"Pure and Simple Power" (Japanese: シンプルで
Overview
Karasuno High prepares for their next match against Kakugawa High which includes Yūdai Hyakuzawa, a first year who stands tall at 201cm. Using height as his main weapon, Hyakuzawa easily counters Karasuno's attacks and breaks through their defense. Karasuno must figure out a way to overcome this obstacle if they want to achieve victory.
Plot
Karasuno is determined to defeat their next opponent and secure a spot to the qualifier rounds. However, some members, notably Hinata, are apprehensive about facing Hyakuzawa, a player over 2-meter tall. The first years casually compare Hinata and Hyakuzawa's height difference to "Tikachu" and a blackbelly lanternshark. Kageyama remains nonchalant over the fuss, not understanding why Hinata is intimidated in the first place.
The two teams head out to the court to start their warm-ups. It is revealed that Hyakuzawa is a complete amateur at volleyball, but his team is nonetheless relying on him to score points with his outstanding height. Meanwhile, Takeda takes notice of Kageyama's calm demeanor and deduces that he is in top condition.
Just ahead of the start of the match, Kakugawa's captain and setter Komaki warns his team about Kageyama and Asahi's serves and emphasizes the importance of playing to their strength. Tsukishima starts off the match with a normal serve. Asamushi receives it, and Komaki tosses the ball to Hyakuzawa. Karasuno is ready with a triple block but Hyakuzawa simply spikes above it to earn Kakugawa the first point. In the following rally, Nishinoya manages to save Hyakuzawa's spike. Tanaka follows up, and Hinata goes for the spike. Hinata sees the blockers and switches to a feint. However, Hyakuzawa easily stops it with his hands and pushes the ball back down on Karasuno's side. Coach Ukai and the crowds are once again reminded that height is an advantageous factor and sign of pure strength. With Karasuno trailing 0 - 2, Tsukishima recalls Akiteru's words about the benefits of having a tall player on the team.
Debut
- Kaito Asamushi
- Taishi Minamida
- Eiji Makado
- Yoshiaki Nurukawa
- Kakugawa High boys volleyball coach
- Isao Inagaki
Appearances
- Shōyō Hinata
- Daichi Sawamura
- Tobio Kageyama
- Asahi Azumane
- Yū Nishinoya
- Ryūnosuke Tanaka
- Kei Tsukishima
- Kiyoko Shimizu
- Hitoka Yachi
- Yūdai Hyakuzawa
- Yuzuru Komaki
- Tadashi Yamaguchi
- Kōshi Sugawara
- Ittetsu Takeda
- Keishin Ukai
- Gengorō Takahashi (Oonoya)
- Ikkei Ukai
- Yū Ogasawara
Chapter notes
Character revelations
- Hyakuzawa is revealed to be a volleyball newbie who has just memorized the basic rules.
Trivia
- "Tikachu" is a parody of the Pikachu, the mascot of the widely popular Pokémon franchise.
- A blackbelly lanternshark is approximately 30cm to 45cm long.
