What Drives the Dragon? Japan Takes Aim at the VNL Top

In the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) tournament, the Japanese men's national team—nicknamed Ryūjin Nippon, inspired by the legendary "dragon god"—achieved an unprecedented feat by going undefeated throughout the 12 matches in the pool stage. This remarkable success propelled them to the top of the rankings, securing a spot in the final knockout round set to take place from July 29 to August 2 in China.

The team's dominant performance in the 2026 VNL is not entirely surprising, given their consistent excellence in recent tournaments. In 2023, they won 10 consecutive matches during the opening rounds and claimed the bronze medal at the end of the competition. The previous year, in 2024, they improved their performance, securing the silver medal.

However, the 2026 season appears to be an anomaly. The team's journey began under French volleyballer Philippe Blain's coaching, who took over from Laurent Tillie midway through the 2024 Paris Olympics. During the transition period, the team experimented with new practices, scheduling, and strategies, leaving the players uncertain about navigating this new system.

This upcoming season, Tillie serves his second year as the team's head coach, and the players appear more comfortable with his approach. Tillie has also benefited from the return of key players who previously participated in the 2024 Paris Games, such as Nishida Yūji and Yamauchi Akihiro. The presence of these experienced players has boosted the team's morale and contributed significantly to their success this season.

One notable improvement in Japan's lineup is the resurgence of Takahashi Ran, their star player. Over the past year, he has reduced his body fat ratio from 12% to 8%, enhancing his explosive leaps and dynamic movement on the court. With 208 points accumulated in the VNL preliminary matches, Takahashi Ran has become the fifth highest-scoring player in the tournament, contributing significantly to Japan's victories.

The team's depth has also expanded, with less of a skill gap between the regular starters and reserve players. This improved cohesion has been evident in recent matches against strong opponents like the United States and Canada, where the reserves played pivotal roles in securing crucial victories.

Among the outside hitters, Ōtsuka Tatsunori has made a significant transition, moving from his Italian league team Powervolley Milano to join Ryūjin Nippon. Tomita Shōma has significantly improved his defensive skills and attacking power, making him a reliable option whenever he takes the floor. The youngest member of the team, 22-year-old Kai Masato, has also made a swift impact, earning top scorer accolades in the July 17 match against Belgium during his first start.

In the middle block and libero positions, Japan boasts world-class players like Larry Ik Evbade-Dan, Nishimoto Keigo, Yamamoto Tomohiro, and Ogawa Tomohiro. This depth in skills and experience has created a highly competitive environment within the team, ensuring that each player has a role to play and can contribute to the team's overall success.

One crucial return to the team is setter Fukatsu Hideomi, who has been instrumental in Japan's recent triumphs. His accurate tosses have consistently provided space for stars like Ishikawa Yūki, the current captain of the Japanese side. Fukatsu's experience, combined with his recent return to the team after a seven-year absence, has been a significant factor in Japan's ability to execute strategies effectively during matches.

Fukatsu has noted that his maturity is a key element of his playing style, emphasizing that winning at this level requires a solid technical foundation alongside mental toughness. As Japan's men's volleyball team gears up for the final knockout round, their remarkable performance in the VNL tournament showcases their growth and readiness to compete at the highest levels of international volleyball.