Professional Volleyball Player Reacts to Japanese High School Volleyball

[@ch-ot3je]

I'm RAKUNAN no.4 setter Thank you for watching our match. I'm very happy.

[@makennahedger4452]

Are you really!? Your so cool! Keep up the good work I wish you luck!

[@pedropitoyko6465]

頑張って、前田君

[@ch-ot3je]

@@makennahedger4452 thank you!

[@ch-ot3je]

@@pedropitoyko6465 ありがとうございます！

[@LeoSkyro]

よくやった！ You are really good, keep working hard!

[@ete2016]

The Kyoto prefecture is so high level that this is just the qualifying match and it was only Higashiyama that made it to the nationals!

[@huyka9272]

So its basically the California of Japan when it comes to volleyball lol

[@lotr7507]

@@huyka9272 no, california is the kyoto of america

[@thatswhatshesaid42069]

So higashiyama is basically shiratorizawa

[@mustofa3688]

No ....its itachiyama

[@pairikihana3775]

@@thatswhatshesaid42069 yea the number one guy trains with the japan national team

[@doomblitz1993]

Ever since the Haikyuu manga started publishing (2012), membership for high school and middle school volleyball started to soar, Japan's National Volleyball team might reap the rewards from that.

[@uhartorpedo629]

i think all major japan sport passion start from manga like football, basball volleyball etc, Japan sport try to encourage young Japanese to start play.

[@andrewtran9870]

That's kinda insane to think about, a single man deciding to start a manga on volleyball could eventually lead to his country's win in professional competitions

[@hittkid6312]

@@andrewtran9870 According to the publishing company the author was a volleyball player when he was younger and one of his motivation in making Haikyuu was to share his passion for volleyball. It's safe to say he accomplished his mission lol!

[@hannah._.1011]

funny how Erik kept on mentioning the no. 1 guy being the go to hitter and after few months he faced this boy in VNL and Olympics. The upgrade of Ran Takahashi, from a go to hitter in high school to future of National Team and olympian.

[@emmasiow9547]

Sorry, my english is not good, whats the meaning of "go to hitter"?

[@hannah._.1011]

@@emmasiow9547 he is the main attacker of the team.

[@emmasiow9547]

@@hannah._.1011got it! thank you!

[@ijllona9583]

Yes, I'm still amazed by his determination and rapid growth. Olympian in such a young age!

[@rowanteezee7952]

That’s fax I remember watching this high Japanese video before ran entered the vnl then a couple months ago I watch his debute and played against USA and i watched this video It’s crazy how Erik watch this guy play and then starting to go against the kid

[@thanglongnguyenvu3815]

Jp volleyball is crazy even at highschool level. Guess Haikyuu wasn't so far off portraying the insanity of highschool volleyball.

[@potatethegreat1441]

haikyuu is elite.

[@texitocfyd]

I think I'm seeing the contrary side. Thanks to haikyu many of those guys enter to volleyball and the coaches became to re-start searching new things. I emns if thlwe see it. Haikyu it's around 7 years old right now.

[@JJ-zb5hy]

A lot of sports at a highschool lvl are huge. Sometimes bigger than college. They use baseball stadiums that hold the size of mlb crowds and fill them up for highschool national tournaments

[@shaunakkulkarni4679]

@@potatethegreat1441 haikyuu is pro level. I’m pretty sure karasuno could beat most national level teams.

[@il1959]

Is Japan nationally known for being good at volleyball like at the Olympics or something?

[@johncheng546]

The number 1 player: Ran Takahashi, you will play against him in Tokyo Olympic. I was just amazed a week ago how this Japanese high schooler’s volleyball skill and accidentally found out Takahashi’s highlights on KZbin, especially his VNL 2021 highlights. He is even more amazing in his Japanese national team!

[@damnbangtan2024]

🔝🔝🔝

[@eikomasuda2167]

Amazing, Isn't it!? He used to be a libero in middle school too!

[@spiralwhirlpool2366]

Crazy how one video im watching him play in HS then im watching him play in the international level. Craaazy

[@elliotgarcia9183]

WAIT THAT'S RAN??? THAT'S AMAZING OMG

[@ijllona9583]

So right!

[@mackayla8262]

Oof he went with the best Japanese high school rivalry! The go-to hitter that you were talking about is Takahashi Ran. He joined the Japanese national team after graduating high school. You will see him at the very bottom of the roster (because he’s only 19 years old). I wonder if you will meet him in a competition. Fun fact: he was a libero in middle school.

[@parkerhodges8951]

That's who I thought! I didn't exactly remember his name, but I remember hearing a lot about him. He's definitely going to be at least a sub in for Ishikawa

[@hastethethird5956]

@@parkerhodges8951 not Ishikawa, he doesn't really have a chance in my opinion. On the outside hitter position for Japan is filled with many great players. Masahiro Yanagida, Tatsuya Fukuzawa, and others. Maybe later on, but currently I don't think he'll get much playtime if any at all in the National team

[@parkerhodges8951]

@@hastethethird5956 that's what I was thinking after I commented. Right now, he needs to learn ball control and all that. But he definitely has potential to be a go to hitter in the future

[@fungmungus6967]

To think Erik Shoji could even go up against Ran one day is exciting

[@hastethethird5956]

@@parkerhodges8951 I agree, Japans offense is promising!

[@killerwhales4858]

This game was final for Kyoto tournament, and winner goes to the nationals. The team won is named Higashiyama HS and they actually won the nationals as well without losing any sets. I was watching it on live and it was totally shocking

[@junnakashima4552]

without losing any sets?! That's insane imagine being THAT strong of a team

[@multifandomnerd1328]

@@junnakashima4552 i watched the game on yt recently, higashiyama is crazyy, they're super good for a hs team

[@yunalisaxoxo]

Erik: "That's literally how Ishikawa serves" Well that #1 (captain), Ran Takahashi (currently 20 y/o), is deemed as the next Ishikawa and he idolizes Ishikawa for a very long time. That's why Ran got most of Ishikawa's techniques. He's registered as a part of Japan's National team last year.

[@mackayla8262]

Well, the last one that idolizes Ishikawa is Nishida😂

[@yunalisaxoxo]

@@mackayla8262 i mean kids in their 20s in Japan who are aspiring to be a pro mostly idolizes Ishikawa so... 🙌🏼

[@mackayla8262]

@@yunalisaxoxo True, but not many are as enthusiastic of a fan as Nishida.

[@yunalisaxoxo]

@@mackayla8262 yep, but it just so happened that Nishida has garnered attention more and getting interviews, that’s why people has come to know his background about his adoration to Ishikawa.

[@GabuatMicko]

He's actually still 19. He was born in September 2001.

[@gibbyrickson8232]

Eric you are now obligated to show us your high school video

[@SaplinGuy]

Yes!!

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

bahahaha you can search for it bahahaha

[@animeslayer6348]

@@ErikShojivolleyball * Evil laughs 😈 *

[@SnailKingGY]

A little late on the reply, but I was on a volleyball youtube binge and if you haven't seen it, there is a video recently released by the McKibbin brothers about them playing against a top Japanese high school team during their high school days, and funnily enough Erik played on their team as a setter running a 6-2 offense with the older Mckibbin brother, Riley, as the other setter. Here's the link for the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqjEcp1vm7lpeLM and Erik is wearing the number 7 jersey on the Hawaii team, I believe.

[@pookieschmookie4920]

yes

[@mendoza__710]

I like how shoji talks about other liberos having good form and technique and acts like he isn’t an absolute monster !!

[@Kai-wx9cz]

I’m Japanese high school student and volleyball player. Higashiyama came first in a national tournament last year. So,Everyone thought Higashiyama will win national tournaments this year. But Higashiyama retired national tournaments. Because the teammate was infected by COVID-19.

[@zellelight3489]

Oh no that's really sad :

[@clarissajaq6085]

oh really? is this true?

[@PokePulse12]

The number one is actually Ran Takahashi and he joined team japan in 2021. His team won the nationals

[@loupafoid]

isn't it funny that Erik reacted to this not knowing he will play against Takahashi Ran...

[@joseveronicarebibis7247]

The number 1 on Higashiyama is actually Ran Takahashi which became part of the Japan National Team right after highschool or the Haruko where he became the MVP

[@adeliaroselle8416]

I believe Erik and him actually went against each other in a match a few months ago, this is fascinating to think that Erik reviewed one of Ran's old games then going against him in the near future.

[@jaden-ling5998]

#1 with headband from 東山, higashiyama is Ran Takahashi. Soon to be Japan national team player or is now... His height is 188cm with a max reach of 343cm in his senior year during the period of this match. Kinda the next yuki Ishikawa vibe (right handed, skilled in pipes and block outs) and quite a lot of hype around him . This team is also championship winner too Edit: This match is qualifier match kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmatqnyYrKicm9k this link on their spiking warmup gives more information on their height and reach in the description

[@hazelial3243]

12:12 "that's literally how ishikawa serves" is crazyyyyyy the fact that no.1 is ran takahashi & his role model is yuki ishikawa

[@mahalima_atin5597]

12:14 it's really too good to be a coincidence how you mentioned ishikawa when takahashi served (yes he's the number 1 with the bandana) because takahashi was dubbed as the next ishikawa when he was in highschool

[@Blurpoopee]

Takahashi has also stated that he constructed his game after Ishikawa

[@justcassie4583]

2:40 just how fast the night changes, now you’re playing against him

[@ts-dg6kl]

No.1 is Ran Takahashi and now he's actually a part of the Japanese national team at 18! So you most probably will get to see him at the Olympics or VNL coming up!

[@nicholasyeung611]

2:40 #1 is Ran Takahashi and he played in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

[@MOI-rt5zi]

2:40 that is Ran Takahashi (JERSEY no. 1) He played for Higashiyama Highschool and in 2020, they won the Haruko Volleyball championship.

[@thienantaho4640]

damn, thats why hes so good and i was considering why his serve looks like how Ran does XDDD

[@silnot8235]

@@thienantaho4640 hahahaha bro, you have so observational!!

[@TempestKai3]

There are actually a lot of people comparing Takahashi Ran to Ishikawa Yuki. Some even calling Takahashi Ran the next Ishikawa Yuki. It's not too far fetched actually. One of Higashiyama High School's/Takahashi Ran's coach's is Matsunaga Rio, a former player for Japan's national team and pro player for the Panasonic Panthers. Matsunaga Rio was also Ishikawa Yuki's coach at Chuo University during Ishikawa's time in college.

[@angelovilar17]

Wow I never knew that

[@charkienguyen]

Funny how he asked whos the go to hitter is and now is playing against that same hitter (ran takahashi) in the olympics now

[@designateddriveranddragons8845]

I think because these players aren’t as tall (which applies to Japan on a whole), their technique and creativity are OFF THE CHARTS! Such entertaining ball to watch

[@offswitchtv109]

The no. 1 with the headband you mentioned at @02:41 is ran takahashi. You played against him in the vnl in italy :).

[@Owken_]

For the No. 1 at Higashiyama High School, his name is Takahashi Ran and he is now part of the National Team for Japan. He is pretty good and can jump very high like you saw in this match. He and his team won the national championship in 2020 and he is around 6'2 / 1,88m tall

[@upiiiiiiinginamooooooo2179]

He became my idol

[@jjan_cruzz]

The #1 was Ran Takahashi , u faced him on VNL. His Jersey No. is 21. He came a long way now

[@somethingguy4928]

So it is him! I saw another of his high school matches and immediately came back to this video because the team seemed so familiar!

[@takigan]

Since in Japan you can go to whatever high school you want, not just the one you're zoned to, Japanese HS's with good volleyball programs will try and recruit the best volleyball kids from the middle schools. So talent often makes its way into pools at the high school level. You'll see this in a lot of Japanese after school programs actually, from Baseball to Band.

[@OleDonKedic]

That's pretty sweet that you can choose. I get why we have to go to the school in our boundary here in the U.S. but It would have been nice to choose from the two or three closest schools.

[@wisefelipe]

Wait, so in the "land of the free" you are not free to choose where you go to school? I don't mean to be political and I don't even think it is necessarily a bad system, but I find it ironic that in a country where people justify the most insane things using "freedom" you aren't free to choose where you are going to study.

[@lcap2463]

@@wisefelipe bro its a highschool not a uni - its not that deep get your bullshit outta here and go back to reddit

[@est727xx5]

@@wisefelipe Its actually a hugely terrible system. " I find it ironic that in a country where people justify the most insane things using "freedom"" thats quite dumb stretch and would like to understand what those insane things are. But understandable from a foreigner that only knows from what they see from outside the country. But yes the democrats have been making sure school choice is not a thing for decades.

[@NediaLetta]

@@wisefelipe not saying American high school system is great but apparently it's because the government doesn't want students to be funneled into just one areas, leaving that area's housing market shot way up while the deserted schools value shot way down. Even in Japan there are tons of schools out of service due to less and less students in the neighborhood, so it's not perfect.

[@arianne888]

2023. It's crazy to think that Eric is reacting to highschool Ran and the fast forward to 2023 and they shared a podium at the VNL and will be facing off in a few weeks for Olympic qualifiers. Amazing.

[@l0kk016]

Wow really? How was their match??

[@ミカエル-g9o]

​@@l0kk016Usa won against japan in group stage

[@kristiandoraci8255]

The guy that wears 1 is named Takahashi Ran he is 19 now part of the national team. You'll probably get to play him next international tournament

[@tommyshelby8119]

Man reading these things just gives me chills and make me Fall more with love into Volleyball

[@yelenasimp2936]

Higashiyama’s #1 is Ran Takahashi, #21 on Japan’s Olympic team. He led his high school team (during his third year of high school) to victory as the captain in the Winter 2020 All Japan High School Volleyball Championships and was award as the MVP of the competition. He was actually dubbed as Yuki Ishikawa 2.0 for his leadership skills and ability to score so many points, and was recruited for the national team straight out of high school I’m pretty sure. He’s so young yet so talented, a very great inspiration ❤️

[@saxaf]

i think highschool sports are the best sports as a viewer because everyone is fighting to get noticed by college scouts and as a player because the sense of being on a highschool team is unmatched. It pains me when I think that I never went to a school with a men's volleyball team. It's my favorite sport but never got the chance to play it.

[@LostArchivesOfLala]

I never went to a school with a legit sport. Like, we would have netball but not play any tournaments.

[@mem._.05-s6s]

Number 1 in Higashiyama is Ran Takahashi

[@serenah6214]

I love how Erik mentions that Ran serves like Ishikawa when it's said that Ishikawa is someone Ran looks up to a lot

[@heykenzo4284]

Well... Shit... It just dawned on me that Haikyuu fans are going to destroy the Olympics in a few years.

[@thefire18hd4]

Ha! we wish we could jump as high as some of these guys

[@afterlife.5138]

man i wish i was this good

[@iamhated1818]

#1 player is Ran Takahashi. You will most likely face him in the future since he's already in the Japan national team.

[@doorjeetsering9137]

he already did. bruh

[@9mpx._]

@@doorjeetsering9137 ok ?

[@doorjeetsering9137]

@@9mpx._ okay?

[@r64jynxzi]

bro, #1 on the near side is Ran Takahashi 😭

[@atkymh4732]

i noticed when he pulled up his shorts when he served💀

[@mlouied]

It’s so crazy seeing how in sync the back row players are like look at their footwork! They split step at the same time and drop at the same time 7:16

[@tubeyou89119]

I remember when I was in Grades 7-9, our high-school (G10-12) volleyball team had four or five very tall and handsome guys playing great volleyball. Whenever they practice, many girls from all grades will cheer. We didn't have that scenes for years after they graduated.

[@baka5899]

You played with that No.1 Captain, now No.21(Ran Takahashi) 2days ago!! How was it??

[@skskss888]

1:31 #6 Gaku Kusumoto from Higashiyama is currently one of the most popular player for Japanese high school volleyball fandom. He is short 177cm but he's called as a genius weak side spiker has too quick spike and technics. In fact, the coaches depended on him as the ace after Ran Takahashi #1 left. #7 (3rd year) the insane setter and #6 (2nd) the spiker had amazing combination (Fan fact: this duo is the champion of junior high nationals & high school nationals 2020) #6 could join in a stronger team at university this year but he picked a minor team same as #7. (I guess this duo didn't want to leave their area Imao) We are super excited to see this duo against lots of stronger college teams. If you want to see the creazy duo play, here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqvZqYttoa5_q6s

[@clarissajaq6085]

Nakashima is crazy good. thank you for the link! Tenri losing their first match, but won the last match right?

[@Sa-fd7ih]

So happy to see this video, Erik! The OH at 2:38 is Takahashi Ran 高橋藍, who joined the senior national team before he even graduated high school. He is a college freshman now, he said that he wants to compete in the Olympic and be Yuki Ishikawa’s diagonal ☺️

[@sienz9780]

players info as of this vid (2019.12.12) *romanji may vary 東山高校 Higashiyama High School (blue/red/white uniform) 1. 髙橋 藍 Takahashi Ran 3年(17y/o) 188cm 343cm (C) 2. 川村 樹生 Kawamura Kiryu 2年(16y/o) 187cm 330cm 4. 吉村 颯太 Yoshimura Sota 2年 177cm 325cm 6. 楠本 岳 Kusumoto Gaku 2年 177cm 325cm 7.中島 健斗 Nakajima Kento 3年 170cm 305cm (S) 8. 大塚 昂太郎 Otsuka Kotaro 2年 185cm 325cm 18. 荒木 琢真 Araki Takuma 2年 165cm 303cm (L) 洛南高校 Rakunan High School (black/red/blue uniform) 1.宮坂 郁夫 Miyasaka Ikuo 3年 181cm 3. 三浦 宇司 Miuara Takashi 2年 187cm 4. 前田 駿 Maeda Shun 3年 180cm (S) 5. 溝井 健太 Mizoi Kenta 3年 186cm (C) 6. 内藤 大 Naito Dai 3年 172cm 7. 木村 祐真 Kimura Yuma 2年 166cm (L) 13. 酒井 優英 Sakai Euan 1年(15y/o) 183cm

[@zellelight3489]

This should be pinned

[@zellelight3489]

Wait, 15 years old amd 183cm?? That's insane

[@zareefhossain6871]

I really envy the japanese players. Its not that they can play good, but its more like their playstyle is so upper leveled and is close to the international and how they are trained to play like that. I wish i could play like them and with them.

[@hafizamir8748]

For your information the number 1 player ran takahashi who wear headband, now he is playing for national team of japan

[@Aria3008]

Japanese players : Shows good technique Erik's pen: *chuckles* I'm in danger

[@Tony-shakespearean]

The number 1 of 東山 is Takahashi Ran, currently he is in the national team of Japan, he is even in the Olympic team too, you may encounter him Erik kskksksksks

[@kimnamjin9081]

omg he did

[@ahmedjiman]

the no1 is Takahashi Ran he dominated the nationals there, he's considered the next one ( like Nishida and Ishikawa ... ),and he actually joined the national team at 19 y.o

[@gitameilida5008]

No. 1 is ran takahashi, who plays in tokyo olympic 2020 no 21 😁

[@xxme1989]

really?

[@gitameilida5008]

@@xxme1989 yess 👍👍👍

[@toru5100]

i knew it was him from how he throws up the ball for his serves

[@gitameilida5008]

@@toru5100 that's right 🤣

[@Astatine_At]

Higashiyama actually ended up winning the national championship of this year (2020) with Ran Takahashi as the big ace. Rakunan went to nationals in the previous year and won the nationals (2019) with Otsuka Tatsunori as there big ace. It’s so cool that both of these players are playing in the Japan national teams now and shows how CRAZY high level this qualification match is. The qualifications match for Kyoto prefecture every year is crazy, they went up to 43-41 in 2019 I think.

[@kentsuo7023]

You played against Takashi ran this year in the VNL. He’s the number 1

[@sujtrash]

its crazy how i just found out the #1 was ran takahashi 😭

[@kasyfulhaq6877]

that No.1 Higashiyama Player currently now playing at Japan National Team !

[@gazerbeam2046]

i wonder if he ever realized that "near side no. 1" is ran

[@laurafitti8595]

He did, he talked about it in a Japan x USA react video

[@ミカエル-g9o]

THAT NO.1 PLAYER IS RAN TAKAHASHI, U PLAY AGAINST HIM IN OLYMPIC 2024 🤣👍🏻

[@jasonchen6216]

japanese high schools playing on national levels. my high school struggling to get the ball over the net

[@picnix_9658]

I feel like the volleyball in Japan and other parts of the world have higher competition at the high school level than the USA because there is more at stake behind every game elsewhere.

[@chaeyoungsbestie414]

Probably because they also have more robust programs, since volleyball isn’t nearly as popular in the US as it would be in other nations abroad. (American) Football has a lot of funding and it’s a huge deal here, especially in the south where it’s very competitive at the high school level.

[@clorbach2450]

Also has to do with the fact that they take club more seriously than highschool in the US

[@travisbrown2149]

Well in the US Cali and Hawaii are really big in volleyball and some teams would be able to compete with and probably beat these teams

[@travisbrown2149]

@@chaeyoungsbestie414 Volleyball from the USA is basically just California and Hawaii

[@skskss888]

This game was the final match in Kyoto for the national spring high tournament. Rakunan high was the champion in national spring high tournament in 2019 and Higashiyama was the champion in 2020, this means this Kyoto's region tournament was super crazy. Like Itachiyama vs Kamomedai or Inarizaki level were happening in Kyoto.

[@Bforbomb]

You know you’ve been watching too much vball clips when you recognize tan takahashis serve routine at 7:50

[@Offical_Comedic_Relief]

Ofc No.1 was the go to hitter he’s the captain and a third year, therefore probably one of the most skilled on the court

[@freedomsmc971]

His name is Ran Takahashi. He is in the starting lineup of Japan's national team (you might know him cuz you're Japanese). Erik Shoji actually just played against him in the VNL like 3 days ago.

[@Offical_Comedic_Relief]

@@freedomsmc971 oh wow not that long ago huh. And yeah I’ve been watching him w my grandma for well years. Watching w my grandma was what got me into volleyball

[@thuphung5003]

it's takahashi ran's high school, you can see a boy wearing a headband and wearing the number 1-captain shirt, now he is playing for the japan national team with the number 21 shirt and playing oppisite hitter . Sorry if my English is not very good :< I come from Vietnam and am a big fan of a talented libero like you and the talented Japanese volleyball team :3

[@marlen3735]

This is literally one of my most favourite videos! The pen throw whenever something amazing happens, your commentary and surprisement about the level of volleyball they play. Keep up the good work, it's amazing to watch and listen to your reactions!

[@arianne888]

12:14 Eric: That's literally how Ishikawa serves Me, knowing that its was Ran on the service line. Takahashi Ran who is currently diagonals with THE Yuki Ishikawa. 😊😊😊 They are almost father and son when you look at how similar their moves are.

[@トルガンアザール]

The team in the back was the No. 1 team in Japan a year before this match. I am a Japanese person who is not good at English.

[@qlockwerk553]

you're all good I understood your sentence perfectly

[@トルガンアザール]

@@qlockwerk553 Thank you for your kind words. ありがとうございます！！

[@sidneyrosey]

Favorite Erik moments *Throws pen* "He is FLYING!" "Remember they're in high school" I do have another pen!!! "HOW EVEN-" "MONSTER BLOCK" *Throws second pen* "Look at that!!!" *Erik looks at the camera like he's on the office*

[@kentokentaro401]

I remember watched this video like 4months ago? And i was like that no 1 is so cool. And now he’s part of national team wow

[@roseeliet3162]

Fr what is his name?

[@sunisbae]

@@roseeliet3162 #21 Ran Takahashi. Bet you've heard about him during this olympic

[@kentokentaro401]

@@roseeliet3162 yes! His name is ran takahashi no. 21 😁

[@volleyballfreak2023]

erik would never thought about tht number 1 the star player (which is takahashi ran) will play against him at tokyo olympic!!

[@mrchubbles]

Wait, #1 is Ran Takahashi?

[@eunniestorage7466]

omg no wonder he looks familiar to me

[@_ewcyng_1406]

You’ll be playing against no. 1 in VNL soon Erik, his names Takahashi Ran

[@Seabassthebass1101]

Little did he know he’s gonna play against him sometime soon

[@Mack1231231]

otsuka as well

[@우라면-p9j]

@@Mack1231231 may I ask who otsuka is

[@Mack1231231]

@@우라면-p9j he came from the same batch of highschool players as Takahashi Ran. While Takahashi Ran was the ace for Higashiyama. Otsuka was the ace for Rakunan. He is jersey #1 in Rakunan

[@notnubby5508]

@@Mack1231231 Otsuka is 1 year older if im not wrong

[@camelcase9225]

I feel like the rest of the world is in trouble if this is what high school volleyball looks like in Japan.

[@Kazuhasoneandonlylove]

that no.1 you keep talking about is takahashi ran. he is currently in the japanese national team and youd most likely end up playing against him once covid dies down and the world cup comes back. the dudes a beast and fits quite well in the team with nishida and ishikawa

[@Kazuhasoneandonlylove]

id also like to suggest reacting to arao reon. he was the no.1 libero during his time in high school. its honestly amazing how great he is at keeping the ball up with that small body of his

[@Koko-rc3pz]

While watching Haikyuu I thought highschoolers being this good was just impossible. I mean, i'm a highschooler and even finding someone who can spike is considered rare in our school. So, just fiction right? That was until i watched this video.

[@chenlejus2768]

It really depends on schools,but yes highschoolers can be this good.Ive seen them play everyday and is a lot like Haikyuu IRL.

[@deccemkey7895]

The go-to player you’re talking about is Takahashi Ran. He got recruited in to the senior men national team as soon as he graduated high school and you will probably see him playing in some international game soon. As his fan I really wish he can at least be on the olympic roaster. Also he is 188cm and played libero in middle school so his receives are pretty good as well. You should see him in the Charity match amongst the National team. He played a lot of receive there.

[@renjeol]

where can i watch that

[@anneheichou4304]

Number 1 from the team in front of the camera is Takahashi Ran from Japans national volleyball team 😁

[@Tokoine]

Bro I was thinking that but couldn’t tell!

[@jasonchung1115]

and its 3 years ago when ran was at third grade of high school

[@bulbasaurvines8992]

I dont know about the rest of Higashiyama but #6, Kusumoto Gaku, is 177cm tall, which is the main reason why I love watching him fly. Plus, it's rare to see well-rounded opposite players this days.

[@shynessbreakthroughcommuni826]

Japanese players are so solid and so disciplined! #1 is a MVP! Wow, the "pump 1" for the middle hitter is a cool concept

[@crystalttong]

Coming back to Erik after watching the VNL match between Team USA and Team Japan today hahaha

[@Lumiere20]

Sameee

[@Tdp4man123]

Sameee omg

[@ijllona9583]

Who won?

[@jandres0402]

Player with jersey number 1 from Higashiyama (one with yellow numbers) is Ran Takahashi, now part of the Japan's Men's National Volleyball team. He is set to play alongside Yanagida, Nishida and of course, Ishikawa, the new captain.

[@dotdecorandmore7480]

Hi Erik, nice video. Here's some insight about HS volleyball in Japan. I'm an American expat who has been living in Japan for 14 years now and did some assistant coaching with a high school team. The team activities are no joke. It's completely different from the US 'cause they play almost every single day for 3 years (JHS and HS is 3 years each here). Teams and extra-curricular are a year-round thing and not seasonal, you never hear of multi-sport athletes. Also, there is no club volleyball. Pre-COVID, practices are usually held in the morning until before homeroom starts and then afterschool till about 6:30PM (maybe some schools who went to area tournaments and nationals still continued practice as usual).

[@rookieisabelle8384]

I remember my time in Japanese university, even near Graduation, we'd have practice 4 days a week from 3-7pm,plus campus was on a mountain so mountain crossing and elevate runs every day :D I joined as a complete rookie, and the first day after practice, I didn't make it home and just slept near school cause I just couldn't for the life of Mine walk the 1.5miles home :D

[@dotdecorandmore7480]

@@rookieisabelle8384 I can only imagine how tough the practices and the mountain training was. Did they follow that up with you and the team under a waterfall of cold-ass water? lol How long were you out here and which prefecture were you living in?

[@rookieisabelle8384]

@@dotdecorandmore7480 lol, luckily not :D the woods were too far I guess 😅😅😅 but nothing beats being exhausted like that at the end of the day :)

[@rookieisabelle8384]

@@dotdecorandmore7480 I lived in Yamagata prefecture, tohoku, 山形大学. "Here"? You live in Japan?:o I only got to spend one year over there before I had to go back to Germany

[@dotdecorandmore7480]

@@rookieisabelle8384 Yup yup...almost 15 years now. :) All of which has been in 神奈川, mainly 横浜.

[@maeyang1423]

#1 is RAN TAKAHASHI ,he was the MVP that time

[@justinhoang7482]

the number 1 that's rlly good is Ran Takanashi who plays on the Japan national team now

[@clarissajaq6085]

FYI, one of Higashiyama's coach was a former coach of Yuki Ishikawa during his college time. That's why their plays are so similar to him, esp the no. 1 aka the Golden Boy aka Ran Takahashi 😅

[@Offical_Comedic_Relief]

This makes me proud to be a Japanese middle schooler playing volleyball. We train 5 days a week until around 630 but it pays off

[@youtabalization]

you should make some videos on ur training. would love to watch. alot of other countries dont have such a strong sports program. wish to have played in japan :(

[@Offical_Comedic_Relief]

@@youtabalization you know the whole one lap of flying (diving) thing from haikyuu? Well thats how i learnt to dive properly. I mean the bruises were crazy but i mean it definitely payed off

[@thomaschen6295]

bro you are Japanese? your English is great! How did you stand out among your peers.

[@Offical_Comedic_Relief]

@@thomaschen6295 what u mean? And the reason my English is decent? Well class. It’s compulsory to learn English and i like to study English slang

[@youtabalization]

@@Offical_Comedic_Relief hahhaa im trying to learn the split step, ended up watching haiykuu to learn it!

[@Marshmallow-fx6gb]

The thing is this is only regional qualification game for Kyoto Haruko 2020, it's not even the final for the entire Haruko or stuff like that. But the losing team (洛南) was the champion for 2019 Haruko, while the winning team 東山 is the champion of 2020 Haruko. Both teams are extremely good but only one could qualify :( so it's also rly sad every year. Btw the winning team's #1 is Ran Takahashi, who also won the mvp for 2020 Haruko

[@Marshmallow-fx6gb]

If u wanna learn a bit more, only #1 Ran Takahashi and the setter #7 is in 3rd year, the rest of the team is 2nd year. So in the next skol year they actually have 5 ppl who had already won Haruko in their team. However many competitions was cancelled bc of COVID, but Haruko 2021 wasn't cancelled and Higashiyama qualified for that. But it was reallllllllly sad, one of the player had a fever (and was later diagnosed as COVID) so they were forced to gave up the competition in the 3rd round. The entire team was all 3rd year students so it was super sad. This year 洛南 qualified for Inter High. The Haruko is about to start soon so we should know who'll qualify for Haruko soon

[@Marshmallow-fx6gb]

Also Erik since u asked, the setter is 170cm tall. Higashiyama actually has a pretty short average height (I think it was only around 180cm or even less in 2021 Haruko).

[@671StantheMan]

Thanks for the all the info Alice! Love that! I'm assuming you live in Kyoto. Me too a few years ago! 😄

[@Marshmallow-fx6gb]

@@671StantheMan I don't lol I'm just a super big fan of Haruko and I watch it every single year. I did learn some Japanese myself so that I know some info abt these schools. But I'd really like to visit Kyoto sometimes

[@thegreatfuad2173]

@@Marshmallow-fx6gb yooo thanks for all the info dump, appreciate it dude :D

[@chonghauhan]

"Who is that, because that seems like the go to hitter" Dont worry Erik you will be meeting him in June/ July 🤣

[@ganza1665]

Nope he won't

[@nicokachico9391]

@@ganza1665 he won't, because?

[@ganza1665]

@@nicokachico9391 because your oversensitive😘

[@nicokachico9391]

@@ganza1665 he won't see Ran because of my oversensitivity? I pity your parents for raising you. 🤦‍♂️

[@ganza1665]

@@nicokachico9391 and i pity the fool who raised you as well 😂😂😂

[@rockylee6279]

Fun Fact: the team closest to the camera's number one is Ran Takahashi

[@tomhuang9693]

you can watch Ishikawa and Nishida play in highschool on youtube

[@SaplinGuy]

Please do!

[@tomhuang9693]

You can also find videos of them playing in college

[@Tidalwave1832]

I could be wrong but i think that number 1 is Takahashi Ran and hes aready been playing with the national team and is a very promising talent.

[@elasticheekscc5680]

aaaand u finally had a match with the number 1 in this game Erik hahahahah

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

When I was in high school (Tauranga Boys College) we won our New Zealand national championships in 1986. Ex USA Coach Hugh McCutcheon (a kiwi) was a player in one of the opponent teams Shirley Boys High - we smacked his team outta the competition. We played a visiting Japanese University team Daito Bunka ... they were alien good ha ha ha. No such thing as a Libero in my day but had I my way ... I love this modern version of volleyball and I definitely would have been a damn good libero... Volleyball ... greatest game invented.

[@mogumoguokayu1418]

nice

[@urmomj5936]

I really enjoy watching this video because your breaking down the plays and its very helpful as someone who is beginner

[@evankenefic8006]

ERIK YOU JUST PLAYED #1 on japan

[@tsukishimakei1988]

"They're probably shorter than me" Erik, you're older than them too. 😂🤦

[@ceferinopolo2511]

The Fact that Higashiyamas no. 1 player is Playing in this Years VNL together is Crazy🔥

[@BrandonAirihenbuwa]

now we know haikyuu is very real. I didn't even notice the pump one until he mentioned it and I have to go back and watch it again 3:53

[@nijao9079]

No.1 is Ran Takahashi. In the previous tune up game of their senior national team sometime last year (just them, playing against each other), he was already there. So I guess he’s part of their NT now. And they might actually put him as part of the starting line up because he played same side with JPN’s regulars like Ishikawa and Nishida.

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

We used to watch Japanese Men's National training films in the mid to late sixties. They were diving and rolling before most other countries and playing complex six o defence etc. The reason we had the film was our assistant coach was in Tokyo in 64 playing for Canada and got the footage there. Good show Eric!!! Great player perspective. 👍

[@garettsarmiento4521]

the plays, the skills, the consistency, and kinda the vertical of the players is so fun to watch

[@jockaboo55]

Yeah imagine you just got done with algebra class and then you have to go play these guys

[@michaelnguyen6891]

I'd be thrilled, meeting their coach would be an honor

[@KungFuTze]

Erik, Puerto Rico's high school volleyball is sacred, I was lucky enough to play against 7-8 former NCAA champions or final four players while I was in HS. Some of them were Hector Soto - IPFW (national team), Victor Rivera (national team) - Lewis, Jaime Mayol - BYU, Ozzie Antonetti (national team)- BYU, Rene Esteves(national team) - OSU , Hector Lebron - BYU , Angel Aja - OSU , it is such a condensed area, chances are, you are going to play with a great player or against one. My brother played along Gabriel Garcia - the guy that's breaking all of Ben Patch BYU records.