Haikyuu! is a popular shonen sports anime series based on the manga by Haruichi Furudate, which follows a high school volleyball team as they try to compete for a national title. The series does an amazing job at having a large cast of characters who all get their time to shine. Of course, with so many diverse characters, shipping is bound to happen.
While there are many different ships in the fandom, there are only some that are considered wholesome. These pairs often balance each other completely, bringing out the best in each other. And of course, wholesome ships are so pure and healthy that fans can't help but to want to see them on screen.
10 Hinata & Yachi Are Simply Adorable & Energetic
In the series, Hitoka Yachi acts as the easily flustered manager-in-training for Shoyo Hinata's volleyball team. Fans certainly hope for a romance to develop between them as they watch the two grow closer. Hinata and Yachi are very similar to each other, which helps them feed off each other's positive energy.
They both have excitable, passionate personalities that go along well. It's clear they both support each other, starting from when Yachi helped tutor Hinata in season one. She's consistently been supporting him as a manager-in-training both on and off the field.
9 Yamaguchi & Tsukishima Show Childhood Friends Can Become Lovers
Fans love a good childhood friends-to-lovers scenario, which is exactly what they get with the ship between the first-years Kei Tsukishima and Tadashi Yamaguchi. They met when Tsukishima defended Yamaguchi from bullies and are still close friends at the start of the series, even using nicknames for each other.
They're able to get through to each other when they need to and act as natural balances to each other personality-wise. They're great supports for each other, both on the court and off, and endearing in their interactions with each other.
8 Asahi & Nishinoya Push Each Other To Do Their Best
Though they started the series in a rough spot, Asahi Azumane and Yu Nishinoya make a wholesome couple once they make up with each other. They share an interesting relationship on the court, as they both tend to blame themselves for team mistakes. However, the two are shown to support the other and encourage them to do their best.
They already have a strong relationship and have been shown to have each other's backs throughout the series. Though they can have opposing personalities, the two seem to balance each other out. Where Nishinoya can be loud and energetic, Asahi tends to be quieter and more negative. Still, they bring out the best in each other and encourage each other to do their best.
7 Kuroo Isn't Subtle In His Protectiveness Over Kenma
Tetsuro Kuroo and Kenma Kozume are another great childhood friends-to-lovers pair. This ship seems to be supported in the series based on Kuroo's protectiveness over Kenma and Kenma's dedication to Kuroo.
The two have been close friends for years, shown to have a deep relationship, and have a strong understanding of each other, especially the more fans see of them. Where Kenma is content and withdrawn, Kuroo is confident and outgoing. While their personalities can clash, they more often seem to blend nicely.
6 Daichi & Yui Are Sweet & Supportive
Daichi Sawamura and Yui Michimiya are both third-year captains of their respective volleyball teams for Karasuno. Fans have only seen the two interact a handful of times throughout the series, but they have always been positive, and often cute, interactions. The two have been good friends since middle school. Most importantly, they share a passion for volleyball.
The series seems to indicate that Yui has feelings towards Daichi, though it is unclear whether these feelings are mutual or not. They're both positive role models for their teams and each other, and it's likely that any relationship between them would allow the two to continue to grow together.
5 Oikawa & Iwaizumi Are An Old Married Couple
Hajime Iwaizumi and Toru Oikawa are yet another example of what would be childhood friends-to-lovers. They are both third years at Aoba Johsai High School, where they play together as ace/ wing spiker and setter. This only helps the relationship between them feel more real, as they need to have great communication on the court, which follows them off the court too.
Many like the cute nature of their relationship and the sarcastic way they interact with each other. They even have nicknames for each other, which they both seem to be amused by: Iwa-chan for Iwaizumi and some variation of Crappykawa, Trashykawa, or others for Oikawa. But it's clear at the end of the day that they're both fond of the other despite their frequent aggression.
4 Bokuto & Akaashi Prove Opposites Attract
Bokuto Kotaro and Akaashi Keiji are third- and second-years respectively at Fukurodoni Academy. They're another example of a wholesome ship between the ace/wing-spiker and his setter. They are also another great example of how opposites attract, as Bokuto is energetic, loud, and outgoing, while Akaashi is more reserved and mature.
Their relationship is obvious both on the court and off, as Akaashi compiles a long list of Bokuto's weaknesses and knows how to take care of him in several episodes when he's feeling down. Plus, Akaashi is the only one who will help Bokuto with his never-ending spiking practice.
3 Daichi & Suga Are Already Karasuno's Parents
Daichi Suwamura and Koshi Sugawara are the captain and vice-captain of Karasuno's volleyball team. The two are clearly close and get along well both on and off the court, with similar personalities. They're both friendly but firm with their teammates, practically acting as co-captains instead of captain and vice-captain.
They both understand each other with their feelings about being third-years and their desire to prolong the season. In addition, they've always been shown to support each other and encourage each other to do their best, displaying a very healthy relationship.
2 Hinata & Kenma Had Instant Chemistry
While Kenma Kozume and Shoyo Hinata both play volleyball for two different schools, their chemistry in the few instances they're together help keep the ship alive. Kenma's shy and reserved nature meshes well with Hinata's energetic and friendly nature, and it's clear to fans the two become close nearly instantaneously.
Hinata is even able to convince Kenma to train extra during the Tokyo training arc, which went against everything fans knew about Kenma. This makes it clear just how much he respects Hinata and values him, as well as how close Kenma is to Hinata.
1 Kuroo & Tsukishima Show Similarities Can Attract Too
Tetsuro Kuroo and Kei Tsukishima also attend different schools, but the fact that they both play middle-blocker establishes a strong connection between them fast. Their personalities are extremely similar if slightly different: both are confident and can be standoffish, but where Kuroo is friendly and outgoing, Tsukishima is more reserved and withdrawn.
While this doesn't necessarily seem like it would work, it does. They've been shown to grow closer since the Tokyo training arc, with Tsukishima utilizing several of the tips and tricks Kuroo had given him, and Kuroo has been shown to be supportive of Tsukishima's growth.