"To the Top" is Season 4 of the anime series ハイキュー( or "haikyuu" - literally translates to "volleyball") based on the eponymous manga by Haruichi Furudate which started in 2012. Reddit has a further breakdown on the meaning of the name and why it's written in katakana instead of hiragana. The last anime episode aired almost 3 years ago (December 10, 2016) so it's been a long hiatus for the fanbase. If you have not seen S1 to S3 please watch those seasons first as nothing will make much sense jumping into S4 directly. The manga and show was also made in such a way that it slowly teaches you about volleyball including the rules, positions, techniques, jargon, strategies, etc. as the show progresses.
I only have a passing interest in volleyball as a sport and anime in general, but this show is really something special. ProZD sums up my experience:
The show mixes hand-drawn animation with CG elements (the volleyball spinning) very well to create dynamic action that is very different from the static volleyball angles typically seen on television.
The series has been so successful that there has been a 20% increase in Japanese high school volleyball since the manga started, which is doubly impressive considering Japan's shrinking student population.
- A brief summary for each Cour and OVA is listed under blurry spoilers - click to reveal
Season 1 = Manga volumes 1 to 8 (chapters 1 to 71)
Cour1: Karasuno team adjusts to having Hinata and Kageyama
Cour2: Karasuno fail to qualify for the Interhigh tournament losing to Aobajohsai in the quarterfinals
Season 2 = Manga volume 9 to the middle of volume 17 (chapters 72 to 149)
OVA1: Nekoma's Liev introduction
OVA2: Hinata and Kageyama failing exams extended story
Cour1: Karasuno trains in Tokyo with top Tokyo teams
Cour2: Karasuno finally defeat Kageyama's arch-rival and senpai Oikawa/Aobajohsai and qualify for the Spring Tournament Miyagi regional finals
Anime Season 3 = Manga volume 17 to volume 21 (chapters 150 to 190).
Karasuno upsets Shiratorizawa to qualify for the Spring Tournament as the Miyagi regional representative. The season ends with Kageyama being announced as a participant in the National Youth volleyball training camp.
OVA 3 & 4: Manga volume 22-23 (chapters 191-206)
The Tokyo regional playoffs
Season 4 = Manga volume ?-? (chapters ?-?)
Cour1: The drama surrounding the National Youth Volleyball training camp and the Miyagi Regional freshmen camp leading up to the finals
Cour2: TBD
- Links are to official site model sheets with basic stats, school, and position
KARASUNO HIGH SCHOOL STARTERS
SAWAMURA DAICHI
Karasuno 3rd year captain and Wing Spiker. All-around dependable player and defensive specialist. His leadership and clutch plays keeps the team together
AZUMANE ASAHI
Karasuno's 3rd year ace and gentle giant. The role of the ace is to score a lot of points and be the go-to scorer in clutch situations.
NISHINOYA YU
Karasuno's 2nd year Libero and defensive specialist. Liberos do not serve or spike, but can set from the backcourt.
TANAKA RYUNOSUKE
Karasuno's 2nd year Wing Spiker is a hot-headed spiker who loves to hype himself up. Recently added a jumpserve to his repertoire and has been jealous of players who can do insane cut spikes.
HINATA SHOYO
The ultimate decoy 1st year Middle Blocker for Karasuno that was not invited to the National Youth training camp. A high flying jumper who may just be able to jump even higher.
KAGEYAMA TOBIO
The genius 1st year Setter for Karasuno that was invited to the National Youth training camp. A perfect passing setter who can also spike and serve at a very high level.
TSUKISHIMA KEI
Karasuno's other 1st year Middle Blocker, a blocking specialist
KARASUNO HIGH SCHOOL SUPPORTING CAST
SUGAWARA KOSHI
Karasuno's 3rd year setter and primary pinch server. He comes in for clutch plays and to give the team a boost in energy and experience. He is a very accurate server and setter, but he's not very flashy and can't jump very high.
ENNOSHITA CHIKARA
2nd year bench player known as the leader of the 2nd years
KINOSHITA HISASHI
2nd year bench player who has done some work as pinch server
NARITA KAZUHITO
2nd year bench player
YAMAGUCHI TADASHI
1st year pinch jump float server specialist
SHIMIZU KIYOKO
3rd year manager and former runner
YACHI HITOKA
1st year manager and friend of Hinata
TAKEDA ITTETSU
Japanese Literature Karasuno High School teacher/supervisor has no volleyball experience, but often drops poetic words of wisdom
UKAI KEISHIN
A former setter for Karasuno many years ago. His grandfather coached Karasuno to it's only other National's appearance.
INARIZAKI HIGH SCHOOL STARTERS
MIYA ATSUMU
The #1 setter in the country on the #2 team in the country, idol and twin, member of the U19 Japan Training camp
MIYA OSAMU
Idol and twin brother of Atsumu, injured in the earlier part of the year but just as good as his twin.
KITA SHINSUKE
Inarizaki's 3rd year captain and Wing Spiker
OMIMI REN
Inarizaki's 3rd year Middle Blocker
OJIRO ARAN
Inarizaki's 3rd year ace and Wing Spiker
GINJIMA HITOSHI
Inarizaki's 2nd year Wing Spiker
SUNA RINTARO
Inarizaki's 2nd year Middle Blocker
AKAGI MICHINARI
Inarizaki's 3rd year Libero
ITACHIYAMA ACADEMY
KIYOOMI SAKUSA
#1 spiker in the country on the #1 team in the country Itachiyama, member of the U19 Japan Training camp
MOTOYA KOMORI
Itachiyama's libero, member of the U19 Japan Training camp
KAMOMEDAI HIGH SCHOOL
HOSHIUMI KORAI
A super high jumping Wing Spiker similar to Hinata except more polished on Kamomedai, member of the U19 Japan Training camp
Crunchyroll airtime is Fridays
Official site: http://www.j-haikyu.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/haikyu_com
Fandom Wiki: http://haikyuu.wikia.com/wiki/Haikyuu!!_Wiki (beware of spoilers)
Resetera Haikyuu Manga thread: https://www.resetera.com/threads/haikyuu-ioti-fly-high.4489/ (beware of spoilers)
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