Another great Haikyuu episode this week. I found myself much more emotional watching the anime compared to reading this match. I’m really happy with how they’re approaching the season after having basically conceded episode two. Nice sense of emphasis, very deliberate pacing.

Not much sakuga at all in this Nekoma detour, but some awesome direction helped the moments hit home regardless. You can tell that resources are being saved, haha.

This week’s episode is a good representation of an aspect of Haikyuu that I think is underdiscussed, though.

I mostly talk about the character writing, themes, legendary/hype/cathartic moments, music, directing and animation when it comes to Haikyuu but I really do think that Furudate has a great eye for interesting tactical battles within the sport too.

This week’s match with Nekoma isn’t a HUGE one, but Sarukawa’s idea of tiring out Kenma is a sound one, and targeting his teammates to throw off their receives is a great way to exhaust Kenma through accumulation by making him compensate as he gets in position to set.

This slow, gradual, methodical strategy is really interesting, and Nekoma’s response is not only a smart counter attack, but a statement that tells us a lot about Kenma’s growing resolve and the team as a whole.

Every major team has a distinct philosophy and style, and seeing these styles clash in strategic battles is so fun. Karasuno’s pure adaptability and dynamism, Nekoma’s stubborn subtlety and intelligent defense, Shiratorizawa’s unbending focus on height and power..

..Fukurodani’s improvisation and ability to pour their all into whatever situation they find themselves in with unbreaking quality, Inarizaki’s unpredictability and all-in approach, etc.

Another example - the strategy used against Shiratorizawa to adjust to their insane offense & power is so engaging - total defense, Noya’s role, Tsuki taking leadership, cutting off Ushijima’s crosses - it’s all great & it’s a big reason for why it’s one of my favourite matches.

Furudate is able to merge great theming, characters writing, emotional storytelling and genuine sport tactics together to create a story that is engaging on multiple levels. It isn’t just mindless heart and passion, though the series obviously has that in spades.

And when a story can be so multidimensional, it really helps to have the audience adhere themselves to it on so many levels. It’s why this is comfortably one of the small handful of most rewatchable anime I’ve seen.