5💫
Furudate-sensei never ceases to amaze.
First and foremost, I must address an issue of utmost importance: Sugawara-san. He is, quite frankly, the epitome of adorable, an embodiment of all the crushes I ever harbored in high school. Handsome, intelligent, caring, and kind—he’s the full package. I find myself utterly at a loss for words, reduced to a mere puddle of admiration. <3
Now, onto the actual review—this volume proved to be an engrossing and captivating chapter in the saga of character development, a veritable ode to evolution. The growth unfolding before the reader’s very eyes is nothing short of mesmerizing. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Kageyama’s newfound willingness to listen to his teammates and adapt to their needs on the court.
Much of this fresh-faced Kageyama draws inspiration from Sugawara’s masterful play during the current Karasuno-Aoba Johsai match. The way Sugawara effortlessly assesses the individual strengths and weaknesses of each teammate, absorbing even the most subtle details of their movements and actions, leaves a profound impression on Kageyama. Possibly, for the first time, he begins to question his own methods, asking himself, Could I become better by learning from my senior? With this epiphany, Kageyama seizes the opportunity, using it as a springboard for his evolution as a setter.
But the theme of evolution doesn’t end with Kageyama. Far from it! Beyond the obvious growth of the first-years—Hinata and Tsukishima in particular—the team as a whole seems to rise to an entirely new level. It’s as though they’re collectively shedding an old skin, emerging stronger, sharper, and more unified than ever before.
As always, the pacing of the story is masterfully executed. I felt the pulse-pounding thrill of the match coursing through me, gripping my very being. And just when the intensity threatens to overwhelm, Furudate-sensei cleverly introduces a flashback, offering a welcome breather. These glimpses into earlier times provide much-needed context while seamlessly maintaining the story’s flow.
As you can likely glean from my effusive praise, this volume evoked a kaleidoscope of emotions within me—excitement, joy, affection, and an endless supply of "aww"s, tempered by moments of frustration and spine-tingling chills as challenges arose.
I’m already scheming to devour the next few volumes this weekend. Oh, what joy! Truly, I’m head over heels for this marvelous series.
(─‿‿─)っ🍵