This counts as my review for the whole Haikyuu!! manga
”You don’t win alone. That’s just how it is.”
READ FOR: best character developments and themes that I have ever encountered READING LEVEL: Level 1-3 out of 5
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless stated otherwise*
I don’t think I’ll ever have enough words to express how much I love this manga and anime series but I’ll try anyway. But I just need to make it known that this has changed my view in anime and manga forever. I caught up with this manga in the last 30 or so chapters but I won’t say much to avoid spoilers... but it was crazy.
It made me laugh, cry, fall in love, think, and honestly... what else do you need in a series? I can keep going on and on about this series but honestly I think you should just read it for yourself. I really don't think you'll regret it.
When someone asks me what the plot is, honestly, all I can say is “they play volleyball” HAHAHA… but it’s so much more than that.
PLOT: ★★★★★ The plot was so well thought of from the very beginning and when I re-read the manga I can’t believe the amount of foreshadowing Furudate actually placed. My mind was so blown… I just. No words. I am seriously in love.
ART STYLE: ★★★★★ The art style… *chef’s kiss* especially in the later arcs. There were so many matches but even then Furudate never failed to leave me breathless at each one.
CHARACTERS: ★★★★★ The character development here is THE BEST. HANDS DOWN. that I have ever come across. I fell in love with the so many characters in this series that I did not even think that was possible.
The character relationships... the character dynamics... their mindsets... they are all so perfectly well done and realistic GAHHHH I've said this so many time throughout this review BUT THEY JUST MADE ME FALL IN LOVE SO EASILY. I can't pick my favourite one but hinata and kageyama just hold a special place in my heart.
This connects to the themes but my favourite thing that was done with the characters here was that each one of them embodied a theme or a message that the author wanted to get across. Those are spoilers so I won’t really talk about it but just know that it was one of the main reasons that made me go so crazy about this series.
*cough* hinata kageyama atsumu sakusa bokuto kita noya ushijima tendou tsukki suga kenma kuroo *cough* +++
Note: if you think this series is focused on only 1 team... you're in it for A RIDEEEEEE
I'm getting chills just looking at and remembering these panels ^^
THEMES: ★★★★★ Honestly I basically thought the themes were just gonna be “teamwork” and “friendship”… while it is all that, Furudate sensei was able to make it even deeper.
I think the one that was focused on the most was “It’s not always about winning, it’s about growth”. But there were also so many smaller things that lead up to that bigger point: (1) we get our strength from others, (2) but you also need to make yourself dependable, (3) there is always room for improvement, (4) working hard is good but overworking yourself isn’t, (5) you are built on the small things you do everyday, (6) an ace's back should be an inspiration to your teammates (hi bokuto), (7)+++
The way I wrote it was very straight to the point but I was amazed at how Furudate tackled the so many messages that I received from this series.
PACING: ★★★★★ THE TIMING. OF EVERYTHING. JUST MAKES SENSE.
It’s so realistic that I want to cry. (I actually already did… a lot of times.)
PAGE TURNER: ★★★★★
You should understand that I made this review weeks after I finally calmed down about this series cuz I was really going crazy about it HAHAHA if you have finished this series too or met me while I was reading this, you know what I’m talking about ;)
I'll keep this series close to my heart until the grave. You cannot convince me otherwise.
It'd be difficult for Team Karasuno to get into rhythm after such a heavy loss against Aoba Johsai. The road ahead will be treacherous so they should just focus on improving their skills while moving forward. I'm sure they'll grow by leaps and bounds along the way.
The biggest moments I felt were Daichi's peptalk to Yamaguchi, Hinata's feat at the start of the duce, and Takeda-sensei's inspiring words to Hinata and Kageyama. The way team Karasuno's players are all so close with eachother makes me a little jealous. That's like true friendship between the guys and I'm super eager to see how the relationships develop, especially the first years' going through high school. This volume was chocked full of emotion and I loved it for that.
A dramatic and difficult ending to Karasuno's set of games with Blue Castle, which I think filled almost four volumes?? How does this author do it, seriously. I'm impressed, and curious to see what happens before the spring tournament begins.
oh my god i knew that was coming I KNEW IT WAS COMING I WAS ANTICIPATING IT BUT IT STILL MADE ME BAWL MY EYES OUT AND THEN I WATCHED EPISODE 24 OF THE ANIME AND THAT POST CREDIT SCENE WITH THE SAD AS SHIT MUSIC AND THEM CRYING AND COACH UKAI'S VOICE OVER ABSOLUTELY KILLED ME. i don't even know why, there's just something especially heartbreaking about this particular loss. they fought so hard and got so close. i never wanna see them sad again. but then, aoba johsai didn't manage to beat shiratorizawa yet again, so that's enough to make me feel quite happy. although i do want to see them beat shira once. just once. because reasons. also this volume is pretty much perfect and i'm dead. now i'll go listen to the last track of the season 1 ost and cry for 3 hours. bye.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Que increíble como sucede todo y lo que sufrí leyendolo. Sabía que no iban a ganar pero que gran pelea que le dieron!!! Ame cada instante y lo que dicen sobre perder. Que no es sinónimo de debilidad..amén. ojalá mucha gente pudiera comprender eso.
A seguir leyendo. VAMO HAIKYU
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
fine, i'll stop fucking around and actually share thoughts and notes:
1. oikawa is an actual beast. to even think that this is in HIGHSCHOOL. like, wow 2. in that regard, i also love when even the 'best' players make mistakes and it gets shown because YES, they are just highschoolers (and human, but that is a given)! 3. yamaguchi missing the serve on his debut appearance will forever have me literally go "babyyyy :(((((" LIKE my baby my shayla i love him, he is so tiny. this was the biggest hit his confidence could have taken, and he didn't have lots to begin with. secondly, i know he'll grow better later and goes on to score many in a row, but just this moment. the fact that he actually turned into someone who doesn't run away from it anymore - man, i love this kid 4. oh btw, ukai jr is the biggest WOULD. like. wow. the slicked back hair with the headband, ughhhghhg this GUY 5. noya's words will forever be reassuring 6. the one hand set into a quick, perfection 7. oh man, this match pulls on my heartstrings. i love aoba johsai 8. THE TOKYO TRAINING CAMP IS NEXT. I LOVE YOU BOKUTO I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU, YOU TOO AKAASHI I LVOE YOU
Things we learnt from this volume: -Oikawa is STILL trash. (But I still love him), -Ennoshita is such an underrated character in this series !, -Yamaguchi is precious and needs to be protected at all costs, -The third years make me super emotional (almost as emotional at Hinata) because I don't want any of them to leave the team, EVER. (What will Karasuno do without their team mum and dad - Suga and Daichi?!), -Also, everyone's crying during the dinner scene was too cute, but it was nice to see the characters acting their high school ages as sometimes I forget they're teenagers still...
I feel their pain but I'm excited to carry on reading, mainly because I know we're going to meet one of my favourite characters soon! (Bokuto!) and revisit two of my favourites (Kenma & Kuroo!) BRING IT ON.
havent even started yet but i am trying to prep myself for the tears edit: i highkey adore this volume edit2: i was NOT expecting to like it this much plis edit3: nope i didnt cry:)
Takeda es un cielete y Yamahuchi otro. El listón de Hinata está en las nubes, socorro, es que soy fanísima. A tope con la intensidad. ¡Y con el fin del rey solitario! Mi hijo preferido está aprendiendo a confiar en los demás ♥️
PD. No me fijo en los resultados de los partidos porque ya me los sé, soy lo peor 😂😂 pero sad. Y la escena en el césped TT
What a great match! It makes sense for it to end like that, because Karasuno has only been training together for a couple of weeks and it's too early on in the series for a win to feel earned. I liked Oikawa to begin with and this volume solidified my love for him even more. Unlike Kageyama, he's not super talented so he has to work extra hard to get to where he is. His hunger and frustration resonate with me. And while Kageyama isn't my favorite of the series, I enjoy his growth over the course of the match.
Hasta el momento, el tomo que más me ha gustado de todos. Leer los mangas es un pequeño consuelo después de saber el destrozo que le van a hacer a la "quinta temporada" :(
Definitely so so so many feels right now! Almost the whole volume had me SUPER on edge! Like, I just can't even wrap my mind around all that happened!
Literally everyone has grown SO much! Not just Karasuno, but I would say Bluecastle too. It's amazing to watch both these teams play and fight for the upper hand. While I'm a hardcore Karasuno fan, I can't help but admire Bluecastle and see how The Great King is bringing out 100% of his teammates with his setting. Just absolutely amazing!
I honestly can't get over the art!! There are panels that are absolutely breathtaking and you feel deep in your heart the focus and the energy these guys have. It is incredible!!
While I was thankful for Sensei in the anime, he hits differently in the manga. I am SO glad we have this wise man backing Karasuno. <3
Also, YAMGUCHI!! He is SO precious and I'm so excited knowing what's coming for him. You go this, Yams!!