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Futurology Application
APPLICANT INFO.
NAME: Mint
CONTACT:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
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CURRENT CHARACTERS: n/a
CHARACTER INFO.
NAME: Tooru Oikawa
CANON: Haikyuu!!
AGE: 17
APPEARANCE: Here
CANON POINT: end of Chapter 148, after losing to Karasuno in the Miyagi prefecture’s Spring High semifinals
BACKGROUND:
Haikyuu!! takes place in modern-day Japan, focusing on the fictional Karasuno High School located in the Miyagi prefecture. There are no superheroes, aliens, or science fiction in this universe – the story revolves around a boys’ high school volleyball team whose biggest hurdles are their school work, club practices, and volleyball tournaments.
Also in this prefecture is Aobajousai High, a championship school with a volleyball team ranked as one of the top four in the prefecture and one of Karasuno’s rivals. In addition to the natural rivalry between the two schools, some of the members have a bad history: third year Oikawa Tooru from Aobajousai and first year Kageyama Tobio from Karasuno. Both attended Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High and played on the same volleyball team. With both of them playing the setter position, a rivalry breaks out between the two. Kageyama is a prodigy setter who puts in no extra effort, while Oikawa puts in hours of extra work perfecting his technique to even get to Kageyama’s level. Striving to become the best setter in the prefecture, Oikawa sees Kageyama’s ‘genius’ skill as a threat to his goal, and becomes overcome with jealousy. The two of them part ways after graduating from junior high, but their rivalry is ignited three years later when they face each other during the Miyagi prefecture’s fall Interhigh. Both teams face defeat, however, during this tournament; although Aobajousai is able to defeat Karasuno in the semifinals, they are yet again not able to defeat their long-standing rival, Shiratorizawa Academy, in the finals.
Aobajousai’s other rival school, Shiratorizawa, is another obstacle for the team. They are known as the ‘powerhouse’ of the Miyagi prefecture, ranked among the Top 8 of Japan. Their captain, Ushijima Wakatoshi, is also one of the three best aces in the whole country, and is currently one of Japan's under 18 volleyball representatives for the Youth World Championship. Having been defeated by Ushijima again and again, Oikawa sees him as rival that he has never been able to overcome. In the Spring High semifinals, Aobajousai loses to Karasuno, and thus marks the end of the third years’ high school volleyball career. Because of this loss, Oikawa never has a chance to face Ushijima one last time.
From here on out, Oikawa, although heartbroken by their premature loss in the tournament, vows to Ushijima that his volleyball career is far from over.
PERSONALITY:
Karasuno’s first impression of Oikawa can be summarized in two words: flirtatious and childish. His seemingly carefree and laidback nature is made apparent right from the get-go; although he is captain of his school’s volleyball team, he shows up late to the practice match between Karasuno and Aobajousai without as much as a sincere apology. If you were to ask one of his team mates, his default expression is “an annoying one.” Oikawa frequently smiles and grins, although Iwaizumi Hajime, his childhood friend and the team’s vice captain, has made note that these expressions are rarely genuine. He tends to make “peace signs” or large waving gestures, which are often accompanied by broad smiles or a wink. Another trademark expression of his is him sticking out his tongue while smiling and closing one eye. He also comes with his fan club in tow; being a rather attractive and successful volleyball player, girls from Aobajousai and other high schools around the area flock to him just to talk to him and wish him luck. He also appears to pick on his fellow team mates, especially Iwaizumi, whom Oikawa refers to as “Iwa-chan.” This makes him appear very teasing and playful, regardless of the situation. When looking at him sporting his signature smile, he seems like nothing else but a womanizer with a fan club, an attention-seeker, and a carefree, frivolous guy.
It quickly becomes apparent that there’s more to him, especially once he steps out on the court. For one, there is his general presence, which is surprisingly intense. In one case, when Seijou’s in a tight spot – three points down, and it’s their opponent Karasuno’s match point – he acts entirely unconcerned and instead points out what Karasuno’s weakness is: their receives. He aims his serves at a Karasuno player Tsukishima Kei; this shows that he is almost immediately able to pinpoint as the player who is the weakest at receives. This is a strategic move, both a sign of confidence and a way to create discomfort among Karasuno, especially when Tsukishima misses Oikawa’s serve.
One of his many talents as captain is the way he handles individual players on his team. He is very clearly the captain, but does not put himself on a pedestal above others. It’s definitely a tricky balance to maintain and requires considerable awareness of both one’s audience/followers and the way one’s own actions are perceived. By reassuring one of his underclassman, Kindaichi Yuutarou, not to worry and “just jump” when he sets to him, Kindaichi unconsciously jumps higher to spike the ball; Oikawa is able to simultaneously reassure Kindaichi and draw out his potential. Oikawa can come off as arrogant to his team mates, but his team knows him well enough to know how to take the piss out of him when necessary, but it also adds to the way he works as a captain – he’s not just some unreachable figure who leads the team on his own. He has a rapport with his teammates that allows them to make fun of him, support him when he messes up, and call them nicknames (Iwa-chan, Mattsun, Makki). He’s not just their captain; he’s one of the gang.
Oikawa is a workaholic, working himself to the point of exhaustion and injury. This illustrates his drive and dedication to succeed at goals. For example, Oikawa's life is dedicated to volleyball. He practices whenever he can, and even spends his free time at home watching volleyball games online to analyze plays whenever he isn't doing his regular schoolwork. He even had a girlfriend that broke up with him because he was too absorbed in volleyball. If Oikawa has any free time, he uses it in some way that relates to volleyball. He has gotten to where he is today with years of practice and dedication, and he doesn’t have any plans on stopping. It often gets to the point where Iwaizumi has to step in and stop him from overworking himself.
Oikawa is also a frivolous guy. This seems like a contradiction in terms of traits already listed: his careful attention to team dynamics, his ruthless analysis of his opponents’ weak points, and his need to be the best in everything. These don’t really point to a “frivolous” personality, but it’s quite possible to be both, and Oikawa is a shining example of that. He enjoys the spotlight, enjoys playing an audience, and has a vast amount of pride. He likes playing head games for the sake of it, just because he can. He’s one of the people who says things that teeter on the line between joke and serious, and could be taken either way. With this seemingly contradicting personality, it makes it harder for other people to figure him out and pin him down.
However, he is also shown to be full of insecurities. A key example of this is when Kageyama comes into the picture in junior high. Kageyama’s so ridiculously gifted, and Oikawa is obviously pissed off. He's angry and scared and bitter, because this is not fair. Why is that he has to work his ass off perfecting his serves, receives and tosses, working until it’s late and the sky is dark when there's someone like Kageyama who is so ridiculously good just because he was born this natural talent? Why does Kageyama improve so fast even though he works less? Why can't Oikawa? Oikawa, out of desperation to remain the best, overextends himself and ends up subbed out of a game, being replaced by Kageyama. After Kageyama leaves, Oikawa breaks down, saying he can’t be the best and win the way he is now. His breakdown is caused by the hope in his ability to be Kitagawa Daiichi’s best setter and then the discord between that and the fact that Kageyama was switched in for him. Iwaizumi reminds him that he’s not the only one out on the court, so he doesn’t have to put all the pressure on himself. This is a pretty large turning point for Oikawa: his mindset changes from “I have to be able to do this myself” to “I’m part of a team with six people and we will be the strongest.” Due to this event, his is arrogance is tempered, and he pays more attention to group dynamics.
His insecurities are also shown in his struggle to defeat Ushijima. Aobajousai has never been the best in the prefecture, and Ushijima and his team are the reason for that. Shiratorizawa has been an obstacle that Oikawa and his team have never been able to overcome. Oikawa is not a genius, which means he has to work his ass off and always give it everything he’s got just to be able to simply compete against people who are. People like Kageyama. People like Ushijima. But even after putting hours upon hours into extra practice, even after three years of trying, he can’t defeat Ushijima. No matter how hard he worked, no matter how much he polishes everyone’s skills, and even despite the fact he was able to find a way to draw out every player's potential to the limit, they're still not strong enough to defeat a genius or to defeat pure brutal force. For him, it’s the most frustrating thing, but he refuses to give up. He confronts Ushijima after Aobajousai’s loss against Karasuno and tells him that it isn’t over between them.
With this newfound strength, Oikawa will continue to grow and work towards his goal of becoming the best. However, he will have to set his sights outside of volleyball for now and focus on his newest mission: fixing timelines and buying his way back home.
ABILITIES:
Oikawa is a sharp and observant player. He is able to easily find weaknesses in his opponent and calculate the best course of action. Years dedicated to practicing volleyball since elementary school have provided him with high levels of endurance as well as the ability to perform powerful serves.
INVENTORY: His current outfit, consisting of a #1 volleyball jersey, the Aobajousai volleyball club sweatshirt and sweatpants, socks, and gym shoes. He also has his gym bag containing an extra pair of shorts, an extra pair of socks, a large water bottle, one black kneepad and one white knee brace, his cell phone and charger, and his wallet.
WRITING SAMPLES.
NETWORK SAMPLE:
Wait, I think this is the record button…? Oh, is it on now? [ A close up of a #1 jersey fills the screen. The owner of the shirt backs up, and by the looks of it, he doesn’t seem too happy. ]
Hey! So I don’t really know if we all ended up here by accident or what, but if you did bring us here on purpose, the least you could do was ask us first! Some of us have stuff to do and places to be, y’know! And we have to pay our way back?! You’re the one’s that dragged us out of our timeline to save the world or whatever, and this is what we get?! [ He sighs dramatically, running his fingers through his hair. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down a little. ] Well... I guess we should be thankful for getting somewhere to sleep. But geez, you could’ve been a little nicer with the whole being-ripped-from-my-timeline-thing!
[ He pauses, trying to take it all in. Just a few hours ago he was walking home from a heartbreaking defeat, and now he’s expected to jump between timelines and save people or whatever? Is this some sort of prank? ]
Well, whatever. [ A small smile forms on his face. ] You want some timelines fixed? Just tell me when and where. You’re talking to a star player, after all! [ His mood seemingly does a 180 as he shows the camera a peace sign and flashes it a grin. ] I’m Oikawa Tooru, Aobajousai’s third year setter at your service! I’m from the Miyagi prefecture in Japan… on, uh, Earth, I guess.
[ He pauses again, trying to think of anything he wants to add. ] So, I guess that's it! Hopefully everything goes smoothly!
[ He sends the camera a smile and a wink before the video cuts out. ]
LOG SAMPLE: with Olivia, with Sigma + overflow
NAME: Mint
CONTACT:
CURRENT CHARACTERS: n/a
CHARACTER INFO.
NAME: Tooru Oikawa
CANON: Haikyuu!!
AGE: 17
APPEARANCE: Here
CANON POINT: end of Chapter 148, after losing to Karasuno in the Miyagi prefecture’s Spring High semifinals
BACKGROUND:
Haikyuu!! takes place in modern-day Japan, focusing on the fictional Karasuno High School located in the Miyagi prefecture. There are no superheroes, aliens, or science fiction in this universe – the story revolves around a boys’ high school volleyball team whose biggest hurdles are their school work, club practices, and volleyball tournaments.
Also in this prefecture is Aobajousai High, a championship school with a volleyball team ranked as one of the top four in the prefecture and one of Karasuno’s rivals. In addition to the natural rivalry between the two schools, some of the members have a bad history: third year Oikawa Tooru from Aobajousai and first year Kageyama Tobio from Karasuno. Both attended Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High and played on the same volleyball team. With both of them playing the setter position, a rivalry breaks out between the two. Kageyama is a prodigy setter who puts in no extra effort, while Oikawa puts in hours of extra work perfecting his technique to even get to Kageyama’s level. Striving to become the best setter in the prefecture, Oikawa sees Kageyama’s ‘genius’ skill as a threat to his goal, and becomes overcome with jealousy. The two of them part ways after graduating from junior high, but their rivalry is ignited three years later when they face each other during the Miyagi prefecture’s fall Interhigh. Both teams face defeat, however, during this tournament; although Aobajousai is able to defeat Karasuno in the semifinals, they are yet again not able to defeat their long-standing rival, Shiratorizawa Academy, in the finals.
Aobajousai’s other rival school, Shiratorizawa, is another obstacle for the team. They are known as the ‘powerhouse’ of the Miyagi prefecture, ranked among the Top 8 of Japan. Their captain, Ushijima Wakatoshi, is also one of the three best aces in the whole country, and is currently one of Japan's under 18 volleyball representatives for the Youth World Championship. Having been defeated by Ushijima again and again, Oikawa sees him as rival that he has never been able to overcome. In the Spring High semifinals, Aobajousai loses to Karasuno, and thus marks the end of the third years’ high school volleyball career. Because of this loss, Oikawa never has a chance to face Ushijima one last time.
From here on out, Oikawa, although heartbroken by their premature loss in the tournament, vows to Ushijima that his volleyball career is far from over.
PERSONALITY:
Karasuno’s first impression of Oikawa can be summarized in two words: flirtatious and childish. His seemingly carefree and laidback nature is made apparent right from the get-go; although he is captain of his school’s volleyball team, he shows up late to the practice match between Karasuno and Aobajousai without as much as a sincere apology. If you were to ask one of his team mates, his default expression is “an annoying one.” Oikawa frequently smiles and grins, although Iwaizumi Hajime, his childhood friend and the team’s vice captain, has made note that these expressions are rarely genuine. He tends to make “peace signs” or large waving gestures, which are often accompanied by broad smiles or a wink. Another trademark expression of his is him sticking out his tongue while smiling and closing one eye. He also comes with his fan club in tow; being a rather attractive and successful volleyball player, girls from Aobajousai and other high schools around the area flock to him just to talk to him and wish him luck. He also appears to pick on his fellow team mates, especially Iwaizumi, whom Oikawa refers to as “Iwa-chan.” This makes him appear very teasing and playful, regardless of the situation. When looking at him sporting his signature smile, he seems like nothing else but a womanizer with a fan club, an attention-seeker, and a carefree, frivolous guy.
It quickly becomes apparent that there’s more to him, especially once he steps out on the court. For one, there is his general presence, which is surprisingly intense. In one case, when Seijou’s in a tight spot – three points down, and it’s their opponent Karasuno’s match point – he acts entirely unconcerned and instead points out what Karasuno’s weakness is: their receives. He aims his serves at a Karasuno player Tsukishima Kei; this shows that he is almost immediately able to pinpoint as the player who is the weakest at receives. This is a strategic move, both a sign of confidence and a way to create discomfort among Karasuno, especially when Tsukishima misses Oikawa’s serve.
One of his many talents as captain is the way he handles individual players on his team. He is very clearly the captain, but does not put himself on a pedestal above others. It’s definitely a tricky balance to maintain and requires considerable awareness of both one’s audience/followers and the way one’s own actions are perceived. By reassuring one of his underclassman, Kindaichi Yuutarou, not to worry and “just jump” when he sets to him, Kindaichi unconsciously jumps higher to spike the ball; Oikawa is able to simultaneously reassure Kindaichi and draw out his potential. Oikawa can come off as arrogant to his team mates, but his team knows him well enough to know how to take the piss out of him when necessary, but it also adds to the way he works as a captain – he’s not just some unreachable figure who leads the team on his own. He has a rapport with his teammates that allows them to make fun of him, support him when he messes up, and call them nicknames (Iwa-chan, Mattsun, Makki). He’s not just their captain; he’s one of the gang.
Oikawa is a workaholic, working himself to the point of exhaustion and injury. This illustrates his drive and dedication to succeed at goals. For example, Oikawa's life is dedicated to volleyball. He practices whenever he can, and even spends his free time at home watching volleyball games online to analyze plays whenever he isn't doing his regular schoolwork. He even had a girlfriend that broke up with him because he was too absorbed in volleyball. If Oikawa has any free time, he uses it in some way that relates to volleyball. He has gotten to where he is today with years of practice and dedication, and he doesn’t have any plans on stopping. It often gets to the point where Iwaizumi has to step in and stop him from overworking himself.
Oikawa is also a frivolous guy. This seems like a contradiction in terms of traits already listed: his careful attention to team dynamics, his ruthless analysis of his opponents’ weak points, and his need to be the best in everything. These don’t really point to a “frivolous” personality, but it’s quite possible to be both, and Oikawa is a shining example of that. He enjoys the spotlight, enjoys playing an audience, and has a vast amount of pride. He likes playing head games for the sake of it, just because he can. He’s one of the people who says things that teeter on the line between joke and serious, and could be taken either way. With this seemingly contradicting personality, it makes it harder for other people to figure him out and pin him down.
However, he is also shown to be full of insecurities. A key example of this is when Kageyama comes into the picture in junior high. Kageyama’s so ridiculously gifted, and Oikawa is obviously pissed off. He's angry and scared and bitter, because this is not fair. Why is that he has to work his ass off perfecting his serves, receives and tosses, working until it’s late and the sky is dark when there's someone like Kageyama who is so ridiculously good just because he was born this natural talent? Why does Kageyama improve so fast even though he works less? Why can't Oikawa? Oikawa, out of desperation to remain the best, overextends himself and ends up subbed out of a game, being replaced by Kageyama. After Kageyama leaves, Oikawa breaks down, saying he can’t be the best and win the way he is now. His breakdown is caused by the hope in his ability to be Kitagawa Daiichi’s best setter and then the discord between that and the fact that Kageyama was switched in for him. Iwaizumi reminds him that he’s not the only one out on the court, so he doesn’t have to put all the pressure on himself. This is a pretty large turning point for Oikawa: his mindset changes from “I have to be able to do this myself” to “I’m part of a team with six people and we will be the strongest.” Due to this event, his is arrogance is tempered, and he pays more attention to group dynamics.
His insecurities are also shown in his struggle to defeat Ushijima. Aobajousai has never been the best in the prefecture, and Ushijima and his team are the reason for that. Shiratorizawa has been an obstacle that Oikawa and his team have never been able to overcome. Oikawa is not a genius, which means he has to work his ass off and always give it everything he’s got just to be able to simply compete against people who are. People like Kageyama. People like Ushijima. But even after putting hours upon hours into extra practice, even after three years of trying, he can’t defeat Ushijima. No matter how hard he worked, no matter how much he polishes everyone’s skills, and even despite the fact he was able to find a way to draw out every player's potential to the limit, they're still not strong enough to defeat a genius or to defeat pure brutal force. For him, it’s the most frustrating thing, but he refuses to give up. He confronts Ushijima after Aobajousai’s loss against Karasuno and tells him that it isn’t over between them.
With this newfound strength, Oikawa will continue to grow and work towards his goal of becoming the best. However, he will have to set his sights outside of volleyball for now and focus on his newest mission: fixing timelines and buying his way back home.
ABILITIES:
Oikawa is a sharp and observant player. He is able to easily find weaknesses in his opponent and calculate the best course of action. Years dedicated to practicing volleyball since elementary school have provided him with high levels of endurance as well as the ability to perform powerful serves.
INVENTORY: His current outfit, consisting of a #1 volleyball jersey, the Aobajousai volleyball club sweatshirt and sweatpants, socks, and gym shoes. He also has his gym bag containing an extra pair of shorts, an extra pair of socks, a large water bottle, one black kneepad and one white knee brace, his cell phone and charger, and his wallet.
WRITING SAMPLES.
NETWORK SAMPLE:
Wait, I think this is the record button…? Oh, is it on now? [ A close up of a #1 jersey fills the screen. The owner of the shirt backs up, and by the looks of it, he doesn’t seem too happy. ]
Hey! So I don’t really know if we all ended up here by accident or what, but if you did bring us here on purpose, the least you could do was ask us first! Some of us have stuff to do and places to be, y’know! And we have to pay our way back?! You’re the one’s that dragged us out of our timeline to save the world or whatever, and this is what we get?! [ He sighs dramatically, running his fingers through his hair. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down a little. ] Well... I guess we should be thankful for getting somewhere to sleep. But geez, you could’ve been a little nicer with the whole being-ripped-from-my-timeline-thing!
[ He pauses, trying to take it all in. Just a few hours ago he was walking home from a heartbreaking defeat, and now he’s expected to jump between timelines and save people or whatever? Is this some sort of prank? ]
Well, whatever. [ A small smile forms on his face. ] You want some timelines fixed? Just tell me when and where. You’re talking to a star player, after all! [ His mood seemingly does a 180 as he shows the camera a peace sign and flashes it a grin. ] I’m Oikawa Tooru, Aobajousai’s third year setter at your service! I’m from the Miyagi prefecture in Japan… on, uh, Earth, I guess.
[ He pauses again, trying to think of anything he wants to add. ] So, I guess that's it! Hopefully everything goes smoothly!
[ He sends the camera a smile and a wink before the video cuts out. ]
LOG SAMPLE: with Olivia, with Sigma + overflow