Tsuki Oikawa

**"Insignificant being be gone!"**

**Tsuki Oikawa** (Japanese: **及川 突き** *Oikawa Tsuki*) is the deuteragonist of the *Haikyū!!* series. For the majority of the series, he was a first-year at Karasuno High School, playing in whatever position where he was needed for the boys' volleyball club.

Initially, he was referred to as the "King`s Shield," a derogatory nickname referring to his protective nature over Kageyama given to him by his middle school teammates at Kitagawa Daiichi. He was widely regarded as a volleyball prodigy by many of the prefecture's players and coaches. After joining Karasuno, he manages to change his previously Kageyama-centered attitude for the better with the help of his new teammates and 'rediscover' what it means to be part of a team.

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, alongside Kageyama. Together they became teammates on the Japanese national volleyball team, practicing in the Rio Olympics in 2016. He is currently playing as a wing spiker for the Japanese V-League Division 1 team Schweiden Adlers.

## Appearance

Tsuki has dark brown hair that is swept outwards and eyes of corresponding color. Many others find him attractive, to the point where he has a entire fan club following him around. Despite being only a first-year, Tsuki has a fairly decent height for a volleyball player, standing just over six feet. He wears a white brace on his right knee due to a previous injury. Much to his teammates` surprise, he sometimes wears the wrong jersey and has to play in it much to his dismay. While at home, Tsuki wears a standard aqua and white Aobajohsai High uniform emblazoned with the number one due to accidentally walking into his brother`s room instead of his own. He also wears dark gray athletic shoes with blue details. At other times, Tsuki dresses in his brother`s Aobajohsai uniform, which consists of khakis with dark brown detailing, a cream-colored vest, a dark red tie, a lavender button-down shirt, and a white blazer. It is shown that he wears glasses in one instance, but it is possible the reason he does not wear them is that most of the time he wears contacts or simply does not possess such bad eyesight that it would hinder him during his daily routine. Unlike his older brother, Tsuki usually has an impressively sharp glare on his face and most people steer clear of him, due to that. He often emits an intimidating aura, which is heightened by the almost permanent scowl on his face. After changing greatly, he usually has a soft and nurturing smile on his face.

## Personality

Once perpetually stoic, callous, and undeniably emotionless, Tsuki originally came off as a typical overbearing perfectionist, caring only about winning and completely disregarding the opinions and well-being of his teammates excluding Kageyama. His habit of snapping at anybody who dared speak back to Kageyama eventually led the other players in Kitagawa Daiichi to nickname him the "King`s Shield", a constant reminder of the oppressive, Kageyamacentric 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 has an inferiority complex; he simply does not know how to control his feelings of being inferior, and hence expresses his thoughts and feelings in an inappropriate way. In the present day, Tsuki has mellowed out quite a bit and has become Kageyama`s supporting force; gentle, quiet, soft-spoken, caring, and compassionate. Many of his former teammates are often bewildered when they first meet him, as he often tries to stop Kageyama from fighting with other people. In a way, he acts as Kageyama`s maternal figure; and is well-versed in medicinal cures. His current teammates even mention that they would fight anybody to guarantee his safety. Tsuki holds a grudge against Tōru, who he mockingly calls Shitty Tōru. This is due to his feelings of inferiority when compared to Tōru. Tōru can unintentionally bring out the more childish or rash aspects of Tsuki`s personality. Tsuki used to hold a grudge against Kageyama, before deciding that it was a waste of time. His personality changed due to the hospitalization of his grandparents, who he treasured and he became a much kinder person. He is said to be afraid of his old teammates from Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High, and usually hides behind Kageyama when he is scared.

## Background

Alongside Kageyama, Tsuki started playing volleyball in his second year at Akiyama Elementary and soon evolved into a genius player, serving as his shield of some-sorts. 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, Tsuki`s exceptional abilities and lack of consideration other than Kageyama led him to develop a cold and uncaring personality, causing them to refer to him as the "King`s Shield". Since the true meaning of this nickname was only known to the players at Kitagawa Daiichi, outsiders simply assumed that it referred to Tsuki`s incredible talent.

Tsuki was benched sometime around his second year, due to him overexerting himself in extra practices; due to him feeling inferior to Kageyama once again. Despite the warnings of his elder brother, he refused to listen and was benched so that he could rest his leg. Refusing to listen to either the coach, Kageyama, or even his own family; Tsuki began to train day and night, yet still managed to keep up his studies and pass all of his classes. By his third year in Junior High, Tsuki was being monitored 100% and refused to even tell his teammates that he was doing extra practices. Tsuki had offered to clean up the gym, having decided to do extra practices after everybody left. Not noticing that nobody had left and were simply watching him, Tsuki began to practice without even taking a break, before jumping and landing the wrong way on his leg. Kageyama eventually told Tsuki that he needed to stop that, only for Tsuki to state that he was inferior to Kageyama and that he wasn`t good enough to become his partner. The two then cleaned up the gym and left, all without realizing that their teammates were watching them. At some point during the junior high competitions in his third year, Tsuki tried to spike one of Kageyama`s tosses but missed landing on his foot the wrong way, was then benched and ended his final game at Kitagawa Daiichi having to be taken to the hospital due to how severe the injury was. In the present day, he gets concerned when people call Kageyama by his nickname of "King of the Court" or whenever Kageyama tries to fight people calling Tsuki by his nickname of "King`s Shield." He has changed dramatically, terrified that his new teammates will turn their backs on him again and has become like a mother to the team.

## Plot

### **Karasuno High Team Formation Arc**

Tsuki arrives at the second gymnasium early concerned that Kageyama had forgotten his lunch. Right after he arrives, the door slams open and Hinata rushes in, loudly asking Kageyama why he’s here too. He then notices Tsuki who cheerfully waves at him, plopping some porridge in front of him telling him that he seems a little too thin and that he needs to eat more. Flabbergasted with the attitude of Tsuki, Hinata hides his bag and Tsuki raises an eyebrow a questioning look on his face. 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 and Tsuki. They greet Kageyama and Tsuki who is scolding Hinata for being too thin much to the amusement of the third years. Sugawara and Tsuki discuss Hinata, with Tsuki complaining that Hinata is too thin but his reflexes are out of this world and it would be fun to set to him wondering if he could use a synchronized attack setting to Hinata and the rest of the time, before getting hit in the stomach by a received ball from Hinata and collapsing on the floor . Kageyama glares down Hinata, remarking that he was stupid enough to injure his sole partner with Tsuki calmly telling him that it`s fine and that Hinata could improve drastically given enough time. Kageyama disagrees and Tsuki is helped by his upperclassmen, a concerned look on his face as Hinata comments that the King`s Shield perfectly suits Tsuki. Kageyama is notably enraged and challenges Hinata stating that nobody gets to call Tsuki that, but him; Tsuki gets more concerned and orders Kageyama to stop. He is ignored and Tsuki begins praying for somebody to break up their fight. 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. Coldly, Tsuki calls Kageyama to come with him as their upperclassmen watch in dismay and Hinata shivers at the dark look on Tsuki`s face. Tsuki affirms that he needed a small push before he even stopped becoming so focused on Kageyama offering to take his upperclassmen for some food after the club practice ended in the afternoon; remembering how he got his nickname. Tsuki states that he will play in whatever position that they need him, much to their surprise.

#### **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. Tsuki comments that Kageyama needs to learn to work as a team member with Hinata. Tsuki states that Kageyama was always self-centered as a child and that he used to be like that, a sad smile making it`s way onto his face before asking Daichi what team he would be on, due to also being a first-year.

The next day, both teams prepare for the match. Tsukishima brings up Kageyama and Tsuki’s pasts with Kitagawa Daiichi while they both ignore him, though Kageyama’s shaken up. However, to Tsuki`s surprise, Tanaka comes to Kageyama`s defense, with Hinata doing the same for Tsuki. The match begins shortly. Tsukishima starts teasing Tsuki and reveals that Tsuki`s teammates gave him the nickname "Shield" as a reference to his Kageyamacentric playing style. He reminds Tsuki of his last game, when he was benched as a result of failing to spike one of Kageyama`s sets due to multiple injuries sustained in his "secret" practices, this revelation causing Tsuki to gain a bitter smile on his face.

Having enough, Tsuki reveals that having that experience when no one came to him frightens him and that he deeply regretted it. Kageyama is notably upset and glares Tsukishima down, daring for him to say another word. Gesturing for Kageyama to stay silent, Tsuki asks Tsukishima if he is trying to provoke him. He then states that provoking him will do nothing, as he is gradually recovering from his past, piece by piece.

#### **Aobajohsai Practice Match**

Just then, the club advisor, Takeda rushes in, announcing a practice match against Aobajohsai, one of the prefecture’s top four teams. Tsuki is excited until he hears that Kageyama would have to play as the main setter for the entire match and that he would have to play as the main libero for the entire match. The other members are outraged, wondering if Aobajohsai only agreed to play with them because of Kageyama and Tsuki. However, Sugawara agrees to the terms, surprising Kageyama. Tsuki is notably upset and states that Tōru nee-san is the worst, because he has a "crappy personality" much to the laughter of Kageyama.

On the day of the match, Karasuno arrives at Aobajohsai and Kageyama wanders off with Tanaka, Tsuki, Yamaguchi, and Tsukishima. They encounter Kindaichi who mocks Kageyama and Tsuki who is busy chatting with Yamaguchi about Hinata`s condition. However, Kageyama doesn`t retort, and simply pulls lightly on Tsuki`s hands.

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. Tsuki is concerned and tries to get Kageyama to calm down, but he is brushed off. Impatient to get their lost points back, Tsuki tells Kageyama to hurry up so that they can make a come-back adjusting his white knee supporter before jogging back to his spot on the backlines. The two first years try out their quick strike, but it fails the first time. Just after the realization, Oikawa arrives and Kageyama reveals that he’s his and Tsuki`s former upperclassman and an extremely skilled player, as well as Tsuki`s older brother. With Oikawa on the team, Aobajohsai quickly regains its points, but Karasuno wins with the first years’ quick strike in the end. After the match, Daichi scolds Tsuki for not wearing both of his knee supporters and Tsuki sheepishly smiles before running off to find Kageyama. Hearing voices, with one of them being Kageyama`s he opens the door and tells Kageyama to hurry up with a deadpan look. 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. He then calls to Tsuki to come home for dinner and he shakes his head stating that he is staying at Kageyama`s place for a sleepover.

#### **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 an additional response that he needs his loyal "Knight" to bolster his power and that is the reason that he was so highly valued. When asked about it, Tsuki replies that Shiratorizawa accepted him but he refused, as he follows Kageyama wherever he goes.

#### **Nekoma Practice Match**

The Golden Week begins and Karasuno busily prepares. Tsuki is busily utilizing his skills to help his older siblings train, and decides to train their respective schools` volleyball teams. Unknown to him, Kindaichi and Kunimi are observing him. When Tsuki mentions to his older siblings, that Kageyama is his crush; his older siblings flip out totally. 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. 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.

### **Interhigh Arc**

Back at Karasuno, the players prepare for Interhigh. When Coach Ukai names the strongest opponent, Tsuki decides to mention that Shiratorizawa actually offered him an Academic Scholarship much to the astonishment of Daichi and Sugawara, as well as the other First-Years. 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 Tsuki by his nickname. Tsuki elbows Kageyama in the stomach, telling him to knock it off with a steely glare. Intimidated, Kageyama decides to drop the subject and turns a bright tomato-red when Tsuki talks about taking Kageyama on a date.

#### **Karasuno vs Tokonami**

At the gym, the players are warming up when Aobajohsai comes by. Oikawa greets Kageyama and Hinata as the former glares cautiously. Tsuki greets his older brother with a death glare, before dragging Kageyama and Hinata away from the edge of the court; his calm and collected nature putting his opponents on edge. Hearing somebody calling him the "King`s Shield," Tsuki stiffens up and is smacked on the back by Tanaka who orders him to stop tensing up. Apologizing, Tsuki offers to make lunches for the whole team if they win against Date Tech and the whole team cheers. Their opponents are intimidated and Tsuki apologizes for ignoring them, stating that it was rude and impolite of them; forcing his entire team to apologize to their opponents. 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. Tsuki approaches the opposing team after Karasuno`s win and congratulates them on their progress as he thought that they were worthy opponents. His words make the entire Tokonami Volleyball Team perk up. Before he runs back to his team, he hands the opposing team a picnic on which to feast. They thank Tsuki and the latter tells them to eat a good dinner when they get home before jogging off.

#### **Karasuno vs Date Tech**

As Karasuno’s resting before the next match, Tsuki comments on Date Tech`s unblockable status and comments that they are scary much to the laughter of his fellow teammates. Kageyama smiles darkly and asks Tsuki in a scary voice why is he intimidated. The latter states that Kageyama really needs to stop being creepy much to the laughter of Hinata. Date Tech stares at them from where they are standing, with Tsuki kicking Kageyama in the stomach and ordering Kageyama to use him as a shield in the game. Kageyama smirks darkly and states that is his intention, with Tsuki smiling darkly at their opponents. The match against Date Tech soon begins. 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. Tsuki comments that their next opponent defiantly will, pondering what it would have been like to play with Sugawara instead of Kageyama as a setter. Kageyama protests that he is the better setter and Tsuki smiles happily at him.

#### **Karasuno vs Aobajohsai**

Back at home, Karasuno prepares for the match against Aobajohsai. Kageyama thinks of the practice match against Aobajohsai 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. Tsuki chimes in, agreeing with Hinata and remarking that they all know that having a match with his older brother is like dancing with death practically.

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 everybody. Tsuki responds with setting from the back-row, surprising Oikawa and all of Aobajohsai`s team who didn`t know that he could do that. Sending the ball to Tanaka, his spike is left unblocked as they are focusing on Hinata. Tanaka jostles Tsuki asking him where he learned to set like that, and Tsuki commented that he learned by simply observing and asking Kageyama to help him polish his back-row attacks.

### **Spring High Preliminary Arc**

#### **Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa**

It's the first time Kageyama will play a match on the center court. He's seen to be flustered, but at the same time excited. When Ushijima’s powerful spike shocks the entire gym, Kageyama and Hinata respond with their infamous quick as a challenge. During a timeout, Ushijima comments that Tsuki should have gone to Shiratorizawa and Kageyama twitches. Tugging on his arm, Tsuki calmly responds to Ushijima stating that as Kageyama`s Knight, he must "guard" him at all costs regardless of what type of battlefield that they are standing on, as it is his duty.

### **Tokyo Nationals Arc**

#### **Preparation for Nationals**

After their victory against Shiratorizawa, Karasuno is seen preparing for Nationals, and retaking their measurements is the first step. Watching his teammates challenge each other in jumping reach, Tsuki cheerfully remarks that they are like a bunch of big, fluffy bears much to the snickering of his teammates. Just then, Takeda comes rushing at the gym with a big announcement in tow. He then informs the team that Kageyama and Tsuki are invited to a National Youth Training Camp as representatives for the All-Japan Boys' Volleyball Team, where talented athletes under 18 from all over Japan meet. Karasuno is shocked and ecstatic at the same time for Kageyama and Tsuki. Kageyama accepts the invitation and mockingly bids the jealous Hinata farewell, as he is moving on forward, much further than him. Tsuki shakily accepts the invitation and holds Kageyama`s hand in reassurance.

### Stats

 Stamina
 Game Sense
 Technique
 Speed

Tsuki is known as the "King`s Shield" and a volleyball genius for his incredible technique and game sense. As a high-caliber player, Tsuki has the ability to unify the team with his overwhelming talent, but he originally struggles with effectively communicating with his teammates.

In addition to his astounding accuracy and technical skills as a libero, Tsuki 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, but chooses to become one of the main libero`s due to his love for digging up balls. Tsuki also has an affinity for improvised strategy and is the first person to suggest polishing Hinata`s skills so that he becomes truly effective as a decoy. Due to all these factors, Tsuki is one of the players selected to participate in the All-Japan Youth Intensive Training Camp

**Height and reach, as of mid-November 2012:**

* Fingertip Height: 239 cm
* Jumping Reach: 337 cm (spike) / 320 cm (block)

#### **Skills**

* **Pinpoint Accuracy**: Tsuki has the ability to accurately determine a ball's trajectory and tossing it to the exact point. As a libero, he uses this skills to accurately put the ball above the setter`s head, so that they have more room to maneuver. Due to this ability, he is highly valued and combined with Kageyama`s setting, he is a very versatile player; able to send the ball wherever he wants. 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. Moreover, Tsuki uses his accuracy and fast handling of the ball for other purposes too, such as straight shots and setter dumps.
* **Dump Set**: He is adept at preforming dump sets, as he once trained to be a setter, allowing him to utilize them whenever he needs them.
* **Libero Back-row Attack**: Tsuki is adept at using back-row attacks, which is the main reason why many colleges wanted to recruit him into their teams.
* **Perception**: He is a perceptive individual who can pick up on the emotions and feelings of other people.

## Relationships

### **Karasuno High**

* **Tobio Kageyama**: Tsuki and Kageyama are childhood best friends, and teammates in Junior High. They are called the "King of the Court" and the "King`s Shield" respectively, as their skill sets compliment each other, allowing them to work together in near-perfect sync. Still seeing each other as teammates, they encourage each other. Whenever somebody brings up Tsuki`s nickname, Kageyama is usually the one to defend him and usually only stops when Tsuki begs him to. The two of them together have the innate ability to accurately punch a hole through the defenses of their opponents, allowing their team to wrack up points quickly.
* **Kei Tsukishima**: Surprisingly, Kei and Tsuki get along well; though they have small spats at time, they are usually good teammates.
* **Ryūnosuke Tanaka**: He acknowledges Tanaka as a worthy wing spiker, and when chosen to do the the duties of a setter, usually sends the ball to Tanaka. Due to the trust he has in Tanaka, he usually confides in him and acknowledges his strength. The two are stated to be good teammates and even better friends.

#### **Other Schools**

* **Yūtarō Kindaichi and Akira Kunimi**: Kindaichi and Kunimi were Tsuki`s former teammates in Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High. It is stated that Kindaichi, Kunimi, and Tsuki were close during their first and second years, being often seen together in Tsuki`s flashbacks. Kunimi was mentioned to be Tsuki's partner back then by Oikawa because Tsuki had tossed to him a lot, almost like Tanaka's and Tsuki`s relationship now. Their relationship with Tsuki has improved, as he constanally is bringing them cakes, sweets, and other types of food.
* **Hajime Iwaizumi**: The two of them interacted mostly during their childhood, Tsuki acknowledging that he was worthy of being called a Vice-Captain and Iwaizumi acknowledging Tsuki`s incredible abilities as a volleyball genius. He is usually annoyed with Tsuki because he practices on his own, and refuses to interact with other people asides from him, his older siblings, and Kageyama.
* **Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High**: While they acknowledged his power, they failed to see his true personality and only discovered what he was truly like, upon watching one of his rigorous training sessions where both of his knees gave out; they finally understood who he truly was. After he changed, they got to see a new side of him.
* **Kaname Moniwa**: He sees Tsuki as an amazing player and a incredible libero, as he has impeccable defensive abilities. The two are shown to be friends, after graduating High School and are usually seen sitting at a cafe together drinking coffee and laughing.
* **Wakatoshi Ushijima**: The two acknowledge each other`s power, with Tsuki often rejecting Wakatoshi`s invitations to come to Shiratorizawa, showing a joking relationship between the two of them. After they became teammates on the same team, their relationship is shown to become more of a friendly rivalry.

#### **Family**

* **Tōru Oikawa**: One of his older brothers, the two share a complicated relationship as Tsuki is dating Kageyama.

## Quotes

* "*Date Tech is strong, their entire set-up bolsters their strength."*

## Trivia

* Favorite Food: Anmitsu
* Current Concern: Finding Kageyama a gift for their anniversity
* He is the only first-year Karasuno's volleyball team besides Kageyama, who can play any position.
* He's been playing volleyball since his second year at Akiyama Elementary.
* Before choosing Karasuno, Tsuki passed the entrance exam to get into Shiratorizawa but decided on Karasuno after Kageyama failed the entrance exam to get into Shiratorizawa.
* It has been hinted that Tsuki was the on-field captain of his Junior High Team, Kitagawa Daiichi.
* **Nomenclature**
	+ Tsuki (突き) - *To Thrust*
	+ Oikawa (及川) - *Reaching the River*