Inspired by witnessing Karasuno High's "Small Giant" excel despite short stature, Shōyō Hinata began playing volleyball. His junior high school lacked a full team, forcing him to recruit friends from other sports for tournaments. His first official match ended in defeat against Tobio Kageyama's team, sparking a rivalry and motivating him to join Karasuno High, where he unexpectedly encountered Kageyama as a teammate. Initially standing at 162.8 cm, Hinata faced frequent underestimation due to his height and thin build, often mistaken for a younger student. He compensated with exceptional jumping ability, speed, and relentless stamina, evolving into Karasuno's primary decoy to disrupt opposing blockers. His partnership with Kageyama developed a rapid-set attack tactic, leveraging his athleticism and the setter's precision. Hinata exhibited a cheerful, energetic personality, often appearing loud and simpleminded, yet demonstrated perceptiveness in reading social dynamics and offering empathetic support to teammates and rivals. Early matches revealed nervousness-induced clumsiness, including pre-game stomach issues, though exposure to high-pressure situations gradually improved his composure. Academically, he struggled, rarely scoring in double digits on tests until threatened with exclusion from training camps prompted intensive study sessions. Post-high school, Hinata moved to Brazil to play beach volleyball for three years, enhancing his defensive skills and adaptability. This period included physical growth to 172 cm and development of a lean, muscular physique. He later returned to Japan, joining the V-League Division 1 team MSBY Black Jackals. His career progressed to the Japan Men's National Volleyball Team for the 2021 Olympics and subsequently to Asas São Paulo in Brazil's Super League.