Summary
Warning: Contains spoilers forHaikyu!!.
Haikyu!!is one of the most recognizable and belovedsports animeto date. With wonderful moral lessons, lovely character growth, hilarious interactions, and, of course, exhilarating volleyball games, it has solidified its spot in fans’ hearts for years to come.
Setters, spikers, liberos, and decoys all contribute to the blood-pumping rush of volleyball. DespitewhatHaikyu!!team watchers support, it is inarguable thatmany players have fantastic plays and shining moments of athleticism that leave fans on the edge of their seats. The series is great at making these exciting moments shine, and they are a big reason behind its success.
Haikyu!!’s 10 Best Volleyball Players, Ranked
Haikyu!! features some of the best volleyball players in anime, all competing to be champions. Who’s really number one?
10Hinata’s Low Block Against Ushijima Showcases the Battle of Concepts
Season 3, Episode 8, “An Annoying Guy”
Although Wakatoshi Ushijima faced Karasuno’s blocks and annoying one-touches before during their five-set match, Shoyo Hinata proves that height is not the only weapon in volleyball during this epic moment. Blocking low and imperfect, or perhaps considering it as an odd receive, the orange-haired protagonist surprises his team, coaches, and the audience watching in the stands alike.
“Hinata Shoyo, from the concrete”, alongside his partner Tobio Kageyama, already made a deep impression on Shiratorizawa’s ace during their first confrontational meeting. Ushijima’s underestimation of Hinata was definitely proven wrong when Karasuno’s perfect decoy put his playing skills to use.Although Hinata’s growth is clumsy and faltering at times, following his progression is satisfying and exhilaratingand proves to be annoying enough to irritate Ushijima, an otherwise unshakable player inHaikyu!!
9"If you’re gonna hit it,hit it until it breaks"with Oikawa’s Jump Serve
Season 2, Episode 20, “Wiping Out”
Karasuno’s rematch against Aoba Johsai has many exciting volleyball plays: one of which is team captain Toru Oikawa’s diabolical serve. Moving so quickly, Karasuno’s receivers did not even realize what had hit them - literally. Unfortunately or fortunately, the power was too great, pushing it out of bounds. This was the Crows' do-or-die match to secure their victory and redemption after their first taste of loss against Aoba Johsai. However, the pressure and intimidation from his serves were solidified.
The moment is quiet and tense, drawing the watcher’s focus to this notable moment. It makes Karasuno’s players & the audience themselves nervous for the rest of their game as his serves, combined with his intelligent setting, are something to look out for.Hitting with frightening strength proves Oikawa’s immense training has paid off and why he stands as Seijoh’s volleyball captain. AlthoughHaikyu!!watchers do not get to see Aoba Johsai’s third years make it to nationals, Oikawa becomes a fun and commanding character to follow later in the series.
8Tanaka Overcomes His Moment of Weakness with Insane Cross
Season 4 Part 2, Episode 3, “Broken Heart”
The match against Inarizaki is a nail-biter, as Karasuno battles a new foe with sensational plays and intense rallies. The excitement of nationals comes to a peak in season four, but not without added stress and self-doubt for some players. Luckily,this game makes way for the goofy wing spiker Ryūnosuke Tanaka to shine in a rare moment of sincerity.
After his spikes were continuously blocked, thus crumbling his confidence, Tanaka’s inner dialogue, persistence, and decision to push through take focus. Inarizaki targets him, trying to break his resolve, but in a moment of need, the ‘baldy’’s confidence and ridiculous courage resurfaces as he makes a magnificent cross-court shot before the hitting line. After that, he also makes an insanely sharp line shot, showing his in-air tactical skills as a spiker.
7Mixing in With the Team Makes Way for the Best Decoy
Season 3, Epsiode 10, “A Battle of Concepts”
The match with powerhouse school Shiratorizawa takes up all of season 3 for a reason. The ‘Flightless Crows’ must defeat an unrivaled team sporting height, power, and prowess, and watching their 5 sets is a nervewracking yet rousing experience for watchers. Drawing it all to a close, the final point scored is outstanding as Hinata slows down to a first-tempo synchronized attack. As the opposing team expects another quick attack, the protagonist mixes in with the team, confuses the blockers, and finishes the play as he spikes from the back.
Shiratorizawa is a daunting team to be up against, as many other teams have faced them and failed. But after all of Karasuno’s hard work to build a diverse skill set and plans of attack,this winning point is an emotional, epic moment securing the Crow’s place for nationals.
6Karasuno’s Monster Duo Stops Inarizaki’s Monster Twins
Season 4 Part 2, Episode 11, “Monsters' Ball”
Season four’s final set against the Foxes is thrilling with unexpected synchronicity from Osamu and Atsumu Miya as they surprise the audience by doing a monstrous minus-tempo quick of their own. During the final rally, the Miya twins once again take inspiration from the Karasunosetter-spiker pair, and watchers do not know how it will turn out.
Fantastically, Kageyama and Hinata are already there above the net, blocking the ball. Together, they push it to the backcourt and score the point. Once again,fans are reminded that the two help each other shine, each character individually and jointly growing as players and friends. Fans of the series are left on the edge of their seat, waiting for what the first-year duo will do next.
5Nishinoya’s Cat-Like Reflexes Save the Day
Season 3, Epsiode 9, “The Volleyball Freaks”
Yu Nishnoya has shown how well he supports the Karasuno team in previous episodes, but during the final set against Shiratorizawa, he surprises the opposing team and watchers with his epic libero prowess. After a net-in serve slowly drops to the ground, Daichi can foresee their impending doom, but he can’t seem to move. Noya saves it and thus pushes it back into the other court. Goshiki then comes in to directly spike the chance ball, but Noya shuts that potential point down by swinging back to save it from the floor.
Whether it’s against crazy serves, strong spikes, or missteps from his own team, Yu is there to support.‘Karasuno’s Guardian Deity’ astonishes the crowd in the stands and his teammates on the sidelines, all of whom erupt with gasps and applause. Watchers can’t help but do the same, once again reminding fans that spunky Nishinoya is the libero to root for.
4Hinata & Kageyama Begin a New Era for Karasuno
Season 1, Episode 4, “The View from the Summit”
With the first monster-quick that started it all, Kageyama and Hinata have found another who can keep up with their speed. This insane play takes everyone in the gym by surprise, including the first-year duo who performed it. Even more surprisingly, fans are clued in that the orange-haired protagonist jumped and swung with his eyes completely closed.
Although irresponsible and crazy, this impossible moment shows Hinata’s trust that the ball will find his hand mid-air while also showcasing Kageyama’s insane accuracy and talent as a setter.Season one’s extraordinary quick sets up the future growth for the two later in the series as they hone their skills and trust.Understandably, the first years’ relationship and synchronicity starts off rough, but this becomes the first step of many to reach greatness, giving wins to the ‘Flightless Crows’ again.
3Oikawa & Iwaizumi Defy Expectations as Seijoh’s Duo
Season 2, Episode 24, “Switch for the Utmost Limit”
During a sensational, long rally between Seijoh and Karasuno, Oikawa and Iwaizumi prove that they are also a setter-spiker duo to recognize. After an unperfect receive, the ball is sent flying off to the side court, but Oikawa runs with confidence, pointing to his childhood friend. As fans hold their breath, the Aoba Johsai setter jumps and sends an insanely long and accurate set across the court, landing on a table. The wing spiker is already up in the air, meeting the toss and swings for the spike.
This fantastic play is cemented in fans' minds, despite which team they support. It was a show of absolute trust, tenacity, and insane athleticism. Although this moment couldn’t push them to victory, it was a bittersweet match that the audience will forever remember.
2Nishinoya Makes Use of All He Has as Karasuno’s Libero
Season 1, Episode 18, “Guarding Your Back”
Typically, volleyball is a sport for the hands, butKarasuno’s libero Yu Nishinoya once again surprises viewers with a fantastic saveusing his foot. As the Crows battle against the Iron Wall, Karasuno’s ace Asahi Azumane jumps up to joust the ball with opposing blockers. It fails, and the ball is sent down behind him. In a moment of expected faltering, Nishinoya shows his unique talent and connection to all parts of his body and comes in clutch with a side swipe of the leg.
Fans are left with goosebumps, seeing the quiet, slow scene erupt into excitement. Nishinoya stands as support for his soft-spoken friend and teammate Asahi, and after their short-lived falling out in an earlier episode, this moment becomes even more satisfying. Season one has many exciting moments that draw fans in for more, but this one stands out as an unforgettable, stunning save for fan-favorite Nishinoya.
1Tsukishima’s Magnificent Block Solidifies His Love for Volleyball
Season 3, Episode 4, “The Halo Around the Moon”
Kei Tsukishima is the only Karasuno first-year who doesn’t seem raring to play volleyball with all he has. Viewers see how, despite his friend’s and teammates' encouragement to try harder, Tsuki remains at arms-length, expressing that he is not some genius player made for glory. However, after his consistent one-touches and despite his finger injury during the Shiratorizawa match, Tsuki had a spectacular moment where he successfully blocked Ushijima’s spike in a complete shut-out.
Seeingthe seemingly disinterested middle blocker finally admitting his affinity for volleyball, despite his protests, makes this moment even sweeter. Players, the crowd, and watchers all jump up in celebration of this momentous block against Shiratorizawa’s ace. Fans ofHaikyu!!have seen the begrudging effort he puts in during the training arc, and although it’s shrouded in humor, this exertion becomes an unexpected win that pushes him to keep reaching.
Haikyu!!
Cast
Haikyu!! follows Shoyo Hinata, a high school student determined to become a top volleyball player despite his short stature. After watching a national championship match, he sets his sights on joining the renowned Karasuno High School volleyball team. Alongside his rival-turned-teammate, Tobio Kageyama, and other team members, they strive to lead Karasuno back to its former glory on the national stage.
