Story: 9
When is a show about sports ever not about the underdogs? Yes, the story is typical but some key differences make it stand out. It's a story about rivals but not quite. It focuses on one volleyball team but also goes in-depth into the victories and struggles of their opponents. Overall, the show remains consistent and realistic in its telling of its story, leaving my eyes glued to the screen and genuinely questioning what the outcome of each match will be. I'm afraid to say anything more without going into spoiler territory so I'll leave it at that. While the story is very good, this show's other aspects are what make this the best sports anime I've ever seen.
Editing: 10
This show is a comedy and a sports anime so there's a number of ways to judge the editing. When looking at comedic timing, action, and pacing, this series passes all of those categories with flying colors. In narratives, it's said by Walter Murch that emotion is the most important factor when considering where to cut. This series is a great example of editing according to emotion. Whether it be for comedy, suspense, or intensity, each cut feels seamless and scenes play out effortlessly. Sound editing is spectacular as well but I'll speak more about that later.
Cinematography: 10
There are way too many memorable shots in this series to count. 'Haikyuu!!' has some of the best cinematography I've seen from an anime series, period. What makes the cinematography in this series so great is how unique each shot is. This series explores and uses every aspect of cinematography such as perspective, camera movement, and framing to its full potential. Such mastery and innovation is something I haven't seen from a sports anime, let alone an anime series in general. I often find myself re-watching scenes from the series just because of how well-done the cinematography is for 'Haikyuu!!'.
Art & Animation: 10
The art and animation of this series is outstanding. Every character's face is drawn exceptionally well and with great detail, revealing the raw emotion that sports and competition tend to bring out. The animation, especially when it comes to action and motion, balances realism with exaggeration well, taking advantage of the creative control animation allows while still remaining grounded. Though, there are a few scenes where the animation leans towards a more poetic and metaphoric feel. While they may seem overt compared to the overall balanced reality the show portrays, it's a nice change of pace and works well in intensifying the emotion of each respective scene.
Sound: 10
Where do I even begin with the sound of this show? The sound of a hand tightening into a fist in a silent gymnasium. The sound of the air that surrounds a player who has just been blocked. The yell of a player who has just regained his confidence. The sound of a spiked volleyball bringing an abrupt end to the soundtrack, leaving just the noise of the ball bouncing off the floor. I have to admit, sound is something that I often overlook. We're so accustomed to good sound design and mixing that it's easy to take it for granted. 'Haikyuu!!' manages to have great sound design, mixing, and editing, but on top of that, uses sound creatively in order to add and create meaning alongside its spectacular visuals. Not to be forgotten, the voice acting in this series is phenomenal as well. While I can stare in awe of the show's amazing animation and cinematography all day long, it's the show's use of sound that causes me to feel the emotion of the scene and leave me with goosebumps on a consistent basis.
Characters: 8
It's been awhile since I've come across such a memorable and fun cast of characters. Even though the series has a lot of characters, every character has a unique and distinct personality, making the story easy to follow. Even though some characters might not get a lot of screen time, their personalities and/or backstory is intelligently highlighted, leaving their presence feeling fleshed-out and real. Despite this, I have a few gripes with this category when it comes to 'Haikyuu!!'. One character in particular feels a bit inconsistent as the series progresses. Also, while the series generally does a good job of having characters feel unique and different, I feel like with some characters this is completely lost. But overall, I enjoy watching how all of these characters interact with each other and how they develop over time.
Overall: 10
I think something that makes this show special is how balanced and unbiased it tends to be at times. Just as we jump with joy when the protagonist wins, we feel the pang of defeat of their opponents. Often, in stories regarding sports, the opponents of the protagonist is portrayed as a villain. But in reality, those opponents are not much different from the protagonist and are just working towards the same goal. Sports do not represent a match of good versus evil. It is a game of preparation, skill, determination, effort, and a little bit of luck. 'Haikyuu!!' gives us a hilarious sports story with a diverse cast of characters and numerous fantastic moments, ultimately reminding us that we are all the same in our pursuits of success.
