Kei Tsukishima: The Teammate Everyone Needs (Haikyuu!!) 

The way a character type like Tsukishimas is used in Haikyuu is so refreshing to see. I feel as though characters that are snarky and smart tend to be given the least screen time and least interesting character development, but Tsukishima is the exception and he does it tremendously. So many subtleties to his character and you nailed them all AJ. Very excited for your next video, you never disappoint!

7:05 Thank you for not being one of those people who ignorantly got angry at four eyes for not passing to Tanaka. People can be salty as they want. At the end of the day that was objectively the most intelligent decision he could’ve made

being trusted by tsukishima is probably the best acknowledgment and praise

Great analysis! I always appreciated how Tsuki’s character didn’t drastically change overnight after his shift in perspective following the Shiratorizawa match, he was still himself, prickliness and all, just evolved. Like you mentioned, I love how his character is mostly fleshed out within subtle moments with his teammates, it really helps to invest you in his journey. Thanks for the video, definitely some of the best content on here.

one more big example in my opinion is how Tsukki handled mad dog chan. He was able to see tanaka and mad dog's rivalry while everyone else were losing their calm about mad dog

Right after Hinata receiving the ball, Hinata was thinking that Tsuki was so good at blocking. This shows Tsuki's trust because blocking isn't all about shutting down the ball. It requires cooperation.

Here's the thing about Tsukki. He was the character that made me realize I was completely invested in Haikyuu emotionally. I never thought I could get so invested in a sports anime and all throughout the series I was looking for that thing that made me feel connected to a character and go "wow I feel that". It didn't happen when they lost to Seijoh as sad as it was to see, and it didn't happen when they finally won against Seijoh either, as happy as I was for them. It was the moment when Tsukki got that first block in on Ushijima and he had his "moment". I felt something swell in my heart that made me nearly choke up. I couldn't stop smiling and it was the first time I, myself, expressed strong emotions over something happening in a match. I hate to say it, but I was on a similar emotional track with Haikyuu as an anime as Tsukki was about volleyball. I was detached and passively enjoying it while I watched it with my friends. I was unable to believe it could make me feel anything until I saw Tsukki have his moment. That was when I knew there was no going back and Haikyuu went from an anime I thought was pretty good, to a favorite of mine. From that point on in the anime I looked a lot deeper at characters and their journey's throughout the show and I even began rewatching it from the beginning to see what I may have missed. It caused me to fall in a love with a lot more of the characters in Haikyuu and now it is in my top 5 favorite anime. I know it may sounds silly to some how this all happened for me, but it's true how apprehensive I was about sports anime. I didn't want to give it a chance because that is how little I believed I could care about a sports anime. I'm happy Tsukki helped prove me wrong.

I can't speak for everyone else in this comment section, but Tsukki's character arc stood out especially to me, since I tend to be on the quieter side with a more cynical approach to just about anything. Seeing Tsukki learn to really care about volleyball and have friends was really cool and awesome to watch. Many thanks for making this video.

Honestly he has one of the best character arcs in all of Haikyuu. Every character follows a theme regarding life and volleyball. For him volleyball was just a game, until that moment. Also the flashback makes it even better.

I think the perfect culmination of Tsukki’s character arc was when he blocked Ushijima, but the one scene that solidified everything he’s gone through: from being the lousiest teammate to becoming one of the best was the last episode of S4 against Inarizaki. I loved the fact that for the first time in the show, we see how much he really trusts and respects his teammates especially Hinata and Kageyama who he ALWAYS has some sort of beef with (lol), he talked about how the two were the only ones who never wavered in those final moments of the Inarizaki game and how he knew those two would deliver; something Tsukki wouldn’t have admitted or declared in earlier seasons.

THANK YOU FOR PROPERLY EXPLAINING THE MOMENT HE SET TO ASAHI INSTEAD OF TANAKA. *EVERYONE* misunderstands that!

The scream after the block on Ushijima is still my favorite scene of the anime so far. I loved it and the timing was so perfectly done. Kudos to the manga creator for showing his growth so well.

I think I always comeback to that scene where Tsukki first celebrate on a March vocally. I realized the journey we’ve just witnessed and then BOOM he instantly became one of my favorite characters. He’s amazing and he really is an invaluable member of the team.

Finally. Some Tsukishima appreciation.

Manga spoliers: One moment that sticks in my head about Tsuki's hunger is after Karasuno's loss against Kamomedai during the quarter finals, in which the first thing he says that he wants to get home quickly to study Kamomedai's blockers, even though he just suffered a cramp and is most likely extremely tired, his hunger is absolutely there but is more subtle than Hinata's or Kageyama's

Similar to Rohan from Jojo, he is the enduring asshole that everyone loves. He acts cocky on the outside but his insecurities on the inside make him a well developed character.

Thank you for amazing video! As an athelete who played football (or soccer) at very high competitive level, I absolutely adore teammates like Tsukki. These type of players never let you ride your high horses for too long but never leave you in the dumps to suffer alone either. They only speak when it's necessary and show their superior ability through their game instead. They are ready to get dirty as long as you're ready to do so as well. Tsukki's words sometimes were perceived as harsh and condescending, but he was always correct. And the players who learn to dissect the true intent of words from players like these always reach and perform at highest level. And it's not like he thought himself of as the perfect player, far from it, that's why he was ready to take criticism but only from those he deemed were good enough themselves. Yamaguchi's persistence didn't surprise Tsukki because he always stuck around Tsukki, even when Tsukki tried to repel him by his snarky and somewhat disrespectful remarks. Yamaguchi, Hinata, Kaegeyama and even Tanaka were mostly on the receiving end of his sarcastic replies, but these players developed the most alongside him. Positive reinforcement in the form of sunlight (Hinata) is good, but negative reinforcement through Moonlight (Tsukki) is also valuable.

Haikyuu does the growth and development of characters really well in a way that most modern sports anime aren't given the time to. It's not just a training montage and a narration of "and then two weeks passed like that". Instead, we see the moment to moment changes in both the character's abilities on the court as well as their perceptions of themselves, their teammates, their opponents, and the sport as a whole. Tsukishima is hands down the biggest example of this slow-paced and realistic development, but it's really there for most of the main characters to some extent. And I feel like that's why Haikyuu is as popular as it is; it just gives us a lot of time to invest in the personal journeys of the cast and makes us care about them in a deeper way than similar series. I love it for that.

So, I had a teammate who was essentially Tsukishima. Instead of a typical sports team, it was debate, and I roped one of my friends from Junior High into doing a duo partnership event with me all through high school. I am loud and passionate, driven and I really cared a lot about debate (still do it's my passion after all) but my teammate wasn't there because he loved the research, long hours, long tournaments that lasted from 6 am to midnight, he was there because it was just what he did (like Tsukishima and volleyball). I don't know if my teammate ever had a Shiratorizawa moment during debate, but he did have fun and expressed his contentment with what we did multiple times. But I never really realized how valuable his personality type was until this video! I appreciated his calm demeanor and his laid back approach about our wins and losses (much to my chagrin due to my win hunger) but he made me realize it wasn't life or death. Thanks to my not quite Tsukishima partner (only sharing the calm, middle of the ground, stick to the foundational skills without jumping off walls with new techniques) we qualified for nationals! A teammate like Tsukishima is invaluable, and I'm now realizing it a little more. Thanks to my debate partner for a great three years 💪 Debate would've never been the same if you didn't ground me back to reality every tournament.

"babe wake up, new Aleczandxr lore just dropped in the new vid, he was an athlete and-"

Bro. I realized he didn’t block Suna on purpose, but for some reason never connected him trusting Hinata to dig the ball with his statement of Hinata sinking even deeper into volleyball. Thank you for shining the light!

Call me Yamaguchi because I saw this and yelled: TSSSSUUUUUUUUKKIIIIIII

I'm glad I watched your video right away and gained another learning. Your pov as being a former athlete helped me become even more appreciative of Tsukki(even though I love his character already).

I remember first noticing those small moments from Tsukki and starting to understand his character more. I really love his evolution. Going from insecurity to based confidence is just *cheff's kiss* And his salty-ness is really fun to watch Great video as always!

Loved how you chose to talk about the more subtle and controversial aspects of Tsukki (and that you didn't absolve him of being tormenting to others) That one block was awesome, but that's not all we've seen of and loved about Tsukki.

and I thought he would stop playing volleyball after highschool, but it seems his love for volleyball goes deeper, iykwm

This is a very detailed yet very accurate analysis. I really miss haikyuu. I used to find Tsukki annoying but with time I realized his intelligence and presence of mind. His realism helps so much to the team. I love how his character develops through small subtle yet iconic moments. His progression attaches you to him in a different way. Great Video Man.

Very small spoiler warning ---- I think its so cool that we saw many move on from volleyball to pursue other things in the time skip but Tsuki was in a league, still playing volleyball.

What a good video!! It really touched on, and put to words some of my biggest reasons for loving him! He's my favorite Haikyuu character and his growth was an absolute treat to watch :]

He isn’t my favorite character, but the scene where he got THAT block is the single hypest moment in the show.

Videos like these really make me miss haikyu a lot. When is the next season coming out?

I knew I was gonna love him and Yams as soon as we met them. Such assholic gremlins that worked their asses off to pull their weight on the team

I’m a simple man I see haikuu I hit like

Awesome video, I can't wait for THE moment in the Nekoma vs Karasuno match :D

The conclusion to his arc (manga spoilers but won't spoil) is so beautiful in a subtle way

i love how gradual his character development is, it really just feels genuine

Aleczandxr the great posting peak Haikyuu video again

Watching this vid makes me want to rewatch haikyuu again for the nth time

Fantastic video, the editing was good. I liked the examples you used to show your thoughts on Tsuki and you flowed well.

Tsukishima blocking Ushijima's spike was a low key all time great moment.

Kei Tsukishima: Our quiet, analytical Straight man

I love Haikyuu so much. Thank you for sharing these videos.

Another banger of a video. Tsukki makes a terrible first impression when hes introduced but hes such an interesting character and really grows on you.

THE GOAT MAKING A VIDEO ON THE GOAT LETS GOOOOOOOOO

I swear to god this channel only further services as an evidence source to why this smug sassy string bean will always be my favorite Haikyuu!!! character! No matter what my squad says about him!

Oh! A video about me ^_^

Wow thank you. I never had that perspective on Tsuki’s action during that game with miya twins

Tsukishima definitely still my favorite haikyuu character.

Bro, truly thanks for these amazing analysis videos, I was looking what to watch during lunch at work and ended up crying, great content m8

I played volleyball for 7 years and the only reason we never won a national title is because we never had a teammate like Tsuki.

Ayee my favorite character! Thanks AJ!

This was really insightful, I never thought about Tsukki this way! Awesome video

He's a top 5 character in Haikyuu

When Tsukki was talking to Tendo, Tendo said "You piss me off". Tendo just spoke forneverybody Tsukki ever talked to.

Gomen Tsuki

Yessir a vid about the best character in the show

The hiatus is over. We can smile once again.

Tsuki Tsuki everyone's favorite four-eyes and when in tf is S5 coming my patience wearing thin

Man all I am gonna say is thank you for this :D

The simple guy

Light is the fastest thing in the world, only next to me, when I see Alec's notification.

you are amazing man

Our tall boi is the best. Watching him (and the others) grow as a player and teammate has been a wonderful journey, and you highlighting the best parts of that growth is always a highlight of my time with this Fandom.

Dude you got talent, i don't know exactly how to explained it but your videos about sports anime is awesome man. Been following you since i watch the cursed of extraordinary, keep going bro 💪

i know a person who is exactly like Tsukki

A high quality, 4k video and another high quality analysis. Thanks AJ.

spoilers idk if that was intentional, but i love how at 15:15 you subtly foreshadow tsukki's passion and hunger for volleyball that makes him take it into college. genius.

Amazing!!!

Gangy

I need to find an anime like Haikyuu but haven't been able to find any as good. Is Hajime no Ippo as good? Wonderful video.

Tsukishima best boi

Lovely video as always

This is the best analysis on Tsuki's character that I have seen, I really enjoyed watching.

This thumbnail is unreal.

did you do track/xc in hs/college?

Awesome video, have you read Eyeshield 21, Aleczandxr?

Man your videos are so calming.

I literally have no interest in Haikyuu but your videos about it sure are trying to generate some in me

Great thumbnail

Tsukishima is probably the character I relate to the most in the entire show, hes not the one I enjoy watching the most by any means (I mean, Bokuto's right there) but as a person, I feel he is very similar to myself in a lot of ways, so it'd be hard not to take a liking to a character like him. I'm also headcanoning him (and Kageyama) as autistic, and youre not gna change my mind on that.

I swear I love these videos so much

I love Tsuki

I think I had a crush on him… not sure if it’s the glasses or blonde hair But in terms of being realistic and cynical mindset, can definitely relate. Understand that the world is full of gifted people in their areas and you’ll never catch up to them as well as being “regular” no one appreciates your opinions. Especially in a “team” where they’re not really a team…

one of my all time FAVORITE anime characters - that shaky cam / fist pump just gives me chills even after several rewatches

Your Haikyuu analysis are amazing!

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS! *sniff* my boi. I knew from the first second he'd be my favorite

4th best boi.

I always thought the main reason why Tsukishima always called Kageyama “king” is only when Kageyama is being an asshole to him. He’s reminding Kageyama that he’s not going to sit there and tolerate his bullshit so yeah Tsukushima didn’t do anything wrong to Kageyama.

Lovely yes

lets gooooooooo a new aleczandxr haikyuu content finally a new video i can watch again and again

Alecz and Haikyuu character analysis LETS GOO

I love how they developed Tsuki. He reminds me so much of my husband both physically and their personalities.

Ushijima and Tsuki would be an insane combo, try and prove me wrong

Always love it when Aleczandxr uploads a haikyuu analysis T-T

what do you think of blue lock?

Thank you 🙏🏼 At last some video for this guy . Totally agreed

Sports anime are simply amazing. Character development is always great to watch.

This was me when I played in high school sports. Everyone mistook it as being uninterested and not into it enough.

Kei is my least favorite character in the show but i am glad he is a better player. I think I relate to him the most

What sport did u play if u don’t mind me asking?