Haikyuu!!has seen a plethora of fun and colorful characters, each with their own passion for the sport volleyball. Each one plays a different role in their respective teams; from setters to liberos, we see it all. A key player on each of the volleyball teams are the Aces.
No matter what position the player is, anyone can be the Ace.Haikyuu!!has showcased a number of Ace players from Fukurōdani to Shiratorizawa, and of course, Karasuno High. It is littleHinata’s dream to become the Ace of Karasuno’s volleyball team, so what exactly does it mean to be one?
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The Ace Defined
In volleyball, an Ace refers to a maneouvre rather than a position. It is when aplayerserves the ball and the opposition cannot pass it. The ball will do one of two things: hit the floor or a second touch of the ball is rendered impossible.
The technique requires a strong force from the player in question to be able to spike the ball so hard that it cannot be passed. InHaikyuu!!, a number of players that perform this move are called “Aces”, including Hinata’s idol the “Tiny Giant”.
Tenma Udai (AKA the “Tiny Giant”)
The famous Karasuno Wing Spiker the “Tiny Giant” is who Hinata aspires to be. Just like Hinata, Udai was also very short in stature. However, that did not stop him from jumping higher than anyone else on the team and playing amazing volleyball. Hinata became inspired by Udai when he was in middle school, and strives to emulate him in his own volleyball career throughout high school. And just like Udai,Hinataalso intends to become the Ace of his team at Karasuno High.
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Saeko Tanaka, Ryūnosuke Tanaka’s older sister, went to school with the “Tiny Giant”. In the manga, she recollects that his whole body emitted “sheer pride and confidence” from being Karasuno’s Ace player. She continues to say that as the Ace, the team would heavily rely on him, which would fire him up. In Udai’s time,Karasunowas at their peak in volleyball.
Karasuno’s Ace: Asahi Azumane
Currently,Karasuno’s Ace is Wing Spiker Asahi Azumane. Even in junior high, Asahi was a powerful Wing Spiker. When he got high school, he was remembered for having the spiking abilities of a high schooler for someone much younger. His tall height and physical prowess left an impression.
Asahi is strong enough to blast the ball through a triple block most of the time, which fulfills the criteria of being strong enough to break through a block. He takes his role very seriously, even quitting the team for a period when he felt like the team was losing because of his inability tospike the ballsthrough. Upon returning to the team, Kageyama notes how strong he is even after taking a month off playing. One of Asahi’s crowning moments in the anime is the interhigh match against Date Tech and their famous Iron Wall defence. He successfully managed to spike through, securing Asahi’s confidence and his role as the Ace.
Shiratorizawa’s Ace: Wakatoshi Ushijima (AKA “Ushiwaka”)
Ushiwaka fulfills three roles on the Shiratorizawa Academy’svolleyballteam: Captain, Wing Spiker and Ace. He is ranked the number one Ace in the Miyagi Prefecture and is one of the top three Aces in the whole of Japan. On top of his overwhelming talent as a Wing Spiker, Ushiwaka’s secret weapon is his dexterity. Being left-handed, his spikes are more difficult to receive for the opposition, as other players are used to blocking right-handed shots. When a ball is spiked with the left hand, its rotation changes, which throws off the other team.
The volleyball seed was planted in Ushiwaka by his father, a former volleyball player. When Ushiwaka was a child, his father told him how their Ace was the best inJapan. Not only was he incredibly tall, but he made the team believe that as long as they toss the ball to him, he will guarantee a way to score, which would excite them. Ushiwaka recounts this and states that he wanted to be just like that. This motivation and his unique way of playing have earned him the recognition of a powerful Ace.
Fukurōdani’sAce:Kōtarō Bokuto
Just like Ushiwaka, Bokuto is the Captain, Wing Spiker and Ace of Fukurōdani Academy. Also a recognized player, he is ranked as the fifth-best Ace in Japan. With strength being a core feature of Aces, Bokuto has stated many times how strength is important in volleyball.
He plays all of his matches with immense energy and passion, something he hoped to inject into Tsukishima. While being an all-roundedathleticplayer, accuracy is one of Bokuto’s strengths. His burning energy for volleyball coupled with his razor-sharp spike make Bokuto a unique Ace and a force to be reckoned with on the volleyball court.
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