85/100 Went in with *above average* expectations because I’m a big fan of sports shows (+ Haikyu has gained so much acclaim over the years) and was not disappointed 1 standout quality that impressed me was the characters being so loveable you unexpectedly find yourself rooting for them & celebrating their wins wholeheartedly. Having a whole cast audiences can quickly connect with is a key part of good tv and, contrary to popular belief, not many shows get it right. Haikyu!! did it amazingly - and not only characters from Karasuno (the protagonist team) but also characters from other schools, who are our beloved team’s long term enemies. Adjusting to having a collaborative mindset is a big theme of the show & it’s effective because it includes the audience too. All 25 episodes majorly or minimally focus on Kageyama’s dominance on the court, his willingness to do anything it takes to win. Their ability to show his progression as a team player without rushing past it & assuming his ego issues are forgotten is amazing, as so many shows make this mistake & disconnect from their characters in order to enhance the plot. In this case, every reference to Kageyama’s issues and past identity as “the King of the court” strengthened the plot massively & the audience’s attachment to the characters. Therefore I do - for the most part - understand why this show has so many fans. It’s simple to understand, entertaining to a fault, and perfectly balanced in drama and comedy. The animation leaves something to be desired but the plot is outstanding. The character’s individual backstories and reasons for being so Stubbornly against losing either gets you in your feels, has you screaming at Kageyama during matches to give them a set, or Both. And the remarkable ideas that show up, earning Karasuno the win in the most uncertain situations, are to die for. This show has no limit to its potential and will keep you on your toes, even if you couldn’t care less about volleyball.