“Haikyu” is a Japanese manga penned and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 2012 to July 2020 across 45 tankōbon volumes. It centers on Shoyo Hinata’s journey to excel in volleyball, despite his diminutive stature.
The anime adaptation by Production I.G aired from April to September 2014, comprising 25 episodes for its first season. Subsequent seasons aired from October 2015 to March 2016 (25 episodes), October to December 2016 (10 episodes), and January to December 2020 (25 episodes). The series’ conclusion comes with the two-part anime film series, Haikyu!! Final, with the first part released in February 2024. Viz Media holds the North American manga license, while Sentai Filmworks has the rights for digital and home release of the anime series. Both the manga and anime have garnered acclaim, earning Haikyu!! the 61st Shogakukan Manga Award for the shōnen category in 2016. As of September 2023, the manga has surpassed 60 million copies in circulation, solidifying its status as one of the best-selling manga series ever.
CHARACTERS
- The movie adaptation of Haikyu will retain the original cast from the anime series.
- Ayumu Murase will continue to voice Shoyo Hinata.
- Tobio Kageyama will be voiced by Kaito Ishikawa.
- Kei Tsukishima’s voice will be portrayed by Kōki Uchiyama.
- Tadashi Yamaguchi will be voiced by Soma Saito.
- Daichi Sawamura’s voice will be provided by Satoshi Hino.
- Kōshi Sugawara will be voiced by Miyu Irino.
- Asahi Azumane will continue to be voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya.
- Hitoka Yachi’s voice will be portrayed by Sumire Morohoshi.
STORYLINE
Shoyo Hinata, a junior high student, becomes entranced by volleyball while watching Karasuno High School compete in the Nationals on TV. Despite his short stature, he’s inspired by “The Little Giant,” a skilled player on the team. Joining his school’s volleyball club alone, Hinata spends two years recruiting members to practice with. In his final year, some friends join, and they suffer a defeat against a team led by Tobio Kageyama, known as ‘The King of the Court’.
Accepted to Karasuno, where the “Little Giant” once played, Hinata is surprised to find Kageyama there too. Though Karasuno has lost its former glory, Hinata and Kageyama combine their talents to create a powerful setter-spiker partnership. Together, they lead Karasuno on a journey to redeem the team’s reputation and reach the Nationals, supporting each other’s dreams of becoming professional volleyball players. Their bond grows stronger as they vow to play together again after high school, dedicating themselves to volleyball and each other.
