Comics / Manga

Haikyu!! Volume 3 manga review

By Leroy Douresseaux
September 24, 2016 - 22:08

Haikyu Volume 3 cover image

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Shoyo Hinata saw the legendary haikyu (volleyball) player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, and since then, he has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever.  However, in a sport in which tall athletes dominate, Hinata's height of 5'4” is considered too short.  Still, he does not believe that a player needs to be tall in order to play volleyball, especially when a player can jump higher than anyone else – as he can.

Haikyu!!, Vol. 3 (entitled Go, Team Karasuno!; Chapters 17 to 25) opens after Hinata's Karasuno Public High School's victory over Aoba Johsai High School in a practice match.  However, that victory reveals some serious holes in the Karasuno Crows' defense.  They need their “libero” (defensive specialist), Yu Nishinoya, back.  He won't come back unless the team's ace, wing spiker, Asahi Azumane, comes back, and “Ace” won't come back unless Nishinoya comes back.  Plus, team manager, Kihoko Shimuz, is still trying to recruit a new coach.

[This volume includes the bonus story, “What Really Happened with the T-shirts.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Haikyu!! manga is its own thing even if it draws comparisons to Tite Kubo's legendary basketball manga, Slam Dunk.  I believe it can make me love volleyball again.

Haikyu!! Volume 3 is mainly character drama, as creator Haruichi Furudate focuses on the dynamics of teammates.  Questions about why students become young athletes and why they exit sport looms over this entire volume.  Yeah, there are cool volleyball scenes, but Furudate invests heavily in his characters, examining their mental struggles as much as he depicts their physical talents.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of sport manga will want to set up with Haikyu!!

A-

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12