TGIF! Here we are again with another Fangirl Friday! This week I’m going back to my otaku roots a bit, by covering an anime series that was suggested to me by the outstanding Katrina Sade over at Grimmgirl.com! If you have been following my twitter, you know without a doubt that I have been seriously obsessing over the sports anime series Haikyu!!
I’m not really a fan of sports anime, in fact I usually go out of my way to avoid them when I can… So when Kat suggested that I watch Haikyu, let’s just say that I wasn’t expecting much. In fact, the first and last sports anime that I every cared enough about to keep up with was Prince of Tennis and that was years ago. But, along came Haikyu and it just blew everything else out of the water!
Haikyu is an ongoing sports anime series, with two 25 episode seasons under it’s belt and a third season on the way in October. The story follows the exploits of the once great Karasuno High Volleyball team as they fight to reclaim their former status as one of the top high school volleyball teams in Japan!
Based off of the original Weekly Shonen Jump manga series from Haruichi Furudate, Haikyu!! is a slice-of-life sports anime revolving around Shoyo Hinata’s love of volleyball. Inspired by a small-statured pro volleyball player, Hinata creates a volleyball team in his last year of middle school. Unfortunately the team is matched up against the “King of the Court” Tobio Kageyama’s team in their first tournament and inevitably lose. After the crushing defeat, Hinata vows to surpass Kageyama After entering high school, Hinata joins the volleyball team only to find that Tobio has also joined.
I don’t know what it is about this series, but I was hooked from the very first episode, it took me a few days to get through the first season (real life kept getting in the way), but the second season… I blazed through that in one sitting. The entire time I kept telling myself just one more episode, and the next thing I knew it was dark out. I can’t remember the last time I was so invested in an anime series, from the plot to the characters, Haikyu managed to do everything right!
While Hinata and Kageyama are technically the “stars” of Haikyu, each member of the Karasuno team manages to worm their way into your heart. Each player has their time in the spotlight, and Haikyu does an awesome job of developing the characters as individuals players and as members of the Karasuno team. It was so satisfying to see such a diverse case of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses come together and form a close-knit team. Each member plays a role in the successes and failures of the team, there is no one player that carries the team and I love that about the show!
Even now, I’m a having a hard time naming a favorite character because they’re all my favorites. But, if I had to choose… I guess I’d pick Nishinoya, because he is always so hyped! Oh, and the inspirational messages on his shirts are always on point!
I finally get it now… I finally get the appeal of sports anime! There is just something about them that just get you pumped. While watching the show I had the urge to run out and join a volleyball team, mind you I suck at team sports. But, that’s besides the point, the energy in Haikyu is contagious, no matter who you are or what you do, you can’t help but get caught up in it!
The fast paced high tension situations of Haikyu, had me on the edge of my seat with every new challenge…So if you haven’t figured it out yet, I highly recommend watching Haikyu, this show will have you pumping your fist like a maniac! I can’t wait to see where my Karasuno Crows wind up in season 3!!
Are any of you guys fans of sports anime? What’s your favorite sports anime series? Let me know what you think in the comments section, I really want to know what you think! Also, do you have any suggestions for Fangirl Moment post? Want me to review a specific book, film, anime, manga, show, or webcomic? Feel free to Comment on this post or Ask Me on my tumblr! As always Thank You for reading!
I bought it, but I haven’t read it yet. I got suckered by the Right Stuf bonus cards. XD
Lol I always get suckered into buying things all the time. But, it’s a good series. I’m interested to see how the manga and the anime differ if at all
I love Haikyuu so much. It is probably my favorite sports anime next to Daiya no Ace and Kuroko’s Basketball. Suga would have to be my favorite character. I just love him so much 😊
I’ve only seen a few episodes of Daiya, but I plan on watching a bit more of it in the near future. Oooh a Suga fan! I agree he definitely has his merits!😀
This sounds pretty interesting actually! I like sports anime in general, though I haven’t seen many of them. One of my favorites is Hajime no Ippo, which is a boxing anime. I find that it effectively combines spots and fighting anime, which is convenient. I’ve also enjoyed Whistle, a soccer anime, and Eyeshield 21, an American football anime!
It is! Haikyu is a great show!
I really need to get on the Hajime no Ippo train asap … I’m starting to feel like I’m missing out lol
I’ve heard good things about Whistle and I’m vaguely aware of Eyeshield 21… but if you suggest them I’ll make sure to give them a look!😊
I’m not sure if you’ve seen One-Punch Man yet, but Eyeshield 21 is from the same creator of the manga version. Very fun stuff!
I have yet to watch One Punch man, but I feel like I have with the way my BF goes on about it lol.
But, woah, I didn’t know that it was the same creator!
It’s a little confusing because although it shares the same creator as Eyeshield 21, it’s not the original original creator. That honor would go to the guy who made the original One-Punch Man webcomic, which is not as refined as the manga adaptation. He has found success with a different manga that has become a current anime: Mob Psycho 100! I’m enjoying that show as well!
Woah thanks for the info! I never would have known!
I keep hearing about Mob Psycho 100 ! Everything I’ve heard so far has been good, so I’ll probably pick it up one of these days
It’s fun so far. It’s somewhat random, in a humorous way. It’s very fun to watch!
*adds to watchlist*
I still haven’t watched this because I’m also not big on sports anime but I’ve now read a lot of very strong reviews about it so I may need to be adding this on my watch list soon. Thanks for sharing.
Ooh please do! Haikyu was much better than I could have ever dreamed it would be!
If I could I would like this a zillion more times. YES! Team Noya 😀 It is really hard to chose a favorite but I do love Noya so much. He’s so cool and ridiculous at the same time. How is that even possible? It defies logic but that’s exactly why I love him. I’m glad to see the Haikyu fandom is spreading. I still can’t believe how much I love this series, I wasn’t expecting to love a sports anime so much but here I am. Also you are 100% correct whenever I watch this show I get strangely pumped and have this urge to run a zillion laps and join some sports team where I can train for my comrades. I have no idea how this show induces such crazy thoughts. <3 This Fangirl Moment <3
Lol😄 I knew you’d like this!
Yes, Noya is the best! I dont know how he does it but i hope he keeps it up in season 3! Ah, but when I get ready to choose just Noya, I start thinking about Asahi…and then Daichi…and then… the list goes on
I’m glad to know it’s not just me…I even Googled local volleyball clubs before I caught myself. Lol
Curse (and thank) you and the several people who got me into this. I sort of consider this my first sports anime since Wanna Be Strongest in the world was more ecchi than actual wrestling, so, with this being actual sports, I find it weird how much I enjoy it for someone who is not into sports.
Lol! I know right, it’s oddly addictive! Maybe there are subliminal messages built into the show to keep viewers watching lol
Probably, it would not surprise me.
Subliminal sports messages!!😄
I LOVE, LOVE HAIKYUU AND I’M SO EXCITED YOU MADE A POST ABOUT IT AAAH (⌬̀⌄⌬́)
Haikyuu and Daiya, with YowaPeda at the side, are my fave sports anime so far and I’m so glad you’re getting suckered into them ۹(˒௰˓)۶
I think it’s impossible to pick just one character, but I do agree Noya is amazing, as is Hinata! All of them are baes, and I want them all to succeed (๑>ᴗ<๑)
I can't wait for you to fall deeper into the sports anime hell, where I reside, <3
lol I’m glad you like the post! XD
I did not think that I would end up obsessing over Haikyu, but I’m glad I watched the show! Next up is Daiya 😛
GO DAIYA GO /CHEERS
DAIYA, DAIYA /CHEERS
SPORTS ANIME /CHEERS
SPORTS ANIME /CHEERS
WOOOO
Okay, now that I’m calmer, it just goes to show you’ve excellent taste to like most of the shows I also like ≖‿≖
This is one of the better shows I have watched this year. I don’t watch much sport anime, but previously I have enjoyed Bamboo Blade.