Haikyū!! Season 1 Anime Review

Major Spoilers are included in this season review. Please read with caution.

On August 28, 2020, I started watching the anime Haikyū!!—after I finished reading the manga’s 402 chapters—and finished the first season on September 16, 2020. To be honest, I’m not a huge sports fan. I had an on-and-off interest with sports in general—working MSU Concessions forced me to care out of sheer boredom during shifts—so I just assumed sports animes would make me feel the same way.

Based on what people told me about other sports animes over the years, my opinion wasn’t totally off-base. Until one of my DnD players told me about Haikyū!! and how sad he was that the manga was ending—even though he didn’t read it.

He briefly told me how this particular sports anime—he watched the anime’s first four seasons—defied a lot of common tropes associated with sports animes. This short conversation made me decide to check out the manga after I finished reading my My Hero Academia manga books. That is the story of how I fell in love with Haikyū!! and the game of volleyball.

Synopsis: The story—written and drawn by Haruichi Furudate—follows Shōyō Hinata, a first-year high school student who wishes to become the best volleyball player ever despite his short height. He attends Karasuno High School, where his idol “The Little Giant” went. After the “The Little Giant” era though, Karasuno lost its fierce volleyball reputation. Together with his first real teammates, Hinata works hard to restore Karasuno High’s reputation by making it to the Nationals.

The first season covered the first two story arcs (71 chapters) of the manga— “Karasuno High Team Formation Arc” and the “Inter-high Arc”. The 25-episode season approach made the pacing exceptional throughout my watch time. I wish some animes would figure out that it’s okay to have more than 12 or 13 episodes per season—especially Webtoon animes.

A major highlight of Haikyū!! was the realism behind the players’ motives, skill level, training, and approaches to the volleyball game. For example, I assumed the main character would have a superpower or supernatural benefit of some kind—especially based on the horror genre aspects weaved into the narrative—to help him surpass the taller players. This was not the case. While Hinata’s speed and jump are impressive feats, they’re not superhuman extraordinary.

Another major highlight was the approach taken with Hinata and his anime rival Kageyama, the arrogant setter who believed he could only win by himself. While most animes in general would’ve had these characters settle their anime rivalry through a tournament arc at some point in the series, Haikyū!! subverts the audience’s expectations and puts them on the same team. As a result, the anime feels more grounded in realism and personal—like I was back in high school or MSU Concessions actually watching a sports game unfold.

The other characters on the Karasuno Team—like the strict captain Daichi and hotheaded Tanaka— make the volleyball team all the more energetic.

The “hard work”, “never give up”, and “keep trying” messages were also loud and clear throughout the first season too in addition to the struggles athletes would typically experience. Asahi—a third-year student and former Ace of the team—quits volleyball prior to the start of the series after losing his confidence against an enemy team. Showing players quitting and the effect it has on the team’s dynamics / morale was another realistic depiction of how much one’s actions can influence their whole team.

The other members of the team—Yamaguchi and Sugawara in particular—were given chances to shine toward the last couple episodes of the season, showing that not only the main characters mattered. The series also handled defeat very well through its main characters Hinata and Kageyama, and how players don’t need to dwell on losing for more than one episode. The hope and optimism in Haikyū!! were beautiful, but the most gorgeous aspect was the relatability.

The relatability also translated into the sound effects—their sneakers squeaking on the gym floor and the volleyball being smacked—and the lighthearted OST music being played. The anime’s first opening song was outstanding too. I never skipped it once. The second OP though… it just wasn’t as good, but that’s my personal opinion.

Overall, I would give this anime a chance. I enjoyed the entire manga and the anime’s first season, so maybe you will too. The themes and messages on hard work, outside support—the fans who come watch the volleyball games—struggles, and relatable athletes resonated strongly with me. Again, maybe it will for you too.

Thanks for reading this anime season 1 review! I’ll see you all on the court for my reviews on season 2, 3, and 4 later!