[finally got time to organize my thoughts about the hoshiumi-centric chapter]

the saying the "the obstacle is the way" and why I think that this message in particular is the central theme of Haikyuu chapter 393, a thread: (+)

"the obstacle is the way" was an idea first recorded in roman emperor aurelius's meditations. specifically, it said that "the impediment to action advances action. what stands in the way becomes the way." it's often interpreted as how you respond to obstacles defines who you are+

hoshiumi kourai is introduced to us as a character who has "long since known" the obstacle he faces in life: his height. the way that he is fully aware of how it affects peoples' perception of him, how that translates to his playstyle +

he has recognized that despite the unfairness of the obstacle he's born to face, the world is still fair because with hard work, he has the option to adapt and hone other skills. at the same time, hoshiumi still has hang-ups when it comes to what players like him can do +

i think that this particular hang-up is still significant because it shows that no matter what stage hoshiumi graduates to, there is still a part of him that acknowledges the obstacles people like him will continue to face. because it's the same doubt on his mind this chapter +

(i discussed the impact hinata had on hoshiumi's preconceptions in this thread, just to avoid repeating myself if you'd like to read it here: https://twitter.com/kurapikasdad/status/1250176159679049728)

as ch 393, it shows hoshiumi and hirugami back at the place their friendship started and where hoshiumi imparts his live-saving advice to hirugami. though hoshiumi isn't speaking, it's clear he and hirugami are discussing their futures... what tomorrow will bring for them +

it begins with hirugami interestingly bringing up his statement in the kamomedai match and amending it-- "no one dies when i make a mistake." before, hirugami resolved the obstacles he faced (his dispassion for vb, his fear of making mistakes) by minimizing the risks in his mind+

now, he's going into a field where he has to be fully aware of the obstacles ahead of him- but says it is alright because he is pursuing what he loves. though what is at stake is immense, he chooses to accept the risks that come with the occupation instead of let it paralyze him+

hirugami's words give hoshiumi freedom in a time of uncertainty. that it is ok to set stakes high for himself as long as that way of thinking acts as a path instead of a wall. hinata challenged the limitations of his playing, hirugami released the limitations of his mentality +

the contrast between these two pages: "i have to score." was a mentality that hirugami likened to "shackles" for a long time. but isn't that the same mentality that hoshiumi has in ch 393 where he says "there's no place in the world tomorrow if i don't make this?" +

why would hoshiumi, a character who once imparted the message that "no one will die if you stop playing volleyball" stake everything on this one point. and then it made sense to me. because to HIM that mentality isn't an obstacle. it's a call to action/ his way forward +

"the obstacle is the way" can also refer to how obstacles create opportunity. i think it pairs beautifully with his declaration that he absolutely HAS to make a place for himself among the stars because it's central to who he is. this is touched upon by the u19 coach too +

hoshiumi is a player who creates opportunities where they might not obviously exist for others. finding a way while facing an obstacle is EXACTLY what he does. staking his life on a risky play as everyone expects him to fall short of, he sees a wall and turns it into a path +

the other characters who also faced the same obstacle, and even believed that hoshiumi would not emerge from victorious, celebrate this happening. it's directly a call to hinata's 'victory for short people' where hoshiumi was once one of those people and hinata inspired him:

borrowing a line from @/kitakitsune's thread, this was hoshiumi's "answer" to hinata. that he too, has found his way facing the same block. +