Haikyuu may lacks the "kira kira" sides of characters and superpowers when compared to Kuroko no Basuke, but it gains an ultimate forte-realism.
Owing to a balanced plot, Haikyuu may contains a tonnes of shounen elements like other shounen titles, character developments make sense.
Development in characters, are viewed as growth, rather than power-ups given by the plot device.
I used the term growth cause the increase in ability for the characters is minimal.
What the plot does is let them growth and exploit their potential, and makes you feel that the characters have grown up, both their mentality and ability.
Characters are likable, or are your average anime boys, nothing special here.
Well the design is more to the kawaii side, which is an enjoyable thing to behold.
Feelings for the characters will develop overtime as the plot goes and audience discover the other sides of the characters.
And good rivals are required too. Haikyuu is one of a few rare titles where the rivals will push themselves harder when the main characters retaliate.
Shounen as it is, this in turn makes the main characters to give all of them and pump you and me up.
Biggest strength of the show is displayed on the volleyball matches.
Marvelous directing and well-placed slo-mo scenes manage to place the audience within the matches, and in turn feel the immense pressure and intensity.
You just can't take a breathe when the matches starts.
The production value is over-the-top, even just for the volleyball matches alone.
I'm not a fan for the two OPs and two EDs, they're quite decent and have the common shounen vibe.
Tho the soundtracks are marvelous. Especially the piano track that plays everytime a character is going to stand up and rise again from his failure.
the soundtracks helped to heat up the atmosphere and max the hype. That's the main job and I call it a job well done.
While I.G. has been taking blame for the poor Arise, their efforts in animating sport titles are widely recognised.
Among that, Haikyuu remains the best and purest to the shounen core, while manages to keep the audience motivated and passion for more.
Mou ikkai! Season 2 and beyond for us Production I.G.!
