The second half of Haikyuu!! 4th season kicks-off where the first part ended. Karasuno High won their first match of The Spring Nationals against Tsubakihara Academy. Karasuno High is excited to be back in the Spring Nationals after many years of not making it, so can they handle the pressure of playing against the best teams in Japan? Will they make it to the top?
Hey so I’m back at it again after my first review which was the complete Haikyu manga, this time I’m going to give my review and opinions about the latest and current season of Haikyu, Haikyu to the top part 2. (will contain some spoilers) As always add me on discord if you want to talk about anime or manga or just want someone to talk to. Discord: Chungu5#1753 Going into this I was looking forward to seeing the Karasuno vs Inarizaki, watching the previous season's Production IG did an amazing job of adapting the previous seasons into anime this was not the same for this season! Plot 9/10 Furadate is an excellent storyteller from developing multiple characters in this match to giving us beautiful and hype scenes that did not disappoint. Haikyu to the top part 2 contains only the Inarizaki game even though at first, I was disappointed to not see the Nekoma vs Karasuno game I was still ecstatic to see the Inarizaki game nonetheless. The Inarizaki game contains many character developments throughout the game, one which was Tanaka development of becoming a reliable wing spiker. Throughout the game Tanaka was brutally shut down by Inarizaki blockers consistently being denied and causing his team to lose points, Tanaka moral was low and began to doubt himself and admit that he was average player compared to his teammates. We began to see Tanaka’s character of being load and hot-headed start to change to now being quiet and annoyed at himself for not playing well. Tanaka being a character who has strong mental fortitude was being crushed by the wall that was Inarizaki. As the game went on Tanaka accepted the fact that he is average and useless and began asking Kageyama to reduce sets towards him which Kageyama denied, not only does this show Tanaka has lost all hope and believes that he is average but it also shows the slight development we see in Kageyama from not trusting his teammates to now believing and trusting his team in scoring points. This would then result in one of Tanaka greatest shots in the entire series img(https://media1.tenor.com/images/89171794aac5cb09692e4b1921659e8f/tenor.gif?itemid=18834091) Animation 5/10 The animation and art in this season of Haikyu was a hit or miss at times looking appalling and at times looking amazing. From watching its first episode the animation did look a bit different as spikes and servers were taken from a different angle than before. (however, being a manga reader, this was normal as this is how it looked in the manga.) Watching the second episode was where it all changed, the drawings of some characters and animation just looked awful from the spikes and receives being completely wrong. Even though I knew the second episode was outsourced this was the first time in Haikyu series which an episode was outsourced and simply it should not have happened! img(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/706605507028451423/766812684506365972/unknown.png) img(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/706605507028451423/764235179719786516/Ej6oqa7VkAAUgiE.png) Nevertheless, even though the animation being poor at times Production IG did not disappoint in showing beautiful animation in moments that counted, one notably was Hinata receive, It was simply perfect, the first person animation of Hinata receiving the ball did not look weird or off-putting it was just beautiful the way it was coloured and drawn it truly showed what Haikyu was about. img(https://media1.tenor.com/images/bc6bd0176bedf479bf37764bd9d2b07a/tenor.gif?itemid=19618874) Music and voices 8/10 Nothing much changed about the voices of characters however the music was sublime, Inarizaki theme just bopped throughout the whole series, the normal Haikyu ost did change a little with a quick pacing most likely due to the quick attacks that are done by both teams. I enjoyed the animation, pictures and sound in Haikyu opening as it was used to foreshadow and give tribute to the Haikyu manga finishing. Overall review and thoughts 7/10 Plot-wise it was amazing I was hooked on seeing the different characters, banners and back story’s of people in the Haikyu world, The animation did disappoint at times but overall it was pretty mid compared to the last 12 episode game series that Haikyu gave, The ost and openings were amazing, every time I hear the Inarizaki theme I just could not stop humming it. My thoughts of Haikyu to the top part 2, the series could have been delayed 3 more months and could have come with better quality(animation-wise), this season could have been a straight 9 or 10 if there was no outsourcing done. My favourite characters in this season of Haikyu was definitely Hinata, Atsumu, Kita and Osamu, Hinata because of his development as the story progress, Kita because he is the definition of a captain even though he is average the captain lays the foundation of the team's actions. And lastly the twins I mean how can you dislike them they were absolutely sick at volleyball and were funny at times. I hope you enjoyed my review make sure to follow me on Anilist (I don’t really care who follows me) if you want to talk about anime and stuff add me on Discord. Discord: Chungu5#1753
Haikyuu is _the_ sports anime. Others may occasionally reach its heights - Koroko's Basketball and Ace of Diamond, to name a couple - but none of them are as consistently great. And this season has surpassed all before it, by a fair margin. Haikyuu's ability to have multiple significant character arcs occurring on Karasuno's team _and_ their opponents is remarkable. Their competitors are the "antagonists" of the story - you wouldn't know that if you just tuned in to watch this cour. Both teams are fully fleshed out, and they still have a narrative budget large enough to include characters from past seasons and future "villains." Really, I can't gush enough about how well handled the small army of side characters are in this anime; it puts major Western TV series to shame. Volleyball is, by its very nature, a straightforward sport. Not difficult to watch and understand compared to sports with more complicated rules (like American Football or baseball). Haikyuu's action scenes mirror this _relative_ (do not hurt me, volleyballs) simplicity, but that doesn't mean they're "simple" in the artistic sense. The "camera" angles and animation are sharp and really capture the physicality of the sport with the respect it deserves. Haikyuu really comes into its own - as do most sports anime - when things are turned up to eleven. When _everything's_ on the line, and there's nothing left but live or die. The frantic nature of volleyball rallies really plays this up in a way that few other sports can mimic. Trying to hustle in position while also keeping your eye on the ball, trying to anticipate which attack is real, all while having the mental fortitude to remain calm. It's quite the high - one that lingers as a buzz even though this is a fictional high school team playing for no stakes other than pride, directed by an author who could make them win 25-0 just because he wants to. Haikyuu got me _invested_ in a way that I rarely am with anime. I genuinely care when Karasuno scores a point, or loses a tough set - I like seeing the characters struggle and grow on court in ways that Slice-of-Life anime struggle to match in dozens of episodes. There are no glaring flaws in Haikyuu. No little annoyances that keep rearing their head, making me lower the score. None of the characters are annoying, the plot isn't irrational, the story doesn't try to be profound in some ridiculous way. It's high schoolers competing in an ultimately meaningless tournament, playing a sport which is niche and extremely unlikely to lead to a professional career of any description (outside of the Olympics). And that's all it _needs_ to be. It doesn't need a protagonist with some emotional and extremely over used "My parent(s) died and I use _insert sport_ to cope" sub plot. Or a wishy-washy teen romance that never goes anywhere (though I will admit that is present, to some extent, this is _anime_ after all). This season of Haikyuu is the best cour of the best sports anime. It isn't even the finale, there are _seasons_ more of content that'll just ratchet up the tension. I cannot wait for more. I _beg_ you to watch the show, to get invested like I have, to enjoy it as it deserves to be. You won't regret it.
Season 4 Episode 24 “Monster Ball” analysis ******Minor Post Time Skip Spoilers Along with Seasons 1-4****** “Monster Ball” functions as an epithet to the maturing of the “monsters” not only physically but also in their interpretation of the game. “Monster Ball” not only works in reference to maturity but also represents the level of play that the “monsters” will rise to. In the opening sequence, Kita is responding to Inarizaki’s backup setter’s comment saying that “But I do think monsters exist” (S4EP23 18:58). Kita responds “so do I… there are monsters who profess their love for volleyball every day”. This term “monster” is relatively new, throughout the first 3 seasons we hear Kageyama called a genius due to his talent level but never a “monster”. It’s fitting that we first hear this analysis of what a monster is from Tendo “They totally seem like monsters! Karasuno’s #9 and #10”(S4EP3 17:54). Tendo has been established as a character that makes judgments based on his own intuition. His recognition of Hinata and Kagayama as monsters not only for their overwhelming ability but also their drive and love for volleyball. This is reinforced when Tendo then thinks to himself “you’re basically a monster yourself, Wakatoshi-Kun”. This final sequence of the third set is framed through Kita’s name for the game and the subsequent title of the episode “Monster Ball” not only a game of geniuses with overwhelming talent but a game where they “profess their love for volleyball” through their play. With this understanding of the lens that we view the game under, we can now delve into the episode itself. The first notable part of the analysis is Kagayama not reaching the overpass and Hinata landing a miracle shot to take the point. Kagayama then tells Hinata to “complain” (S4EP24 2:43) then cuts to a scene of Hinata complaining which is then followed by Hinata responding “Complain? Why?”. What's important about the image intersected of them arguing is that Hinata is not complaining about a bad set in this image but rather that Kagayam would not try the new set. Hinata will never complain about a bad set, but will if he feels as if Kageyama is holding back. In a way saying. “Your level of play will never be an issue, the only time I will complain is if you get scared”. The most notable scene this moment references is after the season one loss when Hinata does not allow Kageyama to apologize for setting him. Hinata’s expectations for Kageyama beyond his limits continue the narrative that even though they are teammates they are also each other’s greatest rivals. Hinata's understanding of his setter and his effort inspires Atsumu as a setter as well with Atsumu muttering “I’m moved, Shoyo-Kun” foreshadowing their time playing together in the V-league. The ending of this game is reminiscent of the end of the Shiratorizawa game, as in Dachi’s speech he says “If we win it’s not because a miracle happened” (S3EP9 12:00) which is echoed by Ukai when they are facing match point against Atsumu’s serve. This a subtle reminder that while they are a freakishly athletic team, they have to settle down and continue to play how they always do and not rely on their miracle but their own skill. This is followed by an overpass by Daichi, and again Hinata jumps with full faith that Kageyama will set him, and in contrast to the last time this happened (referenced in the last paragraph) Kageyama is motivated by the belief that Hinata has in him, and instead of only barely reaching it with one hand, he reaches it with two hands and takes the point. This point is followed by Atsumu thinking “You’ve got one scary partner there” referencing how high of a bar there is to meet when setting to Hinata. The next sequence is in my opinion one of the most rewarding of the series. Throughout the match, Tsukishima can’t beat Suna head-on. Tsukishima throughout the series has seen Hinata as an animalistic freak athlete with dreams far bigger than reality a direct foil to himself, but in this scene, Tsukishima acknowledges Hinata as a legitimate player on the level of anyone else on the team. Even though through this same block scheme both Dachi and Kagayama have missed the receive. Knowing this Tsukishima still chooses to put his trust in Hinata, now acknowledging not only his athleticism but also his skill. This acknowledgment extends past Tsukishima, as the players from the neighborhood association team say “Shoyo-san” rather than “Shoyo-Kun” subtly showing that they now view Hintat as more mature than he was before. This is then followed by Hinata saying “He’s just so damn good at blocking”(S4EP24 9:01), this is very reminiscent of Lev’s realization but as a blocker. Lev and Hinata are both inexperienced but have lots of talent, they both have similar realizations. Lev comes to understand the importance of creating a block that won’t kill but give your receiver the best chance ( Haikyuu!!: Riku vs. Kuu EP2 17:44). Just as Lev came to understand this Hinata came to understand the opposite, Tsukishima created the lanes and he learned to receive around them. This parallel in growth shows how they are both real players with a deep understanding of the game and how they will continue to parallel each other as growing players in their emanate match. The following sequence is well explained by Date Tech. With the reestablishment of Azumane as the ace with Tankas heavy presence throughout the match. To avoid regurgitation go to 11:00 in the episode. The following scene delves into Osamu as a character, functionally he is what Hinata is to Kagayama. He has the best connection with his setter and furthermore is his setter’s rival that pushes him harder than anyone else, along with the fact that Hinata often doted on as the player with the most potential in the series, but Osamu actually has the highest base stats in the show, with Atsumu’s passion Osamu would have been the best player in the series. Both players are the extremely talented duo to their passionate setter counterparts. This why Osamu took offense to Atsumu being moved by Hinata (he believes he is the same). This match was filled with great players but this match revolved around the monster duos. In this sequence, Osamu wants to prove to Atsumu that he is the same as Hinata hence the aura only seen on Ushijima indirectly demanding a set. An excited Atsumu would set him just to see what would happen but as the level of the game elevates so does Atsumu’s decision making, resulting in Inarizaki taking the point. The moment following the point was a small detail but very telling of Atsumu’s outlook of the game with him boasting that Karasuno “just keep picking up my attacks” which is followed by a Suna “I’m the one that actually attacked, though” which is followed by a laugh from Atsumu. This moment is a reminder from the Olympic arc where his ego and arrogance are on full display, as he genuinely feels like he is in full control of the game and spikers are only his tools(His coach even says he is “sure Atsumu wants to use new toys” only further proving that Atsumu sees his teammates as tools). (or maybe he's laughing because he's having fun playing volleyball lol this one is a reach, but I think that Atsumu’s upbeat attitude overshadows his intensity so this was a reminder of how arrogant of a player he is). The next point is relatively straight forward Aran is underrated as an ace the point if you think about it is amazing. The next point is Kagayamas dump, very reminiscent of his dump against Oikawa, and also a battle of the ego that both setters have as a result of their deep passion. This sequence encompasses the purpose of season four, in the first season Karasuno was fast, thus they lost Aoba Josai. In season two they were still very reliant on being fast but some adaptation came with Hinata opening his eyes. In season 3 we saw the last adaptation to being fast, being slow, mixing timing made their fast attack more powerful than ever but in essence, the team still was built on the basis of speed. The reason they beat more technical, more powerful and taller teams was their speed. So when the game is on the line, Karasuno reverts back to what has always won them games… speed. As the play continues Karasuno begins to revert back to their season one self. When in reality the last 3 seasons have been growing around speed the most important being Hinata, Hinata grew from a blind quick to a dynamic player just as Karasuno has. As the screen darkens illustrating Karasunos vision for the game narrowing. It is fitting that the player that grew the most reminds them how much they have grown. The high pass saying “we are more than just speed now”. (The reference to the training camp is shown does not need further exposition) A note on the eyes of all the characters, yes they look really bad, but here’s my attempt to explain the intent of this art style. I think that they are trying to accomplish the same effect that they did in season 2. Oikawa has the same style of eyes (obviously the art is far better) when he then the game is close and he is desperate to win (S2 EP24 20:09). So the janky animation (18:56) shows the desperation to win just as Oikawa felt at the end of the season 2 game. (This is also a reach and I think this art is a substantial knock-on the episode and it sucked to see but this was my attempt to justify it lol) The final point, this point shows the growth of Hinata and Kageyama, as they beat what they once were. This point mirrors the final point of season one (S1EP24 13:40) the dialogue “this position, this timing” is the same, showing that in season one Hinata and Kageyama truly believed speed would win them the game just as Osamu and Atsumu thought. I would offer more analysis, but Tsukishima’s monologue encapsulates this moment perfectly “speed is a very strong weapon… but it’s not invincible… those two know that a little better than anyone else”, Hinata and Kageyama used to live by speed, but now they understand it and rather than live by it, they use it. This final point capped the underlying character arc of growth from a freak duo to a duo of two of the best volleyball players in Japan that was persistent throughout the whole show. What started as a crazy idea in a practice match lead to both of them elevating each other to the players they are now. That is why I believe this is the best episode in the show, the themes it explores and concludes from the 4 seasons of growth is masterful.
__Synopsis__ HAIKYU‼ TO THE TOP Part 2 kicks off after the powerful display of Atsumu Miya's skills and influence over the crowd. Inarizaki's cheering squad seems to interact with the game by messing with the rhythm of the serves, but Saeko comes in for the rescue. The Miya twins pulled off a quick resembling Kageyama's and Hinata's, leaving everyone on Karasuno's side stunned. Major national players like Sakusa, Komori, Hoshiumi, Bokuto, and Akashi played the role of the spectators. __Note__: Because of the structure as a sports anime, I will divide the main body into three categories. The first one is the plot which describes the game itself and not the overall events, the second analyzes the characters, and the third refers to the themes. __Beware of the spoilers!!!__ __Plot__ The match was spectacular. It utilized rules, tactics, and movements we had never seen before. Inarizaki set the bar high, and the difference is blindly obvious. The players from both sides offered something fresh and kept ambushing each other with their unique skill sets. Daishou and Yamaka made sure to playfully update us with their expert commentary and let us take a break with their flirty exchanges. Saeko, the Neighbor Association, and the coaches also chimed in, raising awareness of the new information. I'll refer to moments that stood out for me: Atsumu's volleyball and athleticism put many players to shame. For example, he positioned himself under a low ball two times and set it at the perfect angle and speed. Most people were shocked, including his brother. Kenma even stated that he wouldn't be able to do that due to his athletic limitations. img(https://i.imgur.com/eLjneFW.jpg) And did I mention the quick? It was supposed to be incomplete, but they caught Karasuno off guard. They didn't sync a couple of times, but when they succeeded, it was flawless. Inarizaki was the most chaotic and offensive team, mirroring Karasuno's style. img(https://i.imgur.com/rFokHDL.jpg) On top of that, Atsumu's unpredictability shows even more tasteful strategies like skipping the first pass and setting directly. Also, a refined tactic is luring your opponents to touch the ball while it's on your court. Another remarkable game that kept this season original is Suna's unique positioning when he spikes. He bends his whole upper body and confuses the blocker. img(https://i.imgur.com/0e21zLK.png) Kita Shinsuke was one more player who raised the standards by being a solid defense specialist and Inarizaki's trump card. His volleyball IQ was beyond average, and he had a keen eye for reading the court. His personality, philosophy, and leadership took the cake though. img(https://i.imgur.com/CHmL7Hc.png) There are several more from both teams that I'll briefly analyze in the Characters and Themes sections because they are correlated with their development and plot progression. My point is that Haikyuu took a step forward in terms of sports representation, elevating the game, tension, and stakes. It certainly felt like nationals. __Characters__ Here goes nothing. Do you remember the legendary ball boy arc in the first half of season 4? Do you recall Hinata being a klutz and scoring points bacause of the chemistry with our charismatic setter? Coaches, players, friends, and foes bugged him about his lack of abilities in different positions and justifiably so. He smacked his head, worried about his future, and took immature decisions that affected his team. Fast-forward to the current cour, the court goes wild. Suga cries, Daichi zones out, Nishinoya cheers, Kageyama praises him, and his opponents get inspired. Our crow Shoyo flaps his wings and flies! img(https://i.imgur.com/I0wiVqX.jpg) What baffles me the most isn't that he finally receives, and superbly I may add. Hinata had been the happy-go-lucky character who was content by spiking and selfishly chasing the ace position. It's safe to assume that he had been fixiated to this mindset a bit too much. Now that he changed gears and adopted a new perspective, he evolved to a well-rounded player and he's happy to contribute with various ways like receiving and supporting. Tsukishima of all people trusted him and let him snatch the glory by funneling Suna's spike to him. Next on the list is Nishinoya, who struggled with overhand receives and had his teammates serving floaters to practice. I won't lie! He's my favorite, but I didn't expect extra characterization, let alone a flashback and a victorious moment. Nothing could surpass his double receiver in the Shiratorizawa match. Scared by Atsumu's killer jump floaters and punishing himself by doing push-ups, Nishinoya sat on the bench during a timeout. Out of the blue, he said that his fear felt nostalgic. Of course the coach and his teammates were startled. He continued with the story of his grandfather, breaking the vicious cycle of his countless fears and his lesson that he could depend on others. Soon after, Kinoshita experienced his first official loss as a serve specialist. Nishinoya stepped in, facing his weakness and making a solid overhand receive. He cried out and silently dedicated his win to his teammate. img(https://i.imgur.com/oh5Luex.jpg) We cannot talk about epic character moments though, without addressing Tanaka. The baldie and one of the most underappreciated members of Karasuno achieved the impossible, a clean cross-shot and a sharp line shot. Accepting that he was normal and not nearly intelligent was heartbreaking but he clenched his teeth and emerged victorious! img(https://i.imgur.com/y5QBtn1.jpg) He certainly made his sister happy! Saeko is a character that also provided not just as a family member cheering from the sidelines, but a vital piece to bring the rhythm for Karasuno back on the court too. img(https://i.imgur.com/DsoR9fI.jpg) The dynamics between Tsukishima and Suna were also interesting, exploring the mechanics of a rivarly between two middle blockers. Suna was on the offensive as a spiker, and Tsukki on the defensive as a blocker. This relationship expanded on the responsibilities of both roles, the different scenarios, and the necessary interference of other members. The humor was brilliant too. img(https://i.imgur.com/g3tJp2Y.jpg) Lastly, another power duo sprouts up unexpectedly, and this time from Nekoma. It's none other than Kenma and Yamamoto, the polar opposites when it comes to their approach on athletics and their personalities. Kenma was depicted as the sloth and the brain of the team. He rarely goes all out but he hates losing, everything is a game for him with gravity as the final boss (lol). Unfortunately, he lacks stamina and muscle. On the other side of the coin, Yamamoto is the epitome of an athletic person, fit and sporty. Guts are everything to him, which Kenma was inferior. Naturally, they were each other's nemesis as the flashback hinted. There was no middle ground. img(https://i.imgur.com/axzdfv4.jpg) After several heated arguments, scolding from teammates, and a bucket of water, they peacefully coexisted. Yamamoto learned to use his wits more, and the latter fought physically more. In the present, they're on a first-name basis and make fun of each other. Who said they couldn't exceed their limits too? __Themes__ Oh boy, it was a crazy ride. I'll leave it to Kita's profound speech to avoid paraphrazing. img(https://i.imgur.com/eMDKGZw.png) During the Inarizaki vs Karasuno game, Atsumu and Kageyama displayed high-quality capabilities that every player would envy. Someone could argue that they are the absolute high school setters. We all agree on a surface level. There are natural talents, whether they are early or late bloomers, that we are no match. Is it true? Partly. img(https://i.imgur.com/AkhiGHH.jpg) Inarizaki's captain went on a rant about people misapprehending the true meaning of genius. Long story short, an observer only sees the byproduct of hard work. Going through all the blood, sweat, and tears will definitely produce results equal to a "genius". Those people love their sport, art, etc to the extent that they dedicate their whole energy to master whatever they can. Hinata and Oikawa are also good references. Another theme that the author conveys is the chain of inspiration that links everyone through causality. The most direct instance was Hinata spreading positivity to his gloomy team after almost losing. Seeing Shoyo celebrating his minor individual victory lifted their spirits and startled their opponents. He also touched Atsumu with his boundless love about the sport – the paralles between the two setter & middle blocker duos were countless. Α perfect illustration of this was Tanaka and Kanoka. During their childhood, the girl was insecure about her height, but Tanaka considered it a blessing. He expressed his thoughts, making her love herself, and use it as a strength. Not only did she fall in love with him, but she is a better version of herself too. It was heartwarming how people can make your life beautiful by words and actions with symbolic value . The opposite can occur too, but Haikyuu went for the positive approach when drama is usually the way to go. img(https://i.imgur.com/87BGfKD.jpg) __Art & Animation__ This department had its ups and downs, lots of them. Some objectively horrible frames made me cringe, like the Daichi meme and several disfigured character moments, such as Suga and Nishinoya. This is the reason I deducted the final score by 10. img(https://i.imgur.com/4ytYhzF.jpg) But, to give the devil his due, the art was pleasant, and there were some note-worthy animation moments. Tsukki blocking, Tanaka spiking, and Hinata receiving are some examples. Also, I feel that the animators love Kageyama, most of his close-ups are gorgeous. __Closing Thoughts__ This season was a step up regarding the storytelling, fleshing out, and developing every key character. Inarizaki was a team I came to love, they felt real, and I rooted for them. My enjoyment peaked early in the season, and every moment impacted the climax. I think fans should give more credit and try not to let the animation cloud their judgment storywise. img(https://i.imgur.com/kQkxcp5.jpg) Thank you for reading!