly demanding of him when on the court; often times snapping at and blaming Kindaichi if he was not able to match his sets. After joining different teams in high school, Kageyama realized how badly he had behaved toward Kindaichi and had attempted to make amends after their first practice match against each other. However, Kindaichi made it clear that he would never see Kageyama as anything but the King of the Court and the two stayed rivals throughout high school. Post-timeskip, Kageyama was finally able to patch things up with Kindaichi and renew their friendship.
  • Akira Kunimi:
    Kageyama and Kunimi s1-e1-1
    Similar to Kindaichi, Kageyama was incredibly demanding and strict toward Kunimi. While he acknowledged Kunimi as a talented player, he was frustrated with his lack of effort and had attempted to get him to take matches more seriously. After attending different high schools and joining new teams, Kageyama realized how badly he had treated his former teammates and tried to smooth things over but to no avail. At seeing Kunimi's natural abilities brought out thanks to Oikawa, Kageyama began to see how skilled and threatening Kunimi could really be. After Kageyama joined a professional team, he was able to finally start things over with Kunimi and Kindaichi.

Schweiden Adlers

  • Schweiden Adlers: He works well with the team. Similar to how he was with his Karasuno teammates, Kageyama tries to provide easy to hit sets and will cheer for his teammates when they are successful. Kageyama is seen to be closest to Hoshiumi, Ushijima, and Romero on the team.

Family

  • Kazuyo Kageyama: Kazuyo Kageyama was Tobio's grandfather who first introduced him to volleyball. They appeared to be very close during Tobio's childhood, often practicing volleyball and watching recorded matches of professional teams together. Kazuyo often taught Tobio many lessons in volleyball, such as personal maintenance and that even teammates can be rivals. One of the things Kazuyo taught Tobio is that, if he became a strong player, he would get to play many games and may find someone who will be even better than himself.
  • Miwa Kageyama: Miwa is Tobio's older sister. Tobio was shown to be close to his sister but was also rather competitive with her in their younger years before she eventually retired from volleyball.

Quotes

  • (To Hinata) "In the first round, and the second round, and the finals, and all the way up to the Nationals! I'm going to be the one who wins and gets to stay on the court!"[63][64]
  • (To himself) "No matter how challenging the volley, there's only one reason why we chase the ball...there's only one reason we continue fighting. Because we haven't lost yet!"[63][64]
  • (To Hinata) "Only the winners get to stay on the court. Only the best. If you want to win, then get stronger! Get better!"[11][65]
  • (To Hinata) "As long as you're with me, you're the greatest!"[11][65]
  • (His and Sugawara's dual monologue) "I want to be in the game. [I want to stay here longer. I want to stay with these guys.] Give me the thrill of the court. [I want to fight with these guys longer.] Let me feel out of breath. [Let me stand here.] I want to touch the ball. I want to fight. [I want to throw up a toss with my own hands over and over.] Then, we'll [Karasuno] win the match that's right in front of us!"[66][67]
  • (To Hinata) "That does it. I'm not apologizing anymore. I'm never gonna put the ball up in such a sorry way... that I have to apologize for it ever again!"[68][2]
  • (To Ushijima) "If Oikawa-san is the best setter in the prefecture, I'm the one who is going to surpass him."[69][70]
  • (To himself) "It's one thing when my spike gets blocked, but it pisses me of a million times more when a spike from my set-up gets blocked..."[71][72]
  • (To Tendō) "'The end of the world?' Why? The only thing that'll ever be like that to me... is the news that I'll never be able to play volleyball ever again. That's it."[73][74]
  • (To Hinata) "Hey. You can jump even higher."[38][75]
  • (First in his mind only then the last two words directly to Hinata) "To think the day would come... when I'd say this to 'you'. Nice receive."[76][77]
  • (To himself) "I know, now. All of you taught it to me... so I know it must be true! Now, just like then, my hitters are 'there'. And they're waiting... for the best set that I can give them!"[78]
  • (To himself) "Hitters are so cool. The cooler the hitters are... the happier I am as a setter."[56]

Trivia

  • Pre-timeskip Concern: He gets the feeling that animals dislike him.
  • Post-timeskip Concern: He wants to maintain a perfect condition, even after traveling for a long time.
  • Star Sign: Capricorn.
    • Like Hinata, Kageyama was born on the cusp.
  • He wears black volleyball shoes with light grey accents.
  • He usually buys a carton of milk or yogurt during lunch.
  • He uses an iPhone as seen in the last arc of the manga.
  • He is the only first-year on Karasuno's volleyball team that is not a middle blocker.
  • He's been playing volleyball since his second-year at Akiyama Elementary but became involved with volleyball as early as three years old[4].
  • He is the youngest first-year and member on the team.
  • Worst Subject: Kageyama claims to have a poor memory when it comes to English vocabulary, but when he was quizzed by Daichi on tactic signals, he was able to answer them quickly and revealed that it took him barely a day to memorize those. This shows that he does have a great memory but lacks the motivation to put it to use on subjects that aren't related to volleyball.
  • He has admitted to Hinata that Kageyama is jealous of Hinata's physical ability and reflexes, specifically that Hinata has great ability but has not been able to hone it properly to his greatest potential. Kageyama says this is why he is 'irritated' by Hinata.
  • Before choosing Karasuno, he tried to get into Shiratorizawa, but Kageyama failed the entrance exam. Afterward, he chose to attend Karasuno only because he wanted to train under the former coach, Ikkei Ukai. However, Ukai collapsed shortly before Kageyama joined.
    • During the practice match against Seijoh in the manga, it is revealed Kageyama received an invitation to attend Aoba Johsai High but he turned it down in hopes of getting into Shiratorizawa.
  • In the second one-shot, his reason for joining Karasuno was that he wanted to fight "Top Schools". Hinata and Kageyama had also formed their "Freak Quick attack" during a match against another school instead of during the 3-on-3 match.
  • His birthday overlaps with the winter solstice (December 22nd, the shortest day and longest night of the year), which contrasts Hinata's birthday which occurs in summer solstice (June 21st, the longest day and shortest night of the year) respectively.
  • In Haikyuu's first popularity poll, Kageyama ranked 1st with 6,639 votes.[66] In the second popularity poll, he dropped to 3rd with 9,369 votes.[79] In the Takara Tomy Character Poll, he ranked 3rd with 54,050 votes.
  • In regards to Kageyama's name, Furudate wrote: "I gave him this name with the image of 'strong shadow' and 'flying' in mind."[80]
  • In an interview with Furudate about Kageyama's character, Furudate noted that they felt Kageyama turned out well.
  • Hinata once called Kageyama Bateyama-kun (Japanese: バテ (ばて) (やま) (くん) ) which translates to "someone who is tired".[81]
  • To date, he is the only known member of the Italy league team Ali Roma (á-li ró-ma).
  • Although he is shown having been active in volleyball since he was three years old, Kageyama himself states that he had started playing on a team when he was in second grade.[82]
  • Nomenclature:
    • Tobio (飛雄) – Flying Hero
    • Kageyama (影山) – Shadow Mountain

References

  1. Volume 8 Chapter 69
  2. 2.0 2.1 Season 1 Episode 25
  3. Monster Generation Special Interview - Weekly Shonen Jump 2020 Issue #32
  4. 4.0 4.1 Volume 44 Chapter 387
  5. Volume 1 Chapter 2
  6. Volume 1 Chapter 4
  7. Volume 1 Chapter 6
  8. Volume 2 Chapter 9
  9. Volume 2 Chapter 14
  10. Volume 3 Chapter 17
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Volume 3 Chapter 23
  12. Volume 3 Chapter 25
  13. Volume 4 Chapter 29
  14. Volume 4 Chapter 34
  15. Volume 5 Chapter 37
  16. Volume 5 Chapter 40
  17. Volume 5 Chapter 44
  18. Volume 6 Chapter 48
  19. Volume 6 Chapter 53
  20. Volume 7 Chapter 58
  21. Volume 7 Chapter 62
  22. Volume 8 Chapter 68
  23. Volume 9 Chapter 76
  24. Volume 10 Chapter 81
  25. Volume 11 Chapter 98
  26. Volume 12 Chapter 103
  27. Volume 13 Chapter 116
  28. Volume 14 Chapter 121
  29. Volume 15 Chapter 129
  30. 30.0 30.1 Volume 15 Chapter 134
  31. Volume 16 Chapter 142
  32. Volume 17 Chapter 148
  33. Volume 23 Chapter 207
  34. Volume 24 Chapter 209
  35. Volume 24 Chapter 214
  36. Volume 24 Chapter 215
  37. 37.0 37.1 Volume 25 Chapter 219
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 Volume 25 Chapter 220
  39. Volume 25 Chapter 222
  40. Volume 25 Chapter 221
  41. Volume 29 Chapter 256
  42. Volume 29 Chapter 260
  43. Volume 31 Chapter 275
  44. Volume 32 Chapter 285
  45. Volume 34 Chapter 304
  46. Volume 36 Chapter 320
  47. Volume 38 Chapter 338
  48. Volume 39 Chapter 342
  49. Volume 41 Chapter 363
  50. Volume 42 Chapter 369
  51. Volume 42 Chapter 370
  52. Volume 43 Chapter 381
  53. Volume 43 Chapter 383
  54. Volume 44 Chapter 388
  55. Volume 45 Chapter 396
  56. 56.0 56.1 Volume 45 Chapter 399
  57. Volume 32 Chapter 283
  58. Monthly Volleyball 2020 August Issue
  59. Season 2 Episode 24
  60. Volume 32 Chapter 286
  61. Volume 34 Chapter 300
  62. Volume 6 Chapter 50
  63. 63.0 63.1 Volume 1 Chapter 1
  64. 64.0 64.1 Season 1 Episode 1
  65. 65.0 65.1 Season 1 Episode 10
  66. 66.0 66.1 Volume 7 Chapter 57
  67. Season 1 Episode 21
  68. Volume 8 Chapter 70
  69. Volume 9 Chapter 77
  70. Season 2 Episode 1
  71. Volume 18 Chapter 156
  72. Season 3 Episode 3
  73. Volume 20 Chapter 172
  74. Season 3 Episode 6
  75. Season 4 Episode 6
  76. Volume 32 Chapter 281
  77. Season 4 Episode 22
  78. Volume 44 Chapter 389
  79. Volume 14 Chapter 123
  80. Haikyū!! Final Guidebook Volleyball Climax!
  81. Volume 20 Chapter 174
  82. Volume 7 Chapter 60
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