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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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?
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