Volleyball Legends Update 18 didn’t just bring new modes and tweaks; it unleashed a defensive titan upon the courts: Hirakumi, the new Godly Max Blocker Style. This new addition has players buzzing with its unparalleled defensive capabilities and potential to redefine the meta. In Volleyball Legends, “Styles” are the unique character archetypes you collect and master, each with distinct stats and abilities. If you’re looking to understand the Hirakumi style’s power, learn its stats, discover how to unlock it, or master strategies to win with (or against) this formidable style, this comprehensive guide is your ultimate resource.
The Hirakumi style arrived as a headline feature of the significant Volleyball Legends Update 18, released around May 10-12, 2025. This Godly-tier style is reportedly inspired by the character Hirugami Sachirō from the acclaimed “Haikyu!!” series, known for his exceptional blocking prowess.
The Arrival of a Defensive Titan Style
Hirakumi isn’t just another style; it’s a statement. Marketed by the developers as the “ONLY character style in-game to have a max block,” its introduction signals a potential shift towards more strategic defensive play. As a Godly rarity style, it’s among the most sought-after additions to any player’s collection.
Hirakumi Style’s Role: The Unyielding Wall
The design philosophy for the Hirakumi style is clear: it’s a specialist defensive anchor. Its primary function is to dominate the net, shutting down even the most fearsome spikes and creating opportunities for its team. While this style might not be the fastest or the most versatile, its specific strengths are game-changing.
Hirakumi Style’s Godly Stats: A Deep Dive
Understanding the Hirakumi style’s statistical profile is key to unlocking its potential and recognizing its limitations. This style is one of extremes, excelling in some areas while being notably deficient in others.
The Unstoppable Force: Block and Jump
This is where the Hirakumi style truly shines and earns its “Max Blocker” title. It boasts a perfect 100% in Block and a perfect 100% in Jump. This combination allows the Hirakumi style to reach incredible heights and present an almost impenetrable barrier at the net when timed correctly. Its blocks aren’t just deflections; they are often described as sending the ball “straight down,” akin to a counter-spike.
The Achilles’ Heel: Speed and Other Stats
The trade-off for this immense blocking power is a significant lack of mobility. The Hirakumi style has a mere 10% in Speed, making it “very slow” and reliant on pre-emptive positioning. While its Serve is a strong 90%, its offensive capabilities like Spike (40%) and Set (50%) are moderate. Its receiving stats, Dive (30%) and Bump (Receive) (20%), are quite low, reinforcing its role as a net-front specialist rather than an all-around style.
Full Stat Breakdown
Here’s a comprehensive look at the Hirakumi style’s official stats:
- Block: 100%
- Jump: 100%
- Serve: 90%
- Set: 50%
- Spike: 40%
- Dive: 30%
- Bump (Receive): 20%
- Speed: 10%
These stats paint a picture of a highly specialized style: a defensive powerhouse at the net with a potent serve, but vulnerable if caught out of position or forced into general play.
The term “Max Block” isn’t just flavor text; it represents a core aspect of the Hirakumi style’s unique design and devastating effectiveness.
What Makes “Max Block” Unique?
The Hirakumi style is currently the only style in Volleyball Legends to possess this “Max Block” capability, stemming from its 100% Block stat. While the exact underlying game mechanics are proprietary, it strongly implies a blocking success rate and effective area significantly superior to any other style. When timed correctly, its blocks are exceptionally difficult, if not impossible, for opponents to power through or tool effectively.
The “Straight Down” Effect
Player accounts and gameplay showcases consistently highlight a distinct characteristic of the Hirakumi style’s blocks: they often deflect the ball sharply “straight down” onto the opponent’s court. This isn’t a soft block that keeps the ball in play for teammates; it’s an aggressive, point-scoring block, similar to the effect of a “counter spike.” This ability to turn a defensive action into an immediate point makes the Hirakumi style a terrifying presence at the net and can quickly demoralize offensive players. This is what developers refer to when mentioning its “crazy shutdown blocks.”
How to Unlock the Hirakumi Style
As a Godly-tier style, acquiring the Hirakumi style requires a combination of luck and strategic use of in-game resources.
The Gacha System: Spins and Rarity
The Hirakumi style is obtained through the game’s gacha-style spin system. Being a Godly rarity style, its base drop chance from Default Spins is a mere 0.5%. This makes it one of the rarest and most coveted styles in the game.
Maximizing Your Chances
While the odds are steep, players can slightly improve their chances:
- Lucky Spins: Using Lucky Spins instead of Default Spins is generally recommended when hunting for rare styles like Hirakumi.
- Godly Tier Preference: Volleyball Legends features a preference system. By selecting the Hirakumi style (or the Godly Tier generally if it’s the only one you’re targeting in that tier) in the style acquisition menu, you can focus your “pity” or weighted chances. With Lucky Spins and this preference, players have reported the chance to be around 5%.
Remember, events like the “2x Secret Luck Weekend” (which ran from May 3-5, 2025, for Update 18’s launch) can significantly boost these odds temporarily, but the core mechanics above are standard. Patience and strategic spin usage are key to unlocking this powerful style.
Simply unlocking the Hirakumi style isn’t enough; mastering its unique playstyle is crucial for leveraging its immense defensive potential.
Positioning is Everything
With a Speed stat of only 10%, the Hirakumi style cannot rely on chasing down plays.
- Anticipate: Read the opponent’s setter and spikers to position the Hirakumi style pre-emptively where the attack is most likely to occur.
- Net Presence: Keep the Hirakumi style close to the net. Its effectiveness plummets if it’s drawn away from its blocking domain.
- Minimize Movement: Focus on small, precise adjustments rather than large sprints. Understand its limited range and play within it.
Team Synergies: Who Complements the Hirakumi Style?
The Hirakumi style is not a solo carry; it thrives in a team that understands and supports its role.
- Agile Defenders: Teammates with styles boasting high Speed and Dive/Receive stats are essential to cover the areas the Hirakumi style cannot reach and to dig any balls that get past its block.
- Strong Offensive Setters/Spikers: Since the Hirakumi style’s blocks can create immediate offensive opportunities (or score directly), having players who can capitalize on a slightly disrupted defense or put away free balls is crucial. A good setter style that can also cover some defensive ground is invaluable.
- Communication: Clear communication to call out opponent strategies and coordinate defensive coverage around the Hirakumi style is paramount.
When to Use the Hirakumi Style: Optimal Scenarios
While powerful, the Hirakumi style might not be the best choice for every single match or against every opponent.
- Against Power Spikers: It excels against teams that rely heavily on predictable, powerful spikes aimed at the center of the net.
- Structured Defense: In more organized play where defensive systems are in place, the Hirakumi style can act as the cornerstone of that system.
- Psychological Warfare: Its mere presence can intimidate opponents into making riskier shots or avoiding its blocking zone entirely.
Countering the Hirakumi Style: Exploiting Weaknesses
Facing a skilled player using the Hirakumi style can be daunting, but it’s not invincible. Understanding its weaknesses is key to formulating effective counter-strategies.
Attack Around the Wall
The Hirakumi style’s primary weakness is its abysmal speed.
- Quick Sets & Combinations: Fast offensive plays that spread the attack across the net can leave the Hirakumi style struggling to keep up.
- Wide Attacks & Cut Shots: Aim spikes towards the far edges of the court or use sharp angle shots that force the Hirakumi style to move laterally.
- Feints & Dumps: Setter dumps or off-speed shots into undefended areas can exploit its slow reaction time to recover to different zones.
- Off-Blocker Hits: Target spikers away from the Hirakumi style if your team has consistent attackers who can hit lines or sharp angles.
Tooling the Block
While its “Max Block” is formidable, it’s not always a guaranteed point for its user.
- Wipe/Tool Shots: Skilled spikers can sometimes aim to hit the ball off the higher, outer edges of the Hirakumi style’s block, sending it out of bounds on its side. This requires precision and is risky.
- Vary Shot Height & Power: Mixing up hard spikes with softer roll shots or tips can make it harder for the Hirakumi style to time its jumps perfectly.
Styles That Challenge Hirakumi
- Fast Setters: Setter styles that can deliver quick, unpredictable sets to various points on the net can stretch the Hirakumi style’s defense thin.
- Spikers with Tricky Shots: Styles known for exceptional cut shots, sharp angle spikes, or effective tips can find ways around its central blocking presence.
- Styles that Excel in Scramble Plays: If your team is good at keeping the ball alive after a partial block, you might frustrate a Hirakumi style-centric defense.
The arrival of any Godly style sparks debate, and Hirakumi is no exception. Its unique “Max Block” and extreme stat distribution have certainly shaken things up.
Initial Player Reactions
The community’s first impressions have been overwhelmingly strong. Many fan-made tier lists immediately placed the Hirakumi style in S-Tier, with players dubbing its abilities “insane” and “OP” (overpowered). The code “GODLY_BLOCKER” released with Update 18 further fueled this perception. Comments highlight that its block feels like a return to older, more dominant blocking mechanics.
Long-Term Potential and Meta Impact
While its shutdown potential is undeniable, the Hirakumi style is a highly specialized style. Its success is heavily dependent on player skill in positioning and team coordination to cover its speed deficiency. It may not be a universal pick for all playstyles or team compositions. However, developers themselves noted that the Hirakumi style “might become the new top godly character,” suggesting they designed it for significant impact. Its presence will likely force a meta-adjustment, encouraging more strategic offensive play to circumvent its dominant net defense.
Only time and high-level competitive play will definitively determine the Hirakumi style’s ultimate place in the Volleyball Legends meta, but its introduction is undeniably one of the most exciting aspects of Update 18.
Volleyball Legends Hirakumi Style FAQs
Q1: What is the Hirakumi style’s rarest stat?
A1: The Hirakumi style’s most defining feature is its 100% Block (“Max Block”), unique to this style. Its 10% Speed is also an extreme stat, making it the slowest.
Q2: Is the Hirakumi style good for beginners?
A2: Due to its extremely low speed and reliance on precise positioning and game sense, the Hirakumi style might be challenging for beginners to use effectively. It rewards experienced players with strong anticipation skills.
Q3: Can the Hirakumi style attack well?
A3: The Hirakumi style’s Spike stat is 40% and Set is 50% (moderate). Its primary role is defense, but its 90% Serve makes it a threat from the service line. It’s not designed as a primary attacker style.
Q4: What’s the best way to practice with the Hirakumi style?
A4: Focus on practice matches to learn opponent tendencies. Pay close attention to setters and try to anticipate ball trajectory. Practice small, efficient movements at the net.
Q5: Does the Hirakumi style’s Max Block work against all spikes?
A5: While exceptionally powerful, “Max Block” still requires correct timing and positioning. Extremely fast or tricky shots might still find ways through or around if the Hirakumi style is poorly positioned.
Q6: Which court positions are best for the Hirakumi style?
A6: The Hirakumi style is best utilized in a front-row, middle blocker position to maximize its net coverage without needing extensive movement.
Q7: How does the Hirakumi style compare to other blocker styles?
A7: The Hirakumi style’s 100% Block and “Max Block” ability offer potentially the highest raw blocking power. Other blocker styles might offer more speed or versatility, but Hirakumi aims for ultimate shutdown at the cost of mobility.
