There are many impressive volleyball moments in Haikyuu!!. From the libero keeping it all in line to the wing spikers who know how to impress, everything is very exciting. But among the positions on the field, one of the most important is the setter. It is the setters who really make the magic happen on the court.
They control the pace, set up the perfect plays, and help their teams shine. In this list, we’re looking only at the anime version of Haikyuu!! and ranking the best setters who left fans cheering. Let’s dive in.
Ranking of the Setters in Haikyuu!!
8. Koshi Sugawara

School attended: Karuno High
In Haikyuu!!, Sugawara is the gentle and dependable vice-captain of Karasuno. Even though he is not a starter, his presence and chill vibe help keep the team steady. Sugawara is a rock for his team, giving sound advice and providing help when he is most needed.
Because he is mostly watching, there are things he can see that those on the court can’t. And when he’s out on the court, his Pinch Serve and things he saw on the sidelines help him play better.
Kageyama is the star of the show, but Sugawara’s steadiness and expertise make him shine in his rare time on the court. He probably wouldn’t overpower or outrun most opponents, but with his game sense and technique, Sugawara is unique among setters.
7. Eita Semi

School attended: Shiratorizawa Academy
In Haikyuu!!, Eita Semi plays for Shiratorizawa, one of the best teams. Even if he isn’t always the main setter, he is still very good. His more eccentric play style is one of the reasons he left the position. While Semi is reliable, he tends to go off script and show off his abilities. Semi is a strong, energetic individual who can step up when he has to.
He shows great ball control and is crucial to the offense. Semi demonstrates that he’s ready to face anybody every time his feet hit the floor. Semi understands the game properly and is a good senior to Shirabu, the starting setter. He gives Shirabu tips on how to be a better setter and make a larger impact in the game.
6. Sakae Echigo

School attended: Tsubakihara Academy
Haikyuu!! doesn’t show Sakae Echigo playing much, but his influence is huge. He is the captain of the Boys’ Tsubakihara Academy team. His calm nature and composure make him fit for the captain position.
As a player, his jumping and game sense are good, but his skill as a setter is undeniable. In the match against Karasuno, he managed to goad Kageyama in one of the rallies to win a point. Echigo’s teammates admire him, and Maruyama, his team’s wing spiker, brings it up to motivate other team members.
Echigo praises his teammates in good times and cheers them up when they are down. Unfortunately for him, they lost the match to Karasuno High in the Tokyo Nationals Arc.
5. Keiji Akaashi

School attended: Fukurodani Academy
Keiji Akaashi is the calm and collected setter of Fukurodani in Haikyuu!!. He works perfectly with Bokuto, helping the team’s ace deliver powerful spikes. Akaashi is also capable of setting his team up for success by providing easy sets for any member of his team.
He calls people out, especially Bokuto, for all the bad decisions they make. Akaashi’s quick thinking and calm mind make him a reliable leader on the court. Akaashi is another very skilled player at both blocking and receiving. Despite being a vice-captain, they all have a lot of regard for him as a setter.
In the heat of a match, Akaashi remains in the zone and tweaks even the trajectory of his sets to fit the moment. His ability to read the game and support his ace makes him a key part of Fukurodani’s success.
4. Kenma Kozume

School attended: Nekoma High
Kenma Kozume is introduced in Haikyuu!! as Nekoma’s brain and setter. Unlike the others, Kenma does not use physical prowess to control the game, but he uses his clever mind. He is good at reading his opponents and making plans to stop them.
Kenma’s observant nature makes him pick things up that many would overlook. He has great ball control, court awareness, and is good at feints. Since Kenma is not so athletic, he slows the pace to match his team’s style. Kenma’s calm and quiet nature hides just how dangerous he can be as a setter.
He makes smart moves that surprise the other team and help his team win points from tough interactions. Lucky for him, a team like Nekoma is good for him. Since he excels at setting, having teammates who are strong at receiving makes the team succeed.
3. Toru Oikawa

School attended: Aoba Johsai High
Toru Oikawa is Aoba Johsai’s amazing captain and setter. He is also a beloved character among the Haikyuu!! fans. This may sound strange for a sports anime, but Oikawa was an enemy during the Interhigh and Spring High Preliminary arcs.
Oikawa has precise control over his sets and can therefore enable his teammates to spike effectively. His strong serves also put heavy pressure on his opponents. Oikawa’s most prominent stat is his technique. He has a strong jump serve and accurate sets. Oikawa is not only great himself, but he can make his team much better as well.
He is also good at finding chinks in the armor of his opponents. It was Oikawa who managed to break Hinata and Kageyama’s insane Quick Attack. Ushijima from Shiratorizawa has commented that a setter like Oikawa is special and talented.
2. Miya Atsumu

School attended: Inarizaki High
Inarizaki’s Atsumu Miya is one of the most skilled players in the anime. His lightning-quick reflexes and accurate sets make his teammates deliver near-perfect spikes. He also has a really strong serve as well that is hard to receive, putting his team at an advantage from the very beginning.
While Miya seems overconfident, he can back it up. And because of his Spike Serve and Jump Floater, he’s also been named “the Dual Wielder.” His technique and game sense are smooth and put his team in a strong position, especially when he plays with his twin, Osamu.
Without any prior practice, he was able to perform a godlike Quick with him. Atsumu always tries to get better and takes big risks in games. His play style makes him very fun to watch. He was even chosen for the All-Japan Youth Training Camp, which only picks players with potential and skill.
1. Kageyama Tobio

School attended: Karasuno High
Haikyuu!! makes Kageyama Tobio its best setter for a reason. As Karasuno’s first-year setter, Kageyama is an extremely efficient player with near-perfect timing. Some of the most exciting moments in the anime come when he pulls off those fast sets with Hinata.
Kageyama also eventually learns how to communicate better with his team, and he grows into a great setter and leader. Similar to other setters on this list, he was also invited to train at the All-Japan youth training camp during his first year of high school. Kageyama’s power might not be his best feature, but his vision of the court is like no other.
He can set the ball with an accuracy that feels almost unreal. He has great instincts, lots of talent, and always wants to get better. His rivalry with Hinata pushes him to work harder and improve even more.
Conclusion
Haikyuu!! shows us how important setters are in volleyball. Each setter brings something special to the court, from sharp thinking to powerful plays. Kageyama is the best, but all the setters on this list have great moments. Haikyuu!! shows how teamwork and skill make the games exciting. Every setter helps make Haikyuu!! a fun anime that fans enjoy.