What is Haikyu!! TO THE TOP
“Haikyu!! TO THE TOP” is the fourth season of the anime adaptation of the hugely popular volleyball manga “Haikyu!!” by Haruichi Furudate, which aired in 2020. It depicts the challenges of Karasuno High School’s volleyball club after they won the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High School Volleyball Tournament through fierce competition and secured their long-awaited spot in the national tournament.
This fourth season was broadcast in two seasons: the first cour (Episodes 1-13) aired from January to April 2020, and the second cour (Episodes 14-25) aired from October to December 2020. Production I.G handled the production, with a production framework by Shueisha and the Haikyu!! Production Committee, realizing high-quality animation.
A New Stage Beginning After Breakthrough in the Prefectural Tournament
The Fierce Battle of the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High School Volleyball Tournament
The Karasuno High School volleyball club defeated the powerhouse Shiratorizawa Academy in the third season “Karasuno High School VS Shiratorizawa Academy” and won the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High School Volleyball Tournament. This victory was an important step toward reclaiming past glory and represented the achievement of their long-held dream of participating in the national tournament.
Miyagi Prefecture is known as one of the most hotly contested volleyball regions in the country, with powerhouse schools like Shiratorizawa Academy, Aoba Johsai High School, and Date Industrial High School packed together. Karasuno’s advancement among them symbolized the team’s growth.
New Challenges Before the National Tournament
Unexpected news arrives for the members of Karasuno High School’s volleyball club just before the national tournament begins. Setter Tobio Kageyama receives a summons to the All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp, and middle blocker Tsukushi Tsukumo is called to the Miyagi Prefecture First-Year Selection Strengthening Camp.
Furthermore, ace Shoyo Hinata volunteers to participate in the All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp as a ball boy. This decision demonstrated Hinata’s strong will to grow.
Story Development in TO THE TOP
First Cour: Strengthening Camp Arc
In the first cour, the All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp that Kageyama and Hinata attend and Tsukumo’s Miyagi Prefecture First-Year Selection Strengthening Camp are depicted.
In Kageyama’s All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp, he faces competition with talented setters selected from across the country. In particular, his encounter with Hikari Seno and Tobio Kasumi, another called “the king” like Kageyama, becomes a major stimulus for him. Through the camp, Kageyama renews his determination to reach even greater heights as a setter.
In Tsukumo’s Miyagi Prefecture First-Year Selection Strengthening Camp, he gets the opportunity to sharpen his skills with other excellent first-year blockers from Miyagi Prefecture. Though initially passive, Tsukumo gradually blossoms as a blocker through the camp experience.
Hinata’s role as a ball boy may seem humble at first glance, but it provides a precious opportunity to observe top-level national players’ plays up close. This experience would greatly influence Hinata’s growth later.
Second Cour: National Tournament Arc
In the second cour, the national tournament finally begins. Armed with the experience gained from the strengthening camps, Karasuno High School’s volleyball club takes on fierce battles against powerhouse schools across the nation.
In the match against Inarizaki High School, an intense battle unfolds with a powerhouse team boasting twin-brother duo Miya Yu and Miya Osamu. This match becomes a crucial test showing how much Karasuno has grown.
The Appeal of the Series Set in Miyagi Prefecture
Real Miyagi Prefecture Scenery
The main setting for “Haikyu!!” is Miyagi Prefecture, and the work features numerous real place names and buildings. Sendai Station and Sendai City Gymnasium, among other locations familiar to Miyagi residents, are depicted, adding realism to the work.
Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region and an area where sports, including volleyball, are thriving. Facilities actually used as qualifying tournament venues for national tournaments such as the Spring High School Volleyball Tournament and the Summer Interhigh are depicted in the story.
Miyagi Prefecture’s Volleyball Culture
Miyagi Prefecture is known as a strong region in high school volleyball. In the men’s category, schools like Sendai Commercial High School and Tohoku High School have a history of participating in national tournaments, as does Furukawa Gakuen High School in the women’s category.
The existence of powerhouse schools at the national top level, like Shiratorizawa Academy depicted in the story, symbolizes the high level of volleyball in Miyagi Prefecture. The difficulty of winning through the Miyagi Prefecture tournament is conveyed throughout the work.
Collaborations with the Local Community
“Haikyu!!” has conducted various collaborations with Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City. Many fans visit Miyagi Prefecture as part of sacred site pilgrimages, contributing to regional revitalization.
Scenes where the Yagiyama Benyland commercial jingle is sung are depicted in the story, showing that the work is created with roots in the community.
Character Growth and Points of Interest
Tobio Kageyama’s Evolution
Having experienced the All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp, Kageyama reaches new heights as a setter. From the selfish playing style once called “the king of the court,” he grows into a setter who trusts his teammates and brings out each of their abilities to the maximum.
Through interaction with top-level national setters, Kageyama further expands his possibilities. In particular, the question of “what is a setter” that he learned from Hikari Seno greatly influenced his play.
Shoyo Hinata’s New Challenge
Participating in the All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp as a ball boy, Hinata observes and learns much from top-level players’ plays. In particular, by learning the movements and thinking of players at various positions, his perspective broadens.
This experience becomes an important step for Hinata to grow from a mere “jumping player” into a player with a deep understanding of volleyball.
Tsukushi Tsukumo’s Awakening
Participating in the Miyagi Prefecture First-Year Selection Strengthening Camp, Tsukumo begins to fully blossom as a blocker. Though initially approaching volleyball with a cold attitude, through his camp experience, he awakens to the depth and fun of blocking.
In particular, understanding the importance of blocking that uses reading and technique, and growing to become the linchpin of the team’s defense, is one of the major highlights of TO THE TOP.
Karasuno High School Volleyball Club’s Solidarity
Members who have accumulated experience in different places reunite at the national tournament. Individual growth becomes the strength of the entire team, and Karasuno High School’s volleyball club evolves into an even more powerful team.
Production Staff and Cast
Production Framework
Production I.G handled production, with Masako Sato as director and Takashi Kishimoto as series composition. Takahiro Kishida handled character design, maintaining the appeal of the original work while realizing high-quality animation.
For music, Yuuki Hayashi and Asami Tachibana handled the incidental music, enhancing the tension of matches and emotional scenes.
Main Cast
- Shoyo Hinata: Ayumu Murase
- Tobio Kageyama: Kaito Ishikawa
- Tsukushi Tsukumo: Naoki Uchiyama
- Tadashi Yamaguchi: Soma Saito
- Daichi Sawamura: Hisashi Hino
- Koushi Sugawara: Jiyuu Irino
- Asahi Azumane: Yoshimasa Hosoya
- Yu Nishinoya: Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Ryunosuke Tanaka: Isao Hayashi
Seasoned and young talented voice actors bring the characters to life.
Viewing Methods and Distribution Information
“Haikyu!! TO THE TOP” is available on various video streaming services.
Major Streaming Services
- dAnime Store: As an anime-specialized streaming service, all episodes are viewable
- Lemino: Available on NTT Docomo’s video streaming service with unlimited viewing
- TELASA: Available on TV Asahi’s streaming service
- Animax: Regularly rebroadcast on BS and CS channels
- Niconico Video (N Anime): Free viewing available during certain periods
Distribution status and pricing differ by service, so it’s recommended to select a service that suits you.
Main Theme Songs of TO THE TOP
Opening Theme
The opening theme for the first cour is “PHOENIX” sung by BURNOUT SYNDROMES. It’s a powerful piece symbolizing Karasuno’s comeback and challenge.
The opening theme for the second cour is “One Day” sung by SPYAIR. It’s a piece expressing the members’ determination before the national tournament battle.
Ending Theme
The ending theme for the first cour is “KESSEN SPIRIT” sung by Galileo Galilei. The ending theme for the second cour is “Tokyo Bushi” sung by Mashinomi.
Both are pieces matching the work’s world view and have received high praise from fans.
Positioning Within the Entire Haikyu!! Series
Flow from Season 1 to Season 3
In the first season “Haikyu!!,” the meeting of Hinata and Kageyama, their joining Karasuno High School’s volleyball club, and their defeat in the Interhigh preliminaries are depicted.
In the second season “Haikyu!! Second Season,” the strengthening camp in preparation for the Spring High School Volleyball Tournament and the promise of “Garbage Dump Battle” with Karasuno High School are depicted.
In the third season “Haikyu!! Karasuno High School VS Shiratorizawa Academy,” the fierce battle with Shiratorizawa Academy in the Miyagi Prefecture preliminary finals is depicted across all 10 episodes, with Karasuno’s national tournament participation confirmed.
Characteristics of the Fourth Season
TO THE TOP is built upon the accumulated foundation of previous seasons. How Karasuno, which has overcome the prefectural tournament, will fight on the national stage, and how each member will grow, are depicted.
In particular, the strengthening camp arc is characterized by its structure where the growth of main members at separate locations is depicted in parallel, with the story developing from each character’s perspective.
National Tournament Venues and Opponents
Spring High School Volleyball National Tournament
The national tournament depicted in the story is formally called the “All Japan High School Volleyball Championship” (Spring High School Volleyball Tournament). Held in January each year at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, it is the pinnacle of high school volleyball in Japan.
Powerhouse schools that have won their prefectural preliminaries from across the nation gather to compete for national supremacy. For Karasuno, it becomes an important stage for reclaiming past glory.
Intense Battle with Inarizaki High School
Inarizaki High School, which Karasuno faces in the national tournament, is a powerhouse school representing Hyogo Prefecture. It boasts high technical ability and coordination centered on the duo of twin setters Miya Yu and Miya Osamu and wing spiker combination.
This match becomes a masterpiece of a battle as the climax of TO THE TOP, with both teams’ full strength clashing.
Work’s Themes and Messages
Challenge to “The Top”
As the title “TO THE TOP” indicates, the theme of this work is “the challenge to aim for the summit.” Each member of Karasuno High School’s volleyball club works hard to aim for their own “top.”
On the grand stage of the national tournament, how high Shoyo Hinata, the small giant, can jump, and how far the team can fight, are depicted.
Individual Growth and Team Strength
In TO THE TOP, the growth of each member is carefully depicted. Members who have accumulated experience separately at strengthening camps feed their learning back to the team, raising the entire strength of Karasuno High School’s volleyball club. How individual growth leads to team growth is depicted emotionally.
One person’s growth leads to the team’s growth. This universal theme captures the hearts of many viewers.
Effort and Talent
The work depicts both talented players and those who climb up through effort. In the All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp where top-class talent from across the nation gathers, the figure of Hinata participating as a ball boy demonstrates the importance of effort.
One cannot reach the summit with talent alone or effort alone. The importance of possessing both comes through in the work.
The Relationship Between Miyagi Prefecture and Haikyu!!
Sacred Site Pilgrimage Spots
Numerous spots in Miyagi Prefecture are called “sacred sites” of “Haikyu!!.”
Sendai City Gymnasium appears in the story as a prefectural tournament venue and is a facility where actual high school volleyball matches are held. For fans, it holds special significance as a place where Karasuno fought.
The area around Sendai Station also appears in the story and is depicted as scenery as characters move about. The shopping arcades and shopping streets near the station are also places where fans can feel the work’s atmosphere.
Contribution to Regional Revitalization
“Haikyu!!” has greatly contributed to Miyagi Prefecture’s tourism promotion. The number of fans visiting Miyagi Prefecture motivated by the work has increased, leading to regional economic revitalization.
Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City have also developed official collaboration projects, strengthening the connection between the work and the region. Events that fans can enjoy, such as stamp rallies and panel exhibitions, are held regularly.
Increase in Volleyball Population
Due to the influence of “Haikyu!!,” the number of children starting volleyball in Miyagi Prefecture has increased. The charm of volleyball depicted in the work has also contributed to actual sports promotion.
There are reports that at local middle schools and high schools’ volleyball clubs, the number of students joining clubs inspired by “Haikyu!!” has increased.
Fan Evaluation and Response
High Praise for Drawing Quality
TO THE TOP realizes impressive match scenes through Production I.G’s high technical capabilities. In particular, the movement of spikes and blocks at their moments are excellently expressed, capturing the dynamism of actual volleyball.
Fans have given highly positive feedback, with comments like “the match scenes’ drawing is wonderful” and “the sense of presence is amazing.”
Emotional Response to Character Growth
Many fans have been moved by the growth stories of Kageyama, Hinata, and Tsukumo respectively. In particular, the scene of Tsukumo’s awakening as a blocker is spoken of as one of the work’s finest moments.
On social media, after each episode aired, numerous posts appeared saying things like “I cried at Tsukumo’s growth” and “Kageyama’s facial expressions are wonderful.”
Tension and Presentation of Matches
The match scenes at the national tournament are highly praised for their tense presentation. Each rally is carefully depicted with the thoughts behind it, and the exchange of play keeps viewers glued to the screen.
In particular, the match with Inarizaki High School received acclaim from many fans as being “nail-biting” and “you can’t take your eyes off it until the end.”
Conclusion
“Haikyu!! TO THE TOP” is a story of Karasuno High School’s volleyball club, which has won the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High School Volleyball Tournament, continuing their challenge on the new stage of the national tournament. After fierce battles in the Miyagi Prefecture preliminary tournament, Kageyama’s All Japan Youth Strengthening Camp, Tsukumo’s Miyagi Prefecture First-Year Selection Strengthening Camp, and Hinata’s unique challenge are depicted.
As a work set in Miyagi Prefecture, real locations and regional culture are carefully depicted, making it popular as a sacred site pilgrimage destination. At the national tournament, members who have grown at strengthening camps reunite and take on fierce battles with powerhouse schools nationwide.
Through high-quality animation by Production I.G, passionate performances by talented voice actors, and direction that maximizes the appeal of the original work, TO THE TOP is loved by many fans as one of the series’ finest works.
Available on various video streaming services, please experience with your own eyes the path from the Miyagi Prefecture tournament to the national tournament and the characters’ growth. Karasuno High School’s volleyball club’s challenge is sure to resonate in your heart.
