Why Fans Need to Read the Haikyuu!! Manga

You think you know Haikyuu!!? The manga tells a different story.

"The Haikyuu!! anime is amazing, but it HIDES a secret story only manga readers know."

Many of you may have dedicated yourselves to being anime-only fans rather than manga readers.

With busy lives, it's easier to just watch the anime rather than go through the effort of reading a panel-by-panel depiction of a volleyball world that isn't as simple as a romance or kids' manga.

Not to mention, Furudate-sensei’s storytelling often feels like a mystery wrapped in a sports genre—once we notice the hints, it feels like uncovering a hidden truth.

Here are the reasons why reading the manga is a must:

1. Unadapted Content

From The Dumpster Battle (which was a great movie, by the way), we can see that the film doesn’t cover everything from the manga. This greatly impacts our understanding of character development. Anime-only viewers might not mind, but for manga readers, it’s disappointing when crucial scenes they’ve been anticipating remain unanimated.

This is likely a growing trend, as the animation industry struggles with low wages, including for voice actors. Limited budgets force adaptations to make cuts.

Even Furudate-sensei himself has mentioned in interviews that he doesn't always like how the anime handles his story because he understands that manga and anime are two different businesses.

If anime-only viewers rely solely on the anime, they end up appreciating the animators’ work while missing the full depth of the original author’s storytelling.

For example, imagine seeing Tanaka practicing his jump serve seriously, only for his only service ace to never be animated. We miss seeing his efforts pay off.

2. More Detailed Storytelling

This should come as no surprise—Furudate-sensei’s writing is filled with detailed storytelling that provides deeper insights into characters' thoughts, emotions, and strategies.

For instance, in the anime, Kageyama and Hinata’s incredible plays are showcased, but the anime skips Sugawara’s and Kenma’s monologues about Kageyama. These moments explain Kageyama’s growth and prevent the misconception that he is forever trapped in Hinata’s clutches, as Oikawa and Atsumu previously suggested.

3. Foreshadowing and Hidden Details

The manga contains subtle foreshadowing and small details that enhance the reading experience. This foreshadowing is most prominent in Kageyama’s storyline, even more so than in Hinata’s.

For example, there’s a scene where Kageyama recognizes the potential of Asahi’s “staying in the air longer” attack, but Hinata doesn’t grasp it at the time. Once Hinata finally understands, the anime doesn’t include a flashback to reinforce the moment. If animated, it would highlight Kageyama’s sharp analytical mind and deepen his impact as a character.

Another example is when Atsumu thinks he has figured out Kageyama’s plans—there’s a brief flashback in the manga showing Atsumu watching Kageyama during the Shiratorizawa match. This moment, which provides context for how Atsumu’s mind works, is left out of the anime.

Even reaction panels contain key messages. In The Dumpster Battle, Kuroo acknowledges Tsukishima’s high jump reach and is fully aware of Kageyama’s monstrous skill level. Kuroo rarely reacts to other setters; he acknowledges Kageyama more than Atsumu. This is why in the All-Star Match, he places Kageyama against Oikawa and Atsumu, showing his belief in Kageyama’s abilities.

4. Bonus chapter

Some bonus chapters are animated, but most are not. Don’t underestimate these chapters—many contain key details that make the main story events more understandable.

For example, Kageyama’s finger push-up training. While he isn’t the best at aerial settings, this training allows him to execute precise one-handed tosses using all five fingers. This detail also explains why his freak quick set is faster than Atsumu’s. He wasn’t born talented. He actively maintains and improves his technique through relentless effort.

5. The Feeling of Impact

Anime can make it easier to feel the emotions of the story, but it can also miss moments of significance.

For example, in the Inarizaki match, Kageyama’s rebound is given a large panel in the manga, signaling its importance. The anime doesn’t highlight it the same way, making the moment feel less impactful.

This applies to both anime-only viewers and manga readers alike. One of the remarkable aspects of Furudate-sensei's storytelling is how it captivates our emotions from the very first watch or read. For example, the phrase "someone even better" spoken by Kageyama's grandfather can be easily misunderstood. Even some manga readers initially interpreted it as "someone even better THAN him." It’s only upon rereading that they fully grasp the true meaning of the line.

For anime-only watchers, this initial misunderstanding often stems from their sympathy toward Oikawa's story. However, upon rewatching the season or paying close attention to certain scenes, it becomes clear that Oikawa actually has some advantageous situations over others.

6. The POV Difference

The new movie aims to cover everything from the manga. We might trust that since The Dumpster Battle was a faithful adaptation. However, due to perspective shifts, some moments that should have deeper meaning may just feel like a normal volleyball match.

For instance, Asahi’s “TOSS TO ME!” aura is a significant moment in the manga. Before this, Asahi rarely showed such eagerness. It’s a major step in his character growth, much like Tanaka’s aura before he executed his cross-shot in the Inarizaki match. The manga builds up to this moment, but in the movie, it may feel less emphasized, making anime-only viewers less aware of his development.

The worst-case scenario is that Asahi’s final big moment might be overshadowed by the focus on Hinata and Hoshiumi, just like how the movie skipped Kageyama’s “freedom” moment in the Nekoma match to focus on the Hinata-Kenma rivalry.

This point of view might not be a problem if you only want to watch Hinata, as he will undoubtedly get the spotlight as the main character. However, in the manga, Furudate-sensei treats every character as a main protagonist, meaning there are other characters whose stories are just as inspiring as Hinata’s—or even more so.

If we stopped at the end of the Inarizaki match and judged based on that alone, we might assume Hoshiumi is the truly talented one, just like a post I found on Instagram. However, manga readers would disagree because they know better—it’s not that simple. That’s why the title of "Little Giant" remains associated with Hoshiumi; it would be disrespectful to his years of effort in volleyball if he were to be overshadowed by Hinata, who had only been playing for less than a year.

Additional Notes

Manga readers understand that Haikyuu!! treats every character as a protagonist. Some fans prefer minor characters just as much as the main ones. Imagine an important panel showing a side character’s big moment, only for it to never be animated.

This is why manga and anime are two different businesses. Both the author and animators have a sense of ownership. Furudate-sensei owns the original idea, while animators put great effort into bringing the story to life, must adapt it within the constraints of time and budget. This sometimes results in important manga details being left out.

For instance, from Season 1, everyone calls Kageyama a “genius,” but in the manga (Chapter 338), Hinata challenges that notion, showing that Kageyama’s skill is hard earned, not innate. If this panel isn’t animated, anime-only fans may forever believe Kageyama is just a naturally gifted genius rather than someone who worked hard to improve.

When anime diverges from manga, it’s usually fine if the changes improve the story. But since Haikyuu!! is already a masterclass in storytelling; removing even a single panel can cause misunderstandings.

If important details aren’t animated, some fans won’t fully grasp Furudate-sensei’s intended message.

Conclusion

If you’re a Haikyuu!! Fan, I highly recommend reading the manga. Since it has long been completed, there has been more than enough time for fans to explore and understand the full story.

Beyond that, reading the manga is a form of appreciation for Furudate-sensei, who packed the story with hidden messages that some fans might otherwise miss in the anime.

So, to truly experience Haikyuu!! in its entirety, reading the manga is a must!

Which Haikyuu!! manga moment do you wish was animated?

Debunking the Talent vs. Hard Work Debate in Haikyuu!!: What Furudate-sensei Really Thinks

If you’re a Haikyuu!! fan, you’ve probably stumbled upon countless posts classifying characters into two camps: Talent vs. Hard Work. Characters like Kageyama, Hoshiumi, Tsukishima, and Atsumu are often labeled as “talented,” while others are praised for their relentless effort. But have you ever wondered what Haruichi Furudate, the author of Haikyuu!!, actually thinks about this popular debate?

The Common (fans, not author) Classification: Talent vs. Hard Work

Many fans eagerly place characters into neat categories:

• Talent: Kageyama, Hoshiumi, Atsumu, Tsukishima, Sakusa, Ushijima 
• Hard Work: Commonly Oikawa and Hinata

But what if this black-and-white classification misses the point? Furudate-sensei’s own interviews suggest a much more nuanced perspective.

Furudate-sensei’s Take on “Talent” and “Genius”

In interviews, Furudate-sensei has addressed the concept of “genius talent” directly—especially in relation to Oikawa’s character. He expected that Oikawa’s comments about talent would spark debate among fans, and interestingly, he acknowledges that this can lead to a negative perception of a character like Kageyama and Ushijima.

Furudate-sensei's Interview

To clarify, Furudate-sensei uses multiple characters’ points of view—like Kita Shinsuke’s and the Miya twins’—to show that what looks like “talent” from one angle might be “hard work” from another. Yet, many fans still missed the subtlety, prompting him to use the main character, Hinata, to clarify things in chapter 338.

Ch. 338

Why the Talent vs. Hard Work Debate Is Misleading

If you’re frustrated by posts that pit Haikyuu!! characters against each other in this way, take heart: Furudate-sensei is on your side. He’s not endorsing a simple “talent vs. hard work” narrative."

"So why did he have Oikawa make statements about “talent” and “genius” if he didn’t believe in that dichotomy?" 

Here’s where Akaashi’s perspective helps. Furudate-sensei wants to remind us that everyone is the protagonist of their own story. That means the story offers us:

• A character’s point of view (subjective and personal)
• A third-person point of view (objective and rational, for the reader)

Different Perspectives on the Same Character

Take Kageyama, for example:

• From Oikawa’s point of view, Kageyama is a talented genius.
• From Hinata’s point of view, Kageyama is the hardest-working person he knows.
• From Oikawa’s point of view, Kageyama is a little brat. 
• From Atsumu’s point of view, Kageyama is initially an obedient child, though this view evolves."

This multiplicity of perspectives encourages readers to think critically and not accept any single viewpoint as absolute truth.

Oikawa’s Bold Declaration: Not a Foreshadowing

With this multiplicity of perspectives, we can be sure that Oikawa’s confident claim about defeating Japan isn’t a foreshadowing of future events. From his perspective, being accepted on a team that beat Japan in 2016 means he’s on a stronger team, which fuels his confidence.

Different POV offers different view

But from an objective, third-person perspective, Japan’s national team underwent massive changes after 2020, making Oikawa’s statement less about prophecy and more about his personal mindset at that time.

Behind the Scenes: Oikawa and Kageyama’s Roles in the Story

Interestingly, Oikawa was not a “planned” character from the start. As the story progressed, editors grew fond of him, and he became one of Furudate-sensei’s favorite characters to write—alongside Hinata, Atsumu, Tanaka, and Bokuto.

In contrast, Kageyama was a “planned” character, designed to represent many aspects of Furudate-sensei himself. This makes Kageyama a key figure for delivering the story’s deeper messages. Misunderstanding Kageyama’s role could lead to misinterpretations of the entire narrative, which is why Furudate-sensei has taken care to clarify these points.

In summary:

Don’t get caught up in the simplistic “talent vs. hard work” debate. Haikyuu!! encourages us to appreciate multiple perspectives, understand the complexity of its characters, and recognize that everyone’s journey is unique. Furudate-sensei’s storytelling invites us to look beyond labels and embrace the nuanced reality of growth, effort, and personal meaning.

Therefore, from Kita Shinsuke’s point of view, talented or geniuses are those who worked harder than normal people. So, whose POV do you use when classifying Haikyuu characters? Will you use Oikawa’s POV or Kita Shinsuke’s POV? 

Haikyuu!! Talent vs. Hard Work

 

Haikyuu!!: Redefining Talent Through Oikawa and Kageyama

In the world of Haikyuu!!, the concept of “talent” is never simple. It shifts depending on whose perspective you use—be it the character’s, a coach’s, or even the audience’s. In this article, we’ll dissect the age-old debate between Talent vs. Hardwork, two of the series’ most talked-about players: Kageyama Tobio and Oikawa Tooru. But before we begin, here are a few important clarifications:

1. This analysis uses a third-person point of view, not Oikawa’s.

2. Setting skill and being a setter are not the same thing.

3. Even a four-hour breakdown wouldn't be enough to define a player's “setter-ness.”

4. We're evaluating them as volleyball players, not as setters.

Part 1: Early Development and the “Head Start”

When did they start playing volleyball?

Kageyama at three years old, Oikawa isn't stated

• Kageyama began as early as 3 years old.

• Oikawa’s starting age isn’t stated, but…

We know from his conversation with Coach José Blanco that he didn’t take volleyball seriously until middle school. It’s implied that during elementary school, it was more of a casual hobby.

By 2nd grade, Kageyama was already receiving proper training, likely through a dedicated training center. Oikawa, on the other hand, only began structured training during his first year of middle school, meaning Kageyama had a 3-year head start.

Kageyama started in 2nd grade, Oikawa started in Middle School

Despite this, by the time they reached high school, Oikawa was self-claimed to be better in areas like spiking, serving, and blocking. His versatility led Iwaizumi to describe him as “naturally talented”—a critical piece of this discussion.

Part 2: The 'Talent' Oikawa Sees in Kageyama

To truly understand this debate, we need to examine how Oikawa himself views Kageyama.

In Season 1, there’s a moment where Oikawa outright calls Kageyama a “genius”. This isn't just flattery—he’s referring to Kageyama’s game sense.

This idea resurfaces in Season 2, where Kageyama instinctively sends a tight set to Hinata during a critical moment. Oikawa recognizes this move as genius—but here’s the twist: when Oikawa performs a similarly brilliant play, he describes it as “instinct.”

Why does he downplay himself?

Because Oikawa has long convinced himself that he lacks innate talent. Even when he mirrors the brilliance of players like Kageyama or Ushijima, he chalks it up to sheer effort—not giftedness.

But from a third-party perspective, the truth is more balanced.

Kageyama’s sharp instincts didn’t appear overnight. They were refined through constant practice, observation, and self-discipline. He studied volleyball videos, kept a training journal, and never skipped a moment of improvement, not even when Oikawa was out resting on every Monday.

How Kageyama built his game sense

So, if Oikawa’s instinct is the result of hard work, Kageyama’s has been honed even longer.

Part 3: The POV That Shapes “Talent”

Here’s the real crux of the discussion: whose point of view are you using to define “talent”?

• From Oikawa’s POV, Kageyama is the talented one.

• From Kageyama’s POV? He probably doesn’t even understand the word "talented".

• From Iwaizumi’s POV, both Oikawa and Kageyama are talented.

• From Coach Irihata’s POV, Oikawa eventually earns recognition as a talented player.

And then there’s Kita Shinsuke, who offers a unique lens. In Season 4, he says that a true genius is someone who works harder than most people. By this logic, not just Kageyama, but even Hinata qualify as shown in the manga.

Hinata is also considered genius by Kita Shinsuke's POV

This opens the door to an important realization: if Hinata, who has only played volleyball for less than a year, is considered talented by Kita Shinsuke, then so is Oikawa.

Part 4: Natural Gift vs. Earned Advantage

Let’s circle back to Oikawa’s claim: despite starting volleyball later, he became better than Kageyama in several areas.

How?

Because natural gifts still matter. Oikawa is taller, which makes him more effective at blocking and spiking. This is similar to Hinata, who was born with a rare speed advantage no one else can match.

This reminds us again of Iwaizumi’s statement—Oikawa was born with a better physical body than most. It’s a situation similar to Hinata, who was the only one born with such incredible speed.

This doesn't mean that Oikawa is the only one born with a naturally athletic body. But when comparing Oikawa and Kageyama, Oikawa clearly has the advantage.

Oikawa was born with athletic body and Hinata was born with incredible speed and athletic abilities

Yes, it’s an advantageous situation where you can’t choose whether you’re born with it or without it. In other words, a "gift"—or as Ushijima calls it, “luckiness."

Does that mean Kageyama and Hoshiumi don’t have 'luckiness'?

If we only define “luckiness” as being born with something, then yes, Kageyama and Hoshiumi don't have the same gifts as Oikawa and Hinata.

Almost everything about Kageyama is the result of self-maintenance:

• He forced his body to keep up with older athletes (shown in ch. 387 Haikyuu Mange).

• He trained hard to gain strength (there is a dumbbell in his room).

• He grew taller through deliberate nutritional care (he was one of the shortest in middle school!).

Hoshiumi shares a similar journey. Unlike Hinata, he wasn’t born with reflexes or speed—he became great through endless repetition and adaptation.

BUT, even though Kageyama and Hoshiumi were born more ordinary compared to Oikawa and Hinata, they still have their own form of “luckiness”:

They found volleyball early.

Their passion and early exposure to volleyball are their own advantage. If they hadn’t found it so early, they might not have been able to grow at the same pace as Oikawa and Hinata.

Then again, referring back to the second explanation, if we only focus on Kageyama's and Hoshiumi's POV on how “ordinary” they were at birth, we might think they’re in a more pitiful situation.

But using a third perspective, we can fairly say: They were also lucky, just in a different way. They were lucky to be introduced to volleyball early enough to compensate for their disadvantage.

In the end, it's a fair comparison.

So, in conclusion, judging characters solely through “Talent vs. Hard Work” is flawed. There are too many factors to define what “talent” really is, and each POV tells a different story."

So, how do we define it?

Maybe the better way is: "Gift and Luckiness."

Whether it’s being born with a gift—or being born into a lucky situation.

It Was NEVER About Talent! Oikawa vs. Kageyama

 

 A Rivalry Beyond Talent

We could call Oikawa the best setter in the prefecture.
We could say he brings out the best in his team.
We could even call him the ideal setter everyone longs for.

But in Oikawa’s eyes, he would—and will always—be wary of Tobio.
He will always believe that one day, Tobio will surpass him.
Simply because we don’t see what Oikawa sees.

We could say Tobio has surpassed every setter he has faced.
We could call his hands magic.
We could say he is a genius—the King of the Court.

But in Tobio’s eyes, he would—and will always—be wary of Oikawa.
Because in his mind, Oikawa is still ahead.
Simply because we don’t see what Tobio sees.

Oikawa’s Perspective

Oikawa has always known that Tobio’s setting skill surpasses his own. Yet, this realization does not unsettle him. Volleyball is not a game won by individual brilliance alone—it is a team sport, where synergy, communication, and strategy hold just as much weight as raw skill. Oikawa understands this better than most.

To someone like Oikawa, players like Tobio possess an analytical edge—the ability to see possibilities that others might overlook.

He saw this firsthand during Tobio’s final match at Kitagawa Daiichi—the moment that led to Tobio’s downfall. Alongside Iwaizumi, Oikawa watched as Tobio’s exceptional vision clashed with his inability to lead.

Oikawa witnessed Tobio's downfall

But Oikawa saw more than just an overbearing setter. He noticed that Tobio recognized Kindaichi’s potential for a broad attack. He saw that Tobio understood Kunimi’s capability to move for the ball—more than just conserving stamina, Kunimi could do so much more.

Tobio knew Kindaichi's broad attack potential

Tobio knew Kunimi's potential

Oikawa knew that Tobio had the vision to unlock their potential, but his inability to connect with them held him back.

Despite knowing that Tobio struggles with communication, this knowledge does not bring Oikawa comfort. Because Oikawa is certain—once Tobio overcomes his mental hurdles, once he fully learns how to bring out the best in his teammates—he will stand on the same level as Oikawa. And if Tobio continues at his current pace, he will surpass Oikawa in the blink of an eye.

Kageyama’s Perspective

People call Tobio a genius. They praise his accuracy, his technique, his King Toss. But what is the use of a perfect toss if the spiker will not spike it?

For someone like Tobio, players like Oikawa have an invaluable gift—communication. The ability to inspire, to guide, to make others follow their lead effortlessly.

Tobio saw this during the first and second Seijoh vs. Karasuno match. He watched as Oikawa executed Kindaichi’s broad attack—the very same attack that had been designed for Kindaichi to use back in middle school. He saw how Oikawa pushed Kunimi to move for the ball—something Tobio had wanted Kunimi to do, but no matter how hard he tried, Kunimi wouldn’t listen.

Oikawa executed Kindaichi's broad attack

Oikawa was able to push Kunimi

Tobio realized that Oikawa can unify a team in a way that feels as natural as breathing.

Oikawa can unite the team

Even though people recognize and admire Tobio’s skillset, it does not put him at ease. Because he knows—no matter how much he improves his communication, no matter how well he learns to express himself—it will never match Oikawa’s ability to command a team. Oikawa will always be ahead in this regard, simply because he was born with this innate charisma.

Conclusion: A Battle of Insecurities

Their insecurities are not just about volleyball. They are deeply human struggles.

Psychologically, extroverts like Oikawa may feel insecure when compared to introverts, fearing that they lack introspection, depth, or observation skills.

Meanwhile, introverts like Tobio may feel insecure about their perceived lack of social skills, struggling with group interactions in ways that extroverts find effortless.

Strengths and Weaknesses 

In short conclusion, Oikawa and Iwaizumi believe Kageyama is a volleyball prodigy. But what they don’t realize is that Kageyama didn’t just wake up as a genius—he’s been playing since he was a toddler. By the time he joined his middle school club, he was already skilled enough to be seen as a prodigy.

Manga Chapter 387

On the other hand, Kageyama never had real friends. Volleyball was his entire world, leaving him blind to social cues. That’s why Oikawa’s extroverted leadership both amazed and intimidated him.

Manga Chapter 387

In the end, both Oikawa and Tobio bring out the best in their teams, but through different means.

• Oikawa leads through communication. His outgoing nature draws attention, allowing him to guide his team with energy and charisma. His presence makes people listen, follow, and trust him.
• 
• Tobio leads through trust. His unwavering focus, intensity, and precise play force his teammates to rise to the challenge, even if he does not vocalize it. His presence pushes them to give their all.
• 

Both are exceptional. Both are vital. And both are constantly learning from each other—pushing one another to new heights.

Final Notes:

• Extroverts can still develop deep observation skills. With training, they can refine this ability.
• Introverts can also lead teams. With maturity, they can develop leadership in their own unique way.
• Both Oikawa and Kageyama have grown past their insecurities—but they will always be cautious of each other.