Haikyuu!! 8/10

"Haikyuu!!" is the textbook example of how a sports anime can transcend its own genre. Sort of what "Slam Dunk" did in the 90s with basketball. You absolutely do not need to be a volleyball fan to get swept up in the dynamic energy of the Karasuno High team. The series takes traditional shonen underdog tropes and infuses them with incredible emotional depth. What makes "Haikyuu!!" truly masterful compared to its peers is the character writing; even rival teams are given so much personality and growth that you find yourself rooting for both sides.

I can't believe it's been over a decade since I watched Haikyuu!! It's a great sports anime that concentrates on two main characters, but also doesn't forget how important the other characters are to make the story come to life. The most important thing in a team sports after all is the team. It feels like a mix of a thrilling coming-of-age journey that stays grounded without relying on over-the-top, unrealistic superpowers and exiting volleyball matches.

Hinata Shouyou (short but talented) and Kageyama Tobio (selfish but a prodigy) are polar opposites of each other, the only thing that connects them is volleyball. That in mind, the two need each other like Yin and Yang to pull off their best moves. So they try to work out their differences and become best friends. It's a natural progression, not an overnight development. I think these two are probably the main reason why the show works so well and is so popular even a decade later. So credit to Mangaka Haruichi Furudate for creating this bromance.

We also get to meet the other (older and younger) players from the Karasuno High team as well as the kids from the other school teams. So, we have friendship and rivalry in the center of the story. Every matchup becomes a hurdle to overcome and get stronger, quicker, smarter at playing the game.

The art style is very dynamic and vibrant. The characters look cool and the details are amazing, like the quick footwork, or sweat dripping off their foreheads. The anime also takes their time to explain to the audience what is happening in the game, and what the different moves and strategies are, so even people who know nothing about volleyball can keep up easily. The gripping soundtrack does the rest.

 

 I think the first two seasons of Haikyuu!! are a must-watch for sports anime fans. After that the story repeats itself a bit and drags out. But it's still a fun ride until the end, so I'm giving it a 8/10.