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ハイキュー!! [Haikyū!!] #45
Haikyu!!, Vol. 45
All the players on the court give everything they’ve got to the game. The Black Jackals vs. Adlers match finally comes to a conclusion! Can Hinata dig one of Ushijima’s nastiest spikes? What of his competition with Kageyama?! This monumental masterpiece of a volleyball manga comes thundering to a close!
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2020
75 people are currently reading
1673 people want to read
About the author
Haruichi Furudate
226 books1,229 followersHaruichi Furudate ( 古舘春一) is a Japanese author of manga. He is best known for creating the series Haikyū!!.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 909 reviews
July 19, 2020
Farewell, my paradise.
December 17, 2021
I’m so emotional right now, I can’t believe this series is over. Haikyuu has been a huge part of my life for the last four years, especially since my mental health has been all over the place during that time; even at the times when I was most hopeless Haikyuu never failed to bring me joy.
This series is super warm-hearted, inspirational and full of determination. All of the characters are extremely well-developed and lovable, even the side characters feel fleshed-out, despite the fact we don’t see them as much as everyone else (Kinoshita is my favourite of these, I wish we got to see more of him, I think about chapter 278 all the time)—even the characters on opposing teams are impossible not to fall in love with. It’s also super accessible for people who don’t know anything about volleyball, Furudate does a great job of explaining the terms in a way that’s easy to digest for everyone.
I adore this series with my whole heart, and I’m sad that it’s over, but I know it will always be there for me to return to whenever I want, and there’s still more to come for the anime, so it’s not completely over—not yet.
This series is super warm-hearted, inspirational and full of determination. All of the characters are extremely well-developed and lovable, even the side characters feel fleshed-out, despite the fact we don’t see them as much as everyone else (Kinoshita is my favourite of these, I wish we got to see more of him, I think about chapter 278 all the time)—even the characters on opposing teams are impossible not to fall in love with. It’s also super accessible for people who don’t know anything about volleyball, Furudate does a great job of explaining the terms in a way that’s easy to digest for everyone.
I adore this series with my whole heart, and I’m sad that it’s over, but I know it will always be there for me to return to whenever I want, and there’s still more to come for the anime, so it’s not completely over—not yet.
April 29, 2022
This counts as my review for the whole Haikyuu!! manga
READ FOR: best character developments and themes that I have ever encountered executed to perfection
*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. And the symbolisms? You are not ready.
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 and how fulfilling it was at each turn.
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.
”You don’t win alone.
That’s just how it is.”
READ FOR: best character developments and themes that I have ever encountered executed to perfection
*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. And the symbolisms? You are not ready.
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 and how fulfilling it was at each turn.
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.
June 9, 2025
A manga series that is consistently good throughout 45 volumes and wraps everything up nicely in the end? Sounds like a modern-day miracle to me, but it is so true for Haikyu. I will forever have much love for it. 🧡🖤
September 4, 2021
I have to be honest ... the last arc was pure fan service. Do I care? Absolutely not.
The whole Haikyuu story means so much to me and it's so much more than just a story about a bunch of high school boys playing volleyball. Sometimes, dreams will become reality and that's the beautiful thing about Haikyuu.
The whole Haikyuu story means so much to me and it's so much more than just a story about a bunch of high school boys playing volleyball. Sometimes, dreams will become reality and that's the beautiful thing about Haikyuu.
July 19, 2020
Finally. Last volume. I wasn't ready but at the same time, I was. Every chapter was devastating and meant a lot. And I'm probably exaggerating but at the same time I'm not. Am I broken? Maybe. The last chapter came out and I shouldn't have read it. Because reading it meant it was over and I know I'm being overdramatic but who cares.
The best thing about this manga is the characters and their relationships with one another. Aside from the epic beautiful plays and games, the character development is honestly so great. This story will stick with me for a long time, it's a comfort manga and anime really. I reread it again and again and everytime it still feels amazing.
Also, it wasn't always about who won or who lost. It's about their love for the sport and what it means to them. How volleyball is fun and exciting and it hurts and you never want it to end.
~
*cue some spoilers cuz i wanna talk about it*
Oikawa is a bitch and boss and we love to see it. Literally fulfilling promises at the very end. Iwaizumi at the other side of the court. This is so petty but at the same time makes me emotional.
Monster gen superior.
Nekoma rich, booked and busy, we can never.
Nishinoya and Asahi travelling. Goals.
Every scene is makes me want to cry.
Kita, we need to take a moment because I love him and he's smiling in his panel.
Kagehina canon. WBK.
One of the last panels was a fucking tribute to season 1 and I was not ready. Those small moments at the start defined the series and became the foundation to who they became today.
~
Lmao I feel exhausted. I read three manga series this quarantine. The Promised Neverland was so much fun. Haikyuu was so good (obviously) and I also read Attack on Titan and I wanna die every chapter.
I don't know what to say anymore because I'm still not over Haikyuu but I highly recommend it. Please suffer with me lmao. I'm just kidding, I PROMISE THAT YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME.
I'm crying, I want to reread it all again.
The best thing about this manga is the characters and their relationships with one another. Aside from the epic beautiful plays and games, the character development is honestly so great. This story will stick with me for a long time, it's a comfort manga and anime really. I reread it again and again and everytime it still feels amazing.
Also, it wasn't always about who won or who lost. It's about their love for the sport and what it means to them. How volleyball is fun and exciting and it hurts and you never want it to end.
~
*cue some spoilers cuz i wanna talk about it*
Oikawa is a bitch and boss and we love to see it. Literally fulfilling promises at the very end. Iwaizumi at the other side of the court. This is so petty but at the same time makes me emotional.
Monster gen superior.
Nekoma rich, booked and busy, we can never.
Nishinoya and Asahi travelling. Goals.
Every scene is makes me want to cry.
Kita, we need to take a moment because I love him and he's smiling in his panel.
Kagehina canon. WBK.
One of the last panels was a fucking tribute to season 1 and I was not ready. Those small moments at the start defined the series and became the foundation to who they became today.
~
Lmao I feel exhausted. I read three manga series this quarantine. The Promised Neverland was so much fun. Haikyuu was so good (obviously) and I also read Attack on Titan and I wanna die every chapter.
I don't know what to say anymore because I'm still not over Haikyuu but I highly recommend it. Please suffer with me lmao. I'm just kidding, I PROMISE THAT YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME.
I'm crying, I want to reread it all again.
April 21, 2023
i can not believe that i've finished this series. i love haikyuu my whole heart. it has brought me so much comfort since i've watched the anime around two years ago, and it will most likely continue to do so even in 10 years.
the ending honestly made me so emotional, seeing the way hinata and kageyama grew and where they ended up after their years in high school.
the fact that they are not playing together on the same team hurts more than a break-up cansays the person who's never experienced one but in all honesty, i'm happy they are pursuing their dreams and that they are successful.
this series makes me believe that i can do whatever i want if i put my mind to it. it gives me faith in myself, and i'll forever be grateful to haikyuu for this.
the ending honestly made me so emotional, seeing the way hinata and kageyama grew and where they ended up after their years in high school.
the fact that they are not playing together on the same team hurts more than a break-up can
this series makes me believe that i can do whatever i want if i put my mind to it. it gives me faith in myself, and i'll forever be grateful to haikyuu for this.
November 7, 2020
It's really over... Wow I love this series and I'm going to miss these boys. I'm glad I still have the anime to look forward to.
July 26, 2021
This series is truly perfect as it is. I love these characters, I love this story, and I love this ending. I have no regrets about investing my time and money on this series. Enjoy.
July 24, 2023
Я чувствую очень много чувств. Я чувствую ВСЕ чувства. Не могу поверить, что волейбол закончился.
Read
January 29, 2021im typing this review while holding back tears because this story means so much to me even though i only got into haikyuu this month. i guess it's a testament to how good this series is. i haven't been a fan for so long but it's wild that i feel like i've been with these characters for years already. i regret not watching/reading haikyuu earlier but im also happy that i got into it when it was already completed. i didn't want this to end. im kicking myself for binging this manga in less than a week because now i am in despair that i have already reached the end of the story. i definitely want to reread everything now but that seems a bit excessive so I'll just stick to rereading favorite chapters and panels.
once again i am rambling.
anyway, this series made me feel less miserable about my life and im thankful for that. i will love these characters forever.
once again i am rambling.
anyway, this series made me feel less miserable about my life and im thankful for that. i will love these characters forever.
August 3, 2021
Finally finished my journey through Haikyu!! The warmest of fuzzy feelings have taken over. I haven't read/watched enough Sports manga to know how this compares, but I had an absolute blast watching/reading through and don't regret a moment of my epic binge!
July 10, 2021
Oh NO why is this over?! I wanted to read this forever 😭😭 Now, I gotta sit here with my abundant love and adoration for EVERYONE and the sport. Will probably reread it once I'm free.
December 26, 2023
my roman empire
May 1, 2021
"Today, you are the defeated. But what will you be tomorrow?"
April 16, 2021
I was looking through my manga shelf and realized I never added Haikyuu to it and that's deffinitely a crime againts myself because this is my favorite thing in the whole world and these characters always live in my mind rent free! But I don't have the energy to add all of them, so last volume it is :))
I don't have much to say besides that this whole series is a piece of art and an absolute masterpiece and not enough attention is brought to it just because it's shonen and a sports manga and the majority of people think the combination of those two means simple and dumb! :))
But Haikyuu is anything but! The attention to characters and their complexity is one of the best I've ever seen is any kind of media. Each one these people have an arc of their own that warps up in the most satisfying way. We watch these kids grow up and become the best versions of themselves that they can be and it just makes me so proud of them which is rediculous bacause they're fictional but I can't help it!
The amount of joy this series has brought me for the past few years is unmatched and I'm very glad that I got to experience it 💞
I don't have much to say besides that this whole series is a piece of art and an absolute masterpiece and not enough attention is brought to it just because it's shonen and a sports manga and the majority of people think the combination of those two means simple and dumb! :))
But Haikyuu is anything but! The attention to characters and their complexity is one of the best I've ever seen is any kind of media. Each one these people have an arc of their own that warps up in the most satisfying way. We watch these kids grow up and become the best versions of themselves that they can be and it just makes me so proud of them which is rediculous bacause they're fictional but I can't help it!
The amount of joy this series has brought me for the past few years is unmatched and I'm very glad that I got to experience it 💞
November 30, 2021
"You don't win alone. That's just how it is."
For the last few months, this story has totally taken over my entire life. Every single thing about it affected me. I felt so many emotions. Got so much connected with these characters, their stories, their victories, losses, joy, pain every single thing, it was just as big a part of me as it was of them. I can't describe in words just how much this story affected me in so many different ways. So just what I'll say is, at the end, all it comes down to is,
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Also the last 4 panels shsis8skssgskk😭😭
Farewell, my paradise.
For the last few months, this story has totally taken over my entire life. Every single thing about it affected me. I felt so many emotions. Got so much connected with these characters, their stories, their victories, losses, joy, pain every single thing, it was just as big a part of me as it was of them. I can't describe in words just how much this story affected me in so many different ways. So just what I'll say is, at the end, all it comes down to is,
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Also the last 4 panels shsis8skssgskk😭😭
Farewell, my paradise.
December 22, 2022
What a satisfying end to the series! There's some great delving into excellence and what it is you need for excellence (particularly people who will help you or push you to do the work to get there) and there are about 2 billion cameos from characters from the first 44 volumes. It's a very satisfying "how they all grew up" and satisfying goodbye to the main characters. The biggest compliment to this series I can give is that I want to turn around and start it over at volume 1.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2021
6/5 stars overall
Order of this review
- intro: a brief summary of the series
- characterisation: the bread and butter of this series
- plot and pacing: you better buckle up!
- conclusion
(all manga spoilers are hidden. no panels included)
INTRO
Haikyu follows the story of Shoyo Hinata and Kageyama Tobio whose rivalry begins when they play each other for the first time in middle school.
When they realise they have to play on the same team in high school, their skill and rivalry in volleyball take on new heights in what becomes the beginning of a compelling story of friendship, competition and self-discovery.
Genre: sports manga
(no prior knowledge of volleyball needed to enjoy this)
CHARACTERISATION
1.Shoyo Hinata
Hinata has been fascinated with volleyball ever since watching a televised game of the Tiny Giant from Karasuno High at the nationals. Determined to succeed in a height-dominated sport despite his lack thereof, he hones his skills as much as he can in middle school with the hope of soon joining Karasuno.
2.Kageyama Tobio
We get our first glimpse of Kageyama in a middle school game, a demanding yet skilled setter (a player who throws up the ball to be hit over the net by another player). We learn that though he’s determined to become one of the best players, he’s held back by the unreasonable demands he makes of his teammates. He’s nicknamed the "King of the Court" for how difficult he is to play with.
There’s a reason I’m only going to write descriptions for these two characters and we’ll delve into that in a minute.
The first order of business is to discuss the overall characterisation in this series. Karasuno alone (the team we follow) has a wide variety of well-rounded and compelling characters. You are more than likely to gravitate towards one of them due to their experiences and their personality.
But Furudate doesn’t stop there. With the introduction of rival teams, and an interesting use of animal symbolism (Karasuno: crows, Nekoma: cats, Shiratorizawa: swans/herons, Fukurodani: owls, Inarizaki: foxes) a wider yet memorable cast of characters is created.
(It should be noted that this symbolism is also well-animated).
However, these teams are more than just rivals on the court. They play each other in practise matches and/or official matches but they also develop friendships and learn from each other, taking what skills they can and adding them to their arsenal.
Think: Bokuto (Fukurodani player) and Hinata’s mentor/mentee relationship or Kuroo (Nekoma player) and Tsukishima’s (Karasuno player) friendship and my personal favourite, Kenma (Nekoma) and Hinata's friendship.
There are numerous rivalries as well, my favourite being that of Oikawa (Seijoh player) and Kageyama.
(and maybe Hinata and Tsukishima too, the in-team bickering and rivalries are gold).
These characters, the main ones from each rival team at least, are sufficiently fleshed out with immediately recognisable traits and personalities. If it seems like a lot (because volleyball has six players on the court at a time, and an additional however many on the bench) I can assure you that you’ll never struggle to keep track of anyone.
Furudate does this thing where he’ll put a little square with a character’s name, school and position (in volleyball) for the lesser-known characters and for all the characters before a game (even the practice games).
And while we’re on the subject, he uses little diagrams and commentary from both members of the audience and commentators (in official matches) to explain volleyball terms and technicalities as we go along.
I went into this with only the cover art and the knowledge that volleyball involves hitting a ball - but I never felt confused and hardly googled anything.
(technically, I got into the anime first but even that medium still uses Furudate’s methods to explain things).
back to our dynamic duo:
The reason I gave more detailed descriptions to Hinata and Kageyama is because this is their story.
In fact, it’s Hinata’s story more than anything else.
But it’s also his and Kageyama’s story in the way that it’s a story about the love of volleyball.
We’re never far from these two and we can rarely escape their antics. Out of all the characters, I’d say they push each other the most and even the ending (down to the final panel) is reflective of that.
Overall, I enjoy the atmosphere in Karasuno, the players are intriguing and no one wants to be left behind in terms of skill - and it just gives good vibes if I'm being honest.
The dynamics between characters are always fascinating to watch and even when it’s not all roses, they all want to get to nationals so you best believe they’re going to work for it.
→ 5/5 for characterisation because after 400+ chapters of a manga, some of these players still had the nerve to surprise me.
PLOT & PACING
Because the negatives are fewer than the positives, I’ll start with that.
Unresolved plotlines
Haikyu was serialised for eight (8) years in a weekly magazine called Shonen Jump. Furudate spent those years building up this world of volleyball centred around Karasuno and two of its four first years, Hinata and Kageyama.
Numerous rivals were introduced either to train with and learn from or defeat in tournaments and competitions. And precisely because there are so many fan favourites, it might be disappointing to see some plot lines left unresolved.
Naturally, after working on a series for eight years, you’d want to find something new but just to be clear, none of the primary or secondary resolutions were hasty. Still, it would have been nice to see a few things come to fruition like:
Nonetheless, I do understand that drawing the same things over and over again would have diluted the story.
Now onto the positives!
The ending
After I saw those words: "final chapter, series end" at the bottom of the page, I sat back and wondered where it had all gone. How did the mangaka manage to make 400+ chapters seem too few but so satisfactory?
I remember thinking to myself: damn, that was one heck of a time investment. Let’s do it again!
whoa
(maybe not do it all again, but I’ve been going back to my favourite chapters and replaying my favourite scenes and it’s so much better in Daydream HD, I can tell you that!)
t'was full-circle baby!
I find it refreshing that we get to see where each character is at the end of the series. After watching them play high school games and vow vengeance or strive to level up, it’s heart-warming to have the “Where are they now?” segment except it’s not some long and heavily detailed exploration of all their lives.
I want to get a little more into this but even if I decided just to name my favourites, we’d be here a while.
The time skip
Yes, there’s one of those in this manga and while people have mixed feelings about it, I generally enjoyed it because it serves the story. It makes perfect sense and it doesn't feel randomly thrown in.
If you want to hone a skill (in the words of Hinata: if you want to stand on the court the longest) you have to earn it and it’s not going to be easy.
This is one of those things you’ll just have to see for yourself if you like it. Again, I went into the manga knowing litte. I’d heard rumours of a time skip but me being me, I treated them as just that, rumours 😂
→ 4/5 for some solid, fast-paced plotting. I could never catch a break and for that I’m grateful.
CONCLUSION
I wrote a love letter to Haikyu but these last few volumes were a love letter not just to volleyball as a sport, but to you and me: the fans.
Furudate gave us something wonderful and said, even if it’s in the smallest way, you’ll carry parts of this story with you.
It’s been a wonderful time.
Thank you and farewell.
(for the anime-only fans, you’ve got a lot to look forward to. I personally can't wait!)
Even if we’re not confident that we’ll win, even if others tell us we don’t stand a chance, we must never tell ourselves that.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Order of this review
- intro: a brief summary of the series
- characterisation: the bread and butter of this series
- plot and pacing: you better buckle up!
- conclusion
(all manga spoilers are hidden. no panels included)
INTRO
Haikyu follows the story of Shoyo Hinata and Kageyama Tobio whose rivalry begins when they play each other for the first time in middle school.
When they realise they have to play on the same team in high school, their skill and rivalry in volleyball take on new heights in what becomes the beginning of a compelling story of friendship, competition and self-discovery.
Genre: sports manga
(no prior knowledge of volleyball needed to enjoy this)
CHARACTERISATION
1.Shoyo Hinata
Hinata has been fascinated with volleyball ever since watching a televised game of the Tiny Giant from Karasuno High at the nationals. Determined to succeed in a height-dominated sport despite his lack thereof, he hones his skills as much as he can in middle school with the hope of soon joining Karasuno.
2.Kageyama Tobio
We get our first glimpse of Kageyama in a middle school game, a demanding yet skilled setter (a player who throws up the ball to be hit over the net by another player). We learn that though he’s determined to become one of the best players, he’s held back by the unreasonable demands he makes of his teammates. He’s nicknamed the "King of the Court" for how difficult he is to play with.
There’s a reason I’m only going to write descriptions for these two characters and we’ll delve into that in a minute.
The first order of business is to discuss the overall characterisation in this series. Karasuno alone (the team we follow) has a wide variety of well-rounded and compelling characters. You are more than likely to gravitate towards one of them due to their experiences and their personality.
But Furudate doesn’t stop there. With the introduction of rival teams, and an interesting use of animal symbolism (Karasuno: crows, Nekoma: cats, Shiratorizawa: swans/herons, Fukurodani: owls, Inarizaki: foxes) a wider yet memorable cast of characters is created.
(It should be noted that this symbolism is also well-animated).
However, these teams are more than just rivals on the court. They play each other in practise matches and/or official matches but they also develop friendships and learn from each other, taking what skills they can and adding them to their arsenal.
Think: Bokuto (Fukurodani player) and Hinata’s mentor/mentee relationship or Kuroo (Nekoma player) and Tsukishima’s (Karasuno player) friendship and my personal favourite, Kenma (Nekoma) and Hinata's friendship.
There are numerous rivalries as well, my favourite being that of Oikawa (Seijoh player) and Kageyama.
(and maybe Hinata and Tsukishima too, the in-team bickering and rivalries are gold).
These characters, the main ones from each rival team at least, are sufficiently fleshed out with immediately recognisable traits and personalities. If it seems like a lot (because volleyball has six players on the court at a time, and an additional however many on the bench) I can assure you that you’ll never struggle to keep track of anyone.
Furudate does this thing where he’ll put a little square with a character’s name, school and position (in volleyball) for the lesser-known characters and for all the characters before a game (even the practice games).
And while we’re on the subject, he uses little diagrams and commentary from both members of the audience and commentators (in official matches) to explain volleyball terms and technicalities as we go along.
I went into this with only the cover art and the knowledge that volleyball involves hitting a ball - but I never felt confused and hardly googled anything.
(technically, I got into the anime first but even that medium still uses Furudate’s methods to explain things).
back to our dynamic duo:
The reason I gave more detailed descriptions to Hinata and Kageyama is because this is their story.
In fact, it’s Hinata’s story more than anything else.
But it’s also his and Kageyama’s story in the way that it’s a story about the love of volleyball.
We’re never far from these two and we can rarely escape their antics. Out of all the characters, I’d say they push each other the most and even the ending (down to the final panel) is reflective of that.
Overall, I enjoy the atmosphere in Karasuno, the players are intriguing and no one wants to be left behind in terms of skill - and it just gives good vibes if I'm being honest.
The dynamics between characters are always fascinating to watch and even when it’s not all roses, they all want to get to nationals so you best believe they’re going to work for it.
→ 5/5 for characterisation because after 400+ chapters of a manga, some of these players still had the nerve to surprise me.
PLOT & PACING
Because the negatives are fewer than the positives, I’ll start with that.
Unresolved plotlines
Haikyu was serialised for eight (8) years in a weekly magazine called Shonen Jump. Furudate spent those years building up this world of volleyball centred around Karasuno and two of its four first years, Hinata and Kageyama.
Numerous rivals were introduced either to train with and learn from or defeat in tournaments and competitions. And precisely because there are so many fan favourites, it might be disappointing to see some plot lines left unresolved.
Naturally, after working on a series for eight years, you’d want to find something new but just to be clear, none of the primary or secondary resolutions were hasty. Still, it would have been nice to see a few things come to fruition like:
Nonetheless, I do understand that drawing the same things over and over again would have diluted the story.
Now onto the positives!
The ending
After I saw those words: "final chapter, series end" at the bottom of the page, I sat back and wondered where it had all gone. How did the mangaka manage to make 400+ chapters seem too few but so satisfactory?
I remember thinking to myself: damn, that was one heck of a time investment. Let’s do it again!
whoa
(maybe not do it all again, but I’ve been going back to my favourite chapters and replaying my favourite scenes and it’s so much better in Daydream HD, I can tell you that!)
t'was full-circle baby!
I find it refreshing that we get to see where each character is at the end of the series. After watching them play high school games and vow vengeance or strive to level up, it’s heart-warming to have the “Where are they now?” segment except it’s not some long and heavily detailed exploration of all their lives.
I want to get a little more into this but even if I decided just to name my favourites, we’d be here a while.
The time skip
Yes, there’s one of those in this manga and while people have mixed feelings about it, I generally enjoyed it because it serves the story. It makes perfect sense and it doesn't feel randomly thrown in.
If you want to hone a skill (in the words of Hinata: if you want to stand on the court the longest) you have to earn it and it’s not going to be easy.
This is one of those things you’ll just have to see for yourself if you like it. Again, I went into the manga knowing litte. I’d heard rumours of a time skip but me being me, I treated them as just that, rumours 😂
→ 4/5 for some solid, fast-paced plotting. I could never catch a break and for that I’m grateful.
CONCLUSION
I wrote a love letter to Haikyu but these last few volumes were a love letter not just to volleyball as a sport, but to you and me: the fans.
Furudate gave us something wonderful and said, even if it’s in the smallest way, you’ll carry parts of this story with you.
It’s been a wonderful time.
Thank you and farewell.
(for the anime-only fans, you’ve got a lot to look forward to. I personally can't wait!)
Even if we’re not confident that we’ll win, even if others tell us we don’t stand a chance, we must never tell ourselves that.
April 16, 2021
These last volumes gave us a glimpse of their future
It was both good and bad
I mean, I wanted to see more of little Hinata, Bokuto and others
But in few chapters they're grown ups
And others like Nishinomiya is gone aboard on other careers and wasn't able to see more of his Thunder Rolling Double!!
But in the other hand, it was also good
Because it shows that their life is not just about volleyball and they have a huge life in front of them after highschool
There really is a huge change in your life after highschool which nobody talks about much
While you're imagining all the fun you want to have after graduation , the adult life stands on the corner laughing at you saying you have no idea what real life is look like.
Btw, I like how it showed the previous Little Giant was writing a volleyball manga in last volume.
It was both good and bad
I mean, I wanted to see more of little Hinata, Bokuto and others
But in few chapters they're grown ups
And others like Nishinomiya is gone aboard on other careers and wasn't able to see more of his Thunder Rolling Double!!
But in the other hand, it was also good
Because it shows that their life is not just about volleyball and they have a huge life in front of them after highschool
There really is a huge change in your life after highschool which nobody talks about much
While you're imagining all the fun you want to have after graduation , the adult life stands on the corner laughing at you saying you have no idea what real life is look like.
Btw, I like how it showed the previous Little Giant was writing a volleyball manga in last volume.
August 21, 2024
Marco el último tomo porque acabo de terminarla entera.
Probablemente el mejor final que podía darle a un manga (y anime) que me ha encantado de principio a fin!! Tengo muchísimo sentimentalismo asociado a él pero aún así me parece que es un manga que todo el mundo debería leer.
Como es posible querer tanto a todos? Compañeros o rivales 😭
Probablemente el mejor final que podía darle a un manga (y anime) que me ha encantado de principio a fin!! Tengo muchísimo sentimentalismo asociado a él pero aún así me parece que es un manga que todo el mundo debería leer.
Como es posible querer tanto a todos? Compañeros o rivales 😭
Read
February 11, 2024:)
January 5, 2022
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/yfu9m4KfAZg
I have no words.
I can't believe it's over.
I guess in the words of Yachi, "Aww…It's over."
This has to be one of the most satisfy endings I have ever read. And I think simply because of how deeply I loved these characters. This was so much then an obsession for a short time, but an obsession for at least two years now (and will continue to be).
It was everything I would have hoped it to be and more.
I will definitely say that that match was absolutely thrilling! I LONGED to be in that stadium and make some noise for these guys! (Also, I want to do a beam with Bokuto!!) In fact, I felt my own imagination created the noise and the fanfare because it was simply incredible. While Karasuno will always be my favorite team, Black Jackals will always be my second favorite. <3
I truly could not get enough of those two teams, though specifically the Black Jackals! How Furudate wove in back stories and brought in pass characters that I would have NEVER imagined them meeting in the way they did (well played!!), it just hit differently in a way that got me really excited. (Those different banners being shown in those final rallies gave me goosebumps!!)
Though…seeing the very very end…that made me cry. Hinata (and Kageyama) have grown up and it wrecked me but in a good way.
Furudate has blessed us with such an incredible story and I am just so thankful that my friend recommended I watch the anime two years ago. I wouldn't have imagined how hooked I would get or how deeply inspiring these characters would be. They changed my life and they will always have a forever home in my heart.
With that said, Hinata you made it. <3
Anddd I'm just gonna go take sometime to cry and hug my volume and bask in the beauty of this series...
I have no words.
I can't believe it's over.
I guess in the words of Yachi, "Aww…It's over."
This has to be one of the most satisfy endings I have ever read. And I think simply because of how deeply I loved these characters. This was so much then an obsession for a short time, but an obsession for at least two years now (and will continue to be).
It was everything I would have hoped it to be and more.
I will definitely say that that match was absolutely thrilling! I LONGED to be in that stadium and make some noise for these guys! (Also, I want to do a beam with Bokuto!!) In fact, I felt my own imagination created the noise and the fanfare because it was simply incredible. While Karasuno will always be my favorite team, Black Jackals will always be my second favorite. <3
I truly could not get enough of those two teams, though specifically the Black Jackals! How Furudate wove in back stories and brought in pass characters that I would have NEVER imagined them meeting in the way they did (well played!!), it just hit differently in a way that got me really excited. (Those different banners being shown in those final rallies gave me goosebumps!!)
Though…seeing the very very end…that made me cry. Hinata (and Kageyama) have grown up and it wrecked me but in a good way.
Furudate has blessed us with such an incredible story and I am just so thankful that my friend recommended I watch the anime two years ago. I wouldn't have imagined how hooked I would get or how deeply inspiring these characters would be. They changed my life and they will always have a forever home in my heart.
With that said, Hinata you made it. <3
Anddd I'm just gonna go take sometime to cry and hug my volume and bask in the beauty of this series...
June 13, 2024
i started watching haikyuu in 2017 but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that i decided to continue the story with the manga and omg, what a great decision 😭 I'm so emotional right now, I can't believe it's over but at the same time I'm so satisfied with how it ended. Everything has already been said by everyone so me saying that the ending was absolute perfection is nothing new. i have no complaints, everything came in full circle and ended perfectly. one of the best endings I've ever seen i dare to say.
watching/reading haikyuu truly is a wonderful experience and i wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone that loves a good character driven story!
watching/reading haikyuu truly is a wonderful experience and i wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone that loves a good character driven story!
July 18, 2020
Desde el 2014 conozco esta serie, empecé el anime cuando apenas llevaba 3 capítulos y le agarré infinito cariño por tratarse de mi deporte favorito y porque los personajes me parecían increíbles.
Ahora, después de que leí el manga por poco más de un año la historia llega a su fin, y aunque siento un vacío enorme también me siento muy satisfecha. Queda esperar la adaptación al anime que estoy segura estará a la altura.
Ahora, después de que leí el manga por poco más de un año la historia llega a su fin, y aunque siento un vacío enorme también me siento muy satisfecha. Queda esperar la adaptación al anime que estoy segura estará a la altura.
June 19, 2022
Lo mejor de mi año, mi lugar seguro❤️ los amo a todos✨
February 27, 2023
sobbing, I love this series so freaking much, I don't want it to be over
August 20, 2020
I can't believe it's really over. This was one hell of a ride. I had grown so attached to every single character Furudate created. I was in awe of everyone because of just who they were. I loved the development we saw and just their strengths taking form. I loved this series with my whole heart and I am indeed going to reread at some point and watch the anime over and over again. It brought me such joy and also so much hurt. But, it was just so fantastic. I will always hold this series close to my heart. And I loved the fact that Oikawa was the final boss! I just love him so goddamn much! He definitely is my favorite character out this series! This series was just so phenomenal. I loved how everything wrapped up and how we got to see past memories. I just loved how everything tied together all throughout the series. Honestly, Haikyuu was the greatest thing to happen to me. It changed my life and I will forever be grateful towards it.
January 4, 2024
Now that I finally (!!!) finished the whole series I want to give it a proper review. Wow. I'm gutted at how amazing this was. I am being 100% serious and confident when I say this: there's no other piece of media that will be able to affect me this deeply for the rest of my life.
Yes, it's a manga, yes it's about boys playing volleyball, but it's really about being human. There's so many great themes and perfectly wrapped up stories that go full circle. I don't know how it's possible to distinguish unique backgrounds, growth, and maturity for so many characters with intertwined storylines that go full circle. I want to reread the whole series right now with a notebook to document every thought and interaction because there's that many.
It taught me so much about what it means to carve your own path, what it means to be free, and how to pick yourself up again for tomorrow. It's just a volleyball game, but why did it feel like the world was ending? There's always another game, and another, and when that's over, there's always something else you will discover that you love.
Again! Again! Again!
Yes, it's a manga, yes it's about boys playing volleyball, but it's really about being human. There's so many great themes and perfectly wrapped up stories that go full circle. I don't know how it's possible to distinguish unique backgrounds, growth, and maturity for so many characters with intertwined storylines that go full circle. I want to reread the whole series right now with a notebook to document every thought and interaction because there's that many.
It taught me so much about what it means to carve your own path, what it means to be free, and how to pick yourself up again for tomorrow. It's just a volleyball game, but why did it feel like the world was ending? There's always another game, and another, and when that's over, there's always something else you will discover that you love.
Again! Again! Again!
May 22, 2024
3:49AM
The most beautiful, most wonderful, most wholesome, most inspiring thing I ever watched/read in my entire life. This story and this message and this characters are literally everything to me and I never in a million years have I thought I would be this engaged in a freaking sports anime/manga. Not only engaged, but completely and utterly obsessed. I literally love everything about this, every single fucking thing. Not only was it so adorable and interesting in the beginning, the last few volumes completely exceeded my expectations, and that's a LOT coming from me, because the thing I value the most in a story is the ending. I'm so impressed, so moved, so filled with love for this story that I my heart will burst for real. Not to be dramatic, but this story literally added years to my lifespan, thank you Haruichi Furudate.
P.S. And to think all of this started from me being lowkey forced to read a 600 page fanfic that turned out to be one of the finest pieces of literature, I think it's time for a reread. Ljubim te Anđela🌹
The most beautiful, most wonderful, most wholesome, most inspiring thing I ever watched/read in my entire life. This story and this message and this characters are literally everything to me and I never in a million years have I thought I would be this engaged in a freaking sports anime/manga. Not only engaged, but completely and utterly obsessed. I literally love everything about this, every single fucking thing. Not only was it so adorable and interesting in the beginning, the last few volumes completely exceeded my expectations, and that's a LOT coming from me, because the thing I value the most in a story is the ending. I'm so impressed, so moved, so filled with love for this story that I my heart will burst for real. Not to be dramatic, but this story literally added years to my lifespan, thank you Haruichi Furudate.
P.S. And to think all of this started from me being lowkey forced to read a 600 page fanfic that turned out to be one of the finest pieces of literature, I think it's time for a reread. Ljubim te Anđela🌹
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