Reflections on the Conclusion of Haikyuu: An Anime and Manga Journey
Dude, I'd just wish Hinata never got sick and went to the finals and played Fukurodani! SMH MAN I wanted to see them play each other and at the final at that. That was taken away from us, and I hated how the spring nationals ended and how pre-timeskip happened I wish it was like Kuroko no Basket but better. Ya know, and then the timeskip could have happened. MAN I just wish they could have won.
Caution: This answer contains spoilers. Read it at your own risk.
I have just finished reading Haikyuu. To be honest, I don’t know what to feel. I started Haikyuu with its anime, and I was reaaallly caught up with it. I enjoyed every second that each episode felt like 3-minute long. The animation is on point; every match was intense, and their casual interactions are wholesome. It keeps you amused and satisfied at the same time. I love their bickering and friendship!
After the anime finished, I couldn’t help but read the manga and finished it in one sitting. Their volleyball journey up to the end of Kageyama and Hinata’s high school match was expected but very well-written. I wouldn’t want it any other way. But after that, I feel like something is missing.
I understand it is very realistic that not everyone continues their volleyball career, but I had expected some of them, especially the really good and hardworking ones in high school like Nishinoya Osamu and Kuroo, to play in a high-level Japanese volleyball team. I also want to see Daichi and Asahi play volleyball at their university. Do universities have volleyball teams? After all the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices they spent to play volleyball since they were kids and during high school, it stopped after they graduated. I don’t know; I just feel especially bad for Nishinoya. He was a really good player but I feel he didn’t get the recognition he deserved. Also, Okinawa getting naturalized in Argentina felt like he was ditching his friends. Well, seeing everyone in their own paths after high school is as realistic as it can be, but I just feel heartbroken. I was on fire after watching, reading, and enjoying all those high school matches, just to be doused suddenly.
I am also not really into Kageyama vs. Hinata. I mean, I know they started off as rivals, but after the journey they had together, it doesn’t feel right to see them at the opposite sides of the net. I wish the author wouldn’t have elaborated how everyone's life after high school just mentioning that some of them have gone to their own paths. Hinata training beach volleyball in Brazil, went to different teams, met him a few times in V-League matches with several wins and losses, and then went straight into portraying Hinata and Kageyama in the Japanese men's volleyball team. A little game of them playing together representing Japan would have been a great epilogue and such a treat to see how much their playing style has matured. But I just hoped it would have been brought up right after their final match in high school. I feel like it would have been more satisfying and would end the series at its peak.
In spite of this, I never regret watching and reading Haikyuu. It's one of my favorite anime/manga I have ever read, and I would recommend anyone to read it. The anime is even better.
Key Takeaways
Conclusion Impact: The final matches were impactful, but ending with a way to see the future prospects of players could have been more satisfying.
Character Development: The characters' growth and evolving relationships were well-woven into the plot, but the post-high school journeys felt abrupt.
Realism: While the realism of the series was appreciated, wanting the characters to continue their volleyball careers added a layer of disappointment.