The third season of Haikyu!! anime television series, titled Haikyū!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy (ハイキュー!! 烏野高校 VS 白鳥沢学園高校, Haikyū!! Karasuno Kōkō VS Shiratorizawa Gakuen Kōkō),[1] is produced by Production I.G. and directed by Susumu Mitsunaka, with Taku Kishimoto handling series composition, Takahiro Kishida providing character designs, and Yuki Hayashi and Asami Tachibana composed the music.[2] It adapted the second half of "Spring High Preliminary" story arc (chapters 150–207), with the exception of chapters 191–206 from the original manga series of the same name written by Haruichi Furudate. The season aired from October 8 to December 10, 2016.[3][4][5] Sentai Filmworks has also licensed the third season.[6]

Haikyu!!
Season 3
Cover of the third season DVD released by Sentai Filmworks.
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkMBS
Original releaseOctober 8 (2016-10-08) –
December 10, 2016 (2016-12-10)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

The opening theme song is "Hikariare" by Burnout Syndromes, while the ending theme song is "Mashi Mashi" by Nico Touches the Walls.[7]

Episodes edit

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
511"Greetings"
Transliteration: "Goaisatsu" (Japanese: ごあいさつ)
Hirotaka MoriSusumu MitsunakaOctober 8, 2016 (2016-10-08)
It's the start of the game against Shiratorizawa, to cheer the team on. The starting players of both teams are introduced to the audience and the first match begins with Ushijima scoring a kill off Nishinoya. But the libero is not discouraged, instead is ready to play with his teammates against the left-handed ace.
522"The Threat of "Left""
Transliteration: ""Hidari" no kyōi" (Japanese: “左”の脅威)
Haruo OkunoTaku KishimotoOctober 15, 2016 (2016-10-15)

The game of Karasuno vs. Shiratorizawa continues, and Shiratorizawa wins the first set easily with a great 25-16. However, the Karasuno team is not discouraged and vows to win the next set. Meanwhile, Akiteru explains to the others the difference between a left-handed spike and a right-handed spike. Hinata calls for the ball and Kageyama sends him the new quick attack, but is suddenly blocked by Tendō Satori then informs that they have to beat him first if they want to beat Ushijima.


Note: This episode is dedicated in memory of Kazunari Tanaka, who passed away on October 10, 2016.[8]
533"The Guessing Monster"
(Japanese: GUESS・MONSTER)
Shintarō ItogaTaku KishimotoOctober 22, 2016 (2016-10-22)
The score is tied at 3 when Saeko overhears someone behind her call Tendō the 'Guess Monster'. Saeko and Yachi are confused by his nickname, wondering if Tendō may be a cheater. After Ukai advises to cut Shiratorizawa off at the next serve, Tanaka and Hinata notice Kageyama looking very upset. Though he denies he is, Kageyama admits to himself that he cannot stand it when a spike from his set is blocked. Takeda questions Tendō's method of blocking and Ukai explains that Tendō uses a type of blocking called Guess Blocking. He relies on reading and intuition to guess where the next attack will be coming from and position himself in time to block. Ukai informs the players that there will be times that Tendō's guesses are wrong but from what they have seen so far that is a rare occurrence.
544"The Halo Around the Moon"
Transliteration: "Tsuki no wa" (Japanese: 月の輪)
Masako SatōTaku KishimotoOctober 29, 2016 (2016-10-29)
After a barrage of powerful spikes from Ushijima, Karasuno finds a way to slow him down by preventing his cross-court spike. With Tsukishima setting the timing for the three-man block and Nishinoya getting comfortable with Ushijima's spikes, Karasuno comes through with a total defense against the nationally ranked super-ace. Karasuno and Shiratorizawa are having trouble trying to gain two-point leads against the other in the second set. After many tireless rallies Shiratorizawa's setter Kenjirō Shirabu becomes impatient with his toss resulting in a low set-up and a hastened approach from Ushijima. Waiting for this calculated opportunity Tsukishima creates a temporary opening to bait Ushijima only to sweep his block last-second, closing the opening and stuffing the spike. Tsukishima roars with emotion and triumph, the audience and his team join in the celebration for taking the second set. Tsukishima advises the team that the time to celebrate what he has done is over, saying it was just one point, and the game is just getting started. The team agrees as they prepare themselves for the third set.
555"One vs. Many"
Transliteration: "Ko vs. kazu" (Japanese: 個VS数)
Tetsuaki WatanabeTaku KishimotoNovember 5, 2016 (2016-11-05)
The third set begins with Daichi serving. Shirabu is quick to set Reon's receive to Ushijima and score. When the same repeats with Tendō's spike, Kageyama realizes that Shirabu is not letting the loss of the second set get to him and he seems to be more focused than he was before. Shirabu's past life in junior high and the reason for his entering Shiratorizawa are revealed. The third set ends quickly with a win for Shiratorizawa as they regain their momentum. Between sets, Ushijima criticizes Hinata for being unable to make up for his height with good blocking and receiving. Ushijima points out that Hinata cannot fight with height and calls his playing style clumsy, shocking Hinata greatly. As the fourth set begins, both teams maintain an even score as each of their techniques and skills gain points. Hinata manages to block a spike by using a running start to jump higher and begins to shift the momentum of the fourth set in Karasuno's favor. At Hinata's next attempt at a running approach, he goes too far and crashes into the net. Karasuno is leading by one point when Saitō comments how Karasuno likes to attempt risky plays. As the teams catch their breath while staring each other down, Ukai goes over how if one's strength were determined by an individual's physical abilities, height and power, the game would not be as interesting.
566"The Chemical Change of Encounters"
Transliteration: "Deai no kagaku henka" (Japanese: 出会いの化学変化)
Shintarō ItogaSusumu MitsunakaNovember 12, 2016 (2016-11-12)
Three years ago, Daichi, Sugawara and Azumane joined Karasuno's volleyball team. After failing to win at the Inter-High Championship, their captain urges them that if they have the chance to win nationals, they need to take it. The fourth set continues between Karasuno and Shiratorizawa, and Karasuno pulls ahead then Ushijima manages to find the hole against the defense. Although Karasuno are utilizing new tactics, they also face the fatigue including the sets of Kageyama that comes with a longer game. In bringing Karasuno to set point, Tsukishima goes to spike on the right side. Although his timing was off, he is still able to hit the ball over the net and score. Karasuno team has never been in a five-set match before and the team they are up against has been to nationals numerous times. The score is at deuce when Ushijima do a feint shot surprisingly. Tendō goes onto the court and teases Kageyama for having to face the despair of a deuce as exhausted as he is. Kageyama instead says that the only time he will feel despair is when he is no longer able to play volleyball. In the final play of the fourth set with Karasuno leads 28-27, Kageyama sends the ball to Hinata but becomes fearful when he sees that he sent it short. However, Hinata manages to nudge the ball with his left hand which makes the opponent hard to receive and the ball lands to give Karasuno a fourth set and force to a deciding fifth set, much to Hinata's happiness.
577"Obsession"
Transliteration: "Kodawari" (Japanese: こだわり)
Yūsuke KanedaTaku KishimotoNovember 19, 2016 (2016-11-19)
The fifth and final set is going to be quick, ending at fifteen points, so Karasuno switches setters from Kageyama to Sugawara to let him rest. Kiyoko tries to calm him down when he is pressured to finally entering the match. Episodes of Satori and Ushijima's lives when they were young are shown. The fifth set begins with Goshiki serving. Tanaka able to receives the ball, and Sugawara sets to Asahi, scoring the first point of the set for Karasuno. However, Satori is predicting Sugawara's every move, and scores a point successfully. Sugawara follows up with a mix of synchronized attacks, in which he spikes and scores. The match continues as such, but Tsukishima is injured while trying to block Ushijima's spike, and is sent to the infirmary, causing Karasuno to fall behind badly. The team becomes more determined with Daichi knows how much pain Tsukishima will take in. As Karasuno do another synchronized attack, it shows the flashback where young Tendō was bullied by the other volleyball team. Sugawara was about to spike, but gets blocked by Satori then shows the flashback scene when he block one of the boys that bullying him. As he saw the boy's expression which carries to the current match, Tendō couldn't be satisfied with one-touch and starts smirking.
588"An Annoying Guy"
Transliteration: "Iya na otoko" (Japanese: 嫌な男)
Hitomi EzoeSusumu MitsunakaNovember 26, 2016 (2016-11-26)
To secure a win, Hinata is switched back into the game, and because of his short height, accidentally uses his cheek to receive the ball, allowing Sugawara to set and him to spike and score a point. This annoys Ushijima greatly, and he resolves to crush Karasuno, especially Hinata. Kageyama is switched back from Sugawara after the successful synchronized attacks, and the power duo pull off a straight-down hit immediately. Hinata also manages to block Ushijima's spike and score again, but Hinata is switched out, replaced by Yamaguchi, and Shiratorizawa's future ace Goshiki touched the net, so Karasuno gets the point. Narita also works with Kageyama to score, and pulls off a successful attempt, making it a tie between the two schools. Goshiki panics, and lets Karasuno take the lead in the meantime, and Hinata is switched back in. However, despite all Karasuno's efforts, Shiratorizawa is at match point. When Daichi turns it into a deuce at 14-14 however, tensions begin to rise. As Shiratorizawa scores again, Karasuno begins to deflate. Karasuno's morale is low, but Keishin shouts to the players that volleyball is a sport where they're always have to look in the air and the team morale rises. Karasuno finds Yachi returning with Tsukishima back from the infirmary, and ready to play with them again.
599"The Volleyball Freaks"
Transliteration: "Barē baka-tachi" (Japanese: バレー馬鹿たち)
Shintarō ItogaTaku KishimotoDecember 3, 2016 (2016-12-03)
Tsukishima is finally back in the game after he injured his right pinky, but that did not stop him. Daichi speaks to the team of how their size and attacks are smaller and weaker in comparison to Shiratorizawa but it is the reason there are six on the court. He is sure that their victory will not be the result of a miracle. With both teams having run out of time outs, the next time they step out of the court, one of them is going to be a team of victors while the other will have to taste bitter defeat. With words of encouragement from his team and the Karasuno supporters, Asahi delivers a powerful serve and is thought to have landed a service ace until it is ultimately called to have landed out. Asahi apologizes to the team for his missed serve, realizing that his footing was slightly off and was the reason the serve landed out. Now Ushijima is up to serve. Like Asahi had, Ushijima does a powerful serve that just misses landing in. Washijo is upset at this, saying a punishment of one hundred serves will be done after the game. It is 20-19 and a match point in favor of Karasuno, Hinata starts the rally with his serve. Yamagata receives and Hinata gets into position only for Kageyama to suddenly switch places with him. Hinata approaches to spike with a minus tempo back attack from the encouragement by Tsukishima.
6010"A Battle of Concepts"
Transliteration: "Konseputo no tatakai" (Japanese: コンセプトの戦い)
Tetsuaki WatanabeTaku KishimotoDecember 10, 2016 (2016-12-10)
As the fifth set on the line, Hinata spikes and the ball hits the blocker's arm of Kawanishi and looks to be landing on Shiratorizawa's side until Ushijima is able to save it. He calls for Shirabu to give him the last hit. Tsukishima and Asahi go to block and Ushijima spikes, hitting Hinata with such force that he's knocked over. Tanaka sends the last hit to Kageyama before telling Hinata that he is alright. The rally continues, and Tsukishima and Hinata are the two most surprised by this and they instantly begin to feel the pressure of facing Ushijima but the rest of the team comes to their aid. Daichi is able to dive and save the receive followed by Asahi attempting to spike the last hit but getting blocked. With the ball heading toward the back, Tanaka saves it and sends it to Kageyama. In mid-air, Hinata sees everything slowed down and he spikes past the blockers. Yamagata is able to save the ball, but it falls to the ground. Karasuno wins the game as they go home with tears of happiness and mixed emotions burst through, and they resolve themselves to win the coming Spring Interhigh tournament. Hinata confidently states that Nekoma will make it and they will play a match like never before at the spring tournament. Takeda announced that Kageyama has been invited to the All Japan Youth Training Camp, with the rest of the team staring at him in shock.

References edit

  1. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (March 19, 2016). ""Haikyu!!" TV Anime 3rd Season Set for Autumn 2016". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  2. ^ Ressler, Karen (June 13, 2016). "3rd Haikyu!! Anime Season Announces Returning Staff, October Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ^ Green, Scott (June 13, 2016). ""Haikyu!" Season 3 Plans Updated". Crunchyroll. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  4. ^ Loo, Egan (August 25, 2016). "Haikyu!! Season 3 Slated to Premiere on October 7". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Green, Scott (August 19, 2016). ""Haikyu!!" Anime Season 3 Previewed - Fall Anime To Run 10 Episodes". Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  6. ^ Ressler, Karen (October 7, 2016). "Sentai Filmworks Licenses Haikyu!! 3rd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  7. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 31, 2016). "Burnout Syndromes, Nico Touches the Walls to Perform Themes for 3rd Season of Haikyu!! (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  8. ^ "Voice Actor Kazunari Tanaka Passes Away at 49". Anime News Network. October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.