Tanji Washijou - One Of Sports Anime’s Best Antagonists (Haikyuu!!) 

Haiykyuu: When side characters have better development than most MAIN characters in other anime.

A good antagonist isn't necessarily someone that viewer sympathizes with but one which is a perfect product of the world they live in.

And now in Manga, he’s the most proud person of what Hinata had become after the timeskip.

Washijou is that granfather that will train you to the bone, constantly screams about your missteps and give you a training program as a christmas gift.

The real antagonist was Washijou's coach.

Not only that, but in washijou time, the hight was reeeeeeally a thing, since the sport was developting and pure hight was actually a massive weapon, but as long as time goes by and the sport gets modern the hight struggle starts to decrease. So him giving up was actually an honest product of his time

Coach Washijou really went from, "Hinata's biggest critic" to "Hinata's number 1 believer."

( there will be manga spoilers )I love washijou as a character. He had a genuine reason to hate on Hinata. He soon grows on me, he learns that Hinata is someone that he couldn’t and I appreciate that. He was such an amazing character a growing character that soon understood the way that he could have done in the past but didn’t get to do. What made me love him more is that he even went to Hinata after his graduation to recommend him to go to Brazil to train, so when he came back he can see that Hinata isn’t the player that needs kageyama but to stand against him and play not as alias but as rivals. And from the recent chapter I think Hinata has done what Washijou has told him. He has grown in ability, and even made a new name for himself the ninja Shouyou. I appreciate a character that can grow even when it looks like he is too deep in the whole that the character has dug

The idea of "working hard and never giving up" is something that I think anime has overplayed to some extent. With Washijou, this sounds refreshing. Giving up on improbable things is a construct of our reality as people. Working hard does not guarantee success and if you put all of your eggs in one basket then life passes you by and what other skills do you have then? Going to college and getting a degree and not being able to find the job you're looking for several years later. It's a tough reality. But, where this works is in the idea that we can praise those who succeed rather than act upon bitterness. Maybe they had more talent. Maybe they were more fortunate. Certainly I believe in things like that. Sometimes being dealt a bad hand is what it is and you have to accept it. But, to knock down others who did what you couldnt is wrong. Uplifting them is a beautiful part of humanities potential. Maybe I'll give this a read.

I felt it. Played volleyball for 4 years in High school but never got a chance to play in an official match. Then in college i finally got a chance to play in official match as a setter with a height of 5'2.

When washijo finally accepted hinata I almost cried it was such a beautiful moment

man, Furudate-sensei really does a freaking great job in writing and working on on character developments

Manga Spoilers: This is especially ironic as Washijou was the one who pretty much facilitated the next step in Hinata’s volleyball career, after antagonizing him from the longest time. The panel where he says that he has the highest expectations from Hinata was so good. A complete turnaround.

and now he's like a father to Hinata, sending him off to Brazil like his own son

Amazing character, the only reason that people don't count him among the best characters in the series is because he's old and unlikeable.

He's like a complacent oikawa which is again why I love oikawa so much. Even with the amount of losses and talent in front of him he loves and breathes volleyball.

2 things, The ending of the nationals arc still has me shook and when I saw Washijou say that "He has high hopes for Hinata" and had that grin on his face I genuinely started screaming

that hey short people moment in kamomedai's match. man, still gives me goosebumps. one of the best moments in the series. the little giant narrative with hinata, hoshiumi, washijo and tenma is perfection.

One of the greatest lines from Washijo I think was the one where he finally recognized how Hinata, although short like he is, has always been fighting with height. It was such a telling moment and at the end, he did let go of his 40-year mindset and dared to reminisce the 10 years of his life where he played volleyball the best way possible

Tanji was the best foil Hinata could ever got for his character development. In Karasuno he was getting pampered and spoiled because there he could train almost at any time he wanted and a team who was quite accommodating to his erratic play style. He got what he needed, a bitter but understanding deep down coach who forced him to start all over again to square one as a ball boy.

Wouldve been a nice aside to mention that he’s the reason hinata got to play in Brazil.

You always deliver such good content. I really don't mind waiting for your videos because I know the love and care that comes with them. Keep it up my man!!!!

Washijou is a fantastic character, especially when you get to him help Hinata out during the time skip. Shows that Hinata proved himself to the old fart, enough for Washijou to support him in gaining the skills he needs to fight despite his height.

Alexczndxr tomorrow is one very important match for my team as I will not see some of my teammates very often after that. I am the team captain of my team so you don't only boost my confidence but you boost the whole team's confidence.(I am 1.68m and this is one character I relate to ,and hinata of course). I have nothing else to say, I just hope you continue to make videos like this.

I just love the backstory of his character and how him being told that he isn’t tall enough, grows into hatred of hinata and why does he get a chance when he couldn’t. It’s so sad to see his dreams get crushed when he was younger and really shows why he wants the tallest and most powerful team.

The concurrence of an anime-only, and I reckoned Washijou's reluctant resignation beautifully contrasted with Hinata's dogged determination. Two individuals with the same barriers, two different ways of going about it. In some ways, he reminds me of Oikawa, my personal bias. As an aspiring sportsman myself, this was hard hitting.

This just proves how amazing Furudate's writing skills are. They do an amazing job at making great, realistic characters, and these characters always make me feel so many emotions, that's why Haikyuu is my favorite manga

YOOOO THAT AMAZING RUN WITH THE WIND OST THAT KICKED IN, I SEE YOU ALECZANDXR

JANUARY 10TH PEOPLE! SEASON 4 HYPE

Washijo is so great and I think he’s underrated because most people don’t realize his motivations were as deep as this video showed. He has such a good reason to be against Hinata’s success, a reason with so much humanity and human weakness, and it’s a shame half of Haikyuu fans don’t notice it.

Fantastic video Aleczandxr. One of your best yet. It really helped me see things from Washijou's perspective and also got me hyped for season 4. Keep up the great work man i always look forward to your videos.

100% completely agree. The way you put these things into words is amazing, keep it up!

Good stuff man this video is a great representation of diligence, hope & persistency 😭

I cant say it enough. I love your videos!! I am so happy that there is someone with such a passion to haikyuu as i.

Love this video and love your channel!!! You’re my absolute favorite anime RU-vidr by far

Hey Alexandxr, I just stopped by to say that I really love your videos. I have been a silent watcher and rewatcher of your work for over a year now and I truly appreciate your insightful and emotional analysis. Through your videos I really feel connected to the source material and I learn to analyse stories in a different way. I hope you never stop creating videos, I really love watching your videos to wind down in the evening or listen to in the morning while getting ready for work. Thank you 💖

Thank you so much for this video! seeing all these changes in Washijou's attitude towards Hinata while reading the manga was some kind of fun for me. I never took it seriously, I thought it was only a way to show how great Hinata is. But you opened my eyes, you made me to take a deeper look in Washijou as a character with his development! Thank you! Please continue to make such profound and informative videos And sorry for my English 😅

Damn, your videos on Haikyuu!! are always great. I really need to find the time and watch it

I think non manga readers will not understand this video so I think this video analysis is a bit early since Washijo has more weight in S04. But this is a great video. Thank you 😊

Mannnnnn !!! Your videos , from where they start and to where they end, the utterly vast description and the sooo amazing script. I love it it all. It's amazing. I hope you get more subscribers in the future. Keep up the good work! 💫🙌

Good content, keep it up! Love these vids about underrated characters

No matter how I look at it, this is one of the best anime analysis videos on RU-vid.

I clicked on this video so fast! I love all your Haikyuu analysis videos

I love how you are one of the few people that takes sports anime seriously, amazing video

So happy Washijou is about to get some more screen time with this new season

this was really cool, i was just watching last episode in training camp. i soo wanted to see more of these two that i couldn't hold it anymore and was looking for the next manga chapter but found this video instead.. i cant wait to see all of this arc animated

I almost cried, great video.

This is so well done!

I really enjoy your videos Please keep up your work👍

great video man! also when he showed up in the recent chapter he was just smiling and relaxing and we see him in casual clothes for the first time! a far cry from the cranky cynical old man we knew before we see not the strict coach washijo but the man who loves volleyball washijo

Thank you for putting what the video could spoil clearly at the start. Too many creators don't.

Thank you for this video.

Man! These videos are sooo good. Despite all the hype around HxH the only reason I'll watch it is so I can watch your analyses of it

One of the greatest antagonists becomes the greatest help to the Strongest Decoy.

I only noticed through this video but Hinata and Washijou both wearing the number 10 is a very significant parallel

Love these videos on haikyuu!

This viceo made me read manga all over again, watch all series of anime of haikyuu and tear up. Excellent.

One of your best videos!

I saw this video around the time you published it but it seems I had forgotten to like it (tho I subscribed). Saw it again today and it's just an amazing video! Thank You!

YO YOU BE SPEAKING FACTZ 24/7 WITH EACH VIDEO

Loved the video.

Amazing video Alecxzander, really enjoyed it. There is one anime I'd love for you to do a video on if possible, it's March Comes in Like a Lion, it's a personal favourite of mine and I think it's underrated

In other words, Washijou's a tsundere.

Wow what a thought provoking video

One of the best videos on Haikyuu i have seen

Beautiful

Great video on Washijou! I definitely appreciate him more as an antagonist with his self-worth and ideals on the line against Hinata rather than Karasuno or Coach Ukai, and gives much more weight to this line: "I... with my forty years... I want to deny you... Karasuno's #10." It's pretty sad looking at his backstory in retrospect; he was rejected from the sport he loved due to factors beyond his control (seemingly), then sought to create a team that represents everything that had rejected his past self and ideals, yet contains everything he admired as well.

either you die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain :(

i just wanna know do you write a script cause i love the way your commentary is put together

I am trying to become my best version of self, and make living out of dota. Haikyuu actually have so many things that makes me cry, in a good way, that I havent given up yet, that I am still trying, and seeing stories of haikyuu's characters is just giving the fuel to me and making me see things from a different perspective.

I feel that being able to deal with disappointment is one of the greatest lessons life tries to teach us... if we can accept it. Judging by the current state of the world and the news I think this is a lesson that many have tried very hard to avoid.

Wonderful video.

Thank you so much for this video!! I always believed that Washijo is one of the most interesting and most well-written characters in Haikyuu, and it always made me sad to see people dismiss him as just an irredeemable asshole, when there’s so much depth to him? especially after the chapter that’s a tribute to the short people of the world, and washijo actively supporting hinata’s change to beach volleyball I was so happy for him really supporting Hinata despite his initial spite and bitterness!!

that’s how asian old mans teaching the youngers

Stuff like this reminding me over and over again that there won't be another anime as great as Haikyuu.

DAMNNNNN WE NEED MORE VIDEO LIKE THIS !!!!!

IM LAUGHING BECAUSE NO HAS REALIZED THAT SHIRATORIZAWA’s colors are purple and White and the coach is the voice actor of Frieza😂😂

Favorite part of hinata being thrown into ball boy, is he turns it into training. Instead of allowing it to be a put down or punishment, he turns it into training on his receives.

I see myself way too much in him and tsutomu. I’m an outside hitter that’s 5’6-5’7 and play in a team with an opposite that’s 17 years old, 6’3 and can hit (in really good days) the ball up to 100km/h(60mp/h) and my only redeeming factor is that my vertical is around 9ft11. He’s the type of player that when he goes to selections, he’ll almost be imidiatley picked out of the lot. I know I won’t be able to play more later, I envy the taller and stronger players, but I also admire them. I love to see them drive the ball into the block just to blow it in pieces afterwards. It makes me sad, incredibly sad. But the fact that I played alongside them is an honor.

Wow, I was going to watch this episode and get spoiled on major manga plot points BUT thankfully there was a spoiler warning at the very beginning. Whew, giri giri safe~ Thanks AJ!

As someone who literally walked in Washijou's shoes except that I am not a coach and I am a setter, you pretty much expose my inner thoughts with this video.

I sort of feel like him but im in different shoes, i love volleyball with all my heart i loved it even before watching haikyuu, but i live in Croatia where volleyball doesnt seem so popular and i live in a small town town where you cant basically play volleyball anywhere, there are some boy clubs but i would need to travel by train everyday for practice (that is not a problem for me but you can imagine what a pain riding a train everytime would be) but yup, covid is a thing so there are no clubs now. So just how Tanji is good at volleyball but simply short, i love volleyball so much, its just a sport but i am not even able to play it because of the conditions i live in.

i love these videos so much! is it possible to do one on Tendou Satari?

I love your videos cause we have the same taste on anime

The thing is most of haikyuu character will show a definite character growth at some point. You may not like someone at the first glance but as the series goes on even when you still have that tendency, you understand their side even more. You may not like them to your standard, but you learn to respect their point of view, their decision making at that point and how they grow to another point. At this time I can't believe someone could write such an amazing character development to almost everyone in the series, they have so much impact (straight or subtle) that makes you want to respect them as a human being (with all their flaws). Props to furudate sensei for that.

Best antagonists in the series: 1) Oikawa 2) Ushijima 3) Washijou 4) Hoshiumi 5) Ushjima 6) Atsumu 7) Kenma All are great!

I commented on this years ago worried about the animation quality of the upcoming season and it popped up in my feed again lmao. Happy to say that while the animation suffered because of COVID, it was still very watchable and didn't detract from it

He’s such a well developed character

I really need to get into that series.

I actually fucking love that my mans keeps using the run with the wind soundtrack like some absolute legend right here glad you're still remembering the series and enjoying the soundtrack

12:5 man that manga panel hits HARD

i also loved his character, it felt soooooo..... human....

His character development is so damn good

the last chapter brought me back here

Amazing character.

*realization I might have been sleeping on this series*

Your voice is so 'RIGHTEOUS' )PS CAN U MAKE A HAJIME NO IPPO VID

Wow , just wow

Amazing

Im a soccer player and not very tall but i can still fight because ur videos give the boost telling me i can do what i believe i can set my mind to i hope u do a days tv video😣