Haikyuu!! is a Fucking Masterpiece!!

 


   If you aren’t already on board, the craze that is Haikyuu has already been going strong since 2014. Currently on its fourth season, and as astounding as it may seem, the show keeps getting better and better. Even its slower parts show incredible character depth and development. The writers of Haikyuu have such a talent for making everything matter. And I mean everything. Every character matters, from the players on the teams, to their friends and family, to the narrating couple on a date watching the games who could have their own spin-off manga. Every setting matters, such as the new large stadium whose high ceilings affect the players depth perception. Every animation matters, using comedic anime tropes during down times and intense uses of sakuga during epic ones. Every detail matters.


    Thankfully this latest season showcases this on all fronts. The season sees our titular team, Karasuno high competing at their highest tournament level thus far. Coming off a fairly slow training arc, it thankfully hits the ground running after a quick tease of the new venue and some competing teams. Speaking of competing teams, that’s another thing the show absolutely nails. Making you care about so many players on opposing teams. While it’s no question our protagonists are the best boys, to say that players on other teams are antagonists wouldn’t be exactly accurate. Rivals? Sure. But, no one is actually against them, in fact often cheering them on when not playing themselves.


    Of course the main team gets the bulk of the limelight with every player getting their own individual moment to shine. And I mean everyone. Not just the main six or seven, not just the secondary characters, even the benchwarmers whose names you definitely don’t remember have at least one meaningful moment of growth during the final match. The final match is also a showcase for another new team with incredible players and my personal new favorite player on another team.


   If you haven’t seen any of Haikyuu, there certainly is a linear story to follow, with plenty of character development throughout its multiple seasons. That doesn’t mean you still can’t just jump in and have a good time. Especially with this season being on a much higher level of competition than others, it feels like a very definitive fresh new start. With that being said, this season also has some of the biggest pay-offs to previous seasons for many of the characters.


    The final match culminates in the team’s hardest combination of challenges yet, showcasing more epic moments than any previous games in the past. So many characters have opportunities to shine or overcome obstacles, it’s ensured to make you laugh, cry, or scream out in excitement. I, myself have done all three of these things at the same time this season. No other show has made me care so much for its characters, and as a result their success as a team, as this one. Even if volleyball isn’t your thing, even if sports aren’t your thing, even if high school comedy-dramas aren’t your thing, there is still something for you here. Give it a try, and you too can fly high!

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