What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHaikyu!!
Series · 2014
If you loved Haikyu!!, start with The First Slam Dunk (Takehiko Inoue, 2022) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 2 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Haikyu!! across media.
What kept you watching Haikyu!! was the relentless pursuit of self-improvement through the lens of intense, character-driven personal competition.
Books on the same thread
My Hero Academia
Kohei Horikoshi · Book · 2015
Explores: Underdog Story, Heroism, Legacy.
Just as in Haikyu!!, you will find a compelling underdog story where the protagonist must master their unique power to earn their place among their peers and rivals.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Koyoharu Gotouge · Book · 2018
Explores: Sibling bond, Revenge quest, Demon hunting.
If the emotional stakes of Haikyu!! resonated with you, this journey mirrors that dedication to overcoming impossible odds while forging deep, meaningful bonds with those around you.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Vol. 1
Koyoharu Gotouge · Book
Explores: revenge, sibling bond, tragic loss.
You will recognize the same spirit of persistence found in Haikyu!!, where a determined individual faces a tragic, life-altering challenge and must rise to meet the task ahead.
Attack on Titan 1
Hajime Isayama · Book · 2012
Explores: Existential dread, Humanity vs. monsters, Political corruption.
The intense struggle for survival against overwhelming odds echoes the high-pressure environment of Haikyu!!, pushing characters to their limits as they face threats that test their very existence.
Films on the same thread
The First Slam Dunk
Takehiko Inoue · Film · 2022
Shares 3 threads with Haikyu!!: Teamwork, Overcoming Adversity, Friendship.
This film captures the same electric teamwork and commitment to athletic excellence that made Haikyu!! so engaging, focusing on the internal and external growth of a dedicated athlete.
Look Back
Film · 2024
Shares a thread with Haikyu!!: Friendship.
The artistic rivalry portrayed here mirrors the competitive chemistry seen in Haikyu!!, highlighting how the presence of a talented peer can push someone to achieve their creative potential.
Podcasts on the same thread
Anime Grind
Podcast
Shares a thread with Haikyu!!: Self-Improvement.
If the motivational growth of the characters in Haikyu!! inspired you, this podcast breaks down those same themes to help you apply that competitive mindset to your life.
Wake Up and Win
Podcast
Explores: anime inspiration, personal growth, goal achievement.
Much like the character arcs in Haikyu!!, this podcast translates the experience of overcoming self-doubt and achieving goals into actionable insights for your own personal development journey.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Haikyu!! about a professional volleyball player?
No, Haikyu!! follows Shouyou Hinata, a student who is inspired by a professional player. Hinata starts his own team in middle school and continues his volleyball journey after entering high school, where he encounters his former rival, Tobio Kageyama.
How does the story of Haikyu!! begin?
The story of Haikyu!! begins when Shouyou Hinata forms a volleyball team in his last year of middle school. His team faces an immediate defeat against Tobio Kageyama, known as the King of the Court, which leads Hinata to vow that he will eventually surpass him.
What is the relationship between Hinata and Kageyama in Haikyu!!?
In Haikyu!!, Hinata and Kageyama start as rivals after Kageyama defeats Hinata in a middle school tournament. Their dynamic shifts when they both join the same high school volleyball team, forcing the two to navigate their past conflict while playing together on the same side.
Does Haikyu!! take place in middle school or high school?
Haikyu!! depicts the journey of Shouyou Hinata starting in his final year of middle school. After his initial tournament defeat, the majority of the narrative progression occurs after Hinata enters high school and joins the volleyball team.