Aaahhhh, it's finally here! So happy to finally get my hands on this. The photo quality is not that good but look at the stars and snow on Kageyama's illustration!
I knew it's going to be A4-sized, but didn't realize how big it was until I took it out if the box. Was surprised with the weight and thickness too.
Overall really, really satisfied with the quality. Especially after having to be content with the first illustration collection that's only as big as normal tankobon (manga volume) size. Don't get me wrong, the paper and printing were good too on that one, but it's just so satisfying to enjoy sensei's art in A4 to A3 size (some of the illustrations are printed on a double spread, soo good).
If you love the series and would like to support it but was hesitant to buy any of the Japanese volume/light novel/guide book because of language barrier (understandable), I can't recommend this enough for you. It's 400 pages of the illustrations Furudate-sensei has drawn for Haikyuu including color spreads, volume covers, and Twitter illustrations, so no language issue there. It also has new exclusive content that isn't released anywhere else. And the little bits that are in Japanese are fan-translated (text only afaik, to encourage people to buy the book), so you can still enjoy the full experience despite not knowing Japanese.
Also, I have to add that since these are the original illustrations (not from scanlations, etc), the quality is very high and you can see the small details like the shading sensei used, the coloring, etc. I saw some of the original drawings firsthand on the first exhibition a few years back and the printing quality manages to reproduce most of the details -- not all of course, but since it's not possible to fly to Japan for the current exhibition because of the pandemic I guess this will have to do :')
If you're wondering whether to buy the first illustration book (the small one) or this one, I recommend just get this one. All the illustrations on the small one are here too, with nicer formatting and in bigger size. Of course, the first one has its charms too (the afterwords on this new release is a call back to the afterwords on the first illustration book), but if you're on a limited budget and can only afford one, the new illustration book is the way to go.
Here's a picture with a pen for comparison. Also with the first illustration book.
I bought mine from Amazon JP, but you can get it from CD Japan as well. If they're out of stock, try to check back later, they'll usually restock it.
- CD Japan: https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOBK-2544438
(not sure if the links are working because I'm posting from mobile, but you can just copy-paste them)
Anyway, I'm not going to post the content from it so that I don't spoil anyone who's still waiting for their copy and to encourage people to get it, but I'll just say that it's. worth. it. Please get one if you can to support the series! :)
I just got my guide book, opened the cover, and already found a reason to ramble about it, so here goes.
By now I’m sure most people who read Haikyuu already saw the cover and the back cover below, right?
Well, what I didn’t know until I opened the book was that there’s a backstory to it. Instead of the usual author comment on the dust jacket, Furudate sensei provided the story of the cover.
Cover: Picture from Spring High Passion Camera*
Sawamura: Miyagi representative Karasuno High School has won the first round!
Everyone: Yaaay!!
Sawamura: We were at a loss when Hinata’s shoes went missing, so thank you Shimizu!!
Yamaguchi & Hinata: Thaaanks!!!
Sawamura: We will win as well tomorrow!!
Everyone: Yaaaaaayy!!!
*Now, if you still can’t imagine what’s going on, I was too, at first, until I looked up about Spring High Passion Camera. So basically in Spring High tournament they have a camera set up, where after each round teams can go and record their thoughts about the match and such and it will be uploaded to the Spring High’s website. I’m embedding one of the videos from this year’s Spring High tournament below. Now go watch it and imagine Karasuno saying those lines again with Coach Ukai and Takeda sensei peeking from the curtain at the side.
Furudate sensei, it’s just a few lines but this is such a good content. Thank you!!
Edit:
Btw, if anyone is interested in getting the book, and if you have the means I really recommend to get it as a way to support the series, here’s some links:
- CDJapan: https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOBK-2544439 (currently out of stock, but normally they’ll restock so you can check back later)
- Amazon JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/%E5%8F%A4%E8%88%98-%E6%98%A5%E4%B8%80/dp/4088825047/ (they usually ship internationally for most books, but in case they don’t ship this particular book to your country, you can consider using forwarding service like https://www.tenso.com/en )
Note: The guide book is in Japanese, but it also has a lot of pictures and even a colored pin up page and a special chapter drawn exclusively for the book. So there are things to enjoy even if you don’t understand Japanese.
And that’s the end of today’s self reblogging spree. Not sure if I’ll do another translation anytime soon. If something catch my interest, maybe excerpts... (so that I can pick the parts I like and avoid the troublesome ones lol)
Hiii! Do you have plans of translating A Cat and Owl's purchase from Vol 10??? Can you please trans the Bokuto and Tsukki shopping part?? Sorry for the trouble!
Forgot to answer this one but the translation is up! Enjoy, anon :)
“I’ll be right back, but I know it’s gonna feel like you’re lost when you are on your own…” she says.
Yachi immediately thinks, ‘Yes, I definitely am! It’s clear as day that someone like me won’t be useful no matter where!! Please come back soon! Please!!’
She doesn’t just think of it, she is about to say it. But right before she opens up her mouth, Shimizu says, “So you have to get used to it.”
It’s just a short sentence, but she feels like she has been slapped awake. “… Right!”
With her own backpack and the switched bag slung across her shoulders, Shimizu heads out. As Yachi watches, the pass she just hung on her neck sways lightly.
This is actually just an expanded version of the panels at ch. 232, but I love the little insight into Yachi’s thoughts. It gives more weight to Shimizu’s line right after that.
The Foxes’ New Year (excerpt) - Haikyuu!! Light Novel Vol. 10
p. 77-78
Atsumu’s face buried in his collar suddenly shoots up and he looks around restlessly.
“What?” asks Osamu skeptically, but Atsumu just looks up to the sky.
“The smell of mochi,” he replies.
“Huh? The smell? Of mochi? You mean mochi the rice cake? The smell of that? Does mochi even have a smell?”
Atsumu tries sniffing out that smell but couldn’t sense anything other than the cold winter air that pierces his nostrils. However Atsumu next to him straightens up and looks pointedly at one spot.
“There!” he mutters and charges full speed ahead. “This must be the smell of mochi!”
“Wait, what do you mean by this? Hey, don’t run! Tsumu! Wait! Are you a dog?”
The Cats' and The Owls' Day Before the Tournament - Haikyuu!! Light Novel Vol. 9: Spring High Inside Story
So I’ve wanted to try doing a proper translation as a practice for quite some time, and I finally made myself work on another chapter. Man, what an experience.
The title is self-explanatory. The story is about the cats’ and the owls’ antics. Translation under the cut.
A Rather Tumultuous Imperial Palace Run - Haikyuu!! Light Novel Vol. 9: Spring High Inside Story
This is hilarious, so I figured I’d better write a summary of it. Well, that was the plan, but towards the end I got carried away and ends up writing a translation rather than summary.
The story is about Tsukishima accompanying the oddball duo out for a run the night before Spring High. Well I said accompanying, but it’s more like Ennoshita make him babysit them. As expected of the next captain.
haikyuu light modle is in words form? not a manga typeeee????????
Hi anon! Yep, it’s a novel after all. But compared to other Japanese novels it’s considerably less dense in terms of number of words and font size, so a bit easier to read I think. Here’s a sample if anyone’s curious (pardon the bad photo lol)
The light novel also has a new illustration by Furudate sensei in each chapter and a two-sided pin-up colored page per volume like this rice ad starring Kita san.
The last volume, vol. 45, is out today and the realization that Haikyuu has ended just hit me once more.
I'm sure others have shared many of the extra contents from the last volume, light novel, and guide book. I might post something from the guide book as well once I get it later, but for now I just want to share this.
In the last volume, there's a sort of acknowledgement page, like a list thank you notes from Furudate sensei. It's not a long list.
He thanked his assistants, his editors, those who helped with with the volume and cover design, someone who wrote about related materials, and those who have advised him during his serialization (one of them is an ex Japan national team coach!) (sorry, not writing the names because I suck at reading name kanji)
But then the last one...
あざっした!!!
バレーボール
Well the last one was addressed simply to “volleyball” with the message あざっした!!! (azasshita!!!) which is a shortened form of thank you that’s commonly used in Haikyuu.
I got teary eyed again when I read that. Sensei must love and respect volleyball so much and it really shows.
And what a contagious thing that is, so much so that I, someone who hated volleyball with a passion during school PE class, came to be able to enjoy the sport even outside of Haikyuu context.
Sensei, thank you again for 8.5 years! Thank you for showing me that volleyball is fun. Thank you for writing a final arc that shows the different paths the characters take. That yes, many of them pursue volleyball professionally, but there are others who can still love and enjoy what was once a big part of their lives and go on to pursue other things. Thank you for writing such a warm story.
The Cats and The Owls Going Shopping - Haikyuu!! Light Novel Vol. 10
In which Nekoma and Fukurodani go souvenir shopping, and Tsukishima’s life somehow gets unnecessarily more difficult as a result.
Translation under the cut
“So, what are you getting?”
“... Probably manju...”
“Then how about that one with ‘I went to Spring High’ on it? If you want to go with a safe option.”
“That? A safe option?”
The goods area is lively with the participating players, cheer groups, and spectators around. There, gathering and joking around are the players from Fukurodani Academy High School who have just won their first match. The first, second, and third-year regulars are all there. However, in the midst of their lively chatter that’s just like during one of their after-practice burger runs, their ace is nowhere in sight.
“Ohh, there you are! Guys, I told you not to leave me!”
Making his way through the crowd of people in team jackets and jerseys, appears Fukurodani’s ace who is one of the nation’s top 5 players, Bokuto Koutarou.
“Why did you guys leave me?”
“Why should we wait for you to finish your business in the toilet?”
Talking back to the ace is none other than the one dubbed as the team’s ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’, Konoha Akinori, but Bokuto pays him no mind and takes a look at the goods stand instead.
“So, do they still have it?”
“... What is it this time? You always, always leave out the subject when you speak. What are you, a kid?”
Konoha continues his rant, and Bokuto turns around annoyed, “Oh, come on!”
“This is exactly why, when someone is saying something, don’t just start grumbling around! Of course I was asking about ‘The Way of The Ace’ t-shirt!”
The way Bokuto said it as if it’s obvious does irk him, but hearing his teammates’ chorus of “You already have it, right?” “I feel like you already have one,” calms him down.
“Well I do have it, but...”
Time for some explanation.
‘The Way of The Ace’ t-shirt—it is Bokuto’s favorite t-shirt which he bought during the previous Spring High.
“One, his figure shall inspire his allies”
“Two, he shall break through any walls”
“Three, he shall hit every ball with his utmost”
With those words of The Way of The Ace printed on it, any ace, any player aiming to be an ace, or any former ace—any of them would yearn to put it on and have those words on their back while they practice; a t-shirt that makes even national level aces’ mouths water. Small details like if it is a Spring High exclusive item or if it could be purchased somewhere else are totally unknown to mere highschoolers.
“Not just have it actually, I’m wearing it right now, but...” Beating his own chest covered by his jacket, Bokuto continues to his questioning teammates.
“If you think about it, it’s obvious, right? As I get bigger, I won’t be able to wear it anymore. So I need another one.”
His teammates around him look at each other and start grumbling.
“Are you a mom?”
“Thinking that you’re still growing, how confident!”
“I think I want to see you wearing a t-shirt that’s already too small instead.”
“Like I’ve said, why do you guys always start grumbling every time? Whenever I say anything you always, always... Hm?”
Bokuto’s eyes light up. As if they just spotted a prey.
“Tsukki!”
What those eyes just spotted in the midst of the hustle and bustle is the face of Karasuno High School’s first-year middle blocker, Tsukishima Kei. Having won their first match earlier than Fukurodani, the members of Karasuno High School Volleyball Club are also spending brief free time right now.
“Tsukki! Heey! Don’t ignore me, heey!”
His complaints towards his teammates now forgotten, Bokuto smiles cheerfully and waves his hand. But Tsukishima, whose attempt to pretend he didn’t notice Bokuto has failed him, frowns and says, “... Hello,” politely nodding to return the greeting while his steps comes to a halt.
However, Bokuto pays no mind to the wall Tsukishima has put up and steadily closes the distance between them.
“Could it be, Tsukki is also here to buy ‘The Way of The Ace’ t-shirt?”
“No.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t be shy!”
To whoever looking at the scene, there’s no hint of any shyness in Tsukishima’s soured look. Bokuto’s teammates start saying, “He’s not being shy, right?” “Clearly he doesn’t like it,” “It’s harassment, harassment!” “Tsukishima, it’s okay to ignore him,” but Bokuto simply ignores them. Instead, he completely assumes the role of a reliable senior and calls out to to the staff manning the goods stand.
“Ah, excuse me! Can I have one ‘The Way of The Ace’ t-shirt size L... no, XL, and... Tsukki, you’re quite lanky, so L would be fine, right?”
“.........”
Met with how close Bokuto’s face is, how loud his voice is, how inconsiderate he is, and how wrapped up in himself he is, Tsukishima knits his brows and refuses, “No need.”
“Ah, could it be that you wanted to buy that one instead?”
The item Bokuto pointing at is a t-shirt hung up with the words ‘Those who laugh at grit will cry in the face of grit’ written in calligraphy-style on it.
“.........”
As if he just saw a bug he hates, Tsukishima looks away from the ‘Grit and Laughter’ t-shirt.
“I’m not buying any t-shirt, and even if I have to, I won’t be buying that one.”
“Hum... Then what about a Fukurodani keychain? As a memento.”
“Why do you think I would want that?”
“What did you come here for then, Tsukki?”
Tsukishima hesitates for a moment.
‘Why should I answer it?’ As he thinks that, it also crosses his mind that he might be able to escape Bokuto’s persistent questioning if he just answers him this one time. He weighs both choice in his head, and by a small margin, the latter wins.
“... I’m getting souvenirs for my family.”
While paying for his ‘The Way of The Ace’ t-shirt, Bokuto hums and nods nonchalantly.
“Tsukki is someone’s child too, huh...”
“What does that even mean? And could you please stop calling me Tsukki?”
“Yeah. So Tsukki, how many siblings do you have?”
“.........”
‘—What is communication again?’
Is what Tsukishima is thinking. The basic of conversation is listening to what the other party is saying, isn’t it? Listen, then respond. There are also cases where someone purposely avoids responding to what the other party is saying. However, to naturally not listen to the other party, then proceed to continue the conversation, what is that even called? While having such thoughts, Tsukishima accidentally lets out the answer to Bokuto’s trivial question.
“... One older brother.”
“Aah! I knew it! You seem like a youngest child! Tsukki does seem like a youngest child!”
Right before Bokuto, who is holding his new t-shirt in high spirits, Tsukishima is stricken with humiliation and self-loathing. ‘Why did I answer it? No, why did I even come here?’
The other Fukurodani members starts piling in on him again, “Bokuto, don’t mess with other school’s first year.” “I get it though, Tsukishima is the type you just want to mess with, right?” “True, he’s like Akaashi in some way.” “Eh?” “Kidding, kidding. Don’t mind it.” “I do mind.” The chatter continues as they enjoy this accidental occurrence as though it’s their after-match dessert. At the same time, students from other schools are starting to notice the Fukurodani’s ace. Chatters like “It’s Fukurodani,” “Bokuto is here,” are getting louder.
Tsukishima’s discomfort is at an extreme.
“.........”
‘Who cares about souvenirs, I’m heading back. I can still buy it tomorrow, and even if I don’t buy one, it’s okay too. Anyway, I’m heading back.’ Tsukishima has decided.
“Well, then,” Tsukishima says as he goes for an out, but right when he looks up from his forced smile, his eyes catch a group in red and he stops in his tracks.
Suddenly, a group of Nekoma players are nearby. A blond mohawk, a half-Russian, and a rooster head.
Tsukishima instantly covers his face and turns the gears in his head.
‘What do I do now?’
If Nekoma’s Kuroo Tetsurou joins this pesky situation as well, it will be a repeat of the summer training camp. The summer training camp where he got involved with the Tokyo team captains combo of Bokuto and Kuroo. Although he can’t deny that he learned a lot in terms of volleyball, those were the days where the psychological stress he endured drained both his mental and physical energy.
The unintentional peskiness and the definitely intentional peskiness. The peskiness of facing these two opposing types of peskiness at the same time is no ordinary peskiness. It’s not a peskiness that a body could endure after a match.
‘Are they gone?’
He steals a sidelong glance to check, expecting the group in red to be blocked by the crowd or go look at goods on the other end of the area, but it turns out they’re still nearby. Just as he clicks his tongue, he senses someone staring at him.
He quickly lifts his head and is met with the eyes of Nekoma’s setter Kozume Kenma.
“.........!”
“.........!”
Both of them tense up. And then with the smallest of nods, they establish some sort of communication in an instant.
‘Please don’t come this way.’
‘I don’t want to go over there.’
With the reaction speed of only those who have faced each other countless times separated only by the net, or perhaps the reaction speed of only those who equally find this to be extremely bothersome, due to their mutual interest they both look away as if nothing happened.
Good thing it’s Kozume who noticed him. Relieved, Tsukishima is just about to quickly take his leave from this place when just like an unexpected ambush, his ears catch a voice.
“Ah! Bokuto-san is over there! Ah, Tsukishima too, heey, heey!”
The one bouncing up and down pointing at him is a Nekoma first-year, Inuoka Sou. Bokuto who notices him goes, “Oooh!” in response, and Nekoma’s captain Kuroo asks, “What are you doing here?” drawing near with a smirk on his face. Behind him, Kozume puts on an expression that says ‘It’s not my fault...’ and averts his eyes.
---
Surrounded by the Tokyo reps in red and white jackets, Tsukishima has completely lost his timing to escape. Towards the weary Tsukishima, Nekoma’s captain Kuroo calls out in teasing voice.
“So what were you going to buy before you get caught, country bumpkin crow?”
On the receiving end of the mysterious pressure from the smirking Kuroo, Tsukishima could only mutters, “Nothing, really...” and looks away, trying to find any chance to escape this place. And right then, without knowing, Bokuto cuts in and says loudly, “Eh? Tsukki, you’re getting souvenirs for your big bro, right?”
Tsukishima’s face clouds over.
‘Why only my brother? I said I’m getting souvenirs for my family, though,’ he thinks irritatedly, but since they won’t get it even if he said it, he stays silent.
“.........”
But because he stays silent, now it’s Kuroo who hums and poke his head into this matter.
“I knew it, Tsukki is a youngest child, I was correct”
Tsukishima’s face gets even more clouded over.
‘What do you mean by knew it? What do you mean by correct? Please don’t just spout random things,’ he thinks irritatedly, but even if he said it, he would end up having to explain more, so he stays silent.
“.........”
But even if Tsukishima doesn’t say anything, or probably because Tsukishima doesn’t say anything, the Tokyo captains who already know his personality end up getting excited and saying whatever they want.
“By ‘knew it’, could it be that you already knew Tsukki is a youngest child?”
“That’s just my observing eyes.”
“Awesome, you could make a living out of it, no?”
“Huh? What kind of job would that be?”
“What would that be.... Ah, I know, you could become something like game show king, right?”
At that very moment, Nekoma’s second-year wing spiker Fukunaga Shouhei who has been quietly listening to their conversation from the corner suddenly bursts into laughter.
“Eh, what? Was there anything funny? Did I say something funny? Eh?”
The sharp-eyed Bokuto spots Fukunaga and approaches him. Nearby, 3 people of different schools and school years let out a sigh at the same time.
“I have no words.”
“Isn’t that something?”
“No words...”
In sequence, the those were the words of Akaashi Keiji, Tsukishima, and half-covered under Haiba Lev’s shadow, Kozume who has been working hard at his mobile game.
“Th, the three of you, the three of you... Together like that....”
On the receiving end of the judgmental cold stares from players of 3 different schools including his own, Bokuto exaggeratedly buries his head in his hands and looks down in shame.
Noticing Bokuto’s back which is starting to tremble, Fukurodani members are starting to get nervous. “Ah, this is bad.”
They don’t want things to get any more bothersome than this. While the end of their match today was a blessing in disguise, it doesn’t change the fact that dealing with Bokuto’s ups and downs is bothersome.
The Fukurodani members exchange glances on the spot, but as they were about to leave things to Akaashi, the subject of the matter suddenly looks up to the ceiling as if he just had a revelation.
“So! That means! Unless you three are together, you can’t bring me down, right!!”
As if drawn by that voice, the surrounding falls silent. “I’m the strongest!” Bokuto’s roar resounds.
“.........”
The Fukurodani members look at each other. “We’re tired anyway, should we just leave Bokuto and go back?” “Yeah, let’s go,” “Good job today,” “Heading back,” The mood is just starting to turn that way when someone in red jacket approaches Bokuto all on his own.
“Bokuto-san, you’re so cool!”
It was Inuoka.
“Ooh, so you get it! So-and-so-kun!”
“It’s Inuoka!”
“You have a bright future ahead!”
“Is, is that so!?”
Inuoka’s eyes light up brightly.
---
Not being particularly concerned that their important first-year is getting excited with Bokuto and leaving them on their own, the rest of Nekoma take their time to look at the goods.
“It’s not like I want anything that badly, but while looking at these you just know you’d end up buying something, right?” “Yeah, totally.” Started by their libero Yaku Morisuke, the Nekoma members joke around. Behind them, walking along leisurely is Lev, who then points at the manju box.
“As a souvenir, isn’t this one with ‘I went to Spring High’ on it good? It’s a safe choice.”
“Safe choice? But saying ‘went to’ doesn’t really give the vibe that you won, right?”
Hearing Yaku’s reply, the vice captain Kai Nobuyuki nods.
“True, it gives the vibe of the memories of when you played at Spring High, right?”
“Well, if you put it that way...”
“The fact that it’s gone once you eat it will also remind you of the impermanence of worldly things.”
Ignoring Kai and Lev who are looking intently at the manju box and admiring it, Yaku quickly decides, “I’ll go with the t-shirt after all!” and heads towards the booth staff.
However, not long after Yaku comes back dragging his steps without any t-shirt in his hands.
“What happened? You look upset.”
“Sold out,” Yaku curtly answers Kai. From above him a booming voice can be heard.
“Spring High t-shirts are a battle after all, right!”
Watching Yaku avoiding Bokuto’s thrust index finger, Fukurodani’s member are stunned.
“He’s saying something weird again.”
“He got carried away just because he managed to buy one...”
“Bokuto, don’t go bothering others!”
In the midst of Fukurodani and even Nekoma members’ wry smiles, Inuoka shouts excitedly.
“I managed to buy a t-shirt too!”
“Ooh, so you’re a winner!”
“Yes!”
Casting a sidelong glance at the weird master and pupil relationship between those two, Kozume asks Yaku.
“Which one did you want?”
“Hm?”
Yaku points at one of the t-shirts hung at the stand.
“Over there, that one. The one with ‘Those who laugh at grit will cry in the face of grit’”
“... Grit...”
Behind Kozume who’s furrowing his brows, Inuoka turns around.
“Eh? That’s the one I just bought. It’s this one, right?” Inuoka takes out a t-shirt from the plastic bag and shows it. It’s the same ‘Those who laugh at grit will cry in the face of grit’ t-shirt.
“If you want, I don’t mind handing it over at the list price.”
Yaku refuses Inuoka’s offer, “Nah, it’s fine.” But Inuoka insists.
“No need to hold back!”
“It’s fine.”
“But!”
“Like I said, it’s fine!”
Just as Yaku raises his voice, Lev suddenly stretches out his hand and takes the t-shirt from the stunned Inuoka. Then, after looking back and forth, he says, “I knew it.”
“Eh, what?”
Ignoring the confused Inuoka, Lev looks at Yaku.
“XL size won’t fit you, right, Yaku-san?”
The Nekoma members who are watching shut their mouth tight and look away.
Lev has the nerve to say unnecessary things, towards Yaku, towards Yaku-san, regarding heights in such a direct way. No, to begin with, Inuoka, no rather than that, Bokuto— the thoughts swirl in their heads, and the atmosphere grows tense. The one to break the tense atmosphere —that makes even the crowd of onlookers from other schools nearby to also falls silent— is none other than Yaku himself.
“Shut up!!” At the same time, in one decisive move Lev shouts.
“Ouch!! Wha! Why did I get kicked?”
“Winner, what winner? I’m not losing!”
“But I didn’t say anything about winning or losing!”
“Shut up!”
A battle is starting to unfold between the senior and junior in red jackets. But a guy calmly walks right into the center of it.
“Hey now, Yaku-kun!”
It’s yet again Bokuto.
“Nothing will come out of resenting the winner!!”
Seeing their captain confidently saying that, the Fukurodani members go, “You just shut up!” “You only say unnecessary things!” and drag Bokuto back.
---
As for Tsukishima, he’s only a worn out bystander watching the whole commotion.
“What are these people doing...”
‘No one is minding about me anymore, or more like they’ve forgotten about me. If I want to head back, this is the time. No need to say bye or anything. Seems like it’s not the time anyway.’
‘I’m getting out.’
Just as he turns his heel, bright and pleasing voices can be heard nearby.
“It’s so cute!”
“I’m so glad we bought it!
At those voices that warm their bodies that have grown cold just like the winter sun, the Nekoma members, Fukurodani members, and also Tsukishima who is just about to escape, spontaneously look up.
The voices belong to two girls.
Lev, who is being chased by Yaku, and Yamamoto Taketora, who is trying to save Lev, look at them and shout.
“Ah, Nee-chan!”
“Akane?”
“Lyovochka!?”
“Onii-chan!”
The girls are part of the Nekoma cheering group, Lev’s big sister Alisa and Yamamoto’s little sister Akane.
“Look, look, Onii-chan!”
Akane runs up and hands the plushie of the official mascot.
“I bought this. The one in light blue is this year’s limited edition. I’m matching with Alisa-chan, right!”
“Yup!”
“Ah, that’s right! Alisa-chan, let’s take a picture together!”
“Oh, how nice!”
Hanging the plushies by their sides, they make silly faces and take selfies. First is a smiling one, and in the next shot they burst into laughter. It’s as if bright sparkles can be seen around these two innocent girls.
It might be the effect of the sparkles, but the tense atmosphere is starting to lighten slowly. The embroiled minds of the volleyball club members are also soothed, and they lose their intent to fight.
‘Don’t we all get along?’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘I’m also tired.’ ‘Yeah.’
Such atmosphere is spreading.
And then Kuroo shows up right before the two girls and bows.
“If anyone is a winner here, it’s the two of you.”
“Eh, what is this about?”
“... Ah, do you want to join in on the picture?”
In front of the two puzzled girls who have no idea what’s going on, Yaku and Inuoka exchange a firm handshake.
“My bad, Inuoka. You were offering it with good intention.”
“No, I also didn’t consider the size, I’m the one who should apologize!”
After rain comes fair weather. Watching the two’s strengthened bond, Bokuto, as if a case has been settled, says, “Out of the court, there’s no such thing as winning or losing!!”
---
“I’m so tired somehow,” “Yeah, I wonder why,” the Fukurodani members start. After exchanging glances, Akaashi speaks up as if he’s been waiting for this exact moment.
“Then shall we head back soon?”
“Yeah.”
“If we leave Bokuto, he’ll make a scene again.”
“Let’s go back, Bokuto!”
The captain, called by his teammates, replies “Okay!” and run towards them. He says, “See you tomorrow!” towards his rivals and heads back.
“We’ll come again tomorrow!”
“Do your best!”
After the two cheering girls headed home, Nekoma members too, say, “Should we go as well?” and start walking away.
Among the drove of the leaving members, Lev mutters.
“Yaku-san, are you not going to say sorry to me?”
“As if.”
“So mean!”
Completely forgotten by the two teams, Tsukishima is just about to walk back when suddenly someone calls his name.
“Tsukishima!”
Waving his hand and running towards him is Hinata.
The drained Tsukishima feels relieved seeing that face.
‘If it’s only Hinata on his own, everything is under control...’
Thinking that, without even waving back or responding, he silently walks with Hinata.
“Hey, Tsukishima, did you buy anything? I bought a t-shirt! This, ‘The Wisdom of The Ace’...”
Hinata is about to take the t-shirt out from the plastic bag when Tsukishima gives him a glare and says as he walks past, “... Don’t ever speak of that again in front of me.”
“Eh?”
Surprised, Hinata stops in his tracks, but Tsukishima quickly moves ahead. Hurriedly chasing Tsukishima, Hinata shouts, “What is it! I haven’t even said anything yet! Hey! Tsukishima! Wait, hey!!”
---
Moving this PSA to the end of the post because the project has ended (I think? Waiting for Viz’s response now) but someone might still be interested. Or you know, you can spam Viz directly here lol.
PSA:
I encourage whoever reading my translation to please support the official release by buying the light novel if you can. The illustrations and bonuses like the reversible covers are delightful! AND if the novel gets more sales it will be more likely for us to get more release. But, I get that it might be difficult for some to spend money for a novel that you can’t actually read because it’s in Japanese.
And so I happened to saw this Twitter account @HQlntranslate the other day. They are trying to get VIZ to do an official English release for Haikyuu Light Novel. How great that’d be! We could get every single chapter translated by professional translators who know what they’re doing unlike this amateur translator wannabe lol.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, go visit the Twitter account and fill in the form so that we can get the light novel released in English and support the series!
Took a break from translating the light novel to translate this because this project has made me cry twice today, first when I saw someone tweeted about the newspaper spread first thing in the morning and once more when I saw the video after work. This project shows how kind Haikyuu is as a series, and by translating it I hope I could share that with others.
I put the translation below (it’s on the comments on the video too if it’s not buried), but before that a summary for context:
Took a break from translating the light novel to translate this because this project has made me cry twice today, first when I saw someone tweeted about the newspaper spread first thing in the morning and once more when I saw the video after work. This project shows how kind Haikyuu is as a series, and by translating it I hope I could share that with others.
I put the translation below (it’s on the comments on the video too if it’s not buried), but before that a summary for context:
The Summer Inter High sports tournament this year has been cancelled due to COVID. High school sports tournament is a big thing in Japan, and for some of the third years this particular tournament was their last chance to participate.
The cancellation has understandably demoralize those who have done their best preparing for the event, so Haikyuu and Shueisha did this Haikyuu Uniform Project where they took submissions of the school's jersey by mail, and then they took those jerseys to Utsunomiya City Gymnasium where the final match of the boys' volleyball tournament should've taken place, lined them up, and took picture of them to cheer the players up. The photo (1:42) is also published as a double-spread on Japanese newspapers today, 24 August, the day the final match should have taken place.
---
Translation:
0:00 Somehow a terrible thing has happened to the world
00:06 (also on screen) 26 April 2020, Summer Inter High is officially cancelled
00:16 Schools are closed
And club activities couldn't take place
00:24 But the fact that you have done your best still remains
The days where you clenched your teeth also still remain
The sweat you have shed is engraved into your muscle
00:40 That's why, in order to leave a proof of your hard work In order to convey that feeling
We took your uniforms to where the final match of Inter High should have taken place
0:55 (on screen) Utsunomiya City Gymnasium 1:09 (on screen) (names of all the schools sending their uniform to take part in this project)
1:28 (on uniform) Karasuno
1:35 Even though there is no Inter High this year Nothing has ended for you From here onwards, you can do anything!
1:46 Come, look up and rise
1:49: Because volleyball is a sport where you're always looking up 2:00 (on screen) The serialization of Haikyuu has ended
But their tales continue within us
2:06 (on screen) And your tales also continue from here onwards
To the youths who have done their best in their sports, we wish you good luck in your future
2:12 (on screen) Thank you very much for 8.5 years
Just came back to tumblr after quite some time and I’ve got quite a lot of inbox about the translations. You guys are very sweet! Thanks, really appreciate the nice words, likes, and reblogs. I started doing this as some sort of practice, but those have encouraged me to do more :)
As for what’s next, I was initially planning to translate something from the latest light novel (vol. 12), but they keep running out of stock in my local bookstore and the next batch won’t come in for another 2-3 weeks. Happy for Haikyuu to be selling like hot cakes, but sad that I’m not getting my copy anytime soon.
But anyway, some of you have requested the Ushijima chapter from vol. 11. Sorry, I couldn’t do that one now! Unfortunately I don’t have that volume yet (I only have vol. 8-10 right now).
I’ve also got requests for the full translation of The Foxes’ New Year. I swear I felt like I’ve seen some translation of it floating around, but then again it might be a summary and might not be on tumblr, not sure where I saw it. Can’t promise you anything, but I might have a go at it again if no one else has translated it.
But for now, I’m going to do another requested one first, which is The Cats’ and The Owls’ Shopping Trip from vol. 10. This chapter was the reason I bought vol. 10 to begin with, I love any story with good Tsukki, Bokuto, and Kuroo interaction. I already wanted to translate it when I read it back then, but I wanted to do a good enough translation for it and ended up putting it off instead (excuses, but yeah haha).
Anyways, I’ve started working on it, so look forward to it anon! Probably not that soon, but hopefully pretty soon!
