Shoyo Hinata discovered volleyball during elementary school when passing an electronics store broadcasting Karasuno High's national match. Observing a shorter player nicknamed the "Small Giant" excel inspired him. He joined the Yukigaoka Junior High volleyball club, remaining its sole member for two years while practicing alone in hallways and sports grounds. In his third year, Hinata recruited friends to form a team for a tournament. They suffered a crushing defeat against Kitagawa Daiichi, featuring setter Tobio Kageyama. Hearing Kitagawa players mock his team prompted a defiant response from Hinata, catching Kageyama's attention. Despite the loss, Hinata's athleticism, particularly his jumping power and relentless drive, left an impression. He vowed to defeat Kageyama in high school, training rigorously through jogging, neighborhood team practices, and joining the girls' volleyball club. Hinata enrolled at Karasuno High to follow the Small Giant's legacy but discovered Kageyama was also joining. Their initial confrontation during orientation resulted in a fight disrupting school staff, leading to temporary expulsion from volleyball activities. To rejoin, they challenged senior players to a match, showcasing raw talent. Hinata became the middle blocker, wearing jersey number 10, matching the Small Giant. Standing 162.8 cm tall and weighing 51.9 kg, he was one of the team's shortest players. His exceptional jumping power, speed, reflexes, and stamina compensated for lacking fundamental skills like proper receives, serves, or spiking with eyes open. He and Kageyama developed the "Freak Quick" attack, where Hinata leaped blindly at maximum speed, trusting Kageyama to set the ball precisely. This unconventional tactic became Karasuno's signature weapon. Hinata exhibited a cheerful, energetic, and often loud personality, easily forming friendships with teammates and rivals like Kenma Kozume and Aone. Despite his friendly demeanor, he displayed intense competitiveness and resilience during matches, refusing to give up. He struggled academically, rarely scoring in double digits on tests, requiring tutoring from teammates to avoid suspension from training camps. Pre-match nerves initially caused physical distress, though he gradually learned to manage pressure. Observing games while performing tasks like ball picking at camps honed his court awareness and strategic understanding. He expanded his skillset to include receives, jump serves, and ambidextrous spiking. A significant setback occurred during the National Tournament when he collapsed from illness during a critical match, forcing him to watch his team's loss from the sidelines. This underscored his limitations and fueled his determination. After high school, Hinata moved to Brazil to train in beach volleyball instead of joining a professional team immediately. He financed his stay as a food delivery person while adapting to sand courts, which demanded greater balance, control, and all-around skills. This period enhanced his receiving, serving, and tactical flexibility, earning him the local nickname "Ninja Shouyo" for his agility and jumping prowess. He learned Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Returning to Japan, he joined V.League Division 1 team MSBY Black Jackals as an Opposite Hitter, wearing number 21. His professional debut showcased evolved abilities: powerful jump serves, precise receives, and versatile attacking techniques, compensating for his height (now 172.2 cm, 70.1 kg) with refined athleticism and game sense. He later joined Brazilian Super League team Asas São Paulo and represented Japan at the 2021 Olympics, fulfilling his dream of competing globally. His journey culminated in a professional match against Kageyama, symbolizing their enduring rivalry and mutual growth from high school adversaries to world-class competitors. Hinata maintained key traits: enthusiasm for volleyball, impulsiveness fueled by determination, and strong bonds with teammates. He disliked arrogance, losing, spicy food, and rainy days. His favorite food remained tamago kake gohan. He had a younger sister named Natsu. His relationships, particularly with Kageyama, evolved from intense rivalry to deep mutual respect and partnership, rooted in their shared promise to meet again on the court. He viewed himself as "the greatest decoy," using his presence to disrupt blockers and create opportunities for others, reflecting his understanding of volleyball as a collaborative effort.