Sugawara’s appearance in Anime.

Sugawara has an average height and a slender build. He is easily recognizable by his light grey hair, slightly thick eyebrows, and hazel-brown eyes. A notable feature is the small birthmark mole under his left eye. Sugawara often wears a gentle smile, contributing to his calm and approachable demeanor.

As vice-captain, Sugawara is known for his soothing and gentle personality, often serving as a pillar of support for his teammates. Even though he is no longer Karasuno’s starting setter, Sugawara remains determined to keep playing. He constantly encourages both himself and his teammates to never give up, no matter how difficult the situation. His unwavering commitment to volleyball is evident when he chooses to continue club activities even while most third-years retire to focus on their futures. When asked by his teacher why he continued despite not being a starter, Sugawara explained that he didn’t want to have regrets later on.

Sugawara cheering for his team.

Sugawara is highly perceptive and observant. He noticed subtle changes in his teammates’ behavior, like when Tanaka asked for the gym key before the first-year’s 3-on-3 match, despite his usual habit of arriving late. His intelligence is also demonstrated through the creative strategies he devises during games. For instance, he suggested using the phrases “bring it” and “send it to me” during Kageyama and Hinata’s combo play, and he quickly developed hand signals for the team overnight while the others were asleep.

Although Sugawara is nurturing, he has a mischievous side. He supported Hinata when he crashed the First-Year Training Camp uninvited, and when excited, he occasionally teases his teammates physically, playfully smacking them around. These actions often lift the team’s spirits.

Despite his usual modesty, Sugawara can be proudly confident at times. Notable examples include his humorous remark to Kageyama: “From here on out, if you start getting bombarded by interviews, you’re gonna say, ‘I learned everything from a magnificent senpai called Sugawara,’ got it?” He also proudly claimed credit for naming Kageyama and Hinata’s new technique, ‘Back Minus.’ During Karasuno’s match against Shiratorizawa, Sugawara’s irritation over the team’s performance caused him to ramble and pout, showing a rare break from his typically composed and mature demeanor.

Sugawara enrolled at Karasuno High after graduating from Nagamushi Junior High, where he joined the volleyball club during his first year alongside Daichi and Asahi. Initially, the trio was eager to be part of a school that had recently made its mark in the nationals. However, their enthusiasm was met with disappointment when they found that the volleyball team was not what they had imagined. Without a proper coach and limited practice matches due to previous lackluster performances, the team struggled to progress. Undeterred by these challenges, the first-year players took it upon themselves to work harder, with Daichi leading extra training sessions. Their persistence sparked a renewed sense of determination in the team, rekindling hopes of returning to the national stage. Despite this drive, Karasuno was knocked out early in the Miyagi Prefecture’s Interhigh Qualifiers, exiting in the second round. Afterward, Sugawara and his teammates were encouraged by their former captain, Tashiro, to make the most of any opportunities they had.

Sugawara had always played as a setter for Karasuno, officially taking on the role in his third year. During the Interhigh match against Aoba Johsai, he reflected on how, despite being part of the team for three years, he had participated in only a handful of official matches, primarily because the team often had other setters. By comparison, Kageyama, a first-year, had already played in more matches than Sugawara by that point in the year.

While often positioned on the sidelines, Sugawara closely analyzes the opposing team’s strategies and tendencies, enabling him to offer valuable advice to his teammates on how to counter their opponents. When Sugawara does enter a match, he effectively applies what he’s observed, rallying the team and contributing to their momentum. However, the intensity of the game can sometimes cause him to overthink, leading to moments of stress during play.

Due to his limited time in official matches, Sugawara remains something of an unpredictable factor for opposing teams. His relative anonymity allows Karasuno to leverage him as a surprise element, especially since rival teams are typically more familiar with Karasuno’s regular starters. This often works to his team’s advantage.

During the match between Kamomedai and Karasuno, Sugawara was referred to by commentators as a defense specialist.

Height and Reach (as of mid-November)::

• Fingertip Height: 222 cm
• Jumping Reach: 299 cm (spike) / 285 cm (block)

Skills

Sugawara’s set for Hinata.

Setting
Sugawara’s primary skill is setting. While not as technically refined as Kageyama, Sugawara excels at tailoring his sets to each spiker’s individual needs, ensuring they have the best chance to score. His understanding of the different skills and emotional states of his teammates allows him to adapt his sets accordingly. However, he occasionally requires more time to figure out players like Tsukishima, as he is less familiar with the first-year’s preferences compared to those of the second- and third-years. Skilled players, such as Oikawa and Tendō, have described Sugawara’s setting as somewhat predictable, and he often opts for safer options. When he anticipates a blocker, he tends to set away from them to avoid getting his spiker blocked.

Synchronized Attack
Sugawara has taken on the responsibility of leading the team’s synchronized attacks since the summer training camp. During this period, he also practiced spiking to further confuse opponents during matches. In the final set against Shiratorizawa, Sugawara joined the rest of the team in several synchronized attacks, taking advantage of Nishinoya’s overhand tosses.

Sugawara pinch service.

Pinch Serving
Sugawara is frequently subbed in as a pinch server, often replacing Tsukishima. While he lacks the power for spike serves or jump floaters, Sugawara is highly effective at targeting difficult spots on the court with his float serve. This strategy is particularly useful in forcing opposing spikers, like Kentarō Kyōtani, to receive, thus slowing them down or preventing them from spiking.

Calculated One-Point Two-Setter
Sugawara and Kageyama occasionally switch positions during synchronized attacks, with Sugawara acting as the setter and Kageyama as the attacker. This tactic catches opponents off guard by giving Karasuno five spikers instead of the usual four, enhancing their offensive options.

Receives
Sugawara is a capable receiver, often able to successfully handle opponents’ spikes and serves. However, he struggles against more powerful players, making it more challenging for him to receive their attacks.

Blocking
Aware of his disadvantage in blocking due to his height, Sugawara sometimes switches blocking positions with a taller teammate when he knows he is being targeted by an opposing spiker.