Issei Matsukawa (Japanese:
Appearance
Matsukawa is shown to have messy black hair and thick eyebrows. His mouth is usually shown as having his upper lip more pronounced than most characters. He is the tallest of the third-year volleyball players of Seijō, and is a good height for volleyball.
Personality
Although he can seem intimidating because of his height and blocking ability, he is shown to be actually quite easy-going and good-natured, enjoying a good joke and poking fun at his friends.
Background
Plot
Karasuno High Team Formation Arc
Matsukawa is first seen participating in the practice match between Aoba Johsai and Karasuno.
Interhigh Arc
Spring High Preliminary Arc
Matsukawa plays with Aoba Johsai against Karasuno. He joins Iwaizumi and Hanamaki is reassuring Oikawa that they have faith in him as their captain but also warns Oikawa that he will owe the third years and the rest of the team ramen with side dishes if he failed his first serve. Matsukawa's most notable play during the game is when he is able to use his block and presence to intimidate Hinata into shooting a straight spike in an attempt to control where Hinata's spikes should go. After Aoba Johsai loses to Karasuno, he is shown being remorseful.
Tokyo National Arc
Matsukawa makes an appearance in the match between Karasuno and Inarizaki when Hinata admits that he despises Matsukawa's blocks more than any other he has faced so far. Matsukawa is then seen sneezing on a train[1].
Final Arc
Matsukawa's final appearance of the series is when he is watching the match between Japan and Argentina. He is currently working at a funeral home in Miyagi.
Statistics
| High School Statistics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 4/5 | ||
| Jumping | 2/5 | ||
| Stamina | 4/5 | ||
| Game Sense | 3/5 | ||
| Technique | 3/5 | ||
| Speed | 3/5 | ||
He seems to be overall good at spiking, receiving, and blocking.
When blocking, it's been shown that he can pressure his opponents to force the path of a spike. This has caused his blocking style to be Hinata's most hated.
Jumping Reach: 331 cm
Relationships
Tōru Oikawa
Like the other Aoba Johsai 3rd years, he tends to poke fun at Oikawa. However, he does have a deep respect for his captain.
Takahiro Hanamaki
The two seem to be close friends, even among the four tight-knit third years of Seijō. They often join in or enjoy spectating Oikawa's mocking antics towards Iwaizumi, or tease Oikawa as well. Though both are of few words, they appear to be close with the other members of their team.
Trivia
- Favorite Food: Cheese-filled hamburg steak.
- Current Concern: He's been told that his school uniform doesn't suit him.
- His star sign is Pisces.
- He shares his birthday with Yahaba ( March 1st )
- In the manga he doesn't wear kneepads. However, in the anime he does.
- It's unknown if he and Hanamaki do this on purpose or it's a mistake done by Furudate, but the two characters are occasionally shown wearing each other's uniform (Chapter 49's cover page for example).
- Matsukawa's blocks are Hinata's least favorite[1].
- He bears a close resemblance to Moniwa, former captain of Date Tech
- Nomenclature
- Issei (一静) - Quiet one
- Matsukawa (松川) - Pine tree river