Anime Ventilation 39 Haikyuu!!: Karasuno Koukou VS Shiratorizawa Gakuen Koukou

A lot of sleepless nights and sleepy days meant that I couldn't binge watch the whole 10 episodes in one go unfortunately. (っ- ‸ – ς)

{Spoilers, probably}

Ah, where do I even start? I think first off we have to just take a minute to truly enjoy the pacing. Extending one match, albeit with 5 sets, to a span of 10 episodes is no small feat. And somehow it still seemed short, crazy enough. So props to the creators for such sublime pacing.

Honestly speaking, I can't say I'm in this series for the volleyball. (Although I've learned a surprising amount about the sport by watching.) I'm in it for that character development, that drama, that suspense. And Haikyuu gives it all to me. It's truly a whirlwind of emotions because it's written in such a way that you don't really know if Karasuno will win or not. It's all about the buildup of the game and the way that the characters interact and play, their struggle against physical and mental barriers to success. That's what really gets me.

Seeing them grow and overcome diversity gives me life. The three senpais finally showing that random old guy that Karasuno can fly and become a powerhouse school in its own right was amazing.

Before...

...After

They've taken flight and it's truly a sight to behold

And can we just take a moment to give Tsukishima a standing ovation? His blocking was the actual MVP in this match.

I don't have a lot to say, mostly because the content of this was so solidly based upon tension and anticipation. So, instead I recommend you listen to the ED because, although at first it seems a bit weird, it's actually a really great song in its own right.

So overall, if you've already joined the Haikyuu hype then definitely  watch because they're just so precious. And if you haven't jumped on the bandwagon, what are you waiting for??? Join immediately! Join the Oikawa fanclub *cough* well either Oikawa or Nishinoya (I'm sorry if your opinions differ but this is just me. They're the best.)

Now, here's honestly the part I'm kind of ashamed of. I took so many screenshots. As in 24. Please don't judge what I do in my spare time okay? (JK you already know what I do in my spare time: this blog) o(〃＾▽＾〃)o

Everyone's squad goals if we're being honest with ourselves

They're so cute (*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑

(An addition to when the whole team cheers for Tsukki)

While we're at it...why not just have a Tsukishima sequence :3

Look at Oikawa in glasses and try to tell me he's not cute

When Ryu isn't just a Shimizu-san obsessed weirdo :')

When Shimizu is supposed to be everyone's Shimizu LOL

When Ushijima is just mentally roasting poor Hinata 

Revenge is epic. And sweet.

When you realize that Ushijima is actually a pretty cool senpai

...except for the fact that his teammates all unanimously agree he's an idiot (*´艸`*)

I love how they're just stretching and talking about future plans on the floor so casually. It had to be immortalized. Possibly screensaver material (but without context it looks a little sketchy I have to say)

Time for a...Hinata sequence!

Basically: Get hyped for Nationals (?) in Season 4!!!

Also, I just realized this this morning, that Shiratorizawa is literally shiratori or white bird. Because before I was kind of questioning why Shiratorizawa was depicted as an eagle and Karasuno as crows, but now I sort of get it. Hope that was a new tidbit for someone out there. ヽ(*´∀`)ﾉﾞ

Anime Review 9 Haikyuu! Season 2

Ah sports anime. The source of a lot of frustration and sorrow and joy and roller coaster emotions.

By the way, this is a really dumb side note, but I accidentally watched the last episode first because it was late. And when I had finished it and realized it was the last episode I had watched first I felt really betrayed by myself. Then when I watched the episodes in order I had forgotten that I had already watched the last episode so while I finished the series I had this weird sense of deja vu. Heh I'm so amused yet so disappointed in myself.

{Not Spoiler Free}

I gotta say that all these characters are my babies. They're all so precious and each overcome their own struggles in order to improve themselves. This alone is such a great message. Honestly these characters are so just down to earth and wholesome that you just can't help but love them. Props the creator because the characters are bomb.

Another important message was that even out of the most unexpected places, the strong can rise and beat all odds. I don't know. Maybe I'm just a sucker for underdog stories, but this was one of the best. It made me feel all the feels. I'm not even remotely interested in sports, but for some reason this really hooked me. Heh it was probably because that plot twist of an ending for the first season when Karasuno actually lost. I may or may not have almost dropped my phone in shock when I watched that part. But jeez that sweet sweet sensation when Karasuno rematched Aoba Josei and won!!!!! I was so hyped. I felt like my children had worked so hard and I couldn't have been more proud. It was a great moment for me.

Also can we just talk about Yachi?! She's the best Townsperson B ever. She's so humble and I love her. But I love basically all the characters so...

Something else that I really liked about this sports anime is how real it was. Okay I can't really speak from personal experience about the sports team thing, but the whole development of their skills seemed really believable. Each of the characters was so human. They all made mistakes with bad serves or horrible control, but they were able to work on it with an amazing amount of practice and dedication. None of the guys were godly, unlike other sports anime like Kuroko no Basket. I really liked the fact that like half the season was focused on each of them training to become better. The whole journey to improvement was super motivating as a viewer. It made me root for each of them even more. Honestly I was even excited for Oikawa when it was made more apparent that he wasn't naturally talented and had to work hard like everyone else. Not the same could be said for #1 jerkface Ushijima. Ugh that guy.

All of the conflicts in the season felt so real. All of their personal internal conflicts as well as their outer team vs team conflicts. In every single match as certain points I would hold my breath in anticipation because after how the first season ended I couldn't have any expectations or else I'd feel so betrayed.

Anyways, this anime is so worth the hype. Actually I was scarred by Free! into thinking that when I finished the series I would cry a river because of the nostalgia, but it ended at a really good, inspirational point that keeps me looking forward to season 3!!! Also I started this season in June but only finished it now because I kept pushing off finishing it in case that was it and I wouldn't get any more which would make me really sad.

I can't. They're too cute. So pure.

The most beautiful partnership

I'd sign a petition to see more Kenma tbh

YESSSSSSSS

Aren't they just too precious?