Takashi Utsui (Japanese: 空井崇,Utsui Takashi) is Wakatoshi Ushijima's father. He is currently residing in Irvine, California and acts as the training coach for the Irvine Polar Bears.
Utsui has an average height but a solid build due to his occupation as a training coach. Although his exact height is unknown, he is considerably shorter than his son, Ushijima, and appears to be around the same height as Iwaizumi, who has yet to crack 180 cm. In the anime, he is shown to have his natural hair color in Ushijima's flashback but the manga shows his hair is dyed.
In his post-timeskip appearance, Utsui has slight wrinkles around his eyes. His hair is slightly shorter and thinner than when he was younger and he now has a mustache-beard combination.
Personality[]
In contrast to the stoic Ushijima, Utsui is quite expressive, easily relishing over his son's accomplishments. He is also hinted to be a compliant person, as shown when he married into the Ushijima family and willingly renounced his own authority over family decisions.
Background[]
Utsui attended Shiratorizawa Academy around the time the school won nationals. He later became a professional volleyball player for Division 2 of the V.League. However, because of injuries, he eventually retired. He eventually married into the Ushijima family.[1]
Sometime later, Utsui divorced his wife and moved overseas.
Plot[]
Spring High Preliminary Arc[]
It is revealed in a flashback that Utsui is the one who introduced Ushijima to volleyball. While playing volleyball with his son, Utsui would recount stories about their reliable and confident ace in high school. Stories of that ace left a deep impression on Ushijima, who aspires to become someone just like that.
When the family objected to Ushijima's left-handedness, Utsui begged the head of the household to let Ushijima keep his unique trait as he felt that it would be a strength for Ushijima in the future and renounced his authority over any family decisions if they agreed to this request.[1]
Final Arc[]
Utsui has been residing in Irvine, California and is the training coach for the Irvine Polar Bears. He also authored several books about volleyball physical training through the years.[2]
In 2014, his son came overseas to meet with him. He also met with Iwaizumi, a college sophomore who is interested in studying under him after college. Utsui is shown to be very proud of Ushijima's achievements. He is ecstatic over how good of a player his son has become and watches all of his games. During a meal together, Ushijima would thank his father for protecting his gift.
Statistics[]
Although Utsui is stated to have been part of Shiratorizawa when they were at their strongest, it is unknown if he was a starting member. Despite this, Utsui most likely was a skilled player as he eventually went on to become a professional player for a Div. 2 team before retiring due to previous injuries.
Wakatoshi Ushijima: Utsui has a good relationship with his son. Since Ushijima was young, Utsui has always been proud of him and his achievements. Utsui cares so much for his son that he went so far as to sacrifice any rights he had in family decisions in order to ensure Ushijima's greatest gift was kept safe. Even after Utsui moved overseas, he continued to keep track of Ushijima's matches and often told his son how proud he is of him.
Quotes[]
(To Ushijima family) "The fact that he's [Ushijima] different from other people will probably end up being his strength."[3]
(To Ushijima) "Join a strong team. Strong guys and interesting guys gather in a strong environment. And if you become stronger, you'll be able to go up against various people. Strong guys, weird guys, and new guys. I'm sure that they will make you stronger. Well, that's only if you to continue playing volleyball. It doesn't matter how, but if you end up liking volleyball in some way, it'll make me happy."[3]
