Volleyball is a sport where you can only touch the ball for a few seconds. As soon as it hits the ground, the game is over. That's why it's been drilled from the very beginning how important it is to touch the ball -- to connect even if the receive is bad or you can't get it to the setter to score a point. Just the fact that the ball is still in play gives the teams hope and morale is extremely important in a game.

 

In fact, Nekoma High School's team banner says "Connect" and they're often the more frustrating team to play against. They're not particularly strong compared to Karasuno's offensive style, but just like cats, they're agile and won't let the ball hit the floor no matter what. If the ball is still in play, that means there's still a chance.

 

Haikyuu!! follows Shoyo Hinata, a rather short volleyball player who dreams of becoming the best spiker that he can be, and his rival/friend Tobio Kageyama, as they become players for the Karasuno volleyball club. Both Hinata and Kageyama are skilled, but when playing together as a setter and a spiker, they are nigh on unstoppable. Alongside their other teammates, the duo faces off against other high schools and strives to become the best.

 

In addition to the emotional themes, the anime uses excellent editing to make each game feel more dramatic. When Kageyama sets for Hinata, the whole moment slows down and viewers hear the play-by-play in his head as he prepares for this important moment. It helps maintain the pacing throughout the anime and highlights important moments when necessary. Especially for anime fans who don't like sports titles, making the games more dramatic is a sure way to reel more people in.

 

Haikyuu!! also shows why sports anime is so popular, specifically to people who don't normally watch it. Although sports titles can often be repetitive or overly technical at times, Haikyuu!!'s main focus is on camaraderie, teamwork and friendship. This results in a feeling of higher stakes when it comes down to game time, as the viewer has become more invested in the characters individually as well as in the team as a whole.

 

Sports anime may not be for everyone, but Haikyuu!! seems to appeal to a lot of people and there's a good reason for that. Its success is built into the writing, editing and composition of the anime, making it seem almost effortlessly good. Whether it's a good laugh, a high-stakes competition or the heartwarming bonds of brotherhood, Haikyuu!! has something for everyone.