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helpful canon facts that might be useful for kuroken content creators, a thread:
before we start, obviously i'm no authority and art/fic creation are totally up to you! you don't have to follow canon at all, but i just figured that this might be helpful to those who are nervous about creating kuroken content or want inspiration!!
1. names
kenma refers to kuroo as "kuro" almost exclusively, which is a nickname and written differently than "kuroo". kuroo calls kenma "kenma", his first name, though when he's teasing him he also calls him "kenma-kun".
kenma refers to kuroo as "kuro" almost exclusively, which is a nickname and written differently than "kuroo". kuroo calls kenma "kenma", his first name, though when he's teasing him he also calls him "kenma-kun".
(also quick note before i continue, this thread will contain manga spoilers, especially for kuroken's backstory!!!)
2. background
kuroo and kenma met ~10 years prior to the events of haikyuu pre-timeskip, ~15 years post timeskip. kenma was 7 at the time and kuroo 8. they met because kuroo's family moved to tokyo into the house next to kenma's and their parents introduced them.
kuroo and kenma met ~10 years prior to the events of haikyuu pre-timeskip, ~15 years post timeskip. kenma was 7 at the time and kuroo 8. they met because kuroo's family moved to tokyo into the house next to kenma's and their parents introduced them.
3. families
kuroo lives with his grandparents and father. his mother's whereabouts are unknown. kenma lives with both of his parents, and kenma and kuroo are canonically only children.
kuroo lives with his grandparents and father. his mother's whereabouts are unknown. kenma lives with both of his parents, and kenma and kuroo are canonically only children.
4. ages
kenma and kuroo are less than a year apart in age - ~11 months - and their birthdays are november 17, 1994 and october 16, 1995.
kenma and kuroo are less than a year apart in age - ~11 months - and their birthdays are november 17, 1994 and october 16, 1995.
5. volleyball backstory
kuroo and kenma began playing together as young children after they first met and have been playing together ever since. it was kuroo who suggested kenma play as setter due to his keen eye for observation. (1/2)
kuroo and kenma began playing together as young children after they first met and have been playing together ever since. it was kuroo who suggested kenma play as setter due to his keen eye for observation. (1/2)
(2/2) they began playing on the same actual team together when they were in middle school, a team of which kuroo was the captain, and continued playing together until high school.
6. academics
kuroo is better in school than kenma and seems to be very smart, as indicated by his school class as well as his snarky chemistry insults. he also takes the time to tutor kenma, though, which means that kenma has never failed a class.
kuroo is better in school than kenma and seems to be very smart, as indicated by his school class as well as his snarky chemistry insults. he also takes the time to tutor kenma, though, which means that kenma has never failed a class.
7. favorites
kuroo's favorite food is grilled salted mackerel pike, and kenma's is apple pie. they tease each other about these foods (among other things)
kuroo's favorite food is grilled salted mackerel pike, and kenma's is apple pie. they tease each other about these foods (among other things)
8. hair
kenma is the one to reveal that kuroo's hair is just bedhead, also showing that he's aware of how kuroo sleeps. kenma dyed his hair because he was told that he looked like sadako from the ring by yamamoto, and kuroo wasn't aware of it until kenma went through with it!
kenma is the one to reveal that kuroo's hair is just bedhead, also showing that he's aware of how kuroo sleeps. kenma dyed his hair because he was told that he looked like sadako from the ring by yamamoto, and kuroo wasn't aware of it until kenma went through with it!
9. hobbies
beyond volleyball, it's shown that both of them play video games: their first few hangouts they played together, kuroo's come to kenma's house asking to play metal gear, and in the spinoff, kuroo says multiple times he plays games for and with kenma!
beyond volleyball, it's shown that both of them play video games: their first few hangouts they played together, kuroo's come to kenma's house asking to play metal gear, and in the spinoff, kuroo says multiple times he plays games for and with kenma!
10. closeness level
even trying to keep bias out of it, the manga shows kuroo and kenma to be very close: to the point where they can read each other's expressions and communicate to each other nonverbally! they know each other better than anyone
even trying to keep bias out of it, the manga shows kuroo and kenma to be very close: to the point where they can read each other's expressions and communicate to each other nonverbally! they know each other better than anyone
11. teasing
however, despite their closeness, they've been shown to use this information to tease each other, as well as constantly bicker: for example, in this panel, where kenma offers kuroo a mint candy despite knowing he doesn't like it.
however, despite their closeness, they've been shown to use this information to tease each other, as well as constantly bicker: for example, in this panel, where kenma offers kuroo a mint candy despite knowing he doesn't like it.
12. relationship
although most assume it was kuroo who dragged kenma out of his shell, chapter 318 shows it to be the opposite: that it was kuroo who was even shyer than kenma, but kenma encouraged him to join a team and make friends.
although most assume it was kuroo who dragged kenma out of his shell, chapter 318 shows it to be the opposite: that it was kuroo who was even shyer than kenma, but kenma encouraged him to join a team and make friends.
13. partnership
the chapter about the two of them and their relationship is called "partners". canonically, then, the two are partners - displayed both in volleyball and outside of it. kuroo relies on kenma to come up with strategies for the team and centers him. in return, (1/2)
the chapter about the two of them and their relationship is called "partners". canonically, then, the two are partners - displayed both in volleyball and outside of it. kuroo relies on kenma to come up with strategies for the team and centers him. in return, (1/2)
(2/2) kenma is more than willing to call kuroo out when he's slacking off and support his decisions. outside of volleyball, they're shown to be together very often, walking to school together, hanging out outside of school, etc.
14. support
kenma thought about quitting the nekoma volleyball team during his first year playing due to the upperclassmen's unfair treatment of him and general rudeness to him. it was kuroo who encouraged him to stay on the team, telling him how incredible he is.
kenma thought about quitting the nekoma volleyball team during his first year playing due to the upperclassmen's unfair treatment of him and general rudeness to him. it was kuroo who encouraged him to stay on the team, telling him how incredible he is.
15. their park
in the manga and anime, kuroo & kenma are shown at a park multiple times: as kids playing volleyball together, and then again when kuroo tells kenma not to quit volleyball in high school. it's implied to be somewhere they go often/an important place for them.
in the manga and anime, kuroo & kenma are shown at a park multiple times: as kids playing volleyball together, and then again when kuroo tells kenma not to quit volleyball in high school. it's implied to be somewhere they go often/an important place for them.
16. kuroo's favorite conversation topic
kuroo is shown many times in canon talking about kenma/telling stories about kenma, to the point that the other nekoma third years have names for his kenma stories because he's told them so often!
kuroo is shown many times in canon talking about kenma/telling stories about kenma, to the point that the other nekoma third years have names for his kenma stories because he's told them so often!
17. kenma's respect for kuroo
despite kenma's typically snarky attitude towards kuroo at times, as a child, kenma was shown to have a lot of respect for kuroo, even in awe of him at times! and it's safe to assume that kenma carries that respect and awe with him even now.
despite kenma's typically snarky attitude towards kuroo at times, as a child, kenma was shown to have a lot of respect for kuroo, even in awe of him at times! and it's safe to assume that kenma carries that respect and awe with him even now.
