Haikyu!! TO THE TOP From Miyagi Prefecture Preliminaries to Nationals | Complete Explanation of Season 4’s Highlights and Setting
What is Haikyu!! TO THE TOP
“Haikyu!! TO THE TOP” is the fourth season of the anime adaptation of “Haikyu!!”, a hugely popular volleyball manga by Haruichi Furudate, which aired in 2020. It depicts the challenges of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club as they win the Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries of the Spring High School Volleyball tournament after fierce competition and secure their long-awaited spot in the national tournament.
This fourth season was broadcast over two quarters, with the first cour (episodes 1-13) airing from January to April 2020, and the second cour (episodes 14-25) airing from October to December 2020. Production I.G handled the production, with a production framework involving Shueisha and the Haikyu!! Production Committee, realizing high-quality animation expression.
A New Stage Beginning with Breakthrough from the Miyagi Prefecture Preliminaries
The Fierce Battle of the Spring High School Volleyball Miyagi Prefecture Preliminaries
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 preliminaries of the Spring High School Volleyball tournament. This victory was an important step in reclaiming their former glory and meant the achievement of their long-cherished dream of participating in the nationals.
Miyagi Prefecture is known as one of the most competitive volleyball regions in Japan, home to powerhouse schools including Shiratorizawa Academy, Aoba Johsai High School, and Date Kogyo High School. The fact that Karasuno High School advanced through this competition symbolized the team’s growth.
New Challenges Before the National Tournament
Unexpected news reaches the members of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club as they prepare for the national tournament. Setter Tobio Kageyama receives a summons to the All Japan Youth Training Camp, and middle blocker Akei Tsukishima receives a call-up to the Miyagi Prefecture first-year selection training camp.
Furthermore, ace spiker Shoyo Hinata volunteers to participate in the All Japan Youth Training Camp as a ball boy. This decision demonstrated Hinata’s strong will for growth.
Story Development of TO THE TOP
First Cour: Training Camp Arc
The first cour depicts the All Japan Youth Training Camp in which Kageyama and Hinata participate, as well as Tsukishima’s Miyagi Prefecture first-year selection training camp.
In Kageyama’s All Japan Youth Training Camp, he faces competition with talented setters selected from across the nation. In particular, meeting Hikari Hoshiumi and Tobiio Kageyama, who are both called “kings” like himself, becomes a major stimulus for Kageyama. Through the camp, Kageyama renews his determination to reach new heights as a setter.
In Tsukishima’s Miyagi Prefecture first-year selection training camp, he gains the opportunity to exchange skills with excellent first-year blockers throughout Miyagi Prefecture. Though initially passive, Tsukishima blossoms as a blocker through the camp.
Hinata’s position as a ball boy may seem unassuming at first glance, but it provides a precious opportunity to observe the play of top-level athletes up close. This experience would greatly influence Hinata’s growth later.
Second Cour: National Tournament Arc
The second cour finally sees the national tournament begin. With the experience gained from training camps, Karasuno High School Volleyball Club faces intense battles against powerhouse schools nationwide.
In the match against Inarizaki High School, a heated battle unfolds against a powerhouse featuring the twin combo of Miya Osamu and Miya Atsumu. This match becomes a crucial test showing how much Karasuno High School has grown.
The Appeal of Miyagi Prefecture as the Setting
The Landscape of Real Miyagi Prefecture
With Miyagi Prefecture as the main setting of “Haikyu!!”, numerous real place names and buildings appear throughout the work. Sendai Station, Sendai City Gymnasium, and 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 venues for preliminary rounds of national tournaments such as the Spring High School Volleyball and Summer Interhigh appear in the story.
Miyagi Prefecture’s Volleyball Culture
Miyagi Prefecture is known as a powerhouse region for high school volleyball. In the men’s category, schools like Sendai Commercial High School and Tohoku High School have a history of performing at national tournaments, and in the women’s category, Furukawa Gakuen High School and others have excelled.
The existence of top-tier powerhouse schools like Shiratorizawa Academy depicted in the work symbolizes the high level of volleyball in Miyagi Prefecture. It becomes clear through the work how difficult it is to break through the Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries.
Collaboration with the Region
“Haikyu!!” has developed various collaborations with Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City. Many fans visit Miyagi Prefecture as a pilgrimage to locations featured in the work, contributing to regional revitalization.
Scenes depicting the commercial phrase of Yagiyama Benyland are also shown in the work, illustrating that the creation is rooted in the local community.
Character Growth and Highlights
The Evolution of Tobio Kageyama
Having experienced the All Japan Youth Training Camp, Kageyama reaches new heights as a setter. He grows from a self-centered play style called “king of the court” into a setter who trusts his teammates and brings out the maximum potential of each member.
Through interaction with top-level setters from across the nation, Kageyama further expands his possibilities. In particular, the question “What is a setter?” learned from Hikari Hoshiumi greatly influences Kageyama’s play.
Shoyo Hinata’s New Challenge
Participating in the All Japan Youth Training Camp as a ball boy, Hinata observes the play of top-level athletes and learns much. In particular, by learning the movements and thinking of players in various positions, his perspective widens.
This experience becomes an important step for Hinata to grow from merely “a player who jumps” into a player with deep understanding of volleyball.
Akei Tsukishima’s Awakening
Participating in the Miyagi Prefecture first-year selection training camp, Tsukishima fully blossoms as a blocker. Though initially taking a detached approach to volleyball, Tsukishima awakens to the depth and appeal of blocking through his camp experience.
In particular, understanding the importance of blocking that employs reading and technique, and growing as a key defensive player for the team, is one of the major highlights of TO THE TOP.
The Unity of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club
Members who accumulated experience in different places reunite as the national tournament begins. Individual growth becomes the strength of the entire team, and Karasuno High School Volleyball Club evolves into an even more powerful team.
Production Staff and Cast
Production Framework
Production I.G handles production, with director Masako Sato and series composition by Takuo Kishimoto. Character design is handled by Takahiro Kishida, realizing high-quality animation while preserving the appeal of the original work.
For music, Yuki Hayashi and Asami Tachibana handle the soundtrack, heightening the tension of matches and the emotional impact of touching scenes.
Main Cast
- Shoyo Hinata: Ayumu Murase
- Tobio Kageyama: Kaito Ishikawa
- Akei Tsukishima: Koki Uchiyama
- Tadashi Yamaguchi: Souma Saito
- Daichi Sawamura: Satoshi Hino
- Koushi Sugawara: Jiyuu Irino
- Asahi Azumane: Yoshimasa Hosoya
- Yuu Nishinoya: Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Ryunosuke Tanaka: Isao Hayashi
Veteran and young talented voice actors breathe life into the characters.
Viewing Methods and Distribution Information
“Haikyu!! TO THE TOP” is available to watch on various video streaming services.
Major Streaming Services
- dAnimeStore: As an anime-specialized streaming service, all episodes can be viewed
- Lemino: Docomo’s video distribution service offering unlimited viewing
- TELASA: Available on TV Asahi-affiliated streaming service
- Animax: Regular reruns on BS/CS broadcasting
- Niconico Video (N Anime): Available for free viewing during certain periods
Distribution status and pricing structures differ by service, so it’s recommended to choose a service that suits you.
Main Theme Songs of TO THE TOP
Opening Themes
The opening theme for the first cour is “PHOENIX” performed by BURNOUT SYNDROMES. It’s a powerful piece symbolizing Karasuno’s revival and challenge.
The opening theme for the second cour is “One Day” performed by SPYAIR. It’s a piece expressing the members’ resolve before the national tournament.
Ending Themes
The ending theme for the first cour is “KESSEN SPIRIT” performed by Galileo Galilei. The ending theme for the second cour is “Tokyo Bushi” performed by Mashinomi.
Both pieces match the world of the work and receive high ratings from fans.
Position in the Overall Haikyu!! Series
Flow from Season 1 to Season 3
In the first season “Haikyu!!”, the story covers from Hinata and Kageyama’s meeting to joining Karasuno High School Volleyball Club and their elimination in the interhigh preliminaries.
The second season “Haikyu!! Second Season” depicts the training camp heading into the Spring High School Volleyball tournament and the promise of a “Garbage Dump Battle” against Kamomedai High School.
The third season “Haikyu!! Karasuno High School VS Shiratorizawa Academy” covers the fierce battle against Shiratorizawa Academy in the Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries finals over ten episodes, with Karasuno’s participation in nationals being decided.
Characteristics of Season 4
TO THE TOP is built upon all that has come before. How Karasuno High School, having broken through the Miyagi preliminaries, will fight on the new stage of nationals, and how individual members will grow is depicted.
In particular, the training camp arc is characterized by depicting how major members grow in separate locations, with the story developing from each perspective.
The Venue and Opponents of the National Tournament
The Spring High School Volleyball National Tournament
The national tournament depicted in the work is formally known as the “All Japan High School Volleyball Championship” (Spring High School Volleyball). It’s held every January at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and is the pinnacle of high school volleyball in Japan.
Powerhouse schools that have broken through their respective prefectural preliminaries from across the nation gather to compete for the championship. For Karasuno High School, it becomes an important stage to reclaim their former glory.
Fierce Battle Against Inarizaki High School
Inarizaki High School, which faces Karasuno in the nationals, is a powerhouse representing Hyogo Prefecture. Centered on the twin setter combo of Osamu and Atsumu Miya and their wing spiker partner, they boast high technical skill and coordination.
This match becomes a masterpiece of combat at the climax of TO THE TOP, with both teams’ full power clashing.
Themes and Messages of the Work
Challenge to the “Peak”
As the title “TO THE TOP” suggests, the work’s theme is “challenge to reach the summit.” Members of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club each strive toward their own “peak.”
On the grand stage of the nationals, it’s depicted how high the small giant Shoyo Hinata can jump and how far the team can fight.
Individual Growth and Team Strength
TO THE TOP carefully depicts the growth of individual members. Members who gained different experiences at training camps return their learning to the team, elevating Karasuno High School Volleyball Club as a whole. The process of individual growth contributing to overall team growth is deeply moving.
This universal theme has captured the hearts of many viewers.
Effort and Talent
The work depicts both talented athletes and those who climb through effort. At the All Japan Youth Training Camp, top-tier talent from across the nation gathers, but Hinata’s presence as a ball boy demonstrates the importance of effort.
Neither talent alone nor effort alone can reach the peak. The importance of combining both becomes clear through the work.
The Relationship Between Miyagi Prefecture and Haikyu!!
Sacred Sites for Pilgrimage
Numerous spots within Miyagi Prefecture are called “sacred sites” of “Haikyu!!”.
Sendai City Gymnasium appears in the work as a venue for prefectural preliminaries and is an actual facility where high school volleyball matches are held. For fans, it holds special meaning as the place where Karasuno fought.
Sendai Station and surrounding areas also appear in the work, depicted as the landscape through which characters move. The arcade streets and shopping streets near the station are also places where fans can feel the atmosphere of the work.
Contribution to Regional Development
“Haikyu!!” has greatly contributed to tourism promotion in Miyagi Prefecture. An increase in fans visiting Miyagi Prefecture sparked by the work has led to regional economic revitalization.
Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City have also officially developed collaboration projects, strengthening the connection between the work and the region. Events for fans to enjoy, such as stamp rallies and panel exhibitions, are held regularly.
Increase in Volleyball Population
The influence of “Haikyu!!” has increased the number of children starting volleyball in Miyagi Prefecture. The appeal of volleyball depicted in the work has contributed to actual sports promotion.
At local middle schools and high schools, there are reports of increased enrollment in volleyball clubs due to “Haikyu!!”.
Evaluation and Response from Fans
High Evaluation of Animation Quality
TO THE TOP realizes powerful battle scenes through the high technical skill of Production I.G. In particular, the movement of spikes and blocks at their moment captures the dynamism of actual volleyball.
Fans have given numerous positive evaluations such as “the animation in battle scenes is amazing” and “the sense of presence is incredible.”
Emotional Impact of Character Growth
Many fans are moved by the growth stories of Kageyama, Hinata, and Tsukishima respectively. In particular, Tsukishima’s awakening as a blocker is remembered as one of the work’s finest scenes.
After each episode airs, social media sees numerous posts saying things like “I cried at Tsukishima’s growth” and “Kageyama’s facial expressions are wonderful.”
The Tension and Direction of Matches
The match scenes in the nationals are highly evaluated for their tense direction. Each rally is carefully depicted with the thoughts contained in every ball, keeping viewers glued to the screen.
In particular, the match against Inarizaki High School received widespread acclaim from many fans as a “nail-biting development” and “impossible to look away from.”
Conclusion
“Haikyu!! TO THE TOP” is the story of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club, which won the Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries, continuing their challenge on the new stage of the national tournament. After fierce competition in the Spring High School Volleyball Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries, it depicts Kageyama’s All Japan Youth Training Camp, Tsukishima’s Miyagi Prefecture first-year selection training camp, and Hinata’s independent challenge.
As a work set in Miyagi Prefecture, real locations and regional culture are carefully depicted, making it popular as a pilgrimage destination. At the nationals, members who grew through training camps reunite and face intense battles against powerhouse schools nationwide.
Through high-quality animation by Production I.G, passionate performances by talented voice actors, and direction that draws out the appeal of the original work to the fullest, TO THE TOP is beloved by many fans as one of the series’ finest works.
Available on various video streaming services, please witness for yourself the path from the Miyagi Prefecture preliminaries to the nationals and the growth of the characters. The challenge of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club is sure to resonate with your heart.
