S4E3: Persepective

"We eat... human flesh.” 

This week, rainbow and em talk about season 4, episode 3 "Perspective" and discuss Hinata's new approach to the first year's training camp. For Who in Haikyuu, it's Naruto time. Believe it!

Episode Discussion Begins at 04:30

Spoiler Zone Begins at 1:10:38

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Transcript

rainbow

00:10

hello everyone and welcome to fly a queer Haikyuu podcast.

em

00:14

I'm rainbow, they she and I'm m, and today we are discussing season four, episode three perspective. I want to see life from a new perspective. What's that fred and yuri song? Perspective what's that Brandon Urie song? I don't know. That was the song that came out right when Panic at the Disco broke up.

rainbow

00:36

Oh, I listen. Panic at the Disco broke up and I said I don't care about any music that comes out from Brandon Urie.

em

00:42

After that, and you were right.

rainbow

00:44

Yeah, no, I know, I mean even like their later stuff, you know wasn't great. Anyway, moving on At the top of the episode, we want to say happy birthday to listener Sasha.

em

00:58

Happy birthday, Sasha.

rainbow

01:00

Sasha has been listening for quite a while now. We've interacted a little bit on social media. They've sent us emails. Always love to wish a happy birthday to our listeners.

em

01:11

And so timely. With the emails, we will be dedicating our who in Haikyuu this episode to their idea.

rainbow

01:18

Yes, we will. Yes, we will. We're very excited about that, and what an appropriate episode to do it on, considering some other things we're going to talk about yeah, I love the other note for chit chat.

em

01:29

Do you do you want to read it? So rainbow has been reading um batman and joker fan fiction and the ship name is bat jokes and all she wrote was bat jokes. Pretty hot, am I right?

rainbow

01:42

tell Um, yeah, listen, I'm not gonna go too deep into this. I've always been a huge Batman fan and I would say probably the Dark Knight is when I really appreciated the Batman Joker relationship that came out when I was in like middle school. I want to say, and I was at the height of my like Batman's so cool and yeah, I just you know it's toxic, it's obsessive, it's codependent, it's just delicious in so many ways. I will say canon compliant is hard, because I think in canon Batman does not have the same feelings for the Joker. It's very one-sided, but that's what AUs are for, you know.

em

02:16

Yeah, most fics take some sort of suspension of disbelief.

rainbow

02:20

Yeah, listen, I've added some of my favorites that I've read recently to my bookmarks on AO3. So you know, if you want to take a perusal through there, you can find some good shit. That's a problematic ship, rainbow. I'm going to cancel you. Try it, go ahead. Canceled. Canceled for liking the Batman and Joker, which, like I mean the Lego movie, like the whole crux, the like, the emotional thrust of that movie was that the Batman was too like, toxically masculine, to admit that he and the Joker had a special nemesis relationship and the like.

02:55

Spoilers for the Lego Batman movie, though like they saved the city by Batman admitting to Joker that he is his one and only nemesis. We need to watch that movie again. It's one of the best Batman movies that's ever been created. It was made by shippers, but yeah. So I just wanted to say that, and if anyone out there who's listening is also into bat jokes, I love it.

03:18

I mean, I will say now, in this day and age, harley Quinn is my absolute favorite comic book character and I don't think it's a surprise that she comes from the Batman universe because they just like he has the best rogues gallery and I never have shipped the bat. No, I've never shipped Joker and Harley. It always felt like they were not right together. And now Harley has Ivy. It's just perfect. Anyway, double date between Batman, joker, harley and Ivy win. It might happen in that Harley show. It should we need to watch the new season. Anyway, we've been talking way too long about bad jokes. Moving on, moving on. We just have a little bit of housekeeping and that's a reminder about our who in Haikyuu listener response form. The link is available through our socials. It'll also be linked in the show notes, so please feel free to take a perusal through that. We have, I think I put like 20 different scenarios on there, so pick your favorites. If all of them are your favorites, that's fine, and let us know what you think for these different who in Haikyuu scenarios.

em

04:14

And if you want us to read your response in full, then we'll meet $100. We'll talk about the details later.

rainbow

04:22

Just kidding, all right. Well, are we ready to get into this episode? I'm fucking excited.

em

04:29

Yeah, let's do it.

rainbow

04:30

It's time for Rainbow's recap in three two one, Hinata, has found some new perspective and learns to start taking in all the information on the court rather than just watching the ball. The other first years take notice, finding themselves unnerved, shocked or annoyed at Hinata's newfound intensity. Over in Tokyo, kakeyama is having a ton of fun with the other strong players at his training camp. What will these two learn in their time apart? Find out this week on Haikyuu.

em

04:55

They'll learn that they miss each other. Oh my god, listeners, listeners.

rainbow

05:01

I'm gonna really try hard not to blow out the mic when we get to two particular moments in this episode, but this is one of those episodes that really justifies doing a queer podcast about this show.

em

05:12

I think, yeah for sure, all right, take it away baby. So we pick up right where we left off from the last episode of Hinata, exiting the storage closet where he was just shoving his head in between mats trying to figure out what am I doing here. As he walks out, tendo and Ushi I almost said Tendo and Ushiten, ushiten are still standing outside and Tendo looks at him and comments on how creepy Hinata is. Bold words coming from you, but I see what you're saying and Ushijima's like I hate it. But does he hate it in the way that straight men hate seeing two guys kiss because it makes them feel weird More at 11. My dad.

rainbow

05:52

You didn't have to bring him up, listen, but I did, because I think my dad's queer, I think he has gay panic and I don't think he understands it. And you know, gently but slowly, maybe I'll convince him to examine the feelings he gets when he sees men kissing in TV and movies.

em

06:08

Yeah, he told Rainbow. He still like feels weird seeing that. And I feel like that if you have a physical reaction to that, investigate it. Maybe it's not disgust and horror, maybe you're just horrified at how hot you find it.

rainbow

06:22

Well, yeah, because, to be very clear, like my dad is not homophobic, he's like very accepting of his two gay children.

em

06:30

I'm sending him this episode. You really should.

rainbow

06:33

No, he like he loves us very much, you know, I mean he grew up in the 70s and like he's admitted to like not being super great until like, using the F-sweater in the past. But, like you know, he's like he's grown and learned and he understands that like that was like wrong for him to feel that way and he seems to think that these like feelings he has are just vestiges left over from that and I just, you know, I don't think that's what it is.

em

06:55

Just explore your visceral reactions. I certainly had reactions to girls kissing, but I also didn't grow up in a homophobic environment. But if I had, I probably would have been like oh, this grosses me out, instead of like I'm going to think about this later in the middle of the night.

rainbow

07:07

Well, and I grew up, you know I mean, my family was not, you know, homophobic or anything growing up, but I did grow up in the South and there was just a general like cultural vibe of like that's wrong and that's bad, and so for me there was like a certain level of like. You know, I would have like these feelings when I would see stuff like that, and for me it turned into like, oh, I'm just an ally, I just care, I just support the queer community, but like I do kind of understand, like if you have been told your whole life that it's wrong and it's evil to like have those feelings, yeah so, but you know, it's why you have to have, it's why you, it's why you're reflective, it's why you have introspection, um, and it's why you unlearn the terrible things you learned as a child but Ushijima is only what 17, so he doesn't understand that.

em

07:56

He's intrigued by Hinata, not disgusted by him I think he's also a little threatened.

rainbow

08:01

Yeah, yeah, it's, it's threat because, like naruto, close enough, honestly um Hinata like comes out of that closet with like the most like intense, determined look on his face and they didn't even see him sticking his head in the, in the mattresses, like goski did so all right.

em

08:22

So Hinata's watching the court and he's thinking to himself that he's not on the court anymore. He can't just chase the ball around. This is the step back. Hinata needs, I think, to see the bigger picture, because you know, we've said before, but he just really got thrown right in with Kageyama and he's just been trying to figure out what works for him. He hasn't had the opportunity to really like step back and see the gameplay. Like this episode is a lot of him really studying the gameplay of volleyball and not just chasing the ball around like a squirrel.

rainbow

08:49

Well, and I like it because this beginning part is really him figuring out how he needs to practice, like, how can he use like Ukai was saying in the last episode, how can he use this opportunity to learn and to grow, and that's what he's focusing on.

em

09:04

Yeah, he keeps thinking about what Ukai said about don't underestimate what it takes to be a ball boy. So, as Hinata's thinking, he screams, as he remembers that he left the jerseys in the wash such a sporadic little energizer bunny. But as he goes up to the second floor to hang them out to dry, he gets a different view of the game and observes he watches Kunimi receive a spike from Ushijima and it doesn't go up, but at least he reacted. And Hinata, he's doing a lot of self-reflecting, as we were talking about self-reflection about how, when a ball's coming towards him, he gets so stiff. And, as he observes, he watches the receiver move with the blockers and remember something that Nishinoya said guys who are really good are able to tell where the ball is going to go just from reading the spiker's form. That's something I think Kageyama can do and so forth. And from there Hinata tries to read the spiker's form, but you can tell by his face he's not quite getting it just yet.

rainbow

09:55

Yeah, and I think it's interesting that Hinata is like thinking about the spiker's form and it makes me think of I think it was in last episode when Washijo is like talking to Goshiki about his form and he's like the way that you're positioning your body gives away like how you're going to hit. And now Hinata who like I don't know like we as the audience heard that. I don't know if Hinata really heard that, but like I just think I'm really noticing with this season the way and I feel like I've noticed it the whole podcast Just noticing the way that seeds are planted and then paid off, like the plant and payoff in this show is just fucking good.

em

10:29

Gold star yes, I think that's kind of what Washijo is doing for Hinata too. He's very much. He's not spoon feeding him anything, I mean he's not even letting him use a spoon, but he is giving him these opportunities to grow from so well and it's like is washi.

rainbow

10:42

It's like partially washi joke giving those opportunities and then partially Hinata like finding those opportunities.

em

10:50

Yeah for himself. He watches Ushijima receive and he thinks it's hard to describe. It's like he doesn't make any unnecessary movements and he starts mimicking it, thinking about how his reach still wouldn't be enough. I mean that's probably the opposite of Hinata is like all over the place. And so to think about like okay, don't make any unnecessary movements, I mean, oh, he's like a baby and he's a volleyball baby and he's just sponging up all this information.

rainbow

11:16

And honestly, like I have a note here that Hinata is a fucking freak Because he picks shit up like it's nothing. He just is like. So, like his. It's so funny because, like him and kagam are both seen as like idiots, but they really are like when it comes to volleyball. There's, it's something about it where, like, and maybe it's just their passion for it that allows them to have this like ability, like Hinata especially, and part of it, I think, is because he's so athletic and he has, like the, the physicality that he needs it. But like, this episode is just really him, like he's noticing things and then he can just put them into practice so quickly.

em

11:50

Well, and I am fast forwarding a little bit here but on Abara he starts thinking about Hinata and he kind of sums it up in a way where he's like he's so empty that there's no room for like there's nothing for him to unlearn, yes, and so yeah, learn, yes, and so, yeah, he can just kind of pick up all this good stuff because he's watching really strong rookies.

rainbow

12:09

Yeah, and I do. I just want to say that because we're seeing, you know, we're seeing all these receives and it's very slowed down and we see this throughout the show. But I think this is the first episode where I really appreciated, like, the beauty of their movements and like because volleyball happens so quickly, like I do love watching volleyball, but in real time it's happening so fast and I, you know, haiku is just such a love letter to volleyball you stole the words right out of my mouth.

em

12:31

That's what I was gonna say. And like this episode in particular is one where they really just like break down the gameplay. And Hinata says it himself at some point, where he's like I've always just watched the ball, but there's so much information on the court, yeah, so he comes back down to the ground floor, noting that he usually doesn't get to watch libros from behind. I said that's it, Hinata, this is how you use this opportunity. And again he reflects all I ever watch is the ball. And then we have Semi is going up to serve and Tendo is cheering and slash taunting in the background. He's going semi, semi and semi does not like that nickname.

13:08

Hinata recognizes him as the guy with the powerful serves from the finals and when the serve goes, he notices that the Libro does this little like jump up to readjust his footing before receiving. And he has a flashback to middle school where he's helping a friend from tennis practice, in exchange for tosses, of course, and as practicing, his friend says like you have really good reflexes and sometimes you even hit it back. And Hinata's like yeah, sometimes, but I freeze up when I'm about to hit the ball. In the manga. He words it, I think better of like. It feels like his feet are rooted to the ground because he's panicking and that's so interesting.

rainbow

13:42

considering, like the roots coming out, that visual metaphor of the roots coming out and holding onto him, there's a lot of flying guys.

em

13:49

And so his friend tells him well, if you feel that way, take your feet off the ground. And he's thinking of this move and he's trying to remember more of what his friend said, but at this point he can only recall wanting to learn how to smash it in. And this is interesting. He's just frustrated with himself. He thinks like, oh god, back then I was even more crazy about standing out and doing flashy moves. I'm an idiot. This is growth. If you're not looking back at yourself every like six months and cringing, you're not growing. And I feel like that, like Hinata is realizing things that again Kageyama was pointing out, where it's like you're just being this little idiot that just wants to like spike right away, Like you've got to have the building blocks, and now he's, he's finally building them.

rainbow

14:28

And again, I think, you know, because Hinata didn't have a team in middle school, he is starting from like farther back. It's like everyone else is like a lap ahead of him. They had this training already, they had coaches, they had teammates to teach him this and you know, he has been able to kind of like bypass, yeah, a lot of that in some ways. But it's gotten to a point where now it's holding him back and he has to reset.

em

14:51

Yes, he, even in the manga he like asks the ball boys what they're thinking when they're doing ball boy stuff and they're like um, picking up the balls because they don't need it, like Hinata does, they've already gotten again, they're a lap ahead. So then he finally remembers the move of this like jump up, and it's called a split step. By picking up both feet from the ground, you reset your form and then use the impact of your feet on the ground to propel yourself into your first step. So as Ushijima goes to serve next, Hinata does this and while the ball flies past the receiver, Hinata gets it just in time, kind of with his face again, but he was in the right spot and he catches it it was very intentional.

rainbow

15:31

It wasn't like those times during the Shira Toro Zawa match where the ball, just like he just happened to be in the line of the ball and caught it with his face, he moved to be there right and he got it and it's important it doesn't just hit him in the face head on, his hands are there, his hands are ready to catch it. It was just such a powerful hit and I like the reactions we see from everyone else, like Ushijima looks pissed, anabara looks intrigued and Washijo's face is unreadable yeah, I Washijo again.

em

15:59

I'm gonna keep making these comparisons, but he's like an Ushijima and he's like a Kageyama, where he's not going to be impressed so quickly or so easily. He's keeping an eye and I think he's seeing the progress, but you know he's not gonna. He's like he's still got a long way to go. Anabara's face is really funny too. He's very much like and I ooh and I ooh, yeah, I, I.

rainbow

16:16

Anabara is so interesting, he's like the coach who's here and is like so. But you know what? Honestly, I think it makes sense because, like Jozenji is like a team full of Hinatas.

em

16:29

Yeah.

rainbow

16:29

And so I think it makes a lot of sense.

em

16:32

So Hinata then moves on to watching Tendo, noticing how fast he moves and how different he is from Tsukishima. And then he watches Ushijima, and Ushijima doesn't do this little split step move. Watches Ushijima, and Ushijima doesn't do this little split step move. But that's when Hinata realizes there's more than one good way to receive. Up until now I've only been chasing the ball, but the court is so full of information. I can just see why Haikyuu did spark interest in volleyball for people world round Like I have never. Oh yeah, I did write a note that I wanted to take a moment to say, like why this is so special to me as someone who doesn't really care about sports, like I've never seen a sport broken down so beautifully before, and like I get it. I get why volleyball is interesting, and like there is so much to consider and think about. And I think there is something to be said about like watching or having someone love something and create a story about it.

rainbow

17:25

If they can get you to love it, then they did it right, and I think furudate nailed that yeah, I think, like I hope furudate is so proud like the haiku is such a success and I'm not even just talking like a monetary success, which it is, but it is just so like the it's warmed its way into people's hearts.

em

17:41

The fact that I feel like the haiku fandom. While it has its ebbs and flows, it is still quite active, years after the manga has been released and, like you know, we got a movie but like we don't get a shit ton of content and it's still like it. It just changes people's lives. Yeah, there's, there's a really cute, uh little baby on tiktok who is watching, like anime edits and tiktok Haikyuu as well, and I think her favorite is Tendo. It's really warmed my heart.

rainbow

18:10

I can see that I get that baby.

em

18:11

So then we have Hinata, who is impressed with Shiratorizawa's washing machines. That tax bracket gap is rearing its ugly head again. This is towards the end of practice now, and one of the other ball boys asks if Hinata is cold in just his t-shirt and Hinata says, oh, I'll put a jacket on in a second, very like dismissive again. We've seen this a couple of times where people are like, aren't you cold? And Hinata's like I don't even pay attention to anything but the ball.

rainbow

18:37

Yes, and so I think this is kind of the end of the practice game right between Shiratorizawa and the first years.

em

18:43

Yes, the night is wrapping up and I believe it must be a Friday because this is the first night that the boys are sleeping overnight and Washijo, as he passes by, informs Hinata that there's no food or lodging for people who were not invited. Aka, Hinata go home. Ushiten in the background, with Ushijima like turned away, but Tendo has his sleeve and they're both looking back at Hinata and Tendo is like whispering to Ushijima, like, but we do have room. This is a small camp. They're all just going to be thrown into one room and he wouldn't take up that much room.

19:14

And Ushijima what Ushijima says, I think, absolutely sums up what Washijo is doing. He says Hinata Shouyou came here to create a chance that wasn't given. Whether or not that was successful, the fact is that he wasn't chosen to be here, and something similar is probably going to happen again. And in the manga, when he says that there's another panel of like the back of Washijo's head, furudate loves to do a meaningful back of the head shot, but and this can probably be talked about more in the spoiler zone but it does feel like like Ushiwasha, Washijo is kind of prepping Hinata for and he said it before about how, as the road lies ahead. It's going to get tougher.

19:52

I think he's trying to prepare Hinata that like nothing's really going to be given to you, not like Kageyama, where you've had all this time to like, hone abilities and you're just going to get offers. You're going to have to keep, like, making your own seat at the table, and I'm not going to make that comfortable for you because down the line, no one's going to make that comfortable for you. So Kogane asks Tsukki and Kunimi to help with extra practice, and of course they both refuse. Kindaichi is nice enough to point out he's asking the wrong people and that he'll help. Hinata runs right up to offer to pick up the balls for them and Kindaichi wonders you're not going to hit any? And I thought that that was interesting too. You would think that this would be his opportunity to get some hits in, but I think it's the principle of the thing, kind of like how he wasn't satisfied with Suga tossing to him instead of Kageyama. He has to earn it and he's not being given. It would feel like cheating, I think, to him.

rainbow

20:43

I, I love that point. I saw that in your notes earlier and I thought that was very, very smart. Um, thank you, because it's very smart of you. Um, no, but I, I really like that and I do see that we're in. Well, he's like in the groove, he's like really, he's under. He understands now how picking up balls can help him learn and he wants to continue practicing in this way. Yeah, and like that's just another sign of growth, that he's not just like oh, finally, I can like stop doing this right and I can work on these like they're like again. If Kageyama could see this, he would be, he would be grudgingly proud.

em

21:20

Well, yeah, you asked me you. You brought that up last night when you were watching it and I was like there would be a lot of his little evil smirks going on right now.

rainbow

21:27

There would be a lot, a lot of evil smirks. So yeah, the thing with Kindaichi triggered two headcanons. It's an either or situation. Either Kindaichi did something like this to Kageyama in middle school, like in their first year, Kageyama was trying to find people to practice with and people were saying no, and Kindaichi was like I'll practice with you and that's kind of how they're like, they're tentative, not really friendship. They always said they've said that they weren't really friends but they're like teammateship, how that started. Or Kindaichi thought about doing it but never did, maybe because he was like intimidated by Kagey's, why he's like going to Kogane and he's like and maybe he like recognizes that like hey, Kageyama is really strong, and it's because he was doing extra practice like this and I'm not gonna let this opportunity pass me up.

em

22:12

I think that's so real, and it has been alluded that they were like partners in volleyball, like I think he was his main spiker in middle school, so I think that's valid. Yeah, so then Hinata gets in Goshiki's face to ask if he's going to practice too, and Goshiki's like why would I do that? And Hinata, with his not even on purpose, but with his charm, is demanding to see those super straight line shots. How the heck do you even do that? All sparkly and doe-eyed and just like when he told Kageyama he was really awesome, Goshiki makes an almost identical expression being overwhelmed at this praise, he thinks to himself when was the last time I felt like this A feeling I've almost forgotten because of my cold or unreadable senpai the feeling of being praised and adored.

rainbow

22:57

I love Goshiki so much. Oh, go ahead. I was going to say he right away agrees, and Kindaichi is like, oh, he's easy yeah, well, absolutely and first of all, like this is, I feel like this is the birth of goshi hina, absolutely, um, yeah, hina just got the riz like, and he's just.

em

23:17

He's so genuine too, like he's not just trying to get goshi to play with him by complimenting him. He really is just like you're so cool, come play with us, please.

rainbow

23:26

And that might not work on everybody, but for someone who hasn't felt very appreciated lately, well, and it's a little bit like the Ushijima thing of like, where he's just being honest, he's like being honest with his feelings and they're just, like you know, Ushijima and Hinata express themselves very differently, but it is that same kind of thing where, like, I think Goshki is like he's got a little bit of a praise king, so he's like okay, let's go, let's do this, I'm ready to show off my awesome line shots. Yes, yeah, well, he's like just the line shots, and he's like cross shots too, which that was so fun. It's so funny that he's like he got that and he was like well, a little bit more now.

em

24:03

Oh, yeah, if Hinata is greedy, if nothing else. So Hinata watches this extra practice, determined to get to where the ball is going to land. He's really reading the overall gameplay now. This time he's working more on his timing, which is still all over the place, but then, with two balls already in his hand, he's able to correctly read that Goushiki is going to go for a cross shot because of the positioning and all that. But he gets hit in the face since his hands are preoccupied. But, as he's happy to know, he was right about where it was going to go.

24:32

He's starting to pick things up and then it's finally time. Hinata is just better than me, because not only does he already know that he wasn't going to have a place to sleep or food, but he still stayed for God knows how long afterwards for extra practice. He's finally leaving with a growling tummy, poor baby. He wonders what the food is like at a powerhouse school. I hope Tsukishima actually ate something. He usually leaves food left over when his senpais aren't watching, and now I like to think that this comes from a place of genuine care and worry.

rainbow

25:00

It does. The Tsukihina in this episode is very strong. It it does. The Tsukihina in this episode is very strong. It is, it really is, and so it's so funny. I have a note here that's like how far away is Shiratorizawa from Hinata South? And then I was like, oh, we get a breakdown.

em

25:17

He does Well, and I have to say so. He says to get home he takes a bus, then a one hour train ride and then it's the 30 minute bike ride over the mountain which makes sense. But I'm poking some holes here into how Kakehina were able to accidentally run that close to Shiratorizawa. But that's fine. An hour train ride.

rainbow

25:30

I have a few things to say about this, Okay, so first of all, I do want to say so. Soso and I were talking about this.

em

25:37

Friend of the pod, friend of us Soso.

rainbow

25:39

Yes, my Hina baby, they were reading the manga, they were rereading it and they forgot that in the manga, when they meet Ushijima, it's right outside of Yachi's house when they're studying. Yes, and me, because I'm such like a Kagehina head, I'm like, well, I love that. Like they got there because they were racing blah, blah, blah and then she, but she was like it doesn't make sense. It makes way more sense for them to see him outside of Yachi's house because Yachi, like, is closer to the city. Yeah, um, and, and I do, I totally see what they mean there with that and it does make more sense. And but I was thinking about it was like, well, Hinata lives pretty far from karaso. It's that 30 minute bike ride and with the hour train ride, it's like that might not be a direct. There could be a lot of stops that are slowing it down. Yeah, um, so that could be a part of it, because what is it? It's a bus, there's a bus and the manga.

em

26:27

It says it's an hour bus ride and then an hour train ride. So I feel like maybe the anime changed it without thinking too hard about, like the, the logistics of that.

rainbow

26:36

It's not a big deal, but I did notice that well, and I do want to earn again with a bus and a train. If they're making frequent stops, that's gonna make it take a long time. And also I wonder if maybe Ushijima had run really far. Maybe they kind of met in the middle between, at the between points, right. But then it is like how long were kage hina gone and why did no one go searching for them? Why were, like I? How did they not get back to the gym? And the police were there and takara is like crying and hugging them and my poor babies, where have you been? Like, why was it not like?

em

27:08

yeah, it's definitely a little hard to believe, but that's okay.

rainbow

27:11

I think I think it's okay to suspend our disbelief just a little bit for that no but that's a great point yeah, and then.

em

27:18

So then he remembers you guys wise words about eating well to build muscle, because I think he says yesterday he like gave in, there must be like stores nearby that he could stop at, because he said he just gave in and ate a hamburger, which, yeah, buddy, I had those kind of commutes back when I lived in the city of, like these long ass train rides, and you better believe that I'm going to get whatever is quick and easy, but he's got to eat real food.

rainbow

27:48

So what does he do? But call daddy, you can take it away, rainbow, my turn, okay. So Hinata calls, uh, his coach for advice and ukai answers. And I don't know exactly what he said in the sub, but in the dub it was so sweet and so caring. He's like it was very dad coded or like older brother coded, where he was like everything, good, you okay. Because like Hinata's calling him late at night and like he's like and he knows he's at this like training camp far away, and so he's immediately like, oh, no one of my boys is calling me, is he okay? And I'm just like you're so sweet. I totally understand why Takara is in love with you.

em

28:13

It is a very sweet dynamic because Hinata is like asking him like what should I eat? Sorry, if I shouldn't ask someone else, and he's like well, who else would you ask?

rainbow

28:21

it's very cute. I really the the Hinata ukai.

em

28:25

Uh, mentorship is just so sweet and can I take this moment, okay, you guys, this is just a nerdy little thing and we are doing a naruto related uh huen haikyuu later for sasha, so this is very fitting. But, as we know, Ukai got a new voice actor. I've been watching naruto and I'm in the fourth Shinobi War arc, so I know Killer Bee and I know Bakayaro Konayaro, bakayaro Konayaro, and Ukai's voice actor is Killer Bee and I picked it up because he says something, something ro, in that same exact inflection and I was like I know you and I'm the type of nerd that gets really excited when I can clock other voice actors, and I was very excited to be right about that, when I can clock other voice actors, and I was very excited to be right about that. Anyway, just fun fact for any Naruto fans out there who probably already made this connection.

rainbow

29:08

Well, and here's the thing is, because you're watching the sub, so for you to clock it in Japanese is, I think that's very impressive. To recognize voice actors in a different language. Well, their voices sound, you know? Yeah, no, I know You're just so much more auditory than I am, because that's something like I. It's harder for me with the different language, like all the voices kind of like mixed together a little bit more. Um, so I think it's fascinating that you like heard that and were able to pick that up. And listeners, let me tell you I'm on this shit now too, where, like the verbal stim du jour in the, the fly Haikyuu home has been it's just the way he says.

em

29:47

It is such an earworm it's got rhythm I don't know. Anyway, we don't have to get into it.

rainbow

29:54

Yeah, we'll save that for the naruto podcast one day. But yeah, it just just know that m is walking around doing dishes going anyway, I just had to make that point Back to back to Haikyuu.

30:07

Yes, back to Haikyuu. So, yeah, Hinata, as Em said, loudly asks Ukai what he should eat, and then immediately gets embarrassed and Ukai's very cute and he laughs and he's like who else would you ask? And then Ukai gives him a list, which Hinata dutifully notes down in his little notebook, which I thought was interesting, considering like Kageyama is always like doing his little journal, and I think this is probably just like a journal, like a notebook from school that he just like grabbed the nearest one he could find. But I like the idea of Hinata like slowly building his own, like way of keeping track. And so, and Ukai gives him a list, you know, amino acids, protein, carbs and then at the same time they say go home and eat a proper meal.

30:48

That's his son and Ukai is, so he's like surprised at first and then he's so proud?

em

30:54

Yes, very much. You can see, ukai is the father that Hinata maybe never had. We don't really know.

rainbow

31:02

Listen, we know for a fact he has a mother and we know at some point he had a father. Was it a one night stand? Who knows?

em

31:09

Probably not because he has a younger sister. He's there somewhere. He's working offshore. That's my headcanon.

rainbow

31:13

Oh yeah, he works abroad. Yeah, yeah. So and then we kind of end that phone call and we look, ukai looks up at the sky and in the dub there's like a little all right and I couldn't tell if it was uki or Hinata. It must be Hinata, but I could see it like. I like the idea of it being uki, where he's like, like, and anyone out there who, like, has like mentored younger people or like as a teacher or anything like that, or a coach, when a student gets it like gets the lesson that you've been teaching them, there is something really like rewarding about that. So I could see it coming from ukai. It just I think it makes more sense for Hinata, yeah, and then you know, so we go to the sky and this is like a wonderful transition where ukai's looking at the sky and then it pans back down and it's Hinata and he's looking at his travel toothbrush and telling, telling the toothbrush, like it's not time to use you yet, but it will be soon, oh, very excited where are you traveling to?

32:07

well, I think we know. So we come back from the commercial break and we're at karasuno, where they're having a practice match against tokonami, which I think is a school we've never heard of.

em

32:18

Yeah, which is fine well, and I also think it goes to show that maybe more schools are now reaching out to play against them, because now they've kind of made a name for themselves that is like.

rainbow

32:27

It is kind of like oh wait, taku didn't have to get down on his knees and beg for this. Yeah, like I do. Yeah, I love the idea that the it was the uh tokonami coach that reached out to them, um, and was like can we do a practice match with the prefectural champions? Um, and so it's yamaguchi up to serve. And he's thinking back to what uki said about serving the same no matter what gym you're in. He said you need to train your body to move the same in any location. That's foreshadowing it. Sure, fucking is. Um. And so yamaguchi goes to serve, but it's out, unfortunately, and that's kind of a trend with karasuno. They're really not doing great in this game. Their serves are going out, their sets and spikes aren't syncing up. It's kind of a mess.

em

33:07

Well, in practice matches, that's when they try new things and they go for it. So, yeah, you're going to have a lower success rate, but this is where the growing pains are.

rainbow

33:15

Yeah, this is very typical. We saw this back in the spring training camp. We're seeing it with Hinata, we're seeing it with the team now and some things work.

em

33:23

Noya's doing his little jumping set and whatnot well, that's the but.

rainbow

33:27

That's the thing is, that is the one that doesn't match up with Asahi, so they're even never mind. Yes, I mean just in general they're not doing so great. And then we have Tanaka up to serve and he tries to do like a super powerful jump serve, which this is new for him. He usually has just done regular overhands. And we have a little Tana Eno moment because we have Enoshita over on the sideline thinking about how, like, oh, he has a new um jump, a new serve routine now that he's doing jump serves and he, like, begrudgingly, is like, but it's kind of cool yeah, I, because I know that that is a ship but I never really understood where it came from.

em

34:04

And I feel like it comes from this moment because he has, like his new setup routine is pretty cool.

rainbow

34:09

Yeah, no, I totally get it, and I think there's also a little bit with like Enoshita being kind of like the he's kind of like the taskmaster for the second years.

34:17

And he's often, I feel like the one who, when Tanaka is like taking his shirt off in celebration, he's the one like put your shirt back on because he's having feelings he doesn't want to have to reflect on. Wow, it's really a theme this episode, isn't it? Stop running away from your emotions. But so Tanaka tries to do his new powerful jump serve, but it goes directly into the net. He flubs it, yeah, he flubs it immediately. And so then you know, they lose that first set and the other team is excited to have beaten karasuno well again.

em

34:49

Yeah, they're like wow, we took a set from, you know, the karasuno champions, which I think again just goes into my theory that they asked for this.

rainbow

34:56

Yes yeah, well, and I think, um, I think like in the dub at least they say like oh, we can go to nationals now, yes, yep. And so they're like, they're excited that they won, but they're also surprised to see karasuno doing diving drills as punishment, right. And daichi just kind of explains, he's like, oh yeah, we're just kind of used to doing this. And then ukai's over on the sidelines and he's like oh, haha, guys, yeah, your serves weren't great that one. And then, with the most, he turns to the other coach and bows and says please, can we have another practice match or another practice set.

em

35:28

Like father, like son. Am I right?

rainbow

35:30

I mean honestly.

em

35:33

Well, and you know what, they didn't do too badly, because I was ready to go in about how Tsukki Kagehina really are like the secret ingredient to Karasuno. Karasuno is, for sure, a strong team, but it's those three that, I think, really push them into champion zone.

rainbow

35:48

Yeah, and I think it is actually.

35:50

I think it's ultimately a good thing that they are off doing their own training and they're even though Tsukishima and Hinata are in the same or at the same camp, they're doing such different things and I think it's very important that they're off, like you know, as these three like main weapons, for the first years at least, because they also they do have Asahi, they do have Tanaka, they do have Daichi, they have, like, everyone who's on that court is strong, and it gives some of the other players a chance to get in there and play with the team, which is something they need because, you know, as we've seen, sometimes different players have to come in and it's funny, while they're, they're doing their diving drills.

36:24

Asahi says to Suga after doing so many of these in Tokyo, I almost started doing them after wins, which would be hilarious. But I think it's clear that this other team is like oh, we don't do punishments after we lose, which you know, I think there's something to be said for, like punishing your body after you've lost. But I do think there is also another thing to be said and like okay, you've lost and now you need to keep training.

em

36:51

Right, this is a good skill to hone in on, especially like something like diving drills or whatever. It is like you hit your chin against the floor like it's a good thing to get good at.

rainbow

37:00

I think so. I think I like the diving drills much better than the running up the hill that they did at the Tokyo. That to me felt like true punishment.

em

37:07

Yeah, that is just more. I mean like you're working on your cardio, I guess, but you have just played a whole set, so that is, I think, more punishment than anything.

rainbow

37:15

So back at Shiratorizawa. Hinata is back at it again with his analysis and this is where we get that moment you mentioned, with Anabara noticing and he thinks about Hinata how Hinata is already moving differently than he was at the start of this training camp meanwhile, it's been what?

em

37:31

two, three days it's.

rainbow

37:32

That's why he said he's a fucking freak. Because he is. He's a fucking like, no matter people are looking at him like he's a goddamn monster. He absolutely is, and so anabara mentions that, now that he's thinking instead of just relying on his instinct and raw athleticism, he is moving different and we get a shot. We get a great shot of Hinata's like really intense concentration face.

em

37:56

Yeah, I really like what he says. Here is again with that whole like he has great instinct already, but now he has thought behind it and those two will eventually, the more he thinks and hones that kind of skill, it'll come together as intuition. And that is how you build skill, whether it's in sports or something creative or whatever. You take, whatever instinct you have, and then you practice, practice, practice and then, yeah, it becomes instinct and it becomes a lot easier. And that's what Hinata is going to do.

rainbow

38:22

Yes, he is. And he says specifically I like what he says in the dub. He says this money. This moment is so fucking funny because he's like very much in his head and thinking a lot about Hinata because, like anna barrow's, like I think I think they're doing like some sort of drill, maybe blocking or something, and he's at like the ball cart, like handing them to the players, but he's watching Hinata. They must be doing spike uh drills. And Anabara says, um, it's like he's so void of learning that he doesn't have to unlearn anything. And then he thinks to himself like no, that's too harsh, sorry about that kid. And he does like a little bow and apology to Hinata and Hinata like notice it, notices it and was like what the fuck? And in this moment I was like do I kin Anabara? Is that something I would do?

em

39:05

it's just I don't know. I love that moment because, yeah, in the sub the word is you is empty, and he's like no, no, that's too far. Sorry, Hinata, and it's just like he didn't hear you first of all this is literally.

rainbow

39:17

That's why I say it's like such a me thing, because it's like nobody else is in your head right now.

em

39:22

Nobody knows what's going on it's also just like I don't know. It's a really respectful thing.

rainbow

39:27

I think. I think that's what makes Annabara a good coach is I think he has a lot of respect for these players, and I think it's something I think whereas Washijo just sees them as like tools to be honed, annabara really seems to see them as like people, as like you know, like, yes, they're kids, yes, they're teenagers, yes, they're, like you know, players on this team, but they are like people who can put thought and intuition behind their actions now, when we visit japan, and if I see anyone randomly bowing their head at me, I'm gonna know they thought something rude about me.

39:55

Well, you know that is something you would assume. Yep, it sure is. And yeah, and we, just, we are seeing Hinata improve before our very eyes, getting better with each ball that he buoys.

em

40:08

It's true, Each ball that he buoys yeah, because he's a ball boy. I thought you misspoke. I was like wait a minute.

rainbow

40:15

No, that's written in my notes Every ball that that man buoys, every ball that he buoys, he's getting better. Does it make sense?

em

40:25

No, but it was fun to say and I had to know. I don't think this is on purpose, but he looks like such a baby in this episode, like baby crow, baby learning he's a little baby crow and maybe that is on purpose, or maybe it's just the animation change yeah, we'll never know.

rainbow

40:38

And we have Tsukishima watching Hinata from the other side of the net in that, in this is something Tsukishima does a lot, where he will like look, but he'll be like to the side and he's looking out of the side of his eye because he, like you, can't possibly, like he needs to be able to like have plausible deniability of like. No, I wasn't looking at him. Well, he can't look at the sun directly, that's true. Well, he is the moon Hinata from the other side of the net and we can read his. We can't read his face, but we can see that the gears are turning in his head. And then he turns away and he catches Uchijima watching through the open gym door because Uchijima is just standing there everyone is watching Hinata menacingly, it's I love it.

41:17

It's one of my favorite things. It's like why I love this arc so much is everyone's eyes are on Hinata, as always. Yeah, so Ushijima's watching through the open gym door menacingly, as you said. He's just standing there menacingly and Tendo comes up behind him and asks if the monster children are still at work. And Ushijima says monster children. And then Tendo says like oh yeah, you know, like cross nose, nine and 10, they're like little monsters. And Ushijima like pictures them as like zombies, almost swaying back and forth, saying we eat human flesh. And then he has like a little laugh and says yes, I suppose so they're so married and then and then back away from the mic.

42:01

No, it's okay, I'm gonna explain it first and then, and then I'll have my reaction. Then tendo, tendo looks over so lovingly at Ushijima with just the smallest hint of a blush on his face while he thinks about how Ushijima is also a monster. Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay, homosexual, gay. You cannot tell me. That is anything but just pure gayness, like what I said, tenda.

em

42:29

what is this, bosh Peter? What is this?

rainbow

42:32

shut up.

em

42:32

I make that joke later for the Kageyama thing, so, but it's just like it is very loving it's just like the tenderness in his face while he looks at him.

rainbow

42:45

The tenderness, yes, his tenderness, yes. Well, he looks at him just like, with just like a smile and his lit, his like eyes are like kind of narrowed and he's just like oh, my little monster anyway, um au, where Ushijima is some kind of monster and tendo is the only person who accepts him and you know what.

em

43:05

this is also a manga thing, but I'm gonna bring it up now because I like what it says in the manga. He's thinking, no wonder you're curious, they're your own kind, because tendo has always clocked Ushijima's like interest in Hinata as not quite like actual hatred or dislike, as he may say. But he's saying like you're seeing yourself in them a little bit and I think that's what freaks you out and I just love the way Tendo can read him down.

rainbow

43:29

Yes, I think Ushijima through Tendo's eyes is just a really I you know what. It's something I'd like to explore one day. Okay, anyway, that moment's just so gay. I just love it so much. Everyone go look at it. I just like. This is like this. This is the reason it's a queer podcast. This is why this is why people say this show is gay, because how yeah how are you to look at one of your friends like that? Everyone has a little boyfriend. Everyone has a little boyfriend. Everyone has a little boyfriend who's just like a little obsessed with him.

em

44:04

Yeah, and it's like, okay, you're rivals or volleyball partners or whatever, but you don't have to look at each other with loving eyes and blush.

rainbow

44:11

It's like the way Curl looks at Kenma. It's just like shut up.

em

44:20

Like wait, curl, looks at Kenma. It's just like shut up like you're fucking gay.

rainbow

44:22

Now my favorite line in this episode is coming up this is just another great moment, because, okay, so now practice their little um solo practice is wrapping up and Hinata is handing out waters to the guys, still being a ball boy, and Kindaichii comes up to him and literally asks why are you like this?

em

44:36

why are you the way that you are? Why, are you like this?

rainbow

44:40

the question on everyone's mind I love Kindaichii so much he finally he's been looking at this weird little freak with like narrowed eyes, with just like just this confused expression.

em

44:50

He's finally just like what's wrong with you he and the sub writes it out, as why are you like that which just takes me out, and then he's like you seem so desperate. Yes, and what is Hinata's immediate answer?

rainbow

45:03

fucking kage. Because Hinata doesn't understand what Kindaichi is asking. And so Kindaichi explains it's like he. And in the dub he says it's like you're constantly fighting for dear life.

em

45:12

And then Hinata says because I made up my mind to beat Kageyama not because I want to get stronger, not because I want to be the last one on the court, because I want to be Kageyama and because Kageyama is at the other camp yes, yes, because Kindaichi is like a little shocked by Hinata's immediately bringing up Kageyama.

rainbow

45:30

It's like, yes, Kindaichi, he is that gay.

em

45:32

He's gonna do that every time he like Kageyama is the goal for him and he says maybe is it in the manga. I'm just putting all manga versus anime throughout this section. Sorry, but Kindaichi either says or thinks oh so Kageyama is still the pinnacle for you, forever and always.

rainbow

45:49

Baby, forever and always he is yes, it's like Suga said way back in the beginning, like he is the best player you can think of, and it's true, and yeah. And then Hinata's all like that big jerk is practicing with the all Japan team, like he's like so jealous. He's like I have to get stronger too. I can't be left behind. I have to be my lover I mean rival. And then Kindaichi, and this is like a. This is another good transition, because kandai chi is just like, oh, yeah, so like, and because I think kandai chi earlier had thought to himself like, oh, if he's not here, he must be there he's like, I figured he was over there, yeah he's but and he's and kandai chi says, which I think this is kind of a moment of kandai chi where he says like he's definitely an awesome player, but he might be getting his ass beat.

em

46:36

Yeah, I mean, you're in the big city now. Baby, you're a small fish in a big pond.

rainbow

46:44

But is he getting his ass beat? No, he's having fun, he's having a lot of fun. So we transition to the Tokyo training camp, where we see a certain blonde player setting the ball.

em

46:56

Another manga thing. If I may. I've used up all my manga versus anime talking points. He is not this attractive in the manga I haven't seen too much of him yet, but this scene for scene. He has got the like 2009 emo boy haircut where, like, the hair is plastered to his head because, tonight will be the night that I will fall for you over again and, like they, they changed it up, they spruced him up for the anime and I just want to point that out yeah, no, I, I like that they.

rainbow

47:28

They spruced him up a little bit, but I do think I don't know, we, we can't talk about atuma too much because we really haven't gotten into him I know it's just his face so far and like just this, like just this little smirky oi that lives on his face, yeah. Listen, he's an asshole. We're not going to talk about it. It's one of the things I do. I love that. He's just like a. He's kind of a smarmy asshole, yeah.

em

47:49

So, yeah.

rainbow

48:01

So he says they're in this practice, match um and everyone's killing it. Everyone's doing a great job. We're seeing receives, we're seeing spikes, we're seeing sets. We see Kageyama is thrilled. He has a huge grin on his face and he's just thinking about how, how he's having so much fun. And then he sets the ball way too fast, way too fast. Nobody is there, everyone is like every like. The ball like falls to the ground and they stop and they look at him and they're like what the fuck? And he's like he's setting. In the manga it said he was on autopilot, right?

em

48:22

he said he goes like damn it.

rainbow

48:24

I got carried away and went on autopilot he literally he was setting to Hinata, who isn't even fucking there, peter, what is this? And so, like everyone's looking at Kageyama, like what the fuck was that? And Kageyama goes like, oh sorry, force of habit, and everyone's like, excuse me. And then, like somebody off the screen, I who I assume is a coach like is like no, no, don't worry. Like you set that ball, like you already knew how high the spiker can jump, and it's like, yeah, because he knows yeah, well, the manga says it a little more clearly.

em

48:56

It's like that was a set that shows how like you're this deep in your approach already Because, like we have Sakaza and Hoshiyumi looking threatened or like annoyed in a threatened way, but then we have Atsumu who looks like delighted by the challenge.

rainbow

49:10

Yes, yeah, yeah, there are reactions because Sakaza has a look on his face that's like what the fuck are you doing? Yeah, and again, and you know, because he brought up the whole like oh, you're the team that beat Karas or you're the team that beat Ushiwaka, and so I wonder if he's like, is this how they beat him? But yeah, it's like nobody else is going that quickly for the ball, Kageyama.

em

49:29

You just like were having so much fun, fun you just felt like you were playing in a game with your soulmate and so you set to him. Yeah, I also said this section is giving the bad boys of japan. Yeah, it's just the music and like they're all like these great players and stuff. I'm like oh, it is.

rainbow

49:45

It's very cool, it's very intense. I almost wish we could have gotten like a little ova of just their tokyo training camp, I know we'll definitely get way more in the next episode.

em

49:54

We haven't gotten a ton of them in this episode or the last one, but we'll spend a little more time.

rainbow

49:58

Yeah, the focus has really been on Hinata and like his growth. But I feel like we've gotten to a point where it's like, okay, Hinata knows what he needs to do now.

50:05

And so now it's on to Kageyama and seeing, because, like right now, it's just, Kageyama's always wanted to play, he's just wanted people to match his freak for so long, and now he's in a camp full of people matching his freak yeah, like he's really only had Kageyama who, or he's really only had Hinata to match his freak, but even then Hinata's like kind of a scrub and like you know, and he not to say he doesn't love Kurosano and he doesn't appreciate that they all have the same drive to win, but you know it's just not the same like level and so getting to see him play with these other high level players, and getting to see him have so much fun.

50:40

He's got that like kind of like it's not quite his evil smirk, but like when he grins like that there's something about it.

em

50:46

It's a little crazed, but it's definitely not. It feels just more like genuine like. Oh my god, the little boy that gets to play volleyball for longer. Yeah, and that's when he he thinks about Hinata.

rainbow

50:57

Get out of my face anyway, just another reason like this and the tendo moment are like this is really gay. Yeah, there's no heterosexual explanation for Kageyama setting to Hinata, even though he's not there anyway. All right, moving on. Um, so we just it's just that little moment at the training camp so that we can see that Kageyama is still thinking about Hinata 24 7, and then we go back to Shiratorizawa where they're doing spiking drills again. I guess it's the next day and instead of being frustrated that he can't spike, Hinata is excited to catch some balls. He's like really excited about it.

51:33

And one of the other Shiratorizawa ball boys kind of thinks he's too excited and like he says something. He's like, wow, he's this excited to be a ball boy. And then Goshiki tells him that Hinata was doing the same thing after practice. Yep, and the guy's like, what, you wouldn't get it? Yeah.

51:49

And then Hinata is really focused and intense and it's that like I like when they do this animation, where they're like you can almost see like the aura coming off of him. You can see like the sweat, you like he breathe, he, he, he exhales, and you can see the breath coming out of him. And Kunimi says to Kindaichi he's acting like he's in the middle of his own private game. Because he is, because he is, yeah, like he more than anyone is looking uh, like like just so focused and intense and he's literally like not even actually playing. And Tsukishima is again looking at him from the side of his eye, turned away, and he's pissed and he thinks to himself oh, every time I see him, it makes me feel like I need to do something what do you need to do?

em

52:33

no, but it's very much like you.

rainbow

52:35

There's this feeling like you can't slack around, Hinata, yeah well, I think that's something that Hinata does and I think we'll see that later in this season. I think we've seen it in past seasons where, like Hinata is and he does it to his rivals as all the time where he like pumps you up, he wants you like, he makes you want to be on his level.

em

52:54

He's a great hype guy.

rainbow

52:56

I think for suki there's also just this feeling of like when the boss hasn't left the office yet, so you can't leave the office a little bit, yeah, and he, and now that he cares, he like doesn't feel great about slacking, now he like actually does want to try, and so now he's like fucking hino makes me want to try more. Tsukki hino, shippers, where you at, please write in. I need to know all of your thoughts and opinions. I'm like I'm getting more interested in this ship yeah, as as a side ship for me, but still, if you know of any good fix. And then Hinata is thinking to himself about what he's doing and he says I'm not just catching balls, I'm predicting their next move. I'm receiving a spike and Hinata visualizes himself in a game and then he catches the ball with ease and he earns a thumbs up from his one of his fellow ball boys, which he returns before promptly getting nailed in the nards by the next ball not the nards, just like directly in the crotch, it's very funny.

em

53:50

The animation of it is really funny. I don't know what it is, but yeah, it's just a little tap to his ball, the poor boy, and then he immediately just falls headfirst.

rainbow

53:57

He like freezes for a second with his hands between his legs, falls on his face and everyone else is looking at him just like oh man, bud, I feel that pain and I'm so sorry very sympathetic and, despite the fact that Hinata was able to get that ball and is improving, Washijo takes the moment to be like keep your eyes open yeah, absolutely yeah, he really and he needed to like, with his like scrunched up face goes, yes, coach, um, and Kindaichi kind of feels bad because it was his spike that hit him.

54:25

But it's like Kindaichi don't feel bad. Hinata should have been paying attention. He did, he got ahead of himself and was too proud every time.

em

54:32

Hinata is really getting dragged down to reality in this episode at every chance.

rainbow

54:36

It's like I mean, really the beginning, like the first few episodes of this season are just like oh, you think you're going to reach for the sun? Uh-uh, honey, let's pull you back down to earth, pull you back down to that concrete. Yeah, we got to humble you, yeah, and so then we. The end of the episode is practice is over again, and Hinata is like preparing to like be a ball boy and Tsukishima goes up to him, well, in like the most begrudging, like snarky Tsukishima way and asks Hinata if he wants to practice with him. And Hinata looks away for a second, then fully processes the words he just heard and then looks at Tsukishima with a mixture of confusion and fear I love the like little noise he makes in the sub because, yeah, he like does the double take?

em

55:17

and he's like he's like.

rainbow

55:19

he just like cannot believe that Tsukishima, of all people, is asking to practice with him. And that's the end of the episode. Like what a cliffhanger. Oh my God. All right, so yeah, it doesn't look like you have anything else for who? In haiku or no?

em

55:35

Manga versus anime. The only thing I did not bring up is that right before the scene of Karasuno in the gym doing their practice match the night before Yamaguchi was doing practice with Shimada Shimada is just an active like help in Yamaguchi's jump float serve life. So I thought that was worth noting. But everything else I mentioned throughout the episode. So now we can move on to our character spotlight.

rainbow

56:01

Yes, and listeners. We might have some issues finding character spotlights in future episodes. This season there are 25 episodes and I just don't know if we get enough new characters.

em

56:15

I think we'll be all right.

rainbow

56:15

I think we'll be okay. I think we'll be okay. Just, you know, if, if you, if we, you get to an episode, we're not doing a character spotlight. We're gonna try to find something else or like, expand one of the other sections. But and I was struggling for this one, but finally we settled on our two Shiratorizawa ball boys. Yeah, so little first years.

56:31

Yes, akakura Kai and Sagai Yusho are our two and they do have a little character sheet. But first I want to get into their name meanings. So for Akakura, that's his family name and it means red cellar. Oh, that makes sense. And then his given name is Kai and it means paddle. And then we have Sagai, that's his family name and it means cold river and it's also the name of a city in the Yamagata Prefecture. And then his given name was a little harder for me to find, but I finally was able to find the kanji yusho, which means it might mean brave general. I believe I was seeing another thing that was seeing like meaning, like helper or like something like that, but the kanji wasn't right. So I think this yusho means brave general. And then, um, they really got the narita treatment as far as personality section in the wiki and basically they both just said, like they both seem friendly yeah, I think in the manga it's commented more about how Hinata has won over these boys to be their friends and that's just the Hinata effect.

em

57:37

But they are very nice boys yeah, yeah, they're nice to them.

rainbow

57:39

So Akakura is in class 110 at Shiratorizawa, which, wow, they have 10 classes. Holy shit, yeah, that's a big school. Um. His position is Libro interesting which I wonder if that's why he got picked to be ball boy well.

em

57:54

I also think it's interesting skipping ahead to his ability parameters. His jumping is so high but he's a little leap around.

rainbow

58:01

Interesting. Well, we've talked about this before with Nishinoya. Yeah, how like they do they jump? They're just not jumping upward, but they have to jump. That's true. His height is 5'7", so taller than Hinata, and it's interesting. So I often don't mention this just because we've already talked about like, what year they're in, but usually there's like a little piece that says like, and it's for most of the players it's been as of April, a first year, or a second year, third year, in high school. But for this guy it says as of December, first year of high school.

58:32

So I wonder if Shiratorizawa is on like a different like, has like a different start date, I don't know. So I thought that was interesting, if anyone knows. I mean, it's not like a huge deal, but I thought that was was interesting. So yeah, then on to his ability parameters His power and his speed are both twos, his technique and his stamina are threes, but his jumping and intelligence are both fours. So, and I do, I always wonder what Washijo looks for in a Libro, because he's all about big, strong, tall, but with a Libro it's different. So I'm very curious about, um, what he's looking for.

em

59:06

A strong receiver yeah, yeah.

rainbow

59:09

So, moving on to uh Sagai, he is in class 1-4. His position is wing spiker. His height is 510 um, also, as of december, first year of high school, and then moving on to his parameters, his intelligence and stamina are twos and everything else is a three his technique, his speed, his power and his jumping. And so do we think that he? Do you think he, he might ever make it onto the starting lineup? Not with those fucking stats.

59:37

Well, I just I think I'm curious because, like you know being, you know being guys who are not invited to the training camp to be players but invited to be ball boys, I wonder what the deal is with that. I wonder if there's like, hey, if you work hard enough, maybe by third year you could be strong enough, where, like it doesn't seem like they're going to be in the starting lineup like next year, right, well, and I know they have a pretty deep team, so probably not, yeah, so I just thought that was interesting.

01:00:00

But those are our two guys. Thank you, kai and yusho. Yes, thank you very much.

em

01:00:04

Thank you for being befriending our main character yeah, really being his only friends at this week. All right, it's the world's favorite game. It's who in haikyuu. And, as we said before, this week's scenario is brought to us by Sasha and we're doing Naruto. Which characters are which? And now I'm finally far enough in the show. Do I still know who? Everybody is no, but I know enough, and we're gonna cover Hinata, Kageyama, Tsukishima and really any character that we can think of. So, right off the bat, we have an easy, easy thing and it's Hinata is Naruto obviously Naruto, obviously I mean they both have the shonen main character treatment.

rainbow

01:00:41

Yeah, I mean in their character design, in their attitude, in like their story of being like, like, literally like alone and not like having others to like train with and having this like lofty goal that they're like throwing their whole selves at.

01:00:56

Yeah, it's just, they're such shonen protagonists. Yeah, um, and and I would say I think I've probably said this before, but I think there is just a lot of influence from naruto on specifically kage hina. I think naru sasu and hina kage. I think the parallel, the parallels there are so strong. I feel like furudate watched naruto and said these two are in love and then saw the way it ended and said you know what, what if I made this less tragic and more gay and thus kagehina was born? I believe it like it's just yeah, because I mean, Kageyama is like a clear Sasuke parallel.

em

01:01:31

Yeah, I think he doesn't seem as revenge obsessed, but then again, this is volleyball, so it's yeah, well, it's a different, it's a very different world.

rainbow

01:01:40

They're not child soldiers, they're just volleyball players. And there's some stuff we can't quite get into because we're not in the spoiler zone, but I think, like Kageyama's anger at the beginning, the way he treats Hinata, calls him a dumbass all the time, like that's, how different is that from Sasuke calling Naruto a loser all the time, like, and I think, and for me it's also the fact that Kageyama is like a genius, but just in volleyball, and that's a little bit why I like him more than Sasuke, because Sasuke is like he is a genius and he's like I don't know, but I like that Kageyama like I don't know. There's a little bit with Sasuke. It's just like, yeah, he's a cool volleyball player, but like also he's kind of a little dummy, yeah, and I like that. He and Hinata are on the same level, like that, whereas Sasuke and Naruto never really get that treatment.

em

01:02:23

Yeah, and well, the fact that their rivalries are so like about each other.

rainbow

01:02:28

Yes, yeah, like they are the goal for each other, yeah, but then also going back to Naruto and Hinata being combined, where, like, everyone wants to like fight Naruto and like Naruto has this effect on people, he like makes friends with people. I mean, like, every villain they face is Naruto just being like oh, you have a sad past, I have a sad past. Do you want to be best friends? I love you. Yep, and then I think also with Kageyama. I think something fun that happens, like with Sasuke. He is this like brooding, dark, like character, has all these, like he's thinking very intensely about things. And I think there's a fun subversion with Kageyama where everyone thinks that he like is Sasuke and he has all these deep thoughts and this like he is like and but really he's just like. I think I want some food now yes, yes, that's.

em

01:03:12

I think you know that's what I like about Kageyama. Is he's not just like all Because Sasuke's a little exhausting? I mean, how can you be that angry all the?

rainbow

01:03:19

time. Well, I think it's why, like he's missing from a lot of Shippuden, we don't really see him. He just comes up every once in a while to do some stuff because it's like OK, man, we got to take a break, you're a lot.

em

01:03:40

He's, he's, he's just so emo, yeah, he's like, he's a big like gay emo loser. Um, to talk about sakura next, which seems like the next logical step, I would say Yachi is like a sakura that's not in love with either of the main characters, which I enjoy.

rainbow

01:03:50

It's like if sakura was a lesbian, which she is, but they just won't let her be yeah, that's the biggest problem with naruto is that they won't let the characters be their true gay selves. Um, and you know, that's that's fine, and I would say Yachi, I think as a, as a like girl character is better written than sakura is. I think there's a lot of misogyny in the way that the women are written in naruto. Yeah, and I think you know, there's really not a ton of women in haikyuu and I think even furudate might have like said at some point that he's not as comfortable writing female characters. I might have seen that quote somewhere, maybe that was kishimoto anyway, but like I I do think like the female characters just are written with more respect and they're written more as human beings and less as objects or like less as, like this is a character who is like here to fawn over another character.

em

01:04:41

Right.

rainbow

01:04:41

If anything, Yachi is written to fawn over Kiyoko. Yeah, if anything, Yachi is in love with Kiyoko. The way that Sakura is in love with Sasuke I think I'm thinking specifically Shippuden Sakura, with how strong she is that's giving Suga Also like the chaos energy. Yes, of like sakura's like jaw, like she's also there for the mischief. Yeah, she just tries to pretend like she's, she's not. um Kakashi. Who's the Kakashi?

em

01:05:06

oh, my god, stop reading. My mind is it, is it ukai? I feel like it has to be because of the teacher thing.

rainbow

01:05:15

I think so. I think so. I'm trying to think if there's anyone on the team who you could give Kakashi to, or even other characters. Is he maybe a little Akashi? Is he a little Kuro? Is he? Yeah like Kakashi and Gai. Mm-hmm, gai, who wants to be Kakashi's rival? So bad, yeah. Gai is like Kogane G guy who wants to be Kakashi's rival? So bad yeah. Guy is like Kogane, guy is Kogane. Well, because Goshiki is Rock Lee. Let's get that out of the way, right now.

em

01:05:40

Oh yeah, I was going to say don't we have a Rock Lee equivalent? Oh, and Gaara is Kiyotani.

rainbow

01:05:46

Yes.

em

01:05:47

We've made that connection 100%. Mad Dog Gaara, let's go.

rainbow

01:06:01

The bloodlust is there for both of them, yes, and the eyeliner, the guy liner, for sure. Um Tsukishima, who do we think is he kabuto?

em

01:06:06

Oh, no, no, he would be Orochimaru, and then Yamaguchi would be Kaputo.

rainbow

01:06:13

Okay, no, you're right. Well, see, here's the thing is. I was going to give Orochimaru to Tendo. I feel like they're pretty equally creepy, yeah, although Tendo would never do what Orochimaru does.

em

01:06:26

Ushijima is kind of like the bug guy where he's very literal.

rainbow

01:06:30

Shino yeah, yeah, yeah, very much so Hate the bugs. Yeah, really hate it, Listeners. Naruto is a body horror anime. Yeah, I don't.

em

01:06:40

I like. I like to watch stuff while I eat, but I can't watch Naruto while I eat, because something fucked up will happen and I'll be upset. And meanwhile I'm like oh yum, yum. Well, you're a freak and I'm a sensitive freak yes, um who's bokuto.

rainbow

01:06:56

Is he killer B?

em

01:06:57

yes, yeah, he would be end up being naruto, naruto's uh mentor. I'm losing my brain cells.

rainbow

01:07:06

Um yeah, I'm just trying to think of anyone else, like Tsunade, there's no Tsunade equivalent, which pisses me off.

em

01:07:12

I wish that there was like a female coach presence somewhere.

rainbow

01:07:16

Yeah, there's like one, we meet like two. I think there's like tendo's coach from when he's in middle school we don't get any characterization, and then that one like random coach that grandpa uki knows although the way that she yells at tendo is kind of Tsunade, so I guess we can make that connection um is jiraiya, grandpa uki?

01:07:33

no, because grandpa, you guys, not a pervert, that's true. That's true. Is he is. Is grandpa uki? The third hokage? Yes, no, I hate the third hokage. That's what gets hard with naruto. Is you learn to hate so many characters because they suck? Who's itachi? Ushijima actually? Ushijima is actually itachi. You're right.

em

01:07:53

I'm so sorry to say guys, no you're right you're also I have been begging our artist friend to make an animation for me of, because, going back to like how serious Sasuke is all the time and like how serious some of these villains are, I really like to imagine them doing mundane things and I really want itachi waiting for his hot pocket to heat up but like in his full, like akatsuki garb yes like, like a full, like I think a full animation of him, like going over to the mic or putting it and pressing the button, like sitting there waiting maybe waiting for it.

rainbow

01:08:25

Oh also, I just thought of uh Atsumu could be deidara oh, yes, yeah, the blonde hair and the like, and oh and then, um Sakusa is a pretty boy, pretty puppet boy.

em

01:08:37

Oh, Sasori, Sasori although he kind of gives Sasuke vibes too, like he's very pessimistic and doesn't want to fuck with anybody a little bit not totally yeah, no, I could see that.

rainbow

01:08:47

I listen, I think you could do. I think we're doing like ship for ship. I think you could do SasuNaru as kagehina or as SakuAtsu yeah although atsu doesn't really make me think of naruto no, it's really mainly just like the blonde loudmouth thing. I think that's more a little, maybe a little more fan in SakuAtsu works as SasuNaru, but canon, I do think Deidara works really well for him. Is there anyone else? Anyone from karate, like who's Kenma? Oh, Kenma's shikamaru? Really smart but doesn't want to do anything yes, absolutely.

em

01:09:19

Him and Kunimi are that kind of character type absolutely yamamoto is giving like daichi, especially with the wood thing yes, yeah, and just like having to fucking try and keep naruto in check. Oh my god, yeah, yeah, fucking for real. Yeah, moto is so sick of hearing about Sasuke dude when naruto wakes up from his dream and it's like I was dreaming about Sasuke and yamamoto just like has like the most blanked out.

rainbow

01:09:44

Like I can't fucking believe I have to deal with this. Look on his face.

em

01:09:48

It's so funny why am I on twink watch?

rainbow

01:09:52

fucking for real. Oh yeah, all right. Is there anyone else that we want to talk about? And listeners, please write in for this one. Naruto has been around for so long. I know a lot of you out there love it.

em

01:10:03

There's definitely crossover out there.

rainbow

01:10:04

Yeah, we'd love to hear your takes this will be on the, the google response form for our mid-season break episode.

em

01:10:12

Don't you worry okay, well, before we climb up that mountain into the spoiler zone, uh, hit us up on twitter, instagram, tumblr and blue sky at fly hq pod. That's fly hq pod. You can also email us at fly hq pod at gmailcom f-l-y-h-q-p-o-d at. You guessed it gmailcom, and now okay, so I did this. It does not pick up the wind noise that I make no, you put it in the.

rainbow

01:10:38

I like that.

em

01:10:38

You added one, I really I'm gonna try to make it louder. So we're in the spoiler summit, the spoiler zone zone. Okay, here we go. You can start off with your first point I.

rainbow

01:10:56

I just wanted to say that, like Hinata not wearing a jacket and somebody commenting on it, this boy does not regulate his temperature. This boy is not paying attention to his body's cues. This boy does not know when he's cold. He's so excited and he's so like revved up and like now that he's cooling down, like that's not gonna be good for you, having all that sweat. You need to bundle up. It's winter time, buddy.

01:11:17

But you know, it's just like I love. That is seeded throughout this whole like from like episode like three or four, when Yamaguchi notices that Hinata isn't wearing a jacket, like when it's like nighttime and he and Kageyama are practicing, and then all the way up through here, all the way until we get to his fever, there's just like little reminders. It's so fucking. This is why, this is why I think plotting and outlining is important, because it really enriches a text to have this build up and to have these moments that like until like I didn't really pay attention to the first time I watched it, before I'd read the manga, before I knew about the fever, I was just like. I was like I didn't, it just didn't cross my mind whatsoever and it's just. It's one of those things like I love when a show or a movie or even a book like really rewards you for going back and starting from the beginning. Yes, okay, now we have some other things to talk about.

em

01:12:04

Washijo down the line.

rainbow

01:12:09

He's like I'm gonna send you to Brazil one day and it's gonna be rough. Well, I think it's really. Yes, I think it's very important, um, that Hinata, like Hinata does struggle a lot. Like he goes to to Brazil and he literally has to do this again, where he has to start from the bottom. He who climbs the ladder must begin at the bottom and, like he, he goes to Rio and he has a hard time and he gets really beaten down, like he has obstacles in his path.

em

01:12:30

Um, you know, he's like, he's lonely, he's homesick, he's not doing so great yeah, all things that this training camp has prepared him to feel yes, yes, hardships will get you ready for other hardships down the road well, and again it's.

rainbow

01:12:44

It's that growth spiral once again that we were talking about. Um, yeah, no, and I and I just think it's it's just so spiral once again that we were talking about yeah, no, and I just think it's just so fucking cool that Washijo is the one who's just like I'm going to help you.

em

01:12:56

Yeah, in my own old man way, I'm going to help you.

rainbow

01:12:59

Well, and I think it's this training camp that really like, I think I do really believe that Washijo is like, I do believe he is right now. I don't think he consciously wants to help Hinata. I think he really is trying to, like he wants, I think he wants to put obstacles up with the belief that, like I don't really you know what I'm gonna put an obstacle up, an obstacle so big you can't overcome it, and then Hinata does, and I think that's what breaks through, and I meant to say this earlier and so I guess it's only for you spoiler zone folks. So congratulations, you get a little extra thing for me.

01:13:30

But I was talking to him yesterday about how the first year training camp is happening at the exact same time as the Tokyo training camp, and did Washijo do that on purpose? Was it like or not like? Not even really consciously, but was there like something inside of him that like was thinking like I bet that Kageyama Tobio kid's gonna go to the Tokyo training camp and then I'm gonna invite the Tsukishima kid to this first year training camp and then that little fucking runt, yeah, like, I feel like there's some small petty part of him that like again, not like necessarily consciously, but subconsciously was like yeah, fuck you, you little kid. But then Hinata showed up anyway and Washijo was like okay, well, I'm still gonna, I'm going to make you have to, you know, take a three hour trip home, even though it's already nighttime. What time is Hinata going to bed?

em

01:14:13

I know I thought about that too. I'm like does his mom not worry about him?

rainbow

01:14:17

Well, you know, I mean, in Japan don't they send toddlers off to do errands? So she's like whatever.

em

01:14:22

Okay, last Um Kageyama, I think, definitely has his moments of missing Hinata when he's in the Adlers and probably pulls that move again where he accidentally tosses too fast or whatever. Like they miss each other during this time when Hinata's away and I think it pops up in certain ways, like they don't think it, but their bodies move on their own.

rainbow

01:14:44

Yeah, no, they definitely miss each other. I think it's interesting that we see when Hinata gets to the Black Jackals oh, and that's something I wanted to say about him like having obstacles Like when he gets back to Japan from training in Brazil even though he like made a name for himself in beach volleyball it's not like he comes back to Japan and is immediately like being recruited by these professional teams. He tells Yamaguchi like I'm just going to whatever teams have open practices and he just proves himself yeah and so. I and I think you know things like this training camp are kind of like gearing him up for that right, yeah and so, and and so when he gets the black jackals, he has Atsumu there, who is a very high level setter, similar to Kageyama, and they're able to do a version of the freak quick together.

01:15:27

But I feel like we don't necessarily see Kageyama find somebody to do like a version of the freak quick. He learns to do other things with other players. But I think that's interesting and to me, I find that like, to me kind of speaks to like Hinata being a little bit more polyamorous than Kageyama. But that's just my shippy nature. Yes, all right.

em

01:15:51

Anything else for this fantastic episode? No, I think we're. We're moving on, moving up, moving on in the mountains. So all right, guys, thanks for hanging out with us and until next time fly high.