Oikawa Tooru Personality: A Charming and Cunning Leader

Updated: Monday, December 22, 2025
Oikawa Tooru
MBTI
ENFJ
Enneagram
3w4
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Oikawa Tooru is the captain and setter of Aoba Johsai High School’s boys’ volleyball team, and one of the main rivals of the protagonist team, Karasuno High School. He is known for his charismatic and manipulative personality, as well as his exceptional skills as a setter and a server.

Oikawa Tooru's Personality

Oikawa is a charming, confident, and charismatic person who can easily win over others with his words and gestures. He is often seen smiling or grinning, but these expressions are rarely genuine. He is also very intelligent and cunning, able to analyze and exploit his opponents’ weaknesses, as well as his own teammates’ strengths. He is a born leader who can inspire and motivate his team to perform at their best.
Oikawa’s origins lie in his junior high school, Kitagawa Daiichi, where he started playing volleyball. He was a talented and passionate player who dreamed of becoming the best setter in Japan. However, he faced a major obstacle in the form of Kageyama Tobio, a younger and more gifted setter who joined the same team. Oikawa felt threatened and inferior to Kageyama, who had been hailed as a genius since a young age. Oikawa developed a grudge and a rivalry against Kageyama, whom he mockingly called Tobio-chan.
Oikawa’s insecurity and jealousy towards Kageyama drove him to work harder and improve his skills. He also sought the guidance of his childhood friend and teammate, Iwaizumi Hajime, who was the ace and vice-captain of Kitagawa Daiichi. Iwaizumi was the only person who could keep Oikawa in check and scold him when he was being arrogant or childish. Iwaizumi also supported and encouraged Oikawa, telling him that he was a great setter who could bring out the best in any spiker. Oikawa valued Iwaizumi’s friendship and trusted him more than anyone else.
Oikawa’s hard work paid off when he became the captain and setter of Aoba Johsai High School’s volleyball team. He was respected and admired by his teammates, who called him the Great King. He also gained a lot of popularity and attention from girls, who followed him around and cheered for him. Oikawa enjoyed the fame and attention, but he also used it as a mask to hide his insecurities and doubts. He still felt inferior to Kageyama, who had joined Karasuno High School and formed a powerful duo with Hinata Shouyou, a short but agile spiker.
Oikawa’s rivalry with Kageyama reached its peak when they faced each other in the Interhigh and Spring High Preliminary tournaments. Oikawa used his cunning and charisma to put pressure on Kageyama and his team, trying to break their spirits and confidence. He also displayed his impressive skills as a setter and a server, making use of his teammates’ abilities and his own powerful jump serve. However, he also showed respect and admiration for Kageyama and Hinata, acknowledging their growth and potential. He also realized that he had to overcome his own limits and fears, and not let Kageyama’s presence affect him.
Oikawa’s character development culminated in his final match against Karasuno in the Spring High Preliminary tournament. He gave his all and led his team to a fierce and close battle, but ultimately lost by a narrow margin. He was devastated and heartbroken, but he also accepted his defeat with grace and dignity. He congratulated Kageyama and Hinata, and told them to keep winning and reach the top. He also thanked his teammates and coach for their support and trust, and apologized for not being able to take them further. He then left the court with a smile, holding his head high and waving to his fans.

Relationships

  • Iwaizumi Hajime: Oikawa’s childhood friend, teammate, and vice-captain. They have a close and complex relationship, often bickering and insulting each other, but also caring and supporting each other. Iwaizumi is the only person who can see through Oikawa’s facade and call him out on his flaws. He is also the only person who can calm Oikawa down and cheer him up.
  • Kageyama Tobio: Oikawa’s junior, rival, and former teammate. They have a tense and hostile relationship, often clashing and competing with each other. Oikawa feels threatened and inferior to Kageyama, who is a more talented and natural setter. He also blames Kageyama for taking away his spot as the setter of Kitagawa Daiichi. However, Oikawa also recognizes Kageyama’s skills and potential, and tries to push him to his limits.
  • Hinata Shouyou: Oikawa’s rival and Kageyama’s partner. They have a friendly and playful relationship, often teasing and challenging each other. Oikawa is amused and intrigued by Hinata’s height and personality, and calls him by various nicknames, such as Oika-senpai or Oikawa the Great. He also acknowledges Hinata’s talent and determination, and respects him as a spiker and a player.

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