May 31, 2023
I’m basically going to use this review to show what Haikyuu has that other sports animes don’t…for example, Blue Lock. This review contains spoilers for the Blue Lock anime.
Don't get me wrong, Blue Lock is amazing. Very different from other sports animes as it has a unique plot with diverse characters and abilities. The idea of being an "egotist" is really interesting. But even though Haikyuu is more simple, it is still a masterpiece.
Plot, pacing, characters...all amazing. There are no bad characters. Ofcourse, it all depends on your taste, but I don't think Blue Lock has the same bond and comedy with its characters. Haikyuu
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is one of the best comfort animes which is part of the reason of why it's so popular. The characters may not have special abilities, but the matches are still very intense and enjoyable. The way that it's written is as if everyone is the main character and that's what I like about it. Each character is different in their own way and they don't have to be all dark and gloomy to show that they're the best on the court. It's what makes them so lovable.
I noticed that most people prefer Blue Lock over Haikyuu because it doesn't make the sport seem "basic". Blue Lock's abilities are diverse, but I feel like all the characters have the same personalities. Almost all of them are cold and arrogant and there's not much different from them. I absolutely love “villainous” characters that almost never lose but each character kind of feels the same. For example, Itoshi Rin: cold and arrogant. Because he's so good, he has almost no personality. Another character is Barou Shouei. His ego is so high that he won't even pass the ball. I don’t really find blue lock characters enjoyable. Sure, they’re really good at soccer which makes them intriguing to watch but there’s no feeling. Barou is a great player but wouldn't get as far in the real world...which brings me to my next point: There's no representation of team work.
I don't like the fact that the players are taught to have a big ego. Of course individual skill matters but team work is also very important if you want to win; as I said before Blue Lock doesn't have that same bond with the characters like Haikyuu does. The bond between teammates is very important because if you can't trust each other off the field then you definitely won't trust each other on the field. And a great example would be Isagi, Barou, and Nagi vs Kunigami, Reo, and Chigiri. The reason they lost chances to score was because they had no teamwork. Barou was too arrogant and wouldn't pass the ball so he just ended up losing it. Isagi saw this aswell even though they ended up winning.
My point is that you don't have to think you're better than everyone to win or for the anime to be enjoyable. Oikawa from Haikyuu is a great representation of a big ego. His ego may not be as big as blue lock characters but the way he’s written still shows that you can be an egotist and still value team spirit.
Haikyuu's representation of the sport is so much better. They're able to represent teamwork AND rivalries at the same time. Blue Lock is mostly only centered around the few characters and 1 position while Haikyuu focuses on all positions and all characters, even if they're not on the main team. They could even be the worst player in the show and would still get the spotlight. The focus on each character's growth and personal journey is what makes Haikyuu!! unique. The story becomes infinitely more complex as a result. It demonstrates how they are tested but ultimately learn from the experience. They become better players on the court as a result, which also makes them more entertaining to watch for fans. The show seems to have more meaning than just being another sports anime.
I love how the rival characters from other schools aren't portrayed as villains. They love volleyball just as much as our main cast. I like that Haikyuu isn’t as serious as Blue Lock. Sometimes you need a chill anime that isn’t all about winning, so this brings me back to my 3 major points: Haikyuu has lovable characters, great representation of teamwork, and a great way of including everyone. It’s wholesome content is something that Blue Lock will never have.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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