Haikyuu: Best Spikers, Ranked

Summary

Haikyuu excels in storytelling, teamwork, and personal growth, standing out among sports anime.
The anime highlights individual player strengths, such as spikers who overpower team blockers.
Characters like Ryunosuke Tanaka, Aran Ojiro, and Hinata have unique skills that set them apart on the court.

Haikyuu rises to stand alongside some of the greatest sports anime of all time, such as Koroko No Basket and Eyeshield #21. A series that embodies teamwork, personal growth, and the hardships that come with trying to accomplish something greater, Haikyuu excels at storytelling, not just on a team level but on an individual one as well. The series follows a young high school student named Hinata Shoyo who wishes to be the best of the best in volleyball but, unfortunately, lacks the adequate height to be taken seriously. Hinata proves all the critics wrong, however, by displaying his unrivaled jumping strength and his ability to adapt and overcome.

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Haikyuu is filled with talented players of all types, and the anime does a fantastic job of highlighting individual strengths and weaknesses, making even minor characters stand out. In volleyball, every player is intricate on the court, but there are those who stand out as the aces of the teams due to their scoring ability. These characters are called spikers, and they push their bodies to the limits to overpower team blockers to achieve victory for themselves and their team. Here are some of the best spikers in Haikyuu.

8

Ryunosuke Tanaka

A Knucklehead Who’s Great In A Pinch

Among the close-knit team of Karasuno, there are more than just a few oddballs that make up the bunch. While the team is filled with talented individuals, others can struggle to stand out. However, that is not the case for Ryunosuke Tanaka, number nine wing spiker.

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When he joined the team, Tanaka already had a fiery attitude and dyed hair, so sticking out was never a problem. As he trained and worked hard, he forged his own weapon and developed into one of the most dependable players in the squad. One of the skills that Tanaka forges for himself is his insanely accurate cross shot that keeps opposing team blockers guessing.

7

Aran Ojiro

A Perfect Embodiment Of Speed And Power

Aran debuted in Episode 13 of the “To The Top” arc of the Haikyuu anime as a member of the Inarizaki high school team in the wing spiker position. On a team where the Osamu twins demand attention, Aran showed no issue with bringing something unique to each match and ensuring his presence was felt.

With the height, speed, agility, and power to make a significant impact on a match, Aran excels at sending speed balls over the net. Thanks to his height specifically, Aran can overcome multiple types of defenses, such as triple blocks, sending shockwaves throughout team defenses.

6

Osamu Miya

The Puzzle Piece Who Tries To Break The Mold

In the “Two The Top” arc of Haikyuu, Karasuno faces off against Inarizaki’s exceptional lineup of talented players. The stars of the team are the Miya twins. Osamu Miya is the right-side spiker of the team who brings more than just a strong spike to the team.

His physical capabilities and his endless imagination allow him to be a wild card on the court, improvising mid-play to keep the opposing team off balance. Unfortunately, this sometimes also includes his own teammates. One of Osamu’s most remarkable feats is copying the insane-quick of Kageyama and Hinata after seeing it once. Of course, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

5

Hinata Shoyo

A High-Flying Daredevil With Endless Potential

Hinata Shoyo is one of the main characters of Haikyuu and the newest shining star of the Karasuno volleyball team. Known for his inhuman jumping ability, Hinata’s early days on the team were filled with remarkable but simple plays that overwhelmed his opponents with raw speed. However, over the countless games, Hinata has evolved as a player and shows an unwavering dedication that is beginning to turn him into a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Hinata has demonstrated on multiple occasions that he can scan the court in an instant and discern where to send the ball, even when performing the fast quick. This, along with Hinata’s tempo control, makes him a budding star and a more valuable player.

4

Korai Hoshiumi

Another Incarnation Of The Little Giant

Korai first appeared in the Haikyuu anime in Episode 3 of the “To the Top” arc of the series. During this arc, Hinata comes face to face with a more adept version of himself. Hoshiumi is the left wing ace of Kamomedai and, like Hinata Shoyo, is one of the shortest athletes on the team.

Just like Shoyo, Hoshiumi stands out with his explosive jumping power, speed, and explosive spikes. In addition to all this, Hoshiumi has obtained the skills of an efficient volleyball player, such as blocking, receiving, and court awareness. Having the skills that Hinata still lacks makes him a cut above his budding rival.

3

Kataru Bokuto

The Proud But Fickle Ace Of Fukurodani High

Bokuto is a ball of energy on and off the court, boasting a personality similar to Hinata Shoyo. As the ace of the Fukurodani volleyball team, he leads his comrades to victory with incredibly accurate and explosive spikes. On top of that, he never lets nerves get to him when facing off against skilled opponents.

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However, Bokuta does have some eccentric character traits that hurt his competitive drive. Thankfully, he has dedicated teammates who help him out of his lumps. His special skill is his straight shot, which he practices relentlessly, making it one of the best in the nation.

2

Kiyoomi Sakusa

An Ace Hyper Focused On Details

Sakusa only made a brief appearance in the Haikyuu anime during the training camp, where Kageyama was present. He comes off as a calm and reserved individual who is always focused under pressure. However, it is the pressure that forces Sakusa to focus.

Having a hyper-competitive personality, when Sakusa is pushed by a talented player, he studies them to find the perfect way to win. One of Sakusa’s greatest skills lies in his unique spikes that take advantage of his hypermobile joints. He can add a distinct spin to his attacks, making them incredibly hard to block and receive.

1

Wakatoshi Ushijima

A Force Of Nature On The Court

Ushijima is the most well-known player in the high school volleyball scene in Haikyuu and serves as the main adversary to Karasuno in the third season. As an athlete, Ushijima is a physical specimen unlike any other his age.

Gifted with the height, power, and the mentality to excel, Uhsijima could have chosen to do anything, and he would have been great. Unfortunately, he landed on volleyball and trained even harder to improve his already pristine talent for the sport. Regarding instinct on the court and skillset in the game, Ushijima is an incredibly versatile left-wing spiker and ace of his team, Shirotozawa.