HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP Part 2

Season 4 Episode 24 “Monster Ball” analysis
*Minor Post Time Skip Spoilers Along with Seasons 1-4*

“Monster Ball” functions as an epithet to the maturing of the “monsters” not only physically but also in their interpretation of the game. “Monster Ball” not only works in reference to maturity but also represents the level of play that the “monsters” will rise to.

In the opening sequence, Kita is responding to Inarizaki’s backup setter’s comment saying that “But I do think monsters exist” (S4EP23 18:58). Kita responds “so do I… there are monsters who profess their love for volleyball every day”. This term “monster” is relatively new, throughout the first 3 seasons we hear Kageyama called a genius due to his talent level but never a “monster”. It’s fitting that we first hear this analysis of what a monster is from Tendo “They totally seem like monsters! Karasuno’s #9 and #10”(S4EP3 17:54). Tendo has been established as a character that makes judgments based on his own intuition. His recognition of Hinata and Kagayama as monsters not only for their overwhelming ability but also their drive and love for volleyball. This is reinforced when Tendo then thinks to himself “you’re basically a monster yourself, Wakatoshi-Kun”.
This final sequence of the third set is framed through Kita’s name for the game and the subsequent title of the episode “Monster Ball” not only a game of geniuses with overwhelming talent but a game where they “profess their love for volleyball” through their play.

With this understanding of the lens that we view the game under, we can now delve into the episode itself.
The first notable part of the analysis is Kagayama not reaching the overpass and Hinata landing a miracle shot to take the point. Kagayama then tells Hinata to “complain” (S4EP24 2:43) then cuts to a scene of Hinata complaining which is then followed by Hinata responding “Complain? Why?”. What's important about the image intersected of them arguing is that Hinata is not complaining about a bad set in this image but rather that Kagayam would not try the new set. Hinata will never complain about a bad set, but will if he feels as if Kageyama is holding back. In a way saying. “Your level of play will never be an issue, the only time I will complain is if you get scared”. The most notable scene this moment references is after the season one loss when Hinata does not allow Kageyama to apologize for setting him. Hinata’s expectations for Kageyama beyond his limits continue the narrative that even though they are teammates they are also each other’s greatest rivals. Hinata's understanding of his setter and his effort inspires Atsumu as a setter as well with Atsumu muttering “I’m moved, Shoyo-Kun” foreshadowing their time playing together in the V-league.

The ending of this game is reminiscent of the end of the Shiratorizawa game, as in Dachi’s speech he says “If we win it’s not because a miracle happened” (S3EP9 12:00) which is echoed by Ukai when they are facing match point against Atsumu’s serve. This a subtle reminder that while they are a freakishly athletic team, they have to settle down and continue to play how they always do and not rely on their miracle but their own skill. This is followed by an overpass by Daichi, and again Hinata jumps with full faith that Kageyama will set him, and in contrast to the last time this happened (referenced in the last paragraph) Kageyama is motivated by the belief that Hinata has in him, and instead of only barely reaching it with one hand, he reaches it with two hands and takes the point. This point is followed by Atsumu thinking “You’ve got one scary partner there” referencing how high of a bar there is to meet when setting to Hinata.

The next sequence is in my opinion one of the most rewarding of the series. Throughout the match, Tsukishima can’t beat Suna head-on. Tsukishima throughout the series has seen Hinata as an animalistic freak athlete with dreams far bigger than reality a direct foil to himself, but in this scene, Tsukishima acknowledges Hinata as a legitimate player on the level of anyone else on the team. Even though through this same block scheme both Dachi and Kagayama have missed the receive. Knowing this Tsukishima still chooses to put his trust in Hinata, now acknowledging not only his athleticism but also his skill. This acknowledgment extends past Tsukishima, as the players from the neighborhood association team say “Shoyo-san” rather than “Shoyo-Kun” subtly showing that they now view Hintat as more mature than he was before. This is then followed by Hinata saying “He’s just so damn good at blocking”(S4EP24 9:01), this is very reminiscent of Lev’s realization but as a blocker. Lev and Hinata are both inexperienced but have lots of talent, they both have similar realizations. Lev comes to understand the importance of creating a block that won’t kill but give your receiver the best chance ( Haikyuu!!: Riku vs. Kuu EP2 17:44). Just as Lev came to understand this Hinata came to understand the opposite, Tsukishima created the lanes and he learned to receive around them. This parallel in growth shows how they are both real players with a deep understanding of the game and how they will continue to parallel each other as growing players in their emanate match.

The following sequence is well explained by Date Tech. With the reestablishment of Azumane as the ace with Tankas heavy presence throughout the match. To avoid regurgitation go to 11:00 in the episode.

The following scene delves into Osamu as a character, functionally he is what Hinata is to Kagayama. He has the best connection with his setter and furthermore is his setter’s rival that pushes him harder than anyone else, along with the fact that Hinata often doted on as the player with the most potential in the series, but Osamu actually has the highest base stats in the show, with Atsumu’s passion Osamu would have been the best player in the series. Both players are the extremely talented duo to their passionate setter counterparts. This why Osamu took offense to Atsumu being moved by Hinata (he believes he is the same). This match was filled with great players but this match revolved around the monster duos. In this sequence, Osamu wants to prove to Atsumu that he is the same as Hinata hence the aura only seen on Ushijima indirectly demanding a set. An excited Atsumu would set him just to see what would happen but as the level of the game elevates so does Atsumu’s decision making, resulting in Inarizaki taking the point.

The moment following the point was a small detail but very telling of Atsumu’s outlook of the game with him boasting that Karasuno “just keep picking up my attacks” which is followed by a Suna “I’m the one that actually attacked, though” which is followed by a laugh from Atsumu. This moment is a reminder from the Olympic arc where his ego and arrogance are on full display, as he genuinely feels like he is in full control of the game and spikers are only his tools(His coach even says he is “sure Atsumu wants to use new toys” only further proving that Atsumu sees his teammates as tools). (or maybe he's laughing because he's having fun playing volleyball lol this one is a reach, but I think that Atsumu’s upbeat attitude overshadows his intensity so this was a reminder of how arrogant of a player he is).

The next point is relatively straight forward Aran is underrated as an ace the point if you think about it is amazing.

The next point is Kagayamas dump, very reminiscent of his dump against Oikawa, and also a battle of the ego that both setters have as a result of their deep passion.

This sequence encompasses the purpose of season four, in the first season Karasuno was fast, thus they lost Aoba Josai. In season two they were still very reliant on being fast but some adaptation came with Hinata opening his eyes. In season 3 we saw the last adaptation to being fast, being slow, mixing timing made their fast attack more powerful than ever but in essence, the team still was built on the basis of speed. The reason they beat more technical, more powerful and taller teams was their speed. So when the game is on the line, Karasuno reverts back to what has always won them games… speed. As the play continues Karasuno begins to revert back to their season one self. When in reality the last 3 seasons have been growing around speed the most important being Hinata, Hinata grew from a blind quick to a dynamic player just as Karasuno has. As the screen darkens illustrating Karasunos vision for the game narrowing. It is fitting that the player that grew the most reminds them how much they have grown. The high pass saying “we are more than just speed now”. (The reference to the training camp is shown does not need further exposition)

A note on the eyes of all the characters, yes they look really bad, but here’s my attempt to explain the intent of this art style. I think that they are trying to accomplish the same effect that they did in season 2. Oikawa has the same style of eyes (obviously the art is far better) when he then the game is close and he is desperate to win (S2 EP24 20:09). So the janky animation (18:56) shows the desperation to win just as Oikawa felt at the end of the season 2 game. (This is also a reach and I think this art is a substantial knock-on the episode and it sucked to see but this was my attempt to justify it lol)

The final point, this point shows the growth of Hinata and Kageyama, as they beat what they once were. This point mirrors the final point of season one (S1EP24 13:40) the dialogue “this position, this timing” is the same, showing that in season one Hinata and Kageyama truly believed speed would win them the game just as Osamu and Atsumu thought. I would offer more analysis, but Tsukishima’s monologue encapsulates this moment perfectly “speed is a very strong weapon… but it’s not invincible… those two know that a little better than anyone else”, Hinata and Kageyama used to live by speed, but now they understand it and rather than live by it, they use it. This final point capped the underlying character arc of growth from a freak duo to a duo of two of the best volleyball players in Japan that was persistent throughout the whole show. What started as a crazy idea in a practice match lead to both of them elevating each other to the players they are now. That is why I believe this is the best episode in the show, the themes it explores and concludes from the 4 seasons of growth is masterful.