Setting: Japan, 2015
- The story takes place in Fukui Prefecture, a quieter region along the Sea of Japan, far from Tokyo's bustling sports scene.
The Tournaments
- Inter-High (Summer): Prefectural champions go to the national stage in August. Labelled the "Inter-High Summer Tourney".
- Haruko, The All-Japan High School Volleyball Championship (Winter/January): The ultimate stage. Considered the "Koshien of Volleyball."
Fukui Seimei Highschool
- Consistently ranked in the Top 5 high schools in Japan for academic achievement. Students come from across the prefecture for its reputation.
- Its reputation in athletics never took off. The volleyball team fields 7–8 members, with barely any substitutes.
- "Stay Determined!". It hangs on a worn banner in the gym.
Important Volleyball Attributes:
Power: The ability to exert physical strength and impact.
Speed: The ability to move quickly and react swiftly to different situations.
Stamina: The ability to sustain energy and endurance throughout long periods of time.
Technique: The ability to apply skills and mechanics, whilst maintaining precision.
Intelligence: The ability to analyze situations, make sharp decisions, and adapt strategically.
Mentality: The ability to maintain focus, remain resilient and emotional control under immense pressure.
Fukui Seimei Student Data (After reading this, you'll probably start to wonder why their team keeps losing at nationals...)
1st Years
Takeda Mamoru
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 1st Year
Age: 15
Birthday: March 3
Position: Libero
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous
Jersey Number: #1
Profile: Fast, athletic and reliable. Takeda Mamoru does everything with 100% gut and will, no matter the difficulty. He has a striking and lean figure with messy yet sharp black hair. His most unusual feature lies in his eyes, bright yellow pupils shaped like an "X".
Stats:
Power: E
Speed: A
Stamina: S
Technique: A
Intelligence: B
Mentality: S
Motto:"Fall down seven times, stand up eight."
Arakawa Ren
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 1st Year
Age: 15
Birthday: May 22
Position: Opposite Hitter
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Jersey Number: #12
Profile: Energetic, Powerful, and Confident. Arakawa Ren is a rising star, the sunrise of the Fukui Seimei volleyball team. Although reckless, makes up for it with his raw jumping power and fearless plays. He has a lean but wiry build with spiky, unkempt delinquent-like yellow hair.
Stats:
Power: A
Speed: A
Stamina: B
Technique: C
Intelligence: D
Mentality: A
Motto: "If you're gonna go down, go down swinging."
Shimizu Takeru
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 1st Year
Age: 15
Birthday: December 19
Position: Defensive Specialist
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 138 lbs (63 kg)
Dominant Hand: Left
Jersey Number: #13
Profile: Calm, Analytical and Untroubled. Although Shimizu Takeru may be difficult to approach at first, he's known among his peers as a gentle person. He has a lean, balanced build with calm and soft dark blue hair.
Stats:
Power: C
Speed: B
Stamina: A
Technique: A
Intelligence: A
Mentality: B
Motto: "No worries, we'll figure it out."
2nd Years
Tanabe Haruto
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 2nd Year
Age: 16
Birthday: July 8
Position: Opposite Hitter
Height: 5'11" (181 cm)
Weight: 156 lbs (71 kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Jersey Number: #7
Profile: Nicknamed the Black Blur by the team, his quick-witted decision making and mighty speed made him a great player in the 2014 tourneys. A lean but fit physical build, with strong and sharp white hair. Fit with black highlights.
Stats:
Power: B
Speed: A
Stamina: B
Technique: B
Intelligence: S
Mentality: A
Motto: "Always, one step ahead!"
Okabe Yuuta
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 2nd Year
Age: 16
Birthday: March 14
Position: Opposite Hitter
Height: 5'10" (179 cm)
Weight: 152 lbs (69 kg)
Dominant Hand: Left
Jersey Number: #8
Profile: Reserved and Consistent. Okabe Yuuta is Fukui Seimei's deuce ace. Due to his lower stamina, he is often reserved for more crucial moments in-game. But when he's subbed in, he's unstoppable. He has a strong and larger build, with neat and kept black hair.
Stats:
Power: S
Speed: A
Stamina: D
Technique: B
Intelligence: A
Mentality: A
Motto: "Save the best for last."
Nishiyama Riku
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 2nd Year
Age: 16
Birthday: September 29
Position: Serve Specialist
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Weight: 143 lbs (65 kg)
Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous
Jersey Number: #9
Profile: The only one in Fukui history to hit 5 service aces in a row. Nishiyama Riku is the arrogant Fukui serve specialist, with a workaholic relationship with practice. He has long, slicked back black hair.
Stats:
Power: S
Speed: C
Stamina: B
Technique: S
Intelligence: B
Mentality: A
Motto: "If the first one doesn't scare you, the last one will."
Endo Masaki
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 2nd Year
Age: 16
Birthday: September 29
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
Weight: 178 lbs (81 kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Jersey Number: #10
Profile: The sadistic middle blocker of Fukui. His fanged smile scares both the enemy team and the audience. Loves reading attackers and shutting them down. He has black long hair, usually tied in a man bun.
Stats:
Power: A
Speed: C
Stamina: A
Technique: B
Intelligence: A
Mentality: A
Motto: "It's inevitable."
Hayashi Naoto
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 2nd Year
Age: 16
Birthday: January 12
Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Weight: 163 lbs (74 kg)
Dominant Hand: Left
Jersey Number: #11
Profile: A flashy and agile middle blocker, the water to Masaki's oil. He's an expert in maintaining coverage, with speed comparable to Haruto's. He has tidy, but flashy blonde hair.
Stats:
Power: B
Speed: A
Stamina: B
Technique: A
Intelligence: S
Mentality: B
Motto: "Everyone deserves a second chance."
3rdYears
Hoshino Renji
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 3rd Year
Age: 17
Birthday: April 1
Position: Outside Hitter/Captain
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Jersey Number: #4
Profile: The serious but fun captain of Fukui Seimei volleyball team. He always seeks to improve himself in game and in life. He has a strong core with a muscular build, with tough and gelled black hair.
Stats:
Power: A
Speed: B
Stamina: S
Technique: B
Intelligence: A
Mentality: A
Motto: "The most important thing in life is having fun with discipline!"
Murakami Souta
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 3rd Year
Age: 17
Birthday: June 17
Position: Setter
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Dominant Hand: Left
Jersey Number: #5
Profile: The stoic and analytical setter. Labelled as a prince on the court, but outside, he has a cheeky side. Has a slim but toned build. The highlight of his appearance is his "beautifully" kept brown hair, and pretty facial features.
Stats:
Power: D
Speed: A
Stamina: B
Technique: S
Intelligence: S
Mentality: B
Motto: "Let's try again."
Kuroda Itsuki
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 3rd Year
Age: 17
Birthday: October 10
Position: Opposite Hitter
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 170 lbs (77 kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Jersey Number: #6
Profile: He's nicknamed the "turret". His efficient, stationary playstyle allows the team to customize their attack for an extra option. He's serious and intimidating, but dependable. He has a tall and athletic build, with neat and kept jet black hair.
Power: A
Speed: C
Stamina: B
Technique: S
Intelligence: B
Mentality: C
Motto: "I'll try."
Fujimoto Aoi
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Year: 3rd Year
Age: 17
Birthday: February 27
Position: Team Manager
Height: 5'4" (162 cm)
Weight: 112 lbs (51 kg)
Profile: She's organized and sharp-tongued, but deeply cares for the team. Keeps meticulous stats during matches. Short, but silky black hair.
Staff
Sakuraba Eita
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Age: 17
Birthday: February 27
Occupation: Teacher/ Volleyball Team Advisor
Height: 5'9" (176 cm)
Weight: 158 lbs (72 kg)
Profile: A literature teacher. Gentle personality, treats the team more like a family. Has short brown hair, and wears glasses.
Takahashi Genzo
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Age: 53
Birthday: December 1
Occupation: Fukui Seimei Ex-Coach
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 194 lbs (88 kg)
Profile: Gruff but wise coach. Former college-level libero, emphasizes defense and discipline. Was forced to retire after suffering a heart attack on Fukui Seimei's match against Shōnan Takao High School.
Morikawa Hayato
School: Fukui Seimei High School
Age: 18
Birthday: February 11
Occupation: Head Coach/Ex-Fukui Seimei Volleyball Team Captain
Height: 6'2" (187 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Profile: After Coach Takashi's unfortunate hospitalization, he took it upon himself to be the next head coach of Fukui Seimei. He's calm and courageous, willing to do anything to help his friends. He has brown hair.
Again, how did this team fail to win nationals..? Only time will tell.