In my post about the bookstores I visited in Chicago and New York I talked about my newest manga obsession; Haikyu! So far I’ve read the first 3 volumes and I just have to talk about them haha. It’s a story about a high school volleyball team and it was recommended to me after I asked for something similar to Fence. Let’s see what I thought about the first 3 volumes!
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?
Haikyu!!, Vol. 1 by Haruichi Furudate
Published by VIZ Media LLC on 04/06/2012
Genres: Manga, Sports
Goodreads
When I started this first volume, I wasn’t sure if I’d actually enjoy it. I’m not that into volleyball and the first bit of the story starts when the main character is still in middle school. Since I was looking for something similar to Fence, I was also hoping for a slow burn romance and that didn’t seem likely with middle school characters. However, as soon as I started reading I was hooked. I read this first volume in a cafe in New York and didn’t leave until I finished the whole thing. And then I went straight back to the store to get the next volume haha. I think that might already tell you how much I enjoyed this haha.
We follow a high school volleyball team and slowly get to know the characters. Kageyama and Hinata are the main focus in the first volume and I love them. They are pretty much enemies and have to learn to work together. I enjoyed reading it a lot and want to make my way through the series very fast.
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as the "Little Giant" compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! He decides to join the team at the high school the Little Giant went to-and then surpass him. Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?
After proving themselves to be the ultimate combination in their practice match against Tsukishima, Kageyama and Hinata are finally allowed to join the club! Hinata’s true power—to perfectly time his spikes with his eyes closed—is awakened and nothing can seem to stop this crazy setter-spiker duo. Now their skills are about to put to the test at a practice match against one of Kageyama’s former teammates from middle school, Toru Oikawa.
Haikyu!!, Vol. 2 by Haruichi Furudate, Adrienne Beck
Published by VIZ Media LLC on 02/08/2016
Pages: 200
Goodreads
The second volume show a little bit more of the team and we get another practice game against another school. It was really fun seeing it all play out. Kageyama and Hinata are slowly learning to work together more effectively. We also get to know the other members of the team a little bit more.
I enjoyed the art style, it fits the story well and it think the action scenes are very well done. After reading two volumes I think I can say I’m very much obsessed with the series (volume 11 & 12 are currently on their way to my house) and I definitely want to read all of it. I have the start of a cool collection and the rest of the volumes are now on my wishlist so everyone knows what to call me.
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as the "Little Giant" compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! He decides to join the team at the high school the Little Giant went to-and then surpass him. Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?
Haikyu!!, Vol. 3 by Haruichi Furudate, Adrienne Beck
Published by VIZ Media LLC on 06/09/2016
Pages: 192
Goodreads
This third volume focuses on some ‘new’ or actually old team members. It was a lot of fun learning more about the team’s previous season through their eyes but also seeing the current team from their perspective. I really liked this new addition to the manga and I’m excited to see more of them in the next volume. They haven’t really worked together in this third volume but I have high hopes for the fourth volume in that regard.
I just really enjoy this story and I can’t wait to read the next one. There are 45 volumes so I have a while to go haha. The more I learn, the more I enjoy volleyball. Have you read this manga? Or watched the anime? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
