The Greatest Opponent

"The Greatest Opponent" (Japanese: 最強 (さいきょう) の敵 (てき) , Saikyō no Teki) is the three hundred eighty-seventh chapter of the Haikyū!! series, written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. It was published in the 17th issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump’s 2020 series.

OverviewEdit

Kageyama's past and how he got into volleyball are revealed. Having started playing early due to his grandpa and sister, Kageyama found his volleyball path growing increasingly solitary over the years, until Hinata appeared.

PlotEdit

Kageyama has had an affinity for volleyball since he was an infant. As he got older, he and his older sister, Miwa, would follow their grandpa, Kazuyo, who was a coach of a municipal ladies' team, to the gym and practice together. The three trained together for many years and in second grade, Kageyama joined a team called the Little Falcons. Some time later, Miwa quit volleyball because she didn't want to cut her long hair in accordance to high school team rules; This left Kageyama with only his grandpa to continue their usual training sessions. One day, the two discussed which position Kageyama should play and decided on setter after the latter wanted the position that touches the ball the most. In fourth grade, Kageyama got his first jersey with the Little Falcons and started appearing in official matches. His exceptional talent was notable from the start, and he overpowered the other teams with his serves. His grandpa eventually noticed that Kageyama held back on purpose and found out that he did it to extend the game longer. Kazuyo advised Kageyama that if he gets stronger, he will meet even stronger opponents.

Once Kageyama entered junior high, Kazuyo's health declined and was hospitalized; He no longer had the energy to accompany Kageyama in his volleyball activities, so Kageyama started practicing more with his Kitagawa Daiichi teammates and found worthy rivals in his upperclassmen. After Oikawa and Iwaizumi graduated, Kageyama found himself increasingly alone as the others failed to keep up with his talent and progress. Following the death of his grandpa, the "tyrant king" incident, and failing to get into Shiratorizawa, Kageyama was at a low point in his life until he entered Karasuno.

Back to the present, Hinata's outstanding performance leads to a first set victory for the Jackals. Kageyama recalls his grandpa's words about meeting stronger opponents and is delighted at facing his greatest opponent and former greatest ally, Hinata.

DebutEdit

• Miwa Kageyama
• Kazuyo Kageyama

AppearancesEdit

• Kōshi Sugawara
• Tobio Kageyama
• Kōtarō Bokuto
• Fukurō Hirugami
• Atsumu Miya
• Hajime Iwaizumi (Flashback)
• Yūtarō Kindaichi (Flashback)
• Akira Kunimi (Flashback)
• Shōyō Hinata
• Kiyoomi Sakusa
• Tōru Oikawa

Chapter notes Edit

Character revelationsEdit

• It is revealed Kageyama has an elder sister.
• Kageyama's grandfather is the coach of the 9-player volleyball ladies' municipal team Kitagawa ☆ Birds.
• Kageyama's grandfather passed away in his second year of Junior high school.

TriviaEdit

NavigationEdit