HAIKYUU!! - RakeruMON Anime Raves #2
š„RakeruMON Anime Ravesš„
#2
HAIKYUU!!
The Plot
The story starts with Hinata Shouyou, a middle schooler who just happens to see a volleyball match on TV. He was instantly captivated by the sport after seeing a player dubbed as the āLittle Giantā who packs a huge aura of determination despite his small stature. Amazed by the sport he was determined to play volleyball despite the lack of players in his school.
He finally gets to play in a real volleyball match only to discover that there are players who are geniuses in the sport. Suffering a complete defeat he vows to become stronger and continue his passion for volleyball by entering a former powerhouse school, Karasuno High School. There he encounters his rival, Kageyama Tobio, the opponent setter from his first match at middle school.
How will this rivalry continue when theyāre part of the same team?
The Protagonist
It is established on the first episodes of the anime that the main Protagonist is Hinata Shouyou but as the story progresses you can see that the story revolves around the oddball combo of Kageyama and Hinata. The two fated rivals are different in personality but benefits on each other strengths.
Hinata Shouyou is small in height but is fast on his feet and can jump real high. He is the mid blocker for the team but he originally wants to be the āAceā. He has played numerous sports before but chose volleyball because of the inspiration he got from the Little Giant he saw on TV. He knows that height is a huge factor in the sport but he is determined to show his skills despite the lack of height. His energy level and confidence fluctuates depending on the pressure given onto him but he still springs back into action when the team needs him most.
Kageyama Tobio is a genius setter. Able to pinpoint precise and accurate tosses each and every time but lacks the personality to draw out the strengths and trust of his teammates. He was dubbed as the āKing of the Courtā by his team not because he was an amazing player but for being an oppressive dictator. His personality hinders his potential and growth thus making him a difficult player to deal with.
When these two encounter each other again not as rivals but as allyās they discover a power that they can use together as a team. Despite all the bickering they learn to trust in each other and form a bond that will become a force to be dealt with.
The Story
The story revolves around Hinata and Kageyama and the whole Karasuno Volleyball team and there battles against the leading volleyball teams in their prefecture and in the whole of Japan. The story not only focuses on the main protagonists alone but tries to enlighten you with the other characters as well. Each character is different from each other but tells a story of determination and love for the sport. They take each match like itās a stepping stone to finding courage and strength in themselves to make them better people.
Their battles with other teams such as Aoba Johsai, Nekoma, Fukurodani, Datekou, Jousenji, Wakunan and Shiratorizawa all helped in molding their characters and create bonds with their opponents as well. Being called a fallen powerhouse school they are determined to regain their title and show that they have not fallen just yet.
The RAVE
Overall, Haikyuu!! is a good example of a sports anime done right. Most sports anime seen today are way out of the reality scale. Most sports anime showcase overpowered characters which possess superhuman powers. Haikyuu!! on the other hand creates a relatable vibe when it comes to the strength of each character. They donāt have superhuman abilities, they only hold normal abilities that an average person can gain through talent, skills or experience.
Not that I donāt like those kinds of sports animes but it just pays to be more relatable and realistic sometimes. In terms of plot and story-telling, this anime packs a punch. Unrelentingly giving cliffhangers during match episodes and leaving you gritting your teeth with every play, it surely gets you hooked not just with the story but with the sport itself.
I am not a sporty person. I have only played volleyball once in my life and I suck at it. I didnāt know how the game goes until I watched this anime. It helped me understand the sport properly and now I am an eager spectator of volleyball matches; but I still donāt play it.
In terms of character development, each and every character is highlighted showcasing their strengths and weaknesses and how they overcome the obstacles they face in order to be a stronger person and an asset to the team. It also showcases the value of friendship, trust and camaraderie. Iāve been reading the ongoing manga and it still gives me thrills and chills even without the movement that the anime has. This just shows that Haikyuu!! even in any form still gives off inspiration.
If youāre looking for a good sports anime/manga, then Haikyuu!! is the one for you. Youāll learn new things and get
the motivation you need to overcome hardships.
