“Haikyu!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy” — The Awakening of Kei Tsukishima, the “MVP” Born from the Extreme Battle of One Match in One Season

This season depicts the fierce full 5-set battle where the “fallen powerhouse” Karasuno High challenges the absolute champion, Shiratorizawa Academy, led by Wakatoshi Ushijima.

The greatest appeal lies in the structural clash between Shiratorizawa’s overwhelming “individual power” and Karasuno’s “diversified attacks” and “tenacity” cultivated over time. In particular, the moment when the cool-headed strategist Kei Tsukishima executes a “shut-down block” against Ushijima’s spike and truly gets “hooked” on volleyball is so vivid it induces goosebumps. Amidst a situation where the weight of every single ball is heightened to the limit, the tense offense and defense—where not even a moment’s slip is permitted—are portrayed with such intensity that viewers will forget to breathe.

The finals of the Spring High Volleyball Miyagi Prefecture Qualifiers. Standing in the way of the Karasuno High School Volleyball Club is Shiratorizawa Academy, known as the “Absolute Champion.” Facing the strongest spiker, Ushijima, do they have any chance of winning!? The fierce battle for a spot in the National Tournament begins now.

Spending a whole 10 episodes on just one match. There was an anime that challenged such a luxurious and reckless composition. That is Haikyu!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy (Season 3).

The Spring High Preliminary Final between the absolute champion, Shiratorizawa Academy, and the challenger, Karasuno High School. The crows who challenge the champion, who subdues with individual power, with organizational power and eccentric strategies. This match, where each other’s philosophy and pride collide, was a famous bout remaining in sports anime history, and at the same time, a documentary witnessing the moment a certain boy gets “hooked” on volleyball.

Today, from the perspective of a veteran columnist, I will unravel the reason for the enthusiasm for this Shiratorizawa match, often called the masterpiece of the series, focusing on the awakening of Kei Tsukishima (Tsukki). To all volleyball fans who clenched their fists in front of the TV at that time.

The feature of this third season is, above all, the purity of “depicting only the match against Shiratorizawa.” Although the pace may feel slow at the beginning due to character explanations and situation descriptions, the tension accelerating as the match progresses is simply overwhelming. The cheers of the cheering squad in the stands, the friction sound of shoes echoing on the court, and the breathing of the players. With a sense of presence as if you are in the venue yourself, you are made to relive the desperate struggle of the 5-set match.

This battle is not just a confrontation between powerful schools. It is a proxy war of different volleyball views (concepts): Coach Washijo of Shiratorizawa who regards “individual power” as absolute, and Coach Ukai of Karasuno who fights with “numbers and coordination.” Against Wakatoshi Ushijima (Ushiwaka) who overwhelms with height and power, Karasuno bites back using all weapons they have, such as synchronized attacks and the freak quick. How do the “incomplete and barbaric” crows challenge the completed swan? Because that composition is clear, meaning and drama are born in each play.

And what cannot be avoided when talking about this Shiratorizawa match is the existence of Kei Tsukishima. He, who had taken a cool attitude saying “it’s just a club activity” until now, finally awakens in this match.

The training camp in the second season, the conflict with Yamaguchi, and the reconciliation with his brother. All the foreshadowing accumulated bears fruit at that moment when he shut down Ushijima’s spike. Screaming “One touch!”, continuing to apply persistent pressure, and finally, the opening appeared. “I’ve been waiting for this moment… for the fraying caused by just a little bit of irritation and impatience.” That sharp gaze and the quiet but powerful gut pose. There shouldn’t be a viewer who didn’t get goosebumps in this scene.

As Coach Ukai commented, “The MVP of this match,” Karasuno’s victory would have been impossible without his calm read blocking and work as a mental pillar. The frustrated expression when leaving the court due to injury, and the interaction with Yamaguchi after the match. To Tsukishima who mocks himself as “lame,” Yamaguchi replies, “There’s no way that was lame! Are you stupid!?” The relationship where they acknowledge and elevate each other is supremely emotional. Truly, it was the moment when Kei Tsukishima got hooked on volleyball in the true sense.

What cannot be avoided when talking about this work is the sudden passing of Kazunari Tanaka, the voice actor for Coach Keishin Ukai, and the cast change to Hisao Egawa. Mr. Tanaka’s acting up to episode 8 was the young leader himself inspiring the players. And the pep talk directed at the players in the last scene. “Don’t look down! Volleyball is a sport where you always look up!” This line was handled by Mr. Egawa, but Mr. Tanaka’s soul certainly resided there. Although it becomes a meta perspective, these words resonate like a cheer not only to the Karasuno members but also to us viewers and the production team.

Also, the members of the enemy Shiratorizawa were charming. The overwhelming strength of the absolute ace, Wakatoshi Ushijima, and the episode with his father behind it. The tricky play of Satori Tendo, the “Guess Monster,” and his own volleyball view. They are also depicted not just as villains but as athletes dedicating their lives to volleyball. That is why, the moment the final settlement is reached, we empathize deeply not only with the joy of the winner but also with the frustration of the loser.

Haikyu!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy is a work that can be said to be one pinnacle of sports anime.

No flashy special moves. No magic or superpowers. There are only simple rules of connecting the ball and dropping it over the net, and the sweat and tears of boys dedicating their youth to it. But that is why it is interesting. That is why it is hot.

The freak quick shown by Hinata and Kageyama at the end of the fierce battle depicted over 10 episodes. And the ticket to the Nationals grabbed by the crows. This emotion will not fade no matter how many years pass.

If you haven’t seen it yet, please watch it through from the first season. And if you have already seen it, go to that enthusiastic court once again. There, the “View from the Summit” that shakes your heart no matter how many times you watch it is waiting.

• Shoyo Hinata: Voiced by Ayumu Murase
• Tobio Kageyama: Voiced by Kaito Ishikawa
• Daichi Sawamura: Voiced by Satoshi Hino
• Koshi Sugawara: Voiced by Miyu Irino
• Asahi Azumane: Voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya
• Yu Nishinoya: Voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto
• Ryunosuke Tanaka: Voiced by Yu Hayashi
• Kei Tsukishima: Voiced by Koki Uchiyama
• Tadashi Yamaguchi: Voiced by Soma Saito
• Wakatoshi Ushijima: Voiced by Ryota Takeuchi
• Reon Ohira: Voiced by Teruyuki Tanzawa
• Satori Tendo: Voiced by Subaru Kimura
• Kiyoko Shimizu: Voiced by Kaori Nazuka
• Toru Oikawa: Voiced by Daisuke Namikawa

• Original Creator: Haruichi Furudate
• Director: Susumu Mitsunaka
• Series Composition: Taku Kishimoto
• Character Design: Takahiro Kishida
• Music: Yuki Hayashi, Asami Tachibana
• Animation Production: Production I.G