So I have this theory that everyone in Karasuno can be represented not only by their own banner, but they also have a banner belonging to a different school as well. There’s a few exceptions–for example, Datekou’s banner (Iron Wall) is highly specific to their school and as such is not applicable to anyone in Karasuno. But for the most part, each school’s banner is also represented in a different member of the Karasuno volleyball club.
First up are the first years. They are easily represented by the “big five” schools–Karasuno, Nekoma, Fukurodani, Aoba Johsai, and Shiratorizawa. The rest of the team can be found in the other schools that we get to see. Some are through their plot arcs, and others merely correspond to them even if we don’t get to see that direct thematic link.
Putting the rest of the theory under a cut because holy shit it’s long (one of my friends said it was 800 words and i’ve added to it since then!)
Starting off with our protagonist, Hinata Shoyo! He is the representative of Fukurodani’s motto, one ball one heart one soul. It’s written in how he loves volleyball; it’s written in how he gives volleyball his all. Volleyball is his–he's hungry for it in a way that few other characters are and there isn't anything he wouldn't do to get better and better at it. It’s also pretty obvious in how much he learns from Bokuto. They share the same passion, and I think that the parallels between these two characters put them in conversation with each other and Fukurodani’s motto. Obviously “fly” suits him, but I think that out of everyone in Karasuno, he embodies Fukurodani’s banner in a way that the others don’t.
Kageyama Tobio is Aoba Johsai’s motto, rule the court. This one should be obvious: the king metaphors, his learning how to be a fair leader on the court as a setter, the different ways he can “rule” (as seen in how he looks up to both Oikawa and Atsumu, and the effects that their setting styles have on him). I don’t think I need to elaborate on this one.
Tsukishima Kei is Nekoma’s motto, connect. That’s his entire thing as a middle blocker: connect. Yes, ideally he sends it back over the net, but one-touches are also important connections within game play, as seen in the Shiratorizawa match. And, as seen in the Inarizaki match, he will go great lengths to get that connection, as he runs over to hit the ball back up even at the last possible moment. It’s also worth noting that it is his personal connections (ahaha...anyways) to the team and his brother that make him a better player–once he is willing to at least open up, and connect with other people, he is able to improve (see the Tokyo training camp/third gym arc!)
Yachi Hitoka is Shiratorizawa’s motto, irresistible force. Yachi might be really anxious but she has proven time and time again that she has a spine, that she will stand up for what she believes in and fight for what she wants. As she once famously said, "Villager B can fight too!!" and we see that, as she grows more confident within her role in the team and who she is as a manager.
Yamaguchi Tadashi is the true embodiment of Karasuno’s motto, fly. Of course this one is applicable to every member of Karasuno, but i think that it’s Yamaguchi who best embodies it. He is the only first year not on the starting line up, so what does he do? Find another way to get on the court, and that’s through being a pinch server. And that’s part of the whole message of Haikyuu: humans don’t have wings, so we search for other ways to fly.
The next three are really obvious in my opinion due to the plot arcs!
Sawamura Daichi is Johzenji’s, simplicity and fortitude. He lays the brickwork for his team; it’s due to his ability to cover their asses that Kageyama and Hinata can do the wack shit they do (you’ve seen the Johzenji match).
Ennoshita Chikara is Wakutani’s, show us your tenacity. He had to try again and again before he actually got put on the court, and even once he’s on it was a struggle for him. But he keeps trying. He picks himself back up, over and over again, and that’s why he’s Wakutani (again...you’ve seen the Wakunan match).
Kinoshita Hisashi’s is Tsubakihara’s, even small streams become large rivers. He never gets his “big moment”; he’s nothing special; he doesn’t get to be a hero in the way Ennoshita and even Narita got to be (see stz match, fifth set). But he’s still important; it’s his call to Noya that helps them win the Inarizaki match (you should rewatch the Tsubakihara match btw).
Speaking of iInarizaki, Nishinoya Yuu is the embodiment of their banner, we don’t need memories. That’s why he ditched Karasuno! Asahi left because he physically couldn’t shake off the memory of being shut out, which was so frustrating to Noya because he knew that he had to get the ball up for Asahi next time. They had to shake off the memory of that match in order to evolve into better versions of themselves. Also take into consideration Kita’s speech (the “I am built of the small things I do every day” one), as Noya too is built of the small things he does every day as well. His finger push-ups mid match is his way of shaking off the memories of the game and focusing on what to do next play. He had to forget the past memories, and so that is why Nishinoya is the embodiment of Inarizaki's banner. Consider Noya's timeskip too: he goes off to make new memories while keeping his old ones.
Sugawara Koushi (my personal fave krsn member!!) is the embodiment of Nohebi’s banner, fair and square. His entire thing is that it's fair. He recognizes that Kageyama is a better setter than him and gracefully accepts the decision to make Kageyama the starting setter as opposed to him. He's been replaced, and he doesn't try and overturn that decision with an excuse of seniority. Instead, he looks for ways to improve himself. He doesn't sabotage Kageyama, instead working alongside him to improve the team. He looks for his own way to fight, fair and square. Whenever he's put on the court, it's because of his own merit (when he's actually on it anyways T_T) and all of it is due to his own hard work to make himself the best player he can. It’s a sharp contrast to the irony that is Nohebi’s play style and their banner, but he truly represents Nohebi’s banner.
Tanaka Ryuunosuke is Itachiyama’s banner, effort. During the Inarizaki game, he says that he’s nothing special in the team, but then he goes on to say, “if I try try again, I can do it”. That’s his thing–being the reliable senpai to the first years, being their rising ace, putting in the effort to be a strong player in his own right. He’s a hard worker and he’s a strong player–even if he’s not as intense as Hinata or Kageyama–but he still puts in the effort, every single time.
Azumane Asahi is Sarukawa’s banner, rising up every time. First of all–his name; he’s the rising sun to Noya’s evening. Secondly, he is the one who has to rise up to the challenge: namely, his fear of being shut out. That’s what his arc is about–whereas Noya had to focus on getting the ball up regardless of what had happened earlier, Asahi had to accept the fact that he may get blocked, and jump up and hit the ball regardless. And that’s why he’s Sarukawa’s.
I’ve run out of banners (I’m not a manga reader anyways) and narita doesn’t have enough of a personality for me to properly support him so...to the Kiyoko, Narita, Takeda, and Ukai stans: sorry but I’m out of ideas. I still love them. If you have ideas feel free to let me know though!! I’d love to hear them!
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