The BEST episodes of Haikyu!! season 1
Every episode of Haikyu!! season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Haikyu!! season 1!
A chance event triggered Shouyou Hinata's love for volleyball. His club had no members, but somehow persevered and finally made it into its very first and final regular match of middle school, where it was steamrolled by Tobio Kageyama, a superstar player known as "King of the Court." Vowing revenge, Hinata applied to the Karasuno High School volleyball club... only to come face-to-face with his hated rival, Kageyama! A tale of hot-blooded youth and volleyball from the pen of Haruichi Furudate!!
#1 - The Iron Wall
Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 7/27/2014
Dateko and Karasuno battle it out in the second round. Dateko's giant reveals he is targeting Hinata, forcing Kageyama to reveal the super quick attack. The super quick attack seems to give Karasuno a slight advantage, allowing them to take an 18-16 lead. When the giant targets Hinata on a super quick attack, Karasuno is able to reveal their last ace. Karasuno perfects their version of Nekoma's "The Pipe" by getting a delayed set to Azumane, who is set up behind Hinata. Karasuno has now played all their trump cards, or so everyone else thinks. Does Karasuno still have one trick left from the bench?
#2 - The Point That Changes the Momentum
Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 9/7/2014
Aoba Johsai begins to pull away in set 3, forcing Coach Ukai to make some drastic decisions. Yamaguchi is subbed in as an ace server, but the pressure proves to be too much to overcome. A service error occurs, but the error allows Karasuno to calm down and climb back within two.
#3 - Removing the "Solitary King"
Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/14/2014
Kageyama begins to match Toru point for point. The teams become dead even at 25 a piece. Long sets begin to drain both teams, and Toru acknowledges that Kageyama has realized what teamwork is all about and is no longer the solitary king. The game winning points are shown.
#4 - Guarding Your Back
Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 8/3/2014
Karasuno manages to get on a roll in set 1 and steals the game 25-21. For set two they perform a double rotation to get Hinata away from the Giant #7. While this free's up Hinata for more quick attacks, it also means the matches result will rely heavily on Azumane's ability to blast through the Iron Wall as he faces #7. When Hinata becomes the vanguard up front, Karasuno is able to slowly increase their lead. However Hinata rotates to the back with the score 24-22. Should they go to a third game, Karasuno knows they will be at a disadvantage. It all relies on Azumane's skills to get past the wall. As the match ends and Karasuno is leaving the gym, they look over to see Aoba Johsai is up 24-13 in their 1st round match first set.
#5 - Rival
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/29/2014
Nekoma and Karasuno play the second set to an epic 25-23 showdown, but in the end Karasuno falls just short. However the two schools reform a rivalry that is better than time could imagine. The two come to realize they each have similar personalities on their teams, and they each have first years with goals and ambitions. Best of all they realize they are starting to unite as a team. Despite being thoroughly crushed, Karasuno vows to get revenge on the national stage. In the end Ukai agrees to become the Karasuno regular full-time coach.
#6 - The View From the Summit
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/27/2014
The practice match that will determine the future of Kageyama and Hinata begins as Kageyama, Hinata, and Ryuunosuke battle Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and captain Sawamura in a 3-on-3 first years match. Kageyama begins to fall into his old setting habits, making it hard for Hinata and Ryuunosuke to spike the ball. When he does get in tune, Tsukishima is predicting his moves and is managing to block all their points. It looks like it will be an easy win in set 1 for the captain's team, but then Kageyama and Hinata start to succeed with their quick attack, which could completely change the outcome of the match.
#7 - Revival
Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/13/2014
Karasuno arrives for their first matches on both the men's and women's sides of the tourney. On the men's side people talk about how Karasuno did well in the past bu they were now crashed ravens. On the women's side they contemplate how they should have practiced more. Aoba Johsai watches from the stands and wonders how the addition of a coach and two new players will change Karasuno's attack. As the match begins Kageyama sets to Ryuunosuke for the quick spike and kill. The second point goes to the ace, Azumane. Finally the quick attack of Kageyama and Hinata is unveiled on the third point. It is only set 1. Karasuno now leads 3-0, but others have just realized that Karasuno is back and possibly better than ever.
#8 - Evolution
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 8/31/2014
After being subbed back in Kageyama begins to try to communicate with each of his teammates. He begins to learn where the best setting point is for each of them, and Tsukishima comes up with a new attack that proves Karasuno can be a threat from all fronts.
#9 - A Toss to the Ace
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/1/2014
Keishin Ukai agrees to become the next coach of Karasuno after he learns of the upcoming practice match, but only until the practice match is finished. To learn the strengths of each of the current players, he arranges an exhibition for them against his stores volleyball association, a group that happen to be alums of Karasuno. Yu and Sugawara Koushi are placed on the association team to allow an even match, as only four of the players had been able to make it. Filling in the last spot is Asahi Azumane, whom Hinata spots out the window. Now Asahi must prove he deserves the title ace and get past the triple block of Kageyama, Ryuunosuke, and Tsukishima to regain his confidence.
#10 - Conductors
Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/10/2014
Karasuno observes Aoba Johsai's second match and decide to focus on attacking Noya, especially after a local tv interview focuses solely on Noya's skills. The match takes place the next day, and Karasuno seems to be more motivated than ever. Noya does a quick setter dump to give Aoba Johsai a 1-0 lead, and he follows it up with a fake dump serve giving them a 2-0 lead. However Kageyama reveals he has tricks of his own that haven't been revealed and pulls a server dump off right back cutting the lead down to 2-1.
#11 - An Interesting Team
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/11/2014
Karasuno goes with the team of Daichi Sawamura, Tanaka Ryuunosuke, Tobio Kageyama, Shouyou Hinata, Kei Tsukishima, and Tadashi Yamaguchi for their practice match against Aoba Johsai High. Before the match even begins Kageyama runs into his old teammate, Kindaichi, who continually calls him king of the court and promises they will defeat. Once the match gets underway though, the quick attack of Kageyama and Hinata proves to be an effective weapon. However Kageyama reveals he doesn't think Aoba Johsai is using their true setter.
#12 - Yearning
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/8/2014
The practice match between Karasuno and the Neighborhood Association continues with Karasuno down 1-0. Ukai manages to see firsthand how Hinata can be the ultimate decoy and learns how quickly Kageyama and Hinata have grown together as a duo. He also witnesses firsthand how Hinata's speed is difficult to keep up with. However an off-speed serve allows the Neighborhood Association to get four straight aces and take a 24-18 lead. On the final point Ryuunosuke finally gets the chance to spike, but Yu manages to save the spike, and Azumane ends the game with a killer spike. Now Ukai must decide whom the regular starters will be. One thing is for certain, the duo of Kageyama and Hinata seem to have their fates tied together. Will they be in the starting lineup, or will they come off the bench. Ukai also decides practice for the first and second years will focus mainly on receiving serves to address the teams biggest weakness.
#13 - Winners and Losers
Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/20/2014
Karasuno's boys team wins set one 25-12, but the Captain's old friend delivers one phrase that makes Karasuno stay serious for set 2. Kageyama gets five quick service aces, and Karasuno's boys team wins set two 25-14. The girls team isn't so lucky as they fall in two sets and wonder what they could've done to be able to keep playing. After some promises are made to those who have lost, Karasuno's freshmen learn how just three months before Karasuno was shutdown by Dateko, their second round opponent. Ukai goes with the same lineup from game 1 and Yu deleivers a speech that boosts the morale of the upperclassmen. It's now time for match 2. Can Karasuno find a way to defeat the Iron Wall of Dateko?
#14 - Senpai's True Abilities
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/24/2014
Sugawara subs in for Kageyama, sealing the first set for Aoba Johsai. Kageyama is shocked as he watches the real ability of Sugawara in setting. Sugawara gives his best to set. Aoba Johsai is shocked when Hinata didn't speak or call for the sets that Aoba Johsai knows. Karasuno takes the lead in set 2, but Oikawa's predictions start coming true and allow Aoba Johsai back into the match.
#15 - The Neko-Karasu Reunion
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/22/2014
Nekoma and Karasuno begin their match with Kageyama and Hinata connecting on a quick attack that gives Karasuno the 1-0 lead. Nekoma realizes they're up against a genius setter, so they decide to start marking Hinata. Hinata's blocker gets used to his speed and feints and begins to start blocking his shots, allowing Nekoma to win the first set 25-22. However Kageyama uses the opportunity to teach Hinata how to do a straight attack and how to use his eyes to find the holes in the opponents defense. Hinata ends up managing to change his spike path in mid-air during set 2. It ends up going long, but Hinata realizes he has a new dangerous weapon to go along with his quick attack if he can master it.
#16 - Oikawa Toru Is Not a Genius
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/17/2014
Oikawa and Kageyama continue to match up head-to-head a s they try to prove whose the superior setter. Their junior high days competing against each other are shown, and when Aoba Johsai begins to predict Kageyama's moves a shocking move is made as Sugawara is subbed in for Karasuno. Will this be a blow for Kageyama's ego that he can't overcome?
#17 - The Third Day
Season 1 - Episode 25 - Aired 9/21/2014
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to Aoba Johsai, the third years must decide if they will retire or participate in the spring tournament. Kageyama and Hinata vent their frustration on the court after their practice has been cancelled. The winner of the fall tournament is revealed, and Karasuno begins their first real practice to get ready for the spring tournament.
#18 - Versus the Great King
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/18/2014
The Hinata-Kageyama combo is back in form again, they won the next set, Karasuno has cornered Seijoh, and they're one step closer to victory. But at that time, Seijoh's captain Oikawa who was out on hiatus visits the court. How does Karasuno respond to super-offensive setter Oikawa's powerful serves?
#19 - The Formidable Ally
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/20/2014
Sawamura accepts the proposal match of Hinata and Kageyama, but he alters it. Instead of being a match against the 3rd years, it will be a 3-on-3 frst years match. Sawamura reveals he will play on the team that Hinata and Kageyama aren't on and designates Tanaka Ryuunosuke as their teammate for the match. Kageyama and Hinata meet fellow first years Kei Tsukishima and Tadashi Yamaguchi. Tsukishima reveals he is a blocker that no one has been successful against, and he reveals why Kageyama was known as the "King of the Court" in junior High. Hinata refuses to accept his explanation though, and at secret practices in the morning Kageyama, Hinata, and Ryuunosuke begin to improve Hinata's serve receive and fine tune his spike attack.
#20 - He Who Is Called "Ace"
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/25/2014
Yu Nishinoya returns and helps the team start getting better with receiving the ball. However Yu refuses to play in any game until theri ace, Asahi Azumane retuns. Meanwhile advisor Ittetsu Takeda continues to pursue Keishin Ukai as the next coach of Karasuno High. Keishin tells him he isn't like his grandfather and has no interest in coaching a bunch of brats, but Ittetsu comes up with a plan he believes will pull Keishin into the world of coaching.
#21 - The End & the Beginning
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/6/2014
Young ace spiker Shoyou Hinata participates in his first ever volleyball match in junior high, but his first match is against Tobio Kageyama, a man known as the king of the court. Kageyama is recognized nationally as one of the best setters, but he pushes his teammates harder than any of them think should take place. He calls Hinata useless and tries to prove up with continual blocks against him. However Hinata manages to score some points with his speed and route alterations. In the end Kageyama easily advances 3-0 and Hinata vows revenge.
#22 - Formidable Opponents
Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/6/2014
The bracket for the Inter-High is announced. Karasuno has its final practices and works on back-end spikes and signals. The lost Karasuno flag that says Fly is revealed. Hinata and Kageyama reveal they've had a race every morning to the gym since they've been teammates. Kageyama currently leads 32-30, but Hinata vows to defeat him in every way possible until they can faceoff in a match against each other again. Yamaguchi secretly works on mastering the jump float serve so he won't be the only first year without an ability to contribute to the team. Ukai begins farming in the morning as another source of income for the family store.
#23 - A Coward's Anxiety
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/4/2014
Kageyama and Hinata begin to get in sync. As Kageyama's sets start hitting Hinata's hands every time, Tsukishima is forced to change his tactics at blocking. This frees Ryuunosuke up on the other side, and the team of Kageyama, Hinata, and Ryuunosuke is able to rally and win the 3-on-3 first year match. With the win Kageyama and Hinata are acepted as official team members. Just then advisor Ittetsu Takeda arrives and says he has been able to arrange apractice match with Aoba Johsai. However there is one condition. Tobio Kageyama must act as the setter for the entire match.
#24 - Decision
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/15/2014
Karasuno heads off to training camp. During a jog on one of the days Hinata gets lost and runs into a volleyball player in a red jersey named Kenma. Before Kenma reveals which team he plays for one of his teammates shows up and leads him off to a practice match. After hesitating to decide a starting lineup, Ukai goes with Sawamura, Yu, Azumane, Ryuunosuke, Tsukishima, Kageyama, and Hinata. Ukai reveals in the past Nekoma hasn't had outstanding players, but they have been a team that thrives on receives and kills. Karasuno's players receive their jerseys, and Hinata has the number 10, the same number as his idol the "Little Giant." He learns the Little Giant was on the only Karasuno team that has made nationals and thinks it is fate. Finally it's practice gameday. Nekoma and Karasuno line up outside and meet each other face-to-face.
#25 - Karasuno High School Volleyball Club
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/13/2014
Hinata arrives at Karasuno High School determined to join the volleyball club and defeat Kageyama. He is shocked when he walks into the gym and finds Kageyama is a potential member of the Karasuno team. The two personalities clash, and when captain Daichi Sawamura arrives he throws the two out and tells them they can't join the club until they start to get along. A few days pass and the two get envious. Instead of agreeing to work as a team though, they challenge the 3rd years to a match on the condition if they win, they join the team. If they lose, they are out for their entire high school careers.