Ushijima Wakatoshi

appearance

Ushijima has dark olive brown hair and matching olive eyes. He usually has a stoic expression on his face and often appears quite intimidating. He has a large, muscular yet lean build and is quite tall. The uniform he uses to represent his team is a sports jacket, grey on the sides and black in the middle. On the left chest there is a small label with the name of Japan and the Japanese flag. After the time skip, Ushijima's appearance has changed very little.

Ushijima is a calm and stoic individual, who does not speak very often and often maintains the same fierce expression on his face, often giving him an intimidating appearance. One of Ushijima's most notable characteristics is his tendency to speak bluntly, yet honestly, which often makes him come across as rude or tactless. Due to his limited social skills and incredible seriousness, Ushijima can come across as awkward and unintentionally humorous. He does not seem to be able to read people or certain situations very well, and often takes jokes and figurative language from others quite literally. Despite this, it is noted that when Ushijima does give actual praise or support, it is completely sincere, as he never sugarcoats or beats around the bush. He has immense confidence in his abilities and never doubts that he or his team will win to the point that when Oikawa boasted that he and Aoba Johsai would be the ones going to nationals, Ushijima actually thought he was confused and corrected him by telling him that only one team can go. Ushijima seems to believe that cultivating talent is the most important thing for a player, as shown when he openly criticizes Oikawa for attending Aoba Johsai instead of the more powerful and successful Shiratorizawa despite his talents, claiming that the former is like "infertile soil". Due to this mindset, he hates those with unfounded and unfounded confidence, causing him to particularly dislike Hinata due to her stating that she will beat Shiratorizawa despite his short stature, lack of skill, and attending an "unknown school". When faced with defeat, Ushijima seems to not let it affect him in the same way as most others. Instead, he accepts the mistakes he makes and seeks to improve even further. He also seems to look forward to matches against challenging players, such as Hinata and Oikawa after the timeskip.

Tendō admires Ushijima's sharp-pointed manner and often makes friendly gestures towards him. However, when Tendō talks to Ushijima, their conversations are very one-sided due to Ushijima's glib nature and Tendō's enthusiasm. They seem to be close, as Tendō calls Ushijima by his first name, and the latter does not seem to mind. After closing the gap between Shiratoirizawa and Karasuno in the fourth set, Ushijima quoted Tendō. After their match against Karasuno, Tendō told Ushijima that he was looking forward to seeing him on TV in the future and that he could say that he was Ushijima's best friend.

Ushijima is well respected by his team and gets along well with them. On several occasions, he has apologized for mistakes, and his teammates forgive and encourage him. Most of the third years call him by his first name. Reon congratulates Ushijima after he performs good moves, and Tendō gives him a shout-out. Ushijima is often seen slapping Shirabu on occasion. Ushijima is usually seen with Shirabu and talks to him about other teams from time to time, he also made a promise with him before the Shiratorizawa match. First year Goshiki wants to become the ace and has teased Ushijima about it, though Ushijima doesn't see him as a threat. Semi has become defensive about him when he feels people aren't treating Ushijima properly.

Ushijima acknowledges Oikawa's talent and skills, and has stated that he is an excellent player and should have attended Shiratorizawa to cultivate his talent because he brings out the team's full potential. whatever he's in; however, Oikawa aims to defeat him. Ushijima doesn't seem bothered by having him as a teammate, and doesn't mention him again, implying that the comment may have only been for Oikawa's benefit rather than Shiratorizawa's. When Karasuno and Shiratorizawa play in a match, Oikawa appears and sits in the audience, telling Iwaizumi that he won't be happy no matter who wins.

Ushijima is surprised that the two can keep up with him while running. However, he looks down on Kageyama due to Kageyama's playing style during high school. After Ushijima claims that the only good player at Aobajōsai High was Oikawa, Hinata and Kageyama announced that they would take down Ushijima, and Ushijima seems to start taking them seriously.