rewatched this because i realised i never got around to watching part two of the fourth season and i needed a bit of a refresher on part one. i binged the first three seasons in high school when i had to quarantine because my brother had chicken pox. i loved it with my entire being. i thought my memory of it has to be biased and clouded with nostalgia but turns out haikyuu simply happens to be just That good. kageyama remains my favourite character. hes more like a son to me now and i have a visceral reaction every time he is in a dilemma (which happens quite often in this season) because i get this maternal instinct to protect him from any harm. i do think this show rightfully ventures into the territory of being genius in the way it introduces a plethora of characters while trying to provide them with fleshed out personalities. not only that but to maintain a consistent yet interesting dynamic between multiple combination of characters is what sets it apart. it is also impressive how the show upholds an objective lens for most part instead of being melodramatic in its mission to make us root for karasuno. this back and forth in perspective might be what sets it apart from most shows out there. however, at times, it is also what makes me want to skip through some scenes. i understand that after all the matches we have watched throughout the show (in practice or in tournaments) there's only so many new thoughts we can hear from our ensemble cast but prolonging focus on the mental monologues of opposition teams, some of whom we will only deal with for a brief moment, really starts to test my attention. while on the topic of monologues, i understand that the absence of a narrator puts the burden on side characters to read out what the team is feeling or experiencing. for most part it's endearing even, to see mr. ukai and the bunch care so passionately about the team. but sometimes their level of investment in the players' emotions during the matches borders on unnatural.
i am certainly nitpicking here. but that is only because i hold this show to a different level of standard. i desperately need to rewatch season one to season three but knowing myself i am not doing that any time soon. the animation reminds me why the never-ending gap between the seasons was definitely worth the wait. currently as a university graduate this has been a pleasant trip down the memory lane and i am very excited to watch part two of the season. the media you consume over an extended period of your life reminds you why your taste is the way it is and what your likes and dislikes are. finding yourself through the shows you watch is a low stakes adventure that i recommend for everyone.