Manga Review: Haikyu!!, Volume 22, by Haruichi Furudate

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2018

Volumes: 32.

Spoilers?: Yes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 21. 23.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Shoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don't need to be tall to fly!

Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?

The semifinals of the Tokyo Area Qualifiers for the Spring Tournament have begun! It’s Nekoma vs. Fukurodani in a win-and-you’re-in match! Fukurodani’s ace, Bokuto, is in top form as he goes head-to-head with Nekoma’s defensive master, Yaku. Will the Cats be able to take down the Owls?!

Review:

Nekoma and Fukurodani compete as this volume starts, for a place in the tournament. Lev and Yamamoto's sisters are in the stands during this, cheering their brothers on. Yamamoto's little sister is a big volleyball supporter, and clearly knowledgeable, whereas Lev's older sister is rather new to this. On the other side, Fukurodani's ace has a giant weak spot, in that his mind can suddenly forget how to make other hits.

After that game, I guess there's a third spot left, so the two losing teams get to play each other. Which means we get to meet Nohebi, a team that has no issues playing dirty and getting the referee on their side. It's a tactic that's hard to fight against, honestly, and wears on Nekoma's spirit a bit. It looks like Kenma might have an idea, though.

Every time we meet a new team, I marvel at the author's ability to create so many unique characters—they all look different, have rather different personalities and weaknesses and abilities, and each team have different tactics. I don't know how this series is still so exciting, but it is. I absolutely love it.