DaiSuga

DaiSuga is the slash ship between Daichi Sawamura and Koushi Sugawara from the Haikyu!! fandom.

Canon
Daichi and Sugawara have known each other since their first year of Karasuno, and continue to be friends past high school. They are seen to have a great and closely trusted bond, as they are on a first-name basis. Sugawara was also the only member of Karasuno who was capable of lecturing Daichi and is sometimes immune to his intimidation. They are seen hanging outside of school with Asahi, and the trio are often seen having dialogue with each other.

After suffering defeat from a much more powerful middle school Volleyball-wise, Daichi is crushed and decides to enroll in Karasuno. He openly displays his reasons for joining Karasuno- he saw the past team's power at National Volleyball. Despite the team going silent at Daichi's words, they support and compliment him for his goal of winning nationally. At this time, the previous coach Ukai had left and the rest of the team evidently didn't know how to tell Daichi.

As time passed and he got to know the other first-years at Karasuno, mainly Sugawara and Asahi, they discussed the lack of practice matches. One of their teammates goes as far to say it's due to the other teams not wishing to waste time on Karasuno, since they were no longer a champion team. As Daichi started to stay even after practice with resilience for the team, the other first years began to do the same. Sugawara and Asahi assisted Daichi in researching volleyball tactics and improving receives. Despite this, they lost their first match. As the third-years graduated, the captain announced that it was too late and Karasuno might never be strong again, but if is to be, then it was up to Sugawara, Asahi and Daichi.

Despite the moving words, the team ran into more issues the very next year due to a lack of Asahi's self-esteem in combat, causing the ace to no longer ask for tosses. Daichi had to cover for him but was blocked, and Karasuno lost. Asahi and Nishinoya had a fight over the match and in general, causing Asahi to storm out and leave Daichi and Sugawara to clean the mess. As Sugawara is cleaning, Daichi reassures Suga without needing to talk to him to know that Sugawara feels as though it is his fault as the setter.

The following year when the series starts, Sugawara ponders why Daichi was being so rough on Kageyama and Hinata, the first years. The captain explains his logic to his friend, and tells him of his theory of their combo. This is later proven true, as in a practice match in the club versues the club, the combo works amazingly. After this practice, Karasuno heads down to Sakanoshita Shop. Kageyama mentions the match against Aoba Johsai and apologizes to Suga, who only replies he'll be happy to see Kageyama defeat his former teammates. Daichi adds that they'd dominate as a group.

Sugawara is seen scolding Daichi for his weak-spirited comment referring to the team not getting along, and Daichi hesitantly agrees. This doesn't seem like much, but the majority of the time Daichi is always the one to be scolding others, never the other way around. Asahi sadly replies he can't face Sugawara, the setter nor Nishinoya due to his shortcomings during the match Asahi lost all his self esteem in the match. Daichi only teases Asahi with a touch of reassurance, knowing that both Sugawara and Nishinoya would easily accept him back with no worries over previous mistakes.

Later on, Sugawara in another practice match impresses his younger classmen, causing Daichi to brag about Suga's skills, later proudly looking on. At the end of the practice match, Daichi remarks that Sugawara's made a comeback too. Suga apologizes for being hesitant and timid, but Daichi only replies that he's never said those things- also implying he's never even thought that about Sugawara.

Daichi is the first to notice that Aoba Johsai has improved since the practice match. Aoba Johsai gains a large lead over Karasuno before Sugawara is switched in. He quickly increases everyone’s morale, though he lectures Daichi on losing his composure. Daichi gets his head back in the game and thinks about how Sugawara may seem like a pitiable third year whose spot got stolen, but he’s still Karasuno’s other setter.

Daichi is shown looking despondent in his classroom the next day. He, Sugawara, and Asahi later meet up and Daichi states that how he thinks it would be for the better to retire from the team and allow the second years to take over. He thought it would be good for them to make it to Spring High as third years, but he trusts the second and first years to take over a little earlier than planned. Sugawara interrupts him, asking if that’s how he really feels. Tearfully, Daichi exclaims that he still wants to continue playing.

Fanon
DaiSuga is the most popular ship for both characters. In most fanwork, they're often referred to as the parents of Karasuno: Dadchi and Sugamama/Sugapapa being popular nicknames for the two. This idea is later inforced by Asahi remarking that they're similar to his parents, and has been scolded by them multiple times. They're often shown with the rest of Karasuno, trying to control the volleyball team's antics. In other fanworks, they're shown to be happy and caring towards each other alike a old married couple. Overall, their ship is healthy and seen as "fluffy" much more so than the angsty trope.

On AO3, DaiSuga is the most written ship for both Daichi and Koushi. It is also the sixth most written ship in the Haikyu!! tag.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

TUMBLR

Trivia

 * Daichi and Sugawara have similar heights. Daichi was 176.8cm tall, while Sugawara was 174.3 cm pre-timskip in November 2017.

Variations

 * AsaDaiSuga refers to the ship between the two and Asahi Azumane