The last set of the semifinals is a super close game. Both teams, Karasuno and Aobajosai (Seijo), can’t get a significant lead. All hands on deck, as everybody gotta go all-out to win.

Synopsis: Episode 23 (spoiler alert)

Hello! It is YUKI. Now we are finally at the third set of the semifinals. Let’s go over the 23rd episode of Haikyuu!!

As usual, the show opens with a prologue. Ohh, I feel my heart throbbing and a butterfly in my stomach. This is it! The final set.

Team Karasuno allows Seijo to take lead in the beginning of the game. Additionally, Seijo’s captain Oikawa serves and adds consecutive points. But, Karasuno catches up soon, leading the game to a tight see-saw game.

Meanwhile, Tsukishima notices that Tanaka of his own team and Kyoutani of Seijo’s team are picking a fight with each other. Tsukishima acts smart here and uses this opportunity in Karasuno’s favor. Additionally, he is able to drive Kyoutani to repeat mistakes. Now, Karasuno team finally gets ahead of Seijo’s team.

Kyoutani is sent back to bench. One of his team mates, Yahaba, talks some sense into him. It works the magic. Seijo is a powerhouse afterall, its great team work and player support really shines here.

We see Kyoutani’s flashback. He has an exceptional passion to volleyball, but, he’s not gifted with communication and socialization skills, so that’s his limitation…

Back to the present game, both teams keep adding scores without making significant leap. At one point, long rallys follow around 15-15. Seijo’s captain Oikawa rounds up his players to maximize their output. Seijo takes the lead again.

Hinata has been struggling for a while to connect his attack to more points for the team, but finally, he whips out of it, and attempts the quick, but, he realizes that he jumped a little too forward than he would usually does. Luckily, Kageyama sees this and quickly follows up by tossing the ball fairly close to the net. Hinata is able to hit the ball directly down to gain a point.

Last Comment

This episode puts extra highlight on Kyoutani’s personality and his past. I can’t help but wonder. Why didn’t he quit playing? Probably we won’t hear the answer from his mouth. What his flashback scene reveals is that he can’t forget the sensation when his spike scores. You know, just like Hinata.

Being able to find something that you feel passionate about, and being able to stick with it, I think these are the keys to great life. In case of Kyoutani, he found both, and even if he is lacking communication skills, he still got passion to work harder than anybody else, which earned him an exceptional volleyball performance.

Kyoutani is gifted with great people who support him with advice, and eventually, his luck ties him with the great team, Seijo.

Sports anime often feature personal dilemma at a higher level. Haikyuu!! is definitely one excellent example, and, not only that, the show mashes personal development and other stuff in a good balance, making it an enjoyable experience even for those who have no knowledge of volleyball’

The battle against Seijo is finally going to come to an end in the next episode… don’t miss it!

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