Some days ago i was reading the manga from the beginning again when I noticed the emphasis on the word "connect" in quite literally the first panel. I think it's so significant bcuz if you really look deeply into it, a major theme in Haikyuu is connection.

Not only do the plays have to connect on the court in order to win the game, but players also have to connect on an emotional level. Throughout the series they form bonds and friendships that they might've not if not for volleyball. Volleyball being a sport where connection (and communication!) is vital to a team's success.

If you've read the manga or watched the anime im sure you've noticed what im talking about. Its especially noticable in Karasuno (duh callisto, the series literally revolves mostly about them).

But like one big example is Kageyama. I love him dearly but i also see his faults, my boy did not know how to connect. Look back at his time in middle school. There was no connection between him and the rest of the team.

And he would've carried on with that attitude, he would've continued to be the self centered king of the court into high school if he hadn't crossed paths with Hinata. I think we all know what happened from there.

Kageyama and Hinata were forced to cooperate, they didn't want to at first (well it was mostly Kageyama who avoided it) but they eventually realized there was no other way to achieve their goal. Suddenly a genuine bond begins to form between them. A connection. That is why their freak quick works, not jus because of either of their skills but also because there is a bond there. They have connected to a level where they trust each other enough to make the attack work.

That has been 2 AM Thoughts About Haikyuu with Callisto as your host, until next time 🫡