Haikyuu!! To the Top Part 2, Episode 1: Recap and Review — Otaku Orbit
Episode 1 — “Rhythm”
Haikyuu!! To the Top (Part 2) Episode 1 returns with “Rhythm.” Atsumu prepares to serve while the marching band of Inarizaki plays. He silences them with a gesture, then serves an ace. Hinata uses his new jump method but forgets to hit the ball. Annoyed, Kageyama tells him that if he ever repeats that mistake he won’t “set to him for the rest of the game.” Despite this, Kageyama is pleased that Hinata is inspired. Hinata’s new jump alters the contact point of the middle blockers, likely throwing them off. Suna is next to serve. Daichi receives it despite its difficult placement. Hinata sends it to Tanaka but Inarizaki’s blockers interfere. Atsunu sets the ball for Aran who spikes the ball and scores.
Suna serves right a the whistle catching Daichi off the guard. He receives the ball long but Kageyama can get the rebound. Hinata charges the net and quickly rushes to the end of the court. He scores on a wide attack shocking the other players. Atsumu is particularly impressed commenting that Hinata and Kageyama were “fast enough to get through the block without sacrificing any height.” Inarizaki’s marching band distracts Kageyama enough to get his serve to clip the net. This allows Atsumu to set for Omimi who spikes past Hinata and Daichi. Inarizaki can use their “rhythm” to throw off Karasuno.
The Miya twins quick attack
The score is 7–4 and Inarizaki’s band continues to distract Karasuno. Suddenly, Saeko and her taiko drum group arrive. They begin to play gaining the attention of the audience. Aran serves again, but Tanaka, Kageyama, and Hinata stop him. Hinata prepares to serve. Saeko and her taiko group help drown out some of the sounds coming from Inarizaki’s band. This seems to help Hinata. The Inarizaki team focus on Hinata, allowing Kageyama to set to Daichi, who scores. Still, Inarizaki leads by 2. Makoto and Shimada note that Atsumu is “dual wielder,” meaning he can serve “both spikes serves and jump float serves with no prior indication.” However, Karasuno has discussed the limitation of Atsumu’s serve. He has a tell. Before he serves a jump float, he moves four steps. When he steps six times, he’s going to use a spike.
This knowledge is of no use as Atsumu’s serve is still powerful and Inarizaki takes a three-point lead. Atsumu attempts another jump float serve, this time Nishinoya receives. Asahi manages to get the ball past the blockers. However, the Miya twins manage to do something startling, copy the quick attack Hinata and Kageyama use. Haikyuu!! To the Top (Part 2) Episode 1 quickly gets us back into the action. I’m always excited to see Hinata grow as he encounters better players. Inarizaki is proving to be difficult for Karasuno to defeat. I would say that they’re outmatched. With the Miya twins being able to mimic Hinata and Kageyama’s quick attack, Karasuno is going to have to come up with something new.
Originally published at https://otakuorbit.com on October 11, 2020.
