Haikyu!! is a 2014 anime about high school volleyball, and it is one of the best sports shows ever made. The story follows Tobio Kinoshita, a boy who is forced onto his school’s volleyball team to make up for a missing player. He is short, nervous, and terrible at the sport. Over the course of the series, he becomes a wall setter, a position that requires strength, timing, and a mind that can read the game.
The show is based on a manga by Haruichi Furudori, and it adapts the first arc of the story. That arc covers the Karasuno High School volleyball club’s journey through the regional tournament, a run that ends in defeat. The second season picks up after that loss, and the third season covers the nationals. This review focuses on the first season, which aired from April to September 2014, across 25 episodes.
Trailer, via Crunchyroll Store Australia.
Tobio Kinoshita and His Wall Setting
Tobio is the center of the story. He is picked for the team because he is small and quick, traits the coach believes will help him become a wall setter. The position is unusual in Japanese volleyball. Wall setters block shots from the front of the net, and they need to be fast enough to get under the ball while being strong enough to hold a hit.
The show explains the position in plain terms. Tobio is shown struggling with the basics, unable to jump high enough, unable to time his hands correctly. His coach, Sawamura, pushes him hard, and Tobio responds with determination. The show tracks his growth from a scared, awkward boy to a confident player who can change the game with his setting.
The character work is the engine of the show. Tobio’s anxiety is real and visible. He stutters, he freezes, he doubts himself. The show does not soften this. It lets him fail, and it lets him learn from those failures. By the end of the season, Tobio is still nervous, but he is also a force on the court.
The Karasuno Team
Karasuno is a school that has not won a national title in decades. Its players are a ragtag group, each with their own problems. Some are arrogant, some are shy, some are injured, and some are just plain unlucky. The show spends time with each character, giving them scenes outside of practice and matches. These moments let the audience see them as people, not just athletes.
The team’s captain is Daichi Sawamura, Tobio’s coach’s son. He is tall, athletic, and confident, but he is also insecure about his height. He wants to be a middle blocker, but he knows he is too short to succeed at that position. The show explores this tension, showing how he copes with failure and disappointment.
Other notable characters include:
- Kageyama, a former ace player who joins Karasuno and clashes with Tobio
- Shoyo Hinata, a boy who dreams of becoming a libero and who idolizes Tobio
- Koushi Sugawara, the team’s setter and leader
- Kenma Kuroo, a soft-spoken setter from a rival school
Each of these characters brings something different to the team. Kageyama is arrogant and talented. Hinata is small and fast, like Tobio, but he plays a different position. Sugawara is calm and steady, a contrast to Tobio’s impulsiveness. Kenma is quiet and strange, and he becomes a major threat in the final matches.
The Matches and the Regional Tournament
The matches are where the show earns its reputation. Each episode builds toward a key moment, a shot that changes the game, or a play that forces a player to dig deep. The animation is clean and readable, with the volleyball itself rendered clearly so viewers can follow the action. The show does not rely on spectacle for its drama. It relies on the skill of the players and the stakes of the match.
The regional tournament is the centerpiece of the first season. Karasuno faces teams from across Japan, and each match tests the team in a different way. There are matches where Karasuno wins easily, and there are matches where it barely scrapes through. The final match of the season is against a team that has beaten Karasuno twice before, and the outcome is not decided until the very last point.
The show does not cheat the audience. It sets up its villains early, giving them real strengths and real weaknesses. It also gives them personalities, making them feel like rivals rather than obstacles. This makes the losses sting, and it makes the victories feel earned.
Why Sports Shows Work
Haikyu!! succeeds because it understands why sports stories work. The rules of volleyball are simple enough to grasp quickly, and the show explains them clearly when needed. This means new viewers can follow the action without feeling lost. The show also respects the sport’s actual demands, showing the physical toll of playing and the mental pressure of competing.
The show also understands the social side of sports. The team members spend time together outside of practice, and these scenes show their bonds growing stronger. They argue, they joke, and they support each other when things go wrong. This makes the matches feel personal, not just a test of skill.
The Animation and Sound
The animation is solid, with character designs that are easy to read even during fast action. The backgrounds are clean, and the volleyball itself is rendered with care. The show does not over-animate, which keeps the focus on the game. The sound design is also strong, with crowd noise and the sound of the ball carrying weight in tense moments.
The music is a mix of energetic pop and quieter, reflective pieces. The opening and ending themes are memorable, and they capture the show’s tone well. The show also uses licensed songs from popular artists, which adds variety to the soundtrack.
A Season Worth Watching
Haikyu!! is a show that rewards patience. The first few episodes are slow, focusing on introductions and character setup. But once the matches begin, the pace picks up sharply. The show builds toward its finale, and the payoff is substantial.
The show’s themes are universal. It talks about failure, perseverance, and the value of working together. These themes are delivered through the sport, which gives them weight. The show does not lecture. It shows.
Haikyu!! is a standout in the world of sports anime. It takes a niche sport, tells a compelling story, and creates characters that stick with viewers long after the credits roll. The show’s success is a reminder that sports stories can be about more than just the game. They can be about people, and that is what makes them endure.
The show is available on Crunchyroll and other streaming services, and it remains a favorite among fans of the genre. If you have not seen it, it is worth your time. If you have, you know why it holds up.
| Episode | Title | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “First Day” | Tobio is forced onto the team |
| 10 | “New Faces” | Kageyama joins Karasuno |
| 15 | “The Wall Setter” | Tobio learns his position |
| 20 | “The Final Match” | Karasuno faces its rival again |
The first season of Haikyu!! sets a high bar for the rest of the series. It establishes its characters, its stakes, and its rules in a way that makes the later seasons feel like natural continuations. The show’s critical reception has been strong, and its popularity has grown steadily since its release.
Haikyu!! is a sports anime that works because it treats its subject seriously. It respects the sport, the players, and the audience. It is a show about growth, friendship, and the hard work of becoming better. It is also just really good entertainment.
The show’s legacy is secure. It has inspired spinoffs, merchandise, and a dedicated fanbase. Its influence can be seen in other sports anime that followed it. It stands as a model for how to handle a niche sport without losing the human story.
The show is not perfect. Some episodes drag, and the pacing is uneven in the early part of the season. But these are minor complaints against a show that delivers so consistently in its best moments. The finale of the first season is a strong example of what the show can do, balancing personal drama with the excitement of competition.
Haikyu!! is a show that deserves its reputation. It is a great sports anime, and it is a great show full stop. It earns its place among the best of the genre.
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