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the recurring image of oikawa’s back — a thread
[alternatively, why oikawa tooru was always destined for greatness]
![the recurring image of oikawa’s back — a thread [alternatively, why oikawa tooru was always destined for greatness]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ek28kbfX0AIsXBa.jpg "the recurring image of oikawa’s back — a thread [alternatively, why oikawa tooru was always destined for greatness]")
![the recurring image of oikawa’s back — a thread [alternatively, why oikawa tooru was always destined for greatness]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ek28kbfW0AE1S5e.jpg "the recurring image of oikawa’s back — a thread [alternatively, why oikawa tooru was always destined for greatness]")
[alternatively, why oikawa tooru was always destined for greatness]
near the end of the first karasuno vs seijoh match, the image of oikawa’s back was used to symbolize how much better the latter was out of the two. in other words, oikawa’s back was what karasuno was left staring into. he represented someone stronger. 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.
in manga, or in any literary piece, the image of someone’s back can be used for many things: the unknown, the unattainable, the superior, you name it. haikyuu is no different. in fact, the very first time we see oikawa, we see his back (the unknown)
from the beginning, oikawa has been karasuno’s most significant opponents#. he greatly impacted kageyama and hinata’s development. it’s why we see karasuno chasing /his/ back. not all of seijoh’s. he represents a power greater than what seijoh, as a team, holds.
sure enough, at the end of ch 65, karasuno manages to get a grip on oikawa’s back as kageyama’s immense setting capability enables karasuno to postpone their defeat.
but alas, they lose. and here’s why:
ofc, that’s not to say oikawa alone defeated karasuno. that would contradict the root of oikawa’s strength: in believing that the team with the better six will win. i only say this because of what oikawa /symbolizes/ (stated above: a strength greater than what seijoh held)
notice how after their loss, kagehina are left staring at oikawa’s back. despite temporarily catching up, it was still oikawa who was able to move forward. he was the one who remained on the court, while kagehina could only only watch him move ahead with his back facing them.
when the time came to face seijoh a second time (or third if u count the practice match), the image of oikawa’s back was used once more. because they (especially kageyama, his direct counterpart) would be chasing after him again.
and they win. but notice how oikawa isn’t left watching their backs like they watched his. because they’re equals now. kageyama is no longer looking at his back. from trying to do so since middle school, he’s finally caught up. they can both move forward on the same level.
you’d think this is where it ends. oikawa has served his purpose and now kageyama can face even greater opponents. furudate could’ve done that, but the curveball arrived in chapter 368: oikawa’s back among everyone’s faces. we’re back to square 1.
the quote above about the defeated is one of haikyuu’s most significant because it emphasizes the strength needed to not let yourself remain the same. we see it in hinata being better at taking care of himself and in atsumu and ushijima trying new things despite being good.
so for oikawa to so mysteriously be thrown into the list of “the defeated” had to mean something. and it begins to make sense in the brazil arc when he fatefully appears and updates hinata (and us) on what he’s been up to and gives us more insight on him
the image of his back returns once more in ch 387 as kageyama’s “someone better”s. and that’s one of the things he was stated to represent in the beginning of my thread. he’s being chased after again. despite not being on the court, he’s an opponent.
so okay, his back symbolizes great strength. what about it?
well, notice how this image has always followed with a significant appearance. be it oikawa’s presence on the court with karasuno when seijoh won, when they lost, and in brazil. but the last image is yet to be answered.
well, notice how this image has always followed with a significant appearance. be it oikawa’s presence on the court with karasuno when seijoh won, when they lost, and in brazil. but the last image is yet to be answered.
and boy, is it answered. being his greatest appearance of all, oikawa returns as not just kagehina’s, but the entirety of the monster generation’s final boss. head held high, he’s the star setter of argentina’s national team. a presence great enough to intimidate japan’s best.
brazil arc wouldve been a great send-off to oikawa. the readers are comforted knowing that he’s doing well and that his ambitions are as high as ever. but furudate didnt leave it at that. because oikawa was never just a tool for the protagonists’ development. he was much more.
furudate gives oikawa the most glorious ending of all. his pride was not worthless, his volleyball was far from being over. the geniuses — or, the monster generation — are mere stepping stones for him. he was always destined for greatness, and he’s attained just that.
