Professional Volleyball Player Reacts to Japanese High School Volleyball 

I'm RAKUNAN no.4 setter Thank you for watching our match. I'm very happy.

The Kyoto prefecture is so high level that this is just the qualifying match and it was only Higashiyama that made it to the nationals!

Jp volleyball is crazy even at highschool level. Guess Haikyuu wasn't so far off portraying the insanity of highschool volleyball.

Ever since the Haikyuu manga started publishing (2012), membership for high school and middle school volleyball started to soar, Japan's National Volleyball team might reap the rewards from that.

funny how Erik kept on mentioning the no. 1 guy being the go to hitter and after few months he faced this boy in VNL and Olympics. The upgrade of Ran Takahashi, from a go to hitter in high school to future of National Team and olympian.

The number 1 player: Ran Takahashi, you will play against him in Tokyo Olympic. I was just amazed a week ago how this Japanese high schooler’s volleyball skill and accidentally found out Takahashi’s highlights on RU-vid, especially his VNL 2021 highlights. He is even more amazing in his Japanese national team!

This game was final for Kyoto tournament, and winner goes to the nationals. The team won is named Higashiyama HS and they actually won the nationals as well without losing any sets. I was watching it on live and it was totally shocking

Eric you are now obligated to show us your high school video

Oof he went with the best Japanese high school rivalry! The go-to hitter that you were talking about is Takahashi Ran. He joined the Japanese national team after graduating high school. You will see him at the very bottom of the roster (because he’s only 19 years old). I wonder if you will meet him in a competition. Fun fact: he was a libero in middle school.

The number one is actually Ran Takahashi and he joined team japan in 2021. His team won the nationals

Erik: "That's literally how Ishikawa serves" Well that #1 (captain), Ran Takahashi (currently 20 y/o), is deemed as the next Ishikawa and he idolizes Ishikawa for a very long time. That's why Ran got most of Ishikawa's techniques. He's registered as a part of Japan's National team last year.

I like how shoji talks about other liberos having good form and technique and acts like he isn’t an absolute monster !!

I’m Japanese high school student and volleyball player. Higashiyama came first in a national tournament last year. So,Everyone thought Higashiyama will win national tournaments this year. But Higashiyama retired national tournaments. Because the teammate was infected by COVID-19.

The number 1 on Higashiyama is actually Ran Takahashi which became part of the Japan National Team right after highschool or the Haruko where he became the MVP

isn't it funny that Erik reacted to this not knowing he will play against Takahashi Ran...

#1 with headband from 東山, higashiyama is Ran Takahashi. Soon to be Japan national team player or is now... His height is 188cm with a max reach of 343cm in his senior year during the period of this match. Kinda the next yuki Ishikawa vibe (right handed, skilled in pipes and block outs) and quite a lot of hype around him . This team is also championship winner too Edit: This match is qualifier match ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P5JyIbwCiew.html this link on their spiking warmup gives more information on their height and reach in the description

2:40 just how fast the night changes, now you’re playing against him

2:40 #1 is Ran Takahashi and he played in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Funny how he asked whos the go to hitter is and now is playing against that same hitter (ran takahashi) in the olympics now

No.1 is Ran Takahashi and now he's actually a part of the Japanese national team at 18! So you most probably will get to see him at the Olympics or VNL coming up!

The #1 was Ran Takahashi , u faced him on VNL. His Jersey No. is 21. He came a long way now

There are actually a lot of people comparing Takahashi Ran to Ishikawa Yuki. Some even calling Takahashi Ran the next Ishikawa Yuki. It's not too far fetched actually. One of Higashiyama High School's/Takahashi Ran's coach's is Matsunaga Rio, a former player for Japan's national team and pro player for the Panasonic Panthers. Matsunaga Rio was also Ishikawa Yuki's coach at Chuo University during Ishikawa's time in college.

For the No. 1 at Higashiyama High School, his name is Takahashi Ran and he is now part of the National Team for Japan. He is pretty good and can jump very high like you saw in this match. He and his team won the national championship in 2020 and he is around 6'2 / 1,88m tall

The guy that wears 1 is named Takahashi Ran he is 19 now part of the national team. You'll probably get to play him next international tournament

12:14 it's really too good to be a coincidence how you mentioned ishikawa when takahashi served (yes he's the number 1 with the bandana) because takahashi was dubbed as the next ishikawa when he was in highschool

2:40 that is Ran Takahashi (JERSEY no. 1) He played for Higashiyama Highschool and in 2020, they won the Haruko Volleyball championship.

Higashiyama’s #1 is Ran Takahashi, #21 on Japan’s Olympic team. He led his high school team (during his third year of high school) to victory as the captain in the Winter 2020 All Japan High School Volleyball Championships and was award as the MVP of the competition. He was actually dubbed as Yuki Ishikawa 2.0 for his leadership skills and ability to score so many points, and was recruited for the national team straight out of high school I’m pretty sure. He’s so young yet so talented, a very great inspiration ❤️

bro, #1 on the near side is Ran Takahashi 😭

I think because these players aren’t as tall (which applies to Japan on a whole), their technique and creativity are OFF THE CHARTS! Such entertaining ball to watch

I love how Erik mentions that Ran serves like Ishikawa when it's said that Ishikawa is someone Ran looks up to a lot

The no. 1 with the headband you mentioned at @02:41 is ran takahashi. You played against him in the vnl in italy :).

2023. It's crazy to think that Eric is reacting to highschool Ran and the fast forward to 2023 and they shared a podium at the VNL and will be facing off in a few weeks for Olympic qualifiers. Amazing.

Since in Japan you can go to whatever high school you want, not just the one you're zoned to, Japanese HS's with good volleyball programs will try and recruit the best volleyball kids from the middle schools. So talent often makes its way into pools at the high school level. You'll see this in a lot of Japanese after school programs actually, from Baseball to Band.

i think highschool sports are the best sports as a viewer because everyone is fighting to get noticed by college scouts and as a player because the sense of being on a highschool team is unmatched. It pains me when I think that I never went to a school with a men's volleyball team. It's my favorite sport but never got the chance to play it.

Number 1 in Higashiyama is Ran Takahashi

Well... Shit... It just dawned on me that Haikyuu fans are going to destroy the Olympics in a few years.

No. 1 is ran takahashi, who plays in tokyo olympic 2020 no 21 😁

You played with that No.1 Captain, now No.21(Ran Takahashi) 2days ago!! How was it??

#1 player is Ran Takahashi. You will most likely face him in the future since he's already in the Japan national team.

i wonder if he ever realized that "near side no. 1" is ran

I remember when I was in Grades 7-9, our high-school (G10-12) volleyball team had four or five very tall and handsome guys playing great volleyball. Whenever they practice, many girls from all grades will cheer. We didn't have that scenes for years after they graduated.

japanese high schools playing on national levels. my high school struggling to get the ball over the net

You played against Takashi ran this year in the VNL. He’s the number 1

The number 1 of 東山 is Takahashi Ran, currently he is in the national team of Japan, he is even in the Olympic team too, you may encounter him Erik kskksksksks

that No.1 Higashiyama Player currently now playing at Japan National Team !

Japanese players : Shows good technique Erik's pen: *chuckles* I'm in danger

For your information the number 1 player ran takahashi who wear headband, now he is playing for national team of japan

the no1 is Takahashi Ran he dominated the nationals there, he's considered the next one ( like Nishida and Ishikawa ... ),and he actually joined the national team at 19 y.o

I really envy the japanese players. Its not that they can play good, but its more like their playstyle is so upper leveled and is close to the international and how they are trained to play like that. I wish i could play like them and with them.

I remember watched this video like 4months ago? And i was like that no 1 is so cool. And now he’s part of national team wow

Number 1 from the team in front of the camera is Takahashi Ran from Japans national volleyball team 😁

1:31 #6 Gaku Kusumoto from Higashiyama is currently one of the most popular player for Japanese high school volleyball fandom. He is short 177cm but he's called as a genius weak side spiker has too quick spike and technics. In fact, the coaches depended on him as the ace after Ran Takahashi #1 left. #7 (3rd year) the insane setter and #6 (2nd) the spiker had amazing combination (Fan fact: this duo is the champion of junior high nationals & high school nationals 2020) #6 could join in a stronger team at university this year but he picked a minor team same as #7. (I guess this duo didn't want to leave their area Imao) We are super excited to see this duo against lots of stronger college teams. If you want to see the creazy duo play, here is the link ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DzvxX7lILuI.html

This game was the final match in Kyoto for the national spring high tournament. Rakunan high was the champion in national spring high tournament in 2019 and Higashiyama was the champion in 2020, this means this Kyoto's region tournament was super crazy. Like Itachiyama vs Kamomedai or Inarizaki level were happening in Kyoto.

erik would never thought about tht number 1 the star player (which is takahashi ran) will play against him at tokyo olympic!!

You’ll be playing against no. 1 in VNL soon Erik, his names Takahashi Ran

Ofc No.1 was the go to hitter he’s the captain and a third year, therefore probably one of the most skilled on the court

Just find it hard to believe that these are high schoolers just because of the high skill level and discipline. My high school region had one team that was like them, and they obliterated the rest of us.

7:31 real life Kageyama and Hinata quick attack

you can watch Ishikawa and Nishida play in highschool on youtube

that no.1 you keep talking about is takahashi ran. he is currently in the japanese national team and youd most likely end up playing against him once covid dies down and the world cup comes back. the dudes a beast and fits quite well in the team with nishida and ishikawa

It’s so crazy seeing how in sync the back row players are like look at their footwork! They split step at the same time and drop at the same time 7:16

The go-to player you’re talking about is Takahashi Ran. He got recruited in to the senior men national team as soon as he graduated high school and you will probably see him playing in some international game soon. As his fan I really wish he can at least be on the olympic roaster. Also he is 188cm and played libero in middle school so his receives are pretty good as well. You should see him in the Charity match amongst the National team. He played a lot of receive there.

12:14 Eric: That's literally how Ishikawa serves Me, knowing that its was Ran on the service line. Takahashi Ran who is currently diagonals with THE Yuki Ishikawa. 😊😊😊 They are almost father and son when you look at how similar their moves are.

The team in the back was the No. 1 team in Japan a year before this match. I am a Japanese person who is not good at English.

players info as of this vid (2019.12.12) *romanji may vary 東山高校 Higashiyama High School (blue/red/white uniform) 1. 髙橋 藍 Takahashi Ran 3年(17y/o) 188cm 343cm (C) 2. 川村 樹生 Kawamura Kiryu 2年(16y/o) 187cm 330cm 4. 吉村 颯太 Yoshimura Sota 2年 177cm 325cm 6. 楠本 岳 Kusumoto Gaku 2年 177cm 325cm 7.中島 健斗 Nakajima Kento 3年 170cm 305cm (S) 8. 大塚 昂太郎 Otsuka Kotaro 2年 185cm 325cm 18. 荒木 琢真 Araki Takuma 2年 165cm 303cm (L) 洛南高校 Rakunan High School (black/red/blue uniform) 1.宮坂 郁夫 Miyasaka Ikuo 3年 181cm 3. 三浦 宇司 Miuara Takashi 2年 187cm 4. 前田 駿 Maeda Shun 3年 180cm (S) 5. 溝井 健太 Mizoi Kenta 3年 186cm (C) 6. 内藤 大 Naito Dai 3年 172cm 7. 木村 祐真 Kimura Yuma 2年 166cm (L) 13. 酒井 優英 Sakai Euan 1年(15y/o) 183cm

When u realize number 1 is ran takashi

Coming back to Erik after watching the VNL match between Team USA and Team Japan today hahaha

I feel like the volleyball in Japan and other parts of the world have higher competition at the high school level than the USA because there is more at stake behind every game elsewhere.

the number 1 that's rlly good is Ran Takanashi who plays on the Japan national team now

it's takahashi ran's high school, you can see a boy wearing a headband and wearing the number 1-captain shirt, now he is playing for the japan national team with the number 21 shirt and playing oppisite hitter . Sorry if my English is not very good :< I come from Vietnam and am a big fan of a talented libero like you and the talented Japanese volleyball team :3

Player with jersey number 1 from Higashiyama (one with yellow numbers) is Ran Takahashi, now part of the Japan's Men's National Volleyball team. He is set to play alongside Yanagida, Nishida and of course, Ishikawa, the new captain.

You know you’ve been watching too much vball clips when you recognize tan takahashis serve routine at 7:50

Japanese players are so solid and so disciplined! #1 is a MVP! Wow, the "pump 1" for the middle hitter is a cool concept

FYI, one of Higashiyama's coach was a former coach of Yuki Ishikawa during his college time. That's why their plays are so similar to him, esp the no. 1 aka the Golden Boy aka Ran Takahashi 😅

That go-to-hitter is now part of the Japan national team

When I was in high school (Tauranga Boys College) we won our New Zealand national championships in 1986. Ex USA Coach Hugh McCutcheon (a kiwi) was a player in one of the opponent teams Shirley Boys High - we smacked his team outta the competition. We played a visiting Japanese University team Daito Bunka ... they were alien good ha ha ha. No such thing as a Libero in my day but had I my way ... I love this modern version of volleyball and I definitely would have been a damn good libero... Volleyball ... greatest game invented.

Okay I'm 99% sure that #1 from Higashiyama is Ran Takahashi

#1 Takahashi Ran is sooo handsome. But seriously his features are crazy. I recognized him despite the video view.

So happy to see this video, Erik! The OH at 2:38 is Takahashi Ran 高橋藍, who joined the senior national team before he even graduated high school. He is a college freshman now, he said that he wants to compete in the Olympic and be Yuki Ishikawa’s diagonal ☺️

While watching Haikyuu I thought highschoolers being this good was just impossible. I mean, i'm a highschooler and even finding someone who can spike is considered rare in our school. So, just fiction right? That was until i watched this video.

Higashiyama actually ended up winning the national championship of this year (2020) with Ran Takahashi as the big ace. Rakunan went to nationals in the previous year and won the nationals (2019) with Otsuka Tatsunori as there big ace. It’s so cool that both of these players are playing in the Japan national teams now and shows how CRAZY high level this qualification match is. The qualifications match for Kyoto prefecture every year is crazy, they went up to 43-41 in 2019 I think.

ERIK YOU JUST PLAYED #1 on japan

I dont know about the rest of Higashiyama but #6, Kusumoto Gaku, is 177cm tall, which is the main reason why I love watching him fly. Plus, it's rare to see well-rounded opposite players this days.

Favorite Erik moments *Throws pen* "He is FLYING!" "Remember they're in high school" I do have another pen!!! "HOW EVEN-" "MONSTER BLOCK" *Throws second pen* "Look at that!!!" *Erik looks at the camera like he's on the office*

Did you realize #1 of Hogashiyama High School is Ran Takahashi, #21 of All Japan at Tokyo Olympics?!?!

I feel like the rest of the world is in trouble if this is what high school volleyball looks like in Japan.

"They're probably shorter than me" Erik, you're older than them too. 😂🤦

This is literally one of my most favourite videos! The pen throw whenever something amazing happens, your commentary and surprisement about the level of volleyball they play. Keep up the good work, it's amazing to watch and listen to your reactions!

Fun Fact: the team closest to the camera's number one is Ran Takahashi

ren takahashi is the number 1 which suprised u, you've played against him in VNL.

Yeah imagine you just got done with algebra class and then you have to go play these guys

"Who is that, because that seems like the go to hitter" Dont worry Erik you will be meeting him in June/ July 🤣

little did erik shoji know, he would be versing takahashi ran.

This makes me proud to be a Japanese middle schooler playing volleyball. We train 5 days a week until around 630 but it pays off

japan highschoolers are on another level lmao

I wonder if you noticed but number 1 for Higashi Yama was Ran Takahashi!

average japanese high school vb player 💀 ran takahashi in high school 💀💀

Hi Erik, nice video. Here's some insight about HS volleyball in Japan. I'm an American expat who has been living in Japan for 14 years now and did some assistant coaching with a high school team. The team activities are no joke. It's completely different from the US 'cause they play almost every single day for 3 years (JHS and HS is 3 years each here). Teams and extra-curricular are a year-round thing and not seasonal, you never hear of multi-sport athletes. Also, there is no club volleyball. Pre-COVID, practices are usually held in the morning until before homeroom starts and then afterschool till about 6:30PM (maybe some schools who went to area tournaments and nationals still continued practice as usual).

I could be wrong but i think that number 1 is Takahashi Ran and hes aready been playing with the national team and is a very promising talent.

The Fact that Higashiyamas no. 1 player is Playing in this Years VNL together is Crazy🔥