Volleyball, a sport that has been popular in Japan for decades, was on a decline among the youth in the early 2010s.
Other sports like baseball and soccer were becoming more popular, and it seemed like volleyball was bound to be a niche sport in the future.
The Impact of Haikyuu!! on Japanese Volleyball
Source: YouTube
However, that all changed in 2012 when the Haikyuu!! the manga started serialising.
Created by Haruichi Furudate, Haikyuu!! became extremely popular among the youth.
Before Haikyuu!!’s release in 2012, the number of students in volleyball clubs in Japan was sharply declining, as seen in the graph above volleyball was becoming a sport that simply not many people were interested in.
There were approximately 41,000 students who participated in clubs, but that number had decreased to 37,000 by 2012.
However, the popularity of Haikyuu!! has led to a significant increase in the number of students who decided to take up volleyball and join a club.
By 2016, there were more than 46,000 students in volleyball clubs, and the number kept increasing at a staggering rate.
It was not a coincidence that the numbers just shot up at the same time Haikyuu!! started serialising. 🏐
Source: Pexels
Haikyuu!! Inspires Young Volleyball Players
A 50-minute documentary by NHK in 2016 revealed that many players were inspired by Haikyuu!!.
Some fans said: “We read Haikyuu!! with the entire team every week, and we look forward to it.”
With others saying: “Even though it’s a manga, it really gives you a motivation boost.”
Such sentiment was shared by many young Japanese volleyball players, there are even times when older players have expressed their support for the anime.
Professional volleyball player and member of the Japanese National team Masahiro Yanagida said that the manga resonated with him on a personal level and that he tried some of the moves shown in the panels.
The manga’s relatability and realistic portrayal of the sport made it inspiring to read and watch, and many new volleyball players, not just in Japan but worldwide, have started playing the sport due to the anime.
Source: Pexels
Realism and Entertainment in Haikyuu!!
The sports genre is filled to the brim with amazing anime and manga, but Haikyuu!! stands out among the ocean of sports anime for its realism.
Unlike other sports anime that feature implausible stunts like Kuroko Basketball, Haikyuu!! is realistic, and at the same time, very entertaining.
Young athletes who see Hinata working hard and competing against taller players can see themselves doing that since many shorter players have done well in volleyball despite their height.
It also teaches the impressionable youths around the world that talent is not all it takes to be great, it requires hard work, dedication and passion for the craft to be the best.
The series manages to dramatise actions that wouldn’t be special in real life, and they do it in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
It’s inspiring to read and watch, and many new volleyball players, not just in Japan but worldwide, have started playing the sport due to the anime.
Haikyuu!!’s Global Impact on Volleyball
Although the iconic Slam Dunk has also inspired new and current players in basketball, Haikyuu!! has celebrated a much more impressive feat, having a huge impact on sports culture in Japan and all around the world.
The anime has become a global phenomenon, inspiring today’s youth to take up volleyball and promoting the sport in a way that’s relatable and engaging.
Haikyuu!! has had a profound impact on volleyball in Japan and around the world.
Its realistic portrayal of the sport, combined with its entertaining and inspiring storyline, has made it a favourite among volleyball players and enthusiasts alike.
The anime’s influence on the sport is undeniable, and it continues to inspire new generations of volleyball players.
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