Yukitaka Izumi

Yukitaka Izumi
Japanese	泉 行高
Translation	Izumi Yukitaka
Character information
Other names	Izumin (by Shōyō Hinata)
Gender	Male
Age	15-16 (2012) 22 (2018)
Home town	Miyagi Prefecture
Home country	Japan
Status
Team	Yukigaoka Junior High (former)
Number	6 (former)
Position	Setter (former)
Occupation	High School Student (1st Year) (2012) University Student (4th Year) (2018)
Affiliation	Yukigaoka Junior High (former)
Background information
Chapter	Endings and Beginnings
Episode	Endings and Beginnings
Japanese	Kyousuke Ikeda
Image gallery (35)

Yukitaka Izumi (Japanese: 泉 (いずみ) 行高 (ゆきたか) , Izumi Yukitaka) is Hinata's former classmate from Yukigaoka Junior High. He was originally on the basketball team but played on the volleyball team so Hinata could have enough members to go to the competition.

Appearance

He has messy, light auburn hair, brown eyes, and freckles. He also has a small build.

Personality

He has a gentle personality and often looks out for Hinata, encouraging his friend whenever he's down.

Background

Izumi went to Yukigaoka Junior High with Hinata and Kōji before graduating to an unknown high school. In his third year of junior high, he and Kōji joined the boys' volleyball club as temporary members so the team could attend the Junior High Athletics Meet. However, they were shocked when their first opponent turned out to be the champion school Kitagawa Daiichi. Despite this, Izumi tried hard during the match to give Hinata good tosses, but he messed up towards the end. Yukigaoka was completely annihilated by Kitagawa Daiichi.

Plot

Izumi makes his debut when he is riding his bike through town with Hinata and telling his friend to stop watching the Spring Tournament on tv or else they would lose their field to play sports. Although he normally plays basketball, Izumi agreed to join Hinata's volleyball team so he would have enough players to play in the tournament and was tasked with playing the setter. Like the rest of the team, Izumi became terrified once they learned they would be facing Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High in their first match.

During the game, Izumi tried to get the ball up as best as he could but he would occasionally be riddled with nerves. When Kitagawa was at match point, his nerves became so great that he unintentionally sent the set in the wrong direction. Despite this, Hinata was able to move fast enough to reach the set. Izumi and Kōji did their best to comfort Hinata after the match but Hinata would instead voice his gratitude once more for them helping him to play in a real match.

Spring High Preliminary Arc

Izumi and Kōji greet Hinata.

Izumi and Kōji plan to go see Karasuno's match against Shiratorizawa together. When Karasuno arrives at the arena, the two approach Hinata, who's surprised and thrilled about their presence. Hinata introduces them to Tanaka and the two sheepishly admit the sports teams they were on originally. Suddenly, Kōji notices Kageyama and angrily asks Hinata why he's there. Jokingly, Hinata explains the changes Kageyama had gone through before the latter calls him away. After Hinata leaves, Izumi and Kōji admit to each other how when they text, they never ask Hinata about how he's been and weren't expecting to see him now with a complete team.

When they go to the bleachers to cheer on Karasuno, they're overwhelmed by Shiratorizawa's larger cheering squad. They are also disappointed by Karasuno when the members make fools of themselves. Izumi comments on it, much to Shimada and Takinoue's embarrassment.

As the match begins, the two worry about Hinata and wonder if he has to go to the bathroom one more time. Karasuno is overwhelmed by Shiratorizawa at first so the two loudly encourage the members. Throughout the match, they comment on Hinata's improvements. The two join in when Saeko starts a cheer for the team.

After the match ends in Karasuno's victory, the two go outside to congratulate Hinata and Kageyama before Ushijima interrupts them. After he challenges Hinata to defeat him next time, a shocked Izumi wonders about Hinata's influence with other volleyball players.

Tokyo Nationals Arc

Izumi and Kōji are seen watching Karasuno's match against Kamomedai and show to be concerned when Hinata collapsed.

Final Arc

Izumi and Kōji attend the match between the MSBY Black Jackals and the Schweiden Adlers to support Hinata. At the time of the match, Izumi is a college senior.

Statistics

Originally a basketball player, Izumi is not very familiar with volleyball and what is required of being a setter. Like the rest of the Yukigaoka Junior High team, Izumi relies on Hinata to tell him what to do. Being faced against the taller and more intimidating players of Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High, Izumi easily succumbed to the nerves of playing in the match and would give poor sets. Despite this, he still did the best he could to help Hinata.

Relationships

Shōyō Hinata

They are close friends, and Izumi would toss to Hinata, albeit reluctantly, whenever he was free. Izumi did join his team temporarily with Kōji though. When the game ended and Hinata thanked the two of them, Izumi started crying. They still keep in touch through text, but Hinata never really talks about himself. Along with Kōji, Izumi attended Karasuno's match against Shiratorizawa and was also present for Hinata's debut game between the Adlers and Jackals. 

Kōji Sekimukai

They are close friends and attended the same junior high. In their third year, they supported Hinata by joining his team together and helped each other with volleyball terms during the match. Even after graduating from junior high, they keep in touch through text and even planned together to attend Karasuno's match against Shiratorizawa.