Tetsurō Kuroo is the captain and middle blocker for Nekoma High School's volleyball team. He stands 187.7 cm tall with a lean, muscular build, broad shoulders, and well-developed arms. His most distinctive feature is his naturally messy, upward-spiking black hair, a chronic bedhead resulting from sleeping on his stomach with pillows pressed against his ears. Narrow, hazel eyes with cat-like pupils contribute to a sly and intimidating look, often accentuated by a fringe partially covering his right eye. This hairstyle earns him nicknames like "Rooster Head" or "Comb Head." In high school, he typically wears Nekoma's black-and-red uniform (number 1) or casual black shirts and red sweatpants. As an adult, his hair shortens slightly and he wears professional suits reflective of his career. Kuroo exhibits a strategic mind masked by a laid-back attitude, renowned as a "provocation expert" for deliberately riling up opponents and teammates. He challenges Tsukishima's apathetic attitude during training camps. Despite his teasing nature, he demonstrates genuine kindness and sportsmanship, apologizing to Karasuno's captain Daichi after overstepping. He deeply respects Nekoma's elderly coach, Yasufumi Nekomata, actively supporting Karasuno's improvement to fulfill Nekomata's dream of a "Dumpster Battle" at nationals. Kuros balances sharp observational intelligence with a playful, boisterous side, evident in his loud laughter and frivolous banter with Bokuto. His leadership centers on morale-building and tactical analysis, often using metaphors like comparing the team to "blood" that must "flow without stopping" to sustain their collective "brain." His background shows significant development from childhood. At age eight, he moved next door to Kenma Kozume, initially shy and withdrawn. Bonding over video games, Kuroo introduced Kenma to volleyball, practicing moves replicated from professional matches. This friendship catalyzed Kuroo's social growth: he became more outgoing, made new friends, and joined school sports teams. In junior high, he persuaded Kenma to join the volleyball team as a setter to leverage his strategic mind. During his first year at Nekoma High, Kuroo clashed with libero Yaku Morisuke after a tournament loss, arguing frequently until teammate Kai mediated. The trio reconciled upon agreeing to pursue nationals together. Kuroo first appears coordinating practice matches against Karasuno, where his blocking expertise and tactical plays with Kenma disrupt opponents like Hinata and Tsukishima. During Tokyo training camps, he mentors Tsukishima, leveraging Bokuto as practice to hone the younger blocker's skills and motivation. He later competes in national tournaments, including Nekoma's long-anticipated match against Karasuno. Beyond high school, by November 2018, he works for the Japan Volleyball Association's sports promotion division, organizing events like the "All-Stars" match and using persuasive flattery to recruit players such as Oikawa. Key relationships define his journey. His deep-rooted bond with Kenma evolves from childhood neighbors to volleyball partners; Kuroo supports Kenma through team conflicts and leverages their默契 for in-game strategies. With Bokuto, he shares a boisterous, playful rapport, practicing together and devising collaborative training methods. His mentorship of Tsukishima highlights his investment in rivals' growth, while his dynamic with Yaku progresses from friction to mutual respect. Adult interactions show him maintaining connections across teams, exemplified by recruiting Oikawa.