Keiji Akaashi is a second-year student at Fukurōdani Academy, acting as vice-captain and setter for the volleyball team. He initially stands 182.3 cm tall, growing to 187.2 cm later, with short, messy black hair and blue eyes that often seem emotionless or faintly exasperated. He maintains a neat appearance, especially in his light grey blazer, white dress shirt, and black trousers school uniform, switching to athletic gear for practice and matches. Before high school, Akaashi attended Mori Junior High, playing setter for a team with adequate skill but little passion. He received recommendations from both Fukurōdani and Suzumeoka High Schools, choosing Fukurōdani after witnessing a match featuring Kōtarō Bokuto. Bokuto's intense passion deeply affected Akaashi, securing his enrollment decision. Initially joining without strong personal ambition, simply following expectations, Akaashi's perspective shifted under Bokuto's influence. Akaashi's personality centers on calmness and analytical precision. He rarely shows overt emotion, maintaining composure during matches and calling out foolish behavior—particularly Bokuto's mood swings. Despite his reserved exterior, he is blunt and witty, inserting pragmatic or sarcastic remarks into conversations (like dubbing Nekoma's Kuroo "Pain-in-the-ass Kuroo-san"). He occasionally reveals a cheeky or impulsive side, unexpectedly executing setter dumps during critical plays. However, he struggles with internal pressure, notably against Mujinazaka High, where overthinking caused errors that forced him to be benched. In these moments, his controlled demeanor cracks, leading to uncharacteristic emotional outbursts. His volleyball skills emphasize balance and adaptability. Rated highly in jumping, stamina, game sense, technique, and speed (4/5 each), he excels at delivering precise sets from imperfect receives. His quick decision-making is evident during Fukurōdani's match against Karasuno, where he assessed Bokuto's emotional state and set viability within 0.5 seconds. Akaashi strategically leverages his team's strengths, noting when opponents overlook Fukurōdani's collective capability beyond Bokuto. His growth shows increasing assertiveness; early in high school, he passively accepted Bokuto's relentless practice demands but evolved into a proactive strategist who directs plays and calms the ace during slumps. Akaashi's relationship with Bokuto is central to his development. He admires Bokuto's passion, privately considering him a "star player," and dedicates himself to supporting the ace through emotional volatility. This includes subtly motivating Bokuto during games and enduring exhaustive training sessions. Their dynamic inspires Akaashi's defining moment: realizing he and Bokuto are "protagonists of the world," capable of shaping their narrative through effort. This revelation ignited a deeper commitment to volleyball, transforming him from an obedient follower into a driven competitor. After graduation, Akaashi works as an editor for a major shōnen manga publisher, despite initially aiming for the literature department. This career shift contrasts his high school athleticism but aligns with his analytical nature. His appearance changes minimally—slightly longer hair and glasses—while his core traits endure: quiet intensity, strategic thinking, and understated dedication to his responsibilities.