Haikyuu! is a sports anime that has reached unparalleled levels of popularity. This is reflected in the fact that not only does it have multiple seasons, but those seasons are also broken down into parts because there is just that much content to serve its eager fans. However, the anime is far from perfect.
Fans criticize the series for giving a free pass to characters with more negative personality traits for no apparent reason. Haikyuu! is not immune to criticism. Whether it's because they fade into the background or annoy fans, these Haikyuu! characters failed to live up to the hype.
Updated on August 21st, 2022 by Sarah Martin: As hype builds for the new Haikyuu! movies that were recently announced, fans are revisiting old seasons and talking about which characters they may or may not want to see in the upcoming films. Since this list was published two years ago, we've added a few more controversial Haikyuu! characters.
15 Kindaichi Needs To Let Go Of His One-Sided Grudge
Kindaichi played on the same team as Kageyama in middle school. Thanks to Kageyama's past behavior, he's burnt plenty of bridges as he tries to get rid of his reputation as the tyrannical "King of the Court." Most of his old teammates have let it go, but Kindaichi certainly didn't.
He went on to play for Aoba Johsai. He was rude and immature during their first rematch. Though some understand his behavior, others wish he would move on and let go of his one-sided grudge.
14 Yamamoto Is A More Annoying Version Of Tanaka
Yamamoto and Tanaka are best friends. They wanted to kill each other when they first met but became friends once they saw their similarities. However, some can't understand why he's even in the series.
They already had an impulsive, hot-headed "tough guy" figure in Tanaka, so fans felt like Yamamoto was just overkill and a more annoying version of Tanaka. Some argue that Yamamoto is one of Nekoma's most extroverted players, so he works well with more introverted types like Kenma. Others, however, think he's insufferable.
13 Kentaro Isn't A Team-Player
Kentaro, otherwise called "Mad Dog," is an aggressive player who doesn't understand the concept of teamwork. His anger matches that of My Hero Academia's Katsuki Bakugo, and he always has a frown on his face.
He doesn't respect most of his teammates unless they earn it, as Iwaizumi did. He especially hates Oikawa and despises the nickname he gave him. He's definitely a total safety hazard on the court since he has an unpredictable, violent playstyle that could get someone injured if he's not more careful.
12 Tendou's Theatrics Are A Bit Much For Some Fans
Tendou Satori is an essential member of Shiratorizawa. His guess blocking and Ushijima's powerful spikes made the team virtually unbeatable for years. Unfortunately, many fans found his personality and overall demeanor offputting. He's a very theatrical guy, often shouting, contorting his body in bizarre ways, and even singing about breaking his opponent's souls in the middle of a game.
Many found this entertaining, especially since his red hair makes him look like Pennywise the clown. Others thought his theatrics were overkill and were grateful he didn't appear in the story much after Shiratorizawa's game against Karasuno.
11 Goshiki's Constant Need For Praise Was Out Of Hand
Goshiki is one of Shiratorizawa's newest players. He acts like a stereotypical shonen hero - ambitious, outgoing, and never afraid of stealing the show. Unfortunately, Goshiki can be a bit of a show-off and requires constant praise. Otherwise, he'll sulk for the rest of the day. Some compare him to Bokuto.
However, it's not necessarily the fairest comparison. Bokuto has a very lovable personality and is always willing to teach his underclassmen a new skill. Goshiki, on the other hand, believes that he's one of the best players to ever grace the court and requires everyone else to shower him with kind words.
10 Asahi Is Weak-Willed & Too Passive
Being weak-willed and being afraid to take the initiative make for some frustrating characters to watch, especially if they don't grow or change. Sadly, Asahi was the personification of such characteristics. In addition, he finds it hard to ignore what people say about him, is easily unmotivated, and let down his team when they lost against Date Tech High.
Not to mention, he is a highly insecure person who cannot function without validation from others. Asahi tends to fade into the background because of Karasuno's bolder personalities, like the excitable Shoyo Hinata or "Rolling Thunder" himself, Yuu Nishinoya.
9 Tsukishima's Sarcasm & Disinterest Rubbed Fans The Wrong Way
Kei Tsukishima is a classic tsundere. He always acts unbothered and disinterested, but this is just a front. He doesn't want to get too deep into volleyball, often reminding himself that it's "just a club" to avoid getting too attached to his teammates.
He's perpetually sarcastic and doesn't care about censoring himself for everyone else's sake. Some fans think he's just a rude bully who needs to be knocked down a few pegs, while others just can't stand his constant meanspirited retorts and wish he'd just pipe down for a change.
8 Ushijima Is Just Hard To Read
Shiratorizawa's captain, Ushijima, is one of the series' most controversial characters. He came off as rude and arrogant at first, and many thought that the national recognition got to his head, making him too big for his britches.
Others just can't stand his blunt honesty and hate that he tells others what he really thinks about them, even if it isn't the kindest thing to say. Some try to defend his behavior by saying that he just doesn't have great communication skills. Even if that were the case, some argue that he shouldn't be the team's captain if he can't properly communicate with others.
7 Osamu Miya Is Too Hard On Atsumu
Inarizaki's Miya twins are the subject of many fandom debates. Some argue that Osamu is the kinder twin, while others say that Miya is the true "good" brother. Regardless, both of them have positive and negative qualities that define their reputation in the series.
Osamu is sarcastic and isn't afraid to call his brother out. Unlike Atsumu, he isn't passionate about volleyball and already has plans lined up for when he graduates. Some argue that he's just quitting because he can't live up to Atsumu's standards, while others just can't stand their constant bickering.
6 Some Fans Think That Yachi's Ditzy Behavior Is Annoying
Yachi was introduced in the second season. She's a bit of a ditz and often gets lost in her own world, forgetting about everything around her. She struggles to live up to her mother's expectations and freaks out whenever someone even glances at her.
She always catastrophizes, tends to crumble under pressure, and also needs constant reassurance. Though many find her relatable, tons of fans hate her. They think her behavior is annoying and wish that Kiyoko was the only manager present.
5 Yamaguchi Is Inconsequential To The Series
Yamaguchi's lack of presence is infuriating to some viewers in the series. Since he was introduced alongside Tsukishima, some fans feel like he's been overshadowed. Though he's a kind person, some fans are upset that he laughs at Tsukishima's meanspirited retorts and occasionally joins in.
Especially compared to the many personalities of Karasuno, Yamaguchi needs to step up and prove that he's worthy of becoming the team's new captain after the third-year students graduate. There's nothing especially upsetting or problematic about Yamaguchi, it's just that the series wouldn't be any different without him.
4 Oikawa Is Smug & Loves Threatening His Opponents
Tooru Oikawa is the captain of Aoba Johsai. He's the perfect example of a character who can get away with being a terrible person because the fandom thinks he's attractive. Oikawa has improved his likability a few times throughout Haikyuu!, but it's just not enough for his most vocal critics.
He's arrogant, smug, and loves threatening his opponents. Though he can bring the best out of his teammates, he brings the worst out of the opposing team, leading them to make careless mistakes that could cost them the game.
3 Atsumu Miya Is Self-Centered, Rude, & Insulted His Own Brother
Miya Atsumu is the worse of two evils when comparing Inarizaki High School's infamous Miya twins. He borrows things without ever returning them, never asks for the input of his team players while playing, and has often been caught lying.
However, none of that has stopped him from doing what he does because he keeps repeating the same cycle of toxic behavior. Not to mention, he called his twin brother trash just for not meeting his high expectations.
2 Suguru Isn't Above Playing Dirty To Win A Game
Suguru is a sore loser. He can dish out all the insults in the world, but he definitely can't take it in return. He loves mocking everybody, as shown during his game against Nekoma. He's a manipulative guy who can charm everybody one minute, then tear them down the next.
He's not above cheating or using underhanded, dirty tactics to win a game. He spiked balls directly at an opponent's face and touches the net. Most of Haikyuu!'s most disliked characters have redeeming qualities, but Suguru doesn't have any.
1 Washijo Tanji Is A Bitter Old Man Who Projects His Anger Onto Hinata
Tanji is Shiratorizawa's coach. He's rude and quick to anger, and his punishments are always severe. At his core, he's just a grumpy old man who can't stand to see Hinata's success because it's a sore spot for him.
He's always been too short to be a successful player, so seeing Hinata thrive in the sport makes him jealous. He seems to project his anger onto Hinata. Fans were also upset with him since he specifically looks for tall recruits, regardless of their overall skill level.