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Discover how Haikyuu saved the modern sports anime genre. Find how authentic the series is compared to real life.
Ever since it first aired in 2014, Haikyuu has captured the hearts of both sports enthusiasts and anime fans. The series follows Shoyo Hinata, a young volleyball player who is able to overcome the barrier of being a short sportsman. By stunning others with his high jumping ability, he wishes to climb to the very pinnacle of the sport.
To achieve this, Hinata joins Karasuno, a school that is only a shadow of its former glory. However, with the combination of the protagonist, the genius setter Kageyama, and many more talented players, Karasuno aims to make their comeback. Sports anime have already been very popular, with classics such as Slam Dunk and Hajime no Ippo. So, how did Haikyuu save the modern sports anime genre?
Haikyuu’s accurate portrayal of volleyball, exploration of its characters’ psyche, and nail-biting matches have helped it reshape modern sports anime. This has also transcended the show itself. Let us take a closer look.
Haikyuu’s Accuracy in Depicting Volleyball
Many anime fans tend to stay away from sports anime for the sole reason that they don’t understand the rules. The writers of the story, too, only aim for the niche of the sports fans rather than a wide audience. Haikyuu does not abide by this belief and starts from the very roots. It meticulously showcases the rules, techniques, and strategies governing the game.
Since the protagonist, Hinata, himself is unaware of many techniques apart from his jumping, we learn along with him. Haikyuu perfectly depicts the troubles of serving, receiving, setting, and blocking powerful shots from the opponent. Rather than leaving it as a game played with a ball, it shows the physical toll it takes on the body. This was best shown when Tsukishima injured his hand attempting to block Ushijima’s terrifying spikes.
Along with the basic plays, Haikyuu levels up to the strategies required to trick opponents. This involves figuring out the precise timing required between the setter and attackers as well as group moves like the synchronized attack.
Additionally, the anime delves into the nuances of player positions, such as the importance of the libero’s defensive skills and the setter’s role as the “brain” of the team. We have seen in stories such as Kuroko’s Basketball and Blue Lock, where they take a high degree of imagery and freedom to show key moments. This even makes many sports aficionados believe that these anime are swaying more toward the supernatural than actual realism.
However, Haikyuu rarely faces such criticism. It may still have the dramatization required to make a series great, but its focus on the sport and the level of training to achieve greatness is unparalleled.
The Mental Resilience and Team Dynamics in Haikyuu
We have seen how Haikyuu adheres to the technicalities of the game, but it masterfully crafts another element—the human aspect. Since volleyball is a sport played by people and not machines, these people have a range of complex emotions going on in their minds when playing games.
This was seen in the very first episode, where Hinata played for a team that didn’t care for the sport as much as he did. Despite realizing this, he developed a fort around his mind to keep treading on his difficult path. Similarly, Kageyama was once a selfish player who believed himself to be the king of the court. Once both of these main characters started playing for Karasuno, they realized the value of putting their trust in teammates and growing together.
Kageyama’s main character arc highlights the importance of trust and communication. The narrative also delves into the psychological struggles of competing against monstrous opponents. Karasuno’s match against Aoba Johsai captured the emotional toll of near-defeat, as Karasuno’s players grappled with self-doubt and fatigue.
However, mental resilience itself is heavily interconnected to the team dynamics in Haikyuu. No matter how far a character falls, their teammate will be there to pick them up. Hinata and Kageyama go on to learn this, as they put their differences aside to work together. Even when Daichi was injured, he realized that Tanaka would be feeling guilty and tried to provide assurance to him. All these moments perfectly encapsulate how volleyball is a combination of mental fortitude and team chemistry.
How Haikyuu Balances Action and Emotion
The main reason why Haikyuu has risen to stardom is that it has the perfect combination of both action and emotion. Rather than alternating between the two, Haikyuu weaves them together, showing the impact it has on matches and the cast.
The volleyball matches themselves keep us at the edge of our seats from start to end. They feature fluid animation, nerve-racking tension, and exhilarating battles between teams. Sound effects and musical scores often elevate these, capturing the intensity of the moment and each play. However, it’s the emotional undercurrents that truly take these matches to the next level.
Matches between teams are far from simple sporting clashes but show struggles of ideologies as well. The match between Karasuno and Shiratorizawa displayed the underdogs facing the powerhouses, each team taking a different approach to their training. Here, the stakes are extremely high, and each point feels monumental. Hence, winning is not just a physical feat but a culmination of hard work and team play.
These feelings carry on outside the matches too, showing moments of levity and camaraderie. Scenes of the teams going on training camps, working overnight, and bonding over meals make each victory or loss feel personal.
Haikyuu’s Character-Driven Narrative
Haikyuu may be a show about the sport of volleyball, but the characters are the heart of the series. Every cast member of Haikyuu has their own set of ambitions. They often stick out due to distinctive personalities and are given depth, regardless of screen time.
We have already seen how Hinata and Kageyama form the core of the story, but the supporting cast is equally compelling. Tsukishima was initially a dispassionate player who cared nothing about the sport. However, he comes to love it and even puts his body on the line for its sake. Alongside the complex characters, those like Nishinoya are unwavering and embody the essence of a libero. Even when the team is down, he plays with all his heart to change the tides.
This character-driven narrative also applies to the opponents of Karasuno. Oikawa is a figure who often seems cheeky and condescending, but he also has his moments of compassion. Ever since a young age, he was enchanted by volleyball and worked very hard to prove it wasn’t only about natural talent. Every other character has similar backstories and motivations, making none of them feel insignificant.
This is what pushes the plot forward, showing positive feelings such as empathy and care as well as those like hate and envy. By diving deep into each character’s psyche, the series provides the foundation for them to grow. This character-driven approach is what engrosses fans in matches.
Did Haikyuu Have a Real-Life Impact on Japanese Volleyball?
Resulting from the various areas where it excels, Haikyuu has gained global recognition. This has also had a real-life impact on Japanese volleyball. Whenever a cool moment occurs in a volleyball game, you might hear common references to Haikyuu.
In Japan, students in volleyball clubs had been sharply declining, with approximately 37,000 in 2012. Following the serialization of the Haikyuu manga and anime, this took a sharp rise, with over 46,000 students in clubs by 2016. The number of students has kept constantly rising, with sports and volleyball professionals showing love for the series.
The Japanese volleyball player Yuji Nishida has been outspoken about how relatable Haikyuu is, moving him and even bringing fans to games. The show has also collaborated with the Japan Volleyball Association to help promote the sport, a task they have done successfully.
Conclusion
To conclude, Haikyuu stands as a beacon of excellence in the sports genre. It has helped revitalize it with authenticity, emotional depth, and character-driven storytelling. By accurately depicting volleyball and featuring non-stop exhilarating action, the series has had a long-standing impact on the sport in the real world too.
As we move forward to the final few arcs set to be adapted into the anime, anime fans and sports viewers around the world will have their eyes peeled for the end of this beloved series.
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