The Timeless Thrill of New Discoveries: From K-Pop to Haikyuu!!

Growing up, I knew I already had the ‘fandom’ spirit in me. When I was just a kid, I was exposed to various kinds of music through media platforms which opened the path for me to be stuck in the sensational K-pop fandom for more than a decade. After having to be on a K-pop fandom lockdown for years, here comes another sensation that hit me directly in my face.

A deep silence hangs over the court until it is pierced by the loud shrill of the umpire’s whistle, signaling to Karasuno that it’s time to serve the ball. With it being the fifth and final set of the Miyagi Prefecture Qualifier finals, this is the point that could decide whether Shiratorizawa Academy, otherwise known as the undefeated champions, or Karasuno High School, an underdog team who have clawed their way to the top, moves forward to the national volleyball championship. I find myself taking a slow, deep breath to settle my nerves. Whatever happens will be over in a matter of minutes.

Late to the Haikyuu craze, with the anime being extremely popular globally during the pandemic, I find myself accidentally digging a rabbit hole to this sports anime, after encountering the thrilling episode of the third season at my cousin’s house. Haikyuu!!, adapted from the best-selling shonen manga series written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate, follows Shōyō Hinata, a rather short volleyball player who dreams of becoming the best spiker that he can be, and his rival/friend Tobio Kageyama, as they become players for the Karasuno volleyball club.

Haikyuu!! is about teamwork, friendship and what pushing beyond your limits look like -- themes that can be applied to life as well. The whole anime follows the underdog Karasuno team on discovering their own capabilities and passion with the sports volleyball.

Together, they make the volleyball matches — and by extension, Haikyuu — worth watching. Episode by episode, you become emotionally invested in their redemption story to restore Karasuno’s reputation and make it to nationals, while falling in love with the quirks, strengths and flaws of each character. While there’s no better enjoyment than watching Karasuno’s team grow and develop, it’s even more satisfying to see it play out alongside the other high school volleyball teams. Furudate takes great care to breathe life into his entire ensemble of characters, ensuring that we get to know them just as well as our heroes.

One of the biggest reasons that Haikyuu!!manages to be so compelling is its wholesome content. Even though it's a sports anime, it focuses heavily on team-building between the players. In doing so, the anime really develops its characters, showing them being challenged but ultimately growing from the outcome. This not only makes them better players on the court, but also more interesting for viewers to watch. It doesn't seem like just another sports anime -- the show feels more meaningful than that.

Discovering new passions and interests is a timeless and unique experience, and my journey with Haikyuu!! exemplifies this beautifully. Much like my longstanding love for K-pop, Haikyuu!! opened up a new world of excitement, camaraderie, and inspiration. The anime’s focus on teamwork, friendship, and pushing beyond one’s limits resonated deeply with me. Each episode, filled with the intense emotions and growth of the characters, reminded me of the joys of finding something new to be passionate about.

This exploration into the world of Haikyuu!! has not only reignited my enthusiasm for discovering new interests but also reinforced the idea that no matter how old we get or how many passions we already have, there’s always room for more. The thrill of immersing oneself in a new fandom, learning about its intricacies, and growing alongside its characters is an experience like no other. It’s a reminder that life’s journey is enriched by these moments of discovery, and the excitement they bring is indeed timeless.