Wakatoshi Ushijima

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Wakatoshi Ushijima (Japanese: 牛島 若利, Ushijima Wakatoshi) is a third year at Shiratorizawa Academy and the captain and ace of the school's volleyball team. His goal is to win nationals and he's currently the number one ace in Miyagi prefecture.

Appearance

Ushijima appears rather intimidating, always frowning and with a very serious expression on his face. His extreme height and muscles only add to the image, and he is in good physical condition. His teammates cannot keep up with him on jogs during practice.

Personality

He is tactless and blunt to the point where its off-putting to others. He's the strong, silent type but when he does talk, it's sure to piss off someone, even if it's unintentional. However, he is also polite and would apologize when he realizes that he'd insulted someone, but he wouldn't change his viewpoint.

Despite his serious persona, he will occasionally smile in excitement whenever he senses a tough opponent (such as Hinata).

History

He went to Shiratorizawa Junior High for middle school and was a rival to Oikawa back then as well.

Plot

Apparently Ushijima's first appearance is in chapter 35; however it is more of a small mention rather than him actually appearing as Hinata looks through a volleyball catalog that shows Ushijima as the number one ace in their prefecture.

It was in chapter 70 when Ushijima made his first real appearance at the final day of the interhigh preliminaries when Shiratorizawa played against Aobajousai, although it was only briefly. But it continues on in the next chapter and shows Shiratorizawa becoming the victor.

In chapter 76 when Hinata and Kageyama are with Yachi outside of her complex, Kageyama mentions Shiratorizawa and Hinata asks him about "Ushiwaka", only to hear a voice behind them. The two turn around to find that it was Ushijima himself who answered them. Their meeting continues in the next chapter when Kageyama and Hinata talk with Ushijima briefly, and he tells them he was running with his team; however they were too slow, and he left them behind. Shortly after, Hinata and Kageyama make up their mind that they are also going to go to Shiratorizawa to see the team and Ushiwaka agrees with a "if you're able to keep up, that is." While running, Ushijima notices that the two could keep up with him with no trouble, even while talking (and hitting each other).   It was when they were standing at the gym doors when a stray ball came towards them, interrupting their conversation of how everyone on Aobajousai was weak other than Oikawa, and Ushijima jumped up to grab it with his hand but was cut off by Hinata who jumped higher and grabbed it before it could hit his hands.

Abilities

His spikes are based on pure strength and have a different ball rotation from most players (due to Ushijima being left-handed); this causes other players to have trouble receiving or blocking them.

Relationships

Kageyama Tobio

Ushijima is surprised that he can keep up with his pace while jogging. When Kageyama tells him that he couldn't get into Shiratorizawa, he responds bluntly, "The school has no need of a setter who can't devote himself to me, the ace."

Oikawa Tooru

Ushijima recognizes Oikawa's talent and skill, stating that he is an excellent player and should have attended Shiratorizawa because he draws out the maximum potential of whatever team he is on.

Quotes

"An excellent seedling needs suitably excellent soil. It can't yield first-rate fruit on barren land." (To Hinata and Kageyama about Oikawa & Aobajousai. Ch. 77)

Trivia

• He is also known as "Ushiwaka-chan" by Oikawa and sometimes Hinata and several others.

• The first thing Hinata said when he met Ushijima was "JAPAN!".
• He appears to be either left-handed or ambidextrous, one of the few characters in the entire series that uses his left arm.
• He is one of the three most noticed high school volleyball players in the nation and is one of Japan's under 18 volleyball representative.
• Nomenclature
  • Wakatoshi (若利) - Young Advantage
  • Ushijima (牛島) - Cow Island