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.
The story is good and several moments I really liked in how intensely they were drawn.
However I am going to be DNFing this series. And not because it’s bad! It’s very well written and the characters are all well done, so if you’re interested in a sports manga I would recommend this one. I’ve just realized this is not for me.
First of all, I’m forgetting major events that happened in earlier volumes which is always a warning sign to me that I’m only just okay with a story rather than enjoying or loving it. And secondly after thinking it over I’ve come to realize I don’t like books (or manga, apparently) purely based on competing or sports as all the stories I DO like that have this element are movies, so the anime might actually work better for me.
I’m sorry to everyone who was excited that I was going to read and review this series because I’m disappointed too. However I have to do what’s right for me and my reading time and tastes, so that’s why I’m ultimately quitting this series. 😔
‼️Content‼️
Language: sucked; what the heck; crap; oh my God; oh my gosh; geez; heck; dang it
Violence: a guy’s smacked on the head with a volleyball
Sexual: a girl’s called hot
[Read as one of my 2023 Specific Manga to Read goal]
-torino torino torino -full drawings of kiyoko san at the starting of every chapter WE'VE BEEN BLESSED. -not oikawa sulking bc he wasnt featured in montly volleyball -noya barged into asahi's classroom and someone said, "is he his dog?" UM HELLO N O (this was for the vol 4 but)- coach ukai wore lavender scented thingy so he wouldnt smell of tobacco lol -ukai bean harvesting>>>> -yams yams yams yams yams training uwu -TSUKKI'S ROOM HAS A LIL DINASOUR IN IT NO 2 LIL DINASOURS AND SMTH THAT LOOKS LIKE PAW PRINTS -i love his headphones doe -OMG THAT 'FLY' BANNER -that banner does smth to me
-kiyoko shimizu, aka heather :good luck *runs away* legit everyone, except the first years: cries -kiyoko, yams, and tsukki's faces in that panel hahaha so cute uwu -tananoya in the panel below that omg this is so cute -who said michimiya has very chunky thighs:) i just want to talk:) -senti asahi ahha -omg i love suga sm he's so chaotic<3 -KAGEHINA RACING KAGEHINA RACING -THE WORLD STAGE FORESHADOWING I SEE U (ugh i wish i didnt know so many spoilers) -AAAA SUGA SMILING PLEASE -kagehina: freak twins -tanaka came w a barf bag this time oof -tanaka, scary mode on: the "what" crows now -aw asahi you are still babie we know<3 -omg daisuga+noya's face when they called him 'wild' -SINCE WHEN IS IT 'DATE TECHNICAL' even tho that makes sense -aone looks scarier (?) in the anime totally -'no eyebrows!' -WAIT FUTAKUCHI IS A 3RD YEAR WHAT -the scariest thing that happened to shoyo was when he hit kags on the back of his head while serving, hahahahedwshsa -a close up on iwa chan~ is what i needed -OIKAWA AND HIS FAN GIRLS PLEASE -tananoya calling takeda sensei 'take-chan' is so wholesome
SIDENOTE: i was sitting in my coaching's zoom orientation AND SOMEONE HAS KAGS AS THEIR DP AND I AM SHOOKETH. PLEASE THIS IS M O N U M E N T A L
-tanaka is such an amazing player like he hardly gets blocked, look at him steadily rising up the ranks to become one of my favs now -kindaichi+iwa chan~ watching their match against ikeriji and then their's 'kawa sleeping in the bleachers -edit: oh he's yawning oop -hinata fidgeting bc he hasnt hit the ball yet>>> -"he flew." -oikawa's wide awake now hehe -the michimiya parallels are insane -that one montage thing of those who lost their matches gives me chills everytime -this volume feels as if its longer, i love it -hinata getting deliriously happy hearing about himself in the inter high>>>>> -aone is such a sweet baby they just dont know it yet
GOGOLETSGOLETSGODATETECH
ROLLING THUNDAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH A G A I N
(omg hinata looks like such a fanboy lol uwu)
-noya: "cuz i have your backs!" -moniwa's current worry is the second years. -here it says that futakuchi is a 2nd year UM WHAT -KAGEYAMA NICE SERVE WOOHOO -aone high-fived moniwa so hard his hands hurt hhaha -AONE'S CURRENT WORRY: when he sits down in the train, noone sits next to him. I WILL SIT NEXT TO YOU BABIE
-its the freak quickkk -aaaa oikawa looks absurdly pretty in that one panel -kagetsukki's interactions>>>>>>>>>>>>> -date tech has been focusing A LOT on hinata the first time around, which meant they let their guard down for not only tanaka, asahi and daichi, but also any potential setter dumps from kags. it might even work for them, since they are amazing blockers, but if any other team does that, they are dead. -futakchi's chart looks like he's an above average player in all categories wow
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“In the end, the one who’s gonna finally beat you is me! Even if that takes ten years! Or twenty! I’m gonna do it!!” Such a silly way to propose Hinata but okay hahaha.
I love them all so much 🥰 Another read that filled me with serotonin as 55 teams participate and half only get to move to the next round. Karasuno has a taste for winning and gets a chance to prove they are more than what the rumors say about them. Next it is Karasuno vs the Iron Wall. Hinata and Kageyama get to show off their quick, and Asahi has a chance at redemption!
Read below for my reactions along the way: (grammar does not exist when I write this in my notes tab lol) “Just one more time!” *Hinata flies while trying to receive again*
Tsukki and Yamaguchi giving me life with the side panel giggles
Tehe protect Asahi at all costs
Noya gives tall short guy energy and I don’t know how to elaborate that
Welcome Date Tech, Shitatorizawa and Aoba Johsai! (Brief intro)
Oikawa (AND IWA 👀)!!
Ukai and Kuroo have the same smirk and no one can tell me otherwise
“Don’t you let any of those other guys ever ever call us “the clipper wing crows” again.” HELL YEAH!
*Everyone intensely staring forward* *Tsukki: oh look anywhere but direct contact is best*
When in doubt bean harvest it out or something lolol. Ukai having to bean harvest at 4 am just to keep up the family business is too pure.
Also protect Yams at all costs!
Tsukki: *brushes lock of hair behind ear* I’m not like the other guys. I have tough and mysterious don’t give a f**k energy. *also has dinosaur figures in his room* too cute!
Shimizu: “Good Luck.” Team: *BAWLS* 😭
And that was the one and only time we will ever see Daichi to nice to Asahi 🤣
NOT THE BARF BAG ☠️☠️
AGAIN PROTECT OUR GLASS HEART ASAHI AT ALL COSTS
Shimizu’s ‘not requested’ guard dogs at work again lolol
Leave Hinata and his IBS alone! #hotgirls(and volleyball players)withstomachproblems
What I read: ‘he built different’ What is actually written: “His build is different” Halp!
BWAHAHAHAHAHA KAWA WITH THE GIRLS AND HIS HANDLER IWA ALWAYS ON THE WAY 💚
Onion head I can’t
Yoohoo!
Lil Hina flies again! Karasuno has risen once again 🥺😭🎉
Awwww Michimiya is a sweetheart. SOMEONE GIVE HER A HUG!
Suga is the best team mom 🥺
Noya staring down Asahi hehehehehe
RRROLLINNNNNNN’ THUNDAAH!!
Noya-san is the coolest anyone who disagrees can fight me
I’m not sure how much of character she will be, but either way Michimiya, they’ve introduced a female character that has more than 2 lines of dialogue and doesn’t exist just to be desired. So, that could be promising.
Other than seeing how other schools respond to their progress, not a ton happens here.
I remember when I started reading the first volume of Haikyu!! and feeling slightly nervous that the manga would not live up to all that I experienced in the anime because "I know what happens next."
I am SO wrong.
The manga has been so incredible and gives me all the goosebumps the anime did and then some! I am actually bummed I can't binge read these volumes faster, but I have found such a deep enjoyment reading the manga that I want to soak every panel in. I don't want to speed read even if I want more and more!
I honestly can say I've enjoyed the manga more then I ever imagined and just still in awe because of that last chapter. Just everything about this series is getting better and better and makes me happier and happier!
Not sure what the "best part" of this volume was, but I LOVED getting that sneak peek to who Daichi was in middle school. I honestly saw Hinata in him and since Daichi is one of my favorite characters on the Karasuno team, that made me happy. <3 Also, that two page spread of the team was EPIC!!!
Ay pero que bello tomo 😍 que lindos verlos comenzar una nueva competencia, enfrentandose a nuevos rivales, creciendo todos juntos y aprendiendo en el camino.
Estoy más que segura que este torneo no lo van a ganar (no lo sé, es la primera vez que lo leo) pero siento que si es así, es normal y es lo más lógico.
This series has already found it's groove. I always thought there was no way to make Volleyball cool, no amount of voice acting or cool writing would make it seem any less melodramatic. But I never thought about one key detail. The art. And if there's anything in Haikyu!! That gets me pumped and invested in what truly is just a sports game, it's how raw and intense the art is in those peak moments. I'm biting my words, cause I'm really starting to think volleyball might be cool. 😂
Karasuno's monster set blows my mind every single time I witness it. Hinata and Kageyama is the best combo ever! It'll be great to watch them pulling through against an intimidating team like Date Tech.
This is for Asahi's freedom! Augh, I can't help but cry! Don't you just love witnessing someone coming out of that dark place, pushing the gates wide open? Thrilling!
I also appreciate Kags' trying to communicate with Sho-chan everything he suspects something feels wrong. He's still my #1 best boy hahaha! Augh, now I can't wait for Guchi's jump float and Tsukki's game appreciation once again!