Maruyama has black, spiky hair and narrow eyes. He wears a black support sleeve on his right arm.
Personality[]
Maruyama has an energetic personality and can act quite childishly at times and Echigo even treats him like one. Despite not being captain, Maruyama often tries to encourage his teammates to be more outspoken, especially the team's second year regulars. Although he's not afraid to admit when he's feeling scared or stressed, he is determined to show that he'll do anything to fight those emotions.
Background[]
Maruyama was part of Tsubakihara's volleyball team as a second-year and they were able to go nationals, but they were quickly defeated in the first round. The team claims that they hadn't really done anything in the match and had just ruined the third-years' chance. This appears to be his main source of determination to succeed in the match against Karasuno.
Plot[]
Tokyo Nationals Arc[]
As Tsubakihara is about to face Karasuno in the first round of the tournament, Maruyama attempts to keep a brave appearance, but Teradomari points out he is only making them look like they only know how to be rowdy. During the pep-talk, Coach Ōsado points out that Maruyama seems nervous. Maruyama tries to assure everyone that he is fine and that he does not want a repeat of what happened the previous year at nationals.
Despite this, Maruyama and several others observe Karasuno and recall how they were the team who beat Shiratorizawa. Maruyama attempts to get everyone to ignore this information and receives some help from Echigo, who asks if they would rather face Shiratorizawa and Ushijima. Maruyama and the others quickly answer that they would rather face Karasuno instead and now believe that it is a good thing that they will face the team that only managed to beat Shiratorizawa.
When Kageyama is finally able to get hold of his sense and get the super quick going again, Maruyama attempts to keep the team from getting panicked.[1] During a flashback, it's shown that Tsubakihara had managed to play at nationals the previous year, but because of their nerves, the team was not able to play properly and lost in the first round.[2] Not wanting to go through the same thing again, Maruyama is able to receive Kageyama's next serve although the force behind it knocks him off his feet.
When Tsukishima rotates back into the front row and causes problems for Tsubakihara, Maruyama attempts to get past a block by doing a feint only for Hinata to move into place to receive it. Halfway into the second set, Himekawa is returned to the court to serve. When he lands a service ace with his ceiling serve, Maruyama praises the first-year.
As the set continues, Karasuno inches closer to match point. Seeing how the players are starting to get nervous at the thought of being beaten, Maruyama tries to keep their spirits up by reminding them that they have Echigo and Teradomari to rely on. Maruyama continues to support the team as best he can, but Karasuno is able to reach match point. With Sugawara subbed in and being cautious of everyone's abilities, Karasuno becomes even stronger and wins the match.[3]
Statistics[]
High School Statistics
Power
3/5
Jumping
4/5
Stamina
3/5
Game Sense
4/5
Technique
4/5
Speed
3/5
He is known to have a strong cross spike. It's shown that he can perform a jump serve. Maruyama is also proficient at receiving and it is stated by Sugawara that he is very skilled at performing block-outs.
Tsubakihara Academy: Maruyama is often seen attempting to motivate the first- and second-years in the team. As he is their senior, they respect him, though some of the third-years still sometimes know when to keep Maruyama in-check.
Sakae Echigo and Motoki Teradomari: Maruyama is very close to and supportive of Echigo and Teradomari. He often genuinely praises their skills and abilities to their teammates and doesn't appear to mind too much when they tease him for trying to put on a brave front.
Quotes[]
(Out loud to his team) "My nerves are about to kill me... so at least let's speak up and be heard! Okay?!"[4][5]
(To their coach) "I'm okay, coach! I just don't want to go through that nightmare of where next thing we know we're on the bus going home again!"[6]
(To his team) "We lucked out that we don't have to face Ushiwaka!"[6]
Current Concern: "Could it be that I'm a coward...?"
Star Sign: Scorpio.
He is the youngest third-year on the team.
Nomenclature:
Kazuki (一喜) – One, Rejoice
Maruyama (丸山) – Round, Mountain
He was possibly named after Maruyama Onsen Kojyokan, a hot spring ryokan in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. However, Maruyama is a very common location and family name, so the inspiration for the name cannot be stated with certainty.
