Haikyuu!!

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

Inspiring volleyball manga and anime series following Shoyo Hinata's journey to become a great volleyball player despite his short stature.

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Haikyuu!!

Also Known As

Haikyu!!, High Kyuu!!, Volleyball!!

Format

Sports Manga/Anime Series

Release Year

2012

Current Status

Completed

Country of Origin

Japan

Region

Japan

Creator

Haruichi Furudate

Publisher

Shueisha (manga), Production I.G (anime)

Original Work

Manga

Genre

Sports, Comedy, Drama, School, Shounen

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Haikyuu!!.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

A short but determined boy named Shoyo Hinata joins his high school volleyball team and aims to become like his idol, the "Little Giant."

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Modern Japan, primarily Karasuno High School and various volleyball courts

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Perseverance, teamwork, friendship, overcoming limitations, passion for sports, personal growth

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Haikyuu!!'s global influence.

2012

Haikyuu!! manga begins serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump

2014

First season of anime adaptation airs, gaining massive popularity

2015

Second season continues the story with new tournaments

2016

Third season focuses on intense Shiratorizawa match

2020

Fourth season "To The Top" airs in two parts, manga concludes after 8 years

2021

Final manga volume released with epilogue

2024

Movie adaptations continue the story beyond the series

Sales

Over 55 million manga copies sold worldwide

Revenue

Multi-billion yen franchise including merchandise and media

Awards

Shogakukan Manga Award, Anime Grand Prix awards

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Haikyuu!!.

Shoyo Hinata

“Being the best decoy ever is as cool as being the ace!”

Energetic and determined short player who dreams of becoming like the "Little Giant" despite his height disadvantage.View Profile

Tobio Kageyama

“Being the best decoy ever is as cool as being the ace!”

Genius setter known as the "King of the Court" who learns the importance of teamwork and trust.View Profile

Daichi Sawamura

“Volleyball is a sport where you're always looking up.”

Reliable team captain and defensive specialist who holds the team together with his leadership and stability.View Profile

Koshi Sugawara

“You don't win alone. That's just how it is.”

Vice-captain and former starting setter who supports the team with his experience and positive attitude.View Profile

Asahi Azumane

“I may not look like a very reliable ace, but I am the ace.”

Team ace and powerful wing spiker who struggles with confidence but has incredible attacking ability.View Profile

Yu Nishinoya

“A libero who can't receive a spike is just a regular short guy!”

Energetic libero known as "Karasuno's Guardian Deity" for his incredible defensive skills.View Profile

Explore all Haikyuu!! characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main plot of Haikyuu!!?▼

Shoyo Hinata, a boy with small stature but huge jumping power, joins the Karasuno High School volleyball team. He forms an unlikely duo with Tobio Kageyama, a genius but arrogant setter. Together with their team, they aim to restore Karasuno's former glory and reach the National Tournament.

Who are the main characters in Haikyuu!!?▼

The central duo is Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama. The Karasuno team includes captain Daichi Sawamura, vice-captain Sugawara, ace Asahi, libero Nishinoya, and blocker Tsukishima. They face rivals like Oikawa (Seijoh), Kenma (Nekoma), and Ushijima (Shiratorizawa).

What genre is Haikyuu!! classified as?▼

It is a quintessential Sports Shonen anime. It focuses on competition, training, team dynamics, and character growth, known for its high-energy matches and emotional moments.

Is Haikyuu!! suitable for children?▼

Yes, it is rated TV-14 largely due to some mild language. It is a very wholesome series focused on sportsmanship, effort, and friendship, making it great for teens and young adults.

How many seasons/episodes are there in Haikyuu!!?▼

There are 4 seasons of the TV anime (85 episodes total) and several OVAs. The story continues in the two-part movie project 'Haikyuu!! Final', starting with 'The Dumpster Battle'.

Who is the creator of Haikyuu!!?▼

The series is created by Haruichi Furudate, who was a volleyball player in junior high and high school, bringing authentic knowledge to the series.

What are the unique moves in Haikyuu!!?▼

While grounded in reality, the series features signature plays like the 'Freak Quick' (Hinata & Kageyama's minus-tempo attack), the 'Synchronized Attack', and Oikawa's massive Jump Serve.

What is 'The Dumpster Battle'?▼

It refers to the long-awaited official match between rival schools Karasuno (Crows) and Nekoma (Cats) at Nationals. It is the subject of the 2024 movie 'Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle'.

Where can I watch or read Haikyuu!!?▼

The anime is available on Crunchyroll and Netflix. The complete manga is available via VIZ Media and the Shonen Jump app.

Why is Haikyuu!! considered one of the best sports anime?▼

It is praised for not having 'villains'—every opposing team is humanized and developed. The animation by Production I.G is dynamic, and the focus on the technical and psychological aspects of volleyball makes it thrilling even for non-sports fans.