Haikyuu!! introduced two new characters this week: the grouchy but driven college girl Saeko and timid but smart first year Yatchi Hidoka. While Saeko barely made an appearance, Yatchi adds a few hooks for the show to tell its story, and even retell the viewer some details about volleyball and school life.
Over all, it was a successful second episode for a second season and fleshed out the non-sports side arc that the first episode’s “same old same old” was lacking.
As an unwitting applicant to replace Team Raven’s soon to be graduating manager, Yatchi feels like a plot convenience, but she fits well enough. Her over the top panic about people wanting to kill her matches the rest of the cast’s hyper activeness to be sure and, as a academically competent student, she immediately has something to do in the story: make sure Hinata and Kageyama don’t flunk their exams.
Silly, quick, but effective at adding some high school slice of life to a show that spends the majority of time in the gym.
Saeko adds a sense of space and context too, albeit only briefly and barely more than Hint’s baby sister and off-screen mother telling him to stop shouting. That context is that: yes, these are hyper teenaged boys, who go to school like everyone else and live with normal families. (by anime standards)
Both girls also give us a chance to see normal people respond to the cast when they are not on the court, slamming volleys. As you would imagine, they find them as over the top as we do as viewers.
So my verdict ticks up from last week. Because Yatchi doesn’t know about volleyball, you’re probably going to get a refresh on how the game is played, which means you won’t be as lost without the first season.
Similarly, we got a scene where Hinata texts back and forth with one of the opponents from last season, which gives you more context for the relationships and challenges the team will face.
It’s enough to make it coherent for a first-time viewer I think and, if it continues on this track, you should be fine without going back. As long as you want a hyper, Naruto-like show about volleyball, that is?
My schedule is probably not reliably open enough to review the show for you but you can bet I’ll be watching.
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I think “Over all, it was s successful second episode…” kind of deserves more than just a 6, but at the same time, I think Franklin’s rating system differs from everyone else. Glad to hear you’re at least still watching anime, even if work is keeping you from reviewing.
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Yeah I was really trying to figure this rating out…
I mean, Haikyuu!! is, at it’s best, a fun up-beat show that is pure brain dead candy. It’s predictable, the characters are simplistic, and the drawing style borders on ugly. Somehow it works and is fun to watch and root for, but it’s not really a good show?
So 6? 7? I kinda stumble with this rating.
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Well seeing as you guys do seasonal comparisons between the average rating and the rating on MAL, I kind of compare the ratings to MAL. Generally, shows that are amazing get around 9-10, shows that would get a recommendation would get an 8, niche shows that were entertaining to watch get a 7 and everything 6 and below get kinda iffy.
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I think ‘Kinda Iffy’ sums up Haikyuu!! pretty well. I really can’t recommend it in an academic/artistic context. It’s fun, sure, but not all that remarkable. I just happened onto it’s first season when it aired and enjoyed it for what it was.
Yeah. I’m sticking with a 6 :-)
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