If Slamdunk have sakuragi and rukawa, haikyuu got the dynamic duo of hinata and kageyama. Two rookies with opposite personalities, Hinata -this naruto look alike isn't a complete idiot about volleyball, but needs more improvement in terms of skills. Its mainly due to circumstances, he never experienced being part of a descent team and play competitive games during his junior days. He lacks the height for spiker position but blessed with natural jumping ability. While Kageyama, was known as the "king" because of his pin-point setting accuracy, However his junior team struggled because he wasn't a team player (a douche). He worked out his attitude problem along with his new team. Thanks to Hinata, someone who can follow his sets with eyes closed lol! What i also like here is how they share the spotlight with the other characters, including coaches and even the reserves. I can't wait for tsukishima (the blocker) shines for the next season and for the graduating players to taste the sweet victory. Karasuno HS volleyball team "The Blackhawks" will fight their way back to its old glorious days during the little giant era, whose identity is still a mystery.
Volleyball has tendency to display repetitive sequences for non-player viewers. Haikyuu's animation avoided that and highlighted scenes that makes a volleyball match exciting like the rallies, dives, spikes, players quickly movin and jumping around the court etc.. captured by good camera angles or movements and with the sound effects during spikes, ball bounces or hitting the net or floor, ref. whistles and shoe squeaking all of making the scenes more realistic.
Characterizations are consistent when you watch each one of them on and off the court, its easy to distinguish their personalities which may change as they grow in the story. I also enjoy how funny the guys are, its your typical varsity players goofing around even when the game is serious. My review covers mostly on season 1 only. Season 2 is on going and i heard its grinding right now as expected. BTW i don't think this anime is goin' KNB way. ^^
