Crafted by Haruichi Furudate, Haikyu!! is a popular sports anime series and movie chronicling the journey of Shoyo Hinata, a determined teenager with dreams of becoming a professional volleyball player. Although Karasuno High School, where Hinata attends and joins the boys’ volleyball team, is a fictional setting, fans have the opportunity to visit real-life locations depicted in the Haikyu!! movies and series. Join us as we journey through some of Haikyu!!‘s authentic locations, scattered across three Japanese cities.
Haikyu!!: Cast, release date and more
The Haikyu!! anime features a talented cast of voice-over artists, including Ayumu Murase as Shoyo Hinata, Kaito Ishikawa as Kageyama Tobio, Yuki Kaji as Kenma Kozume, Koki Uchiyama as Kei Tsukishima, Junya Enoki as Suzuki, Daisuke Namikawa as Oikawa Toru, and Sumire Morohashi as Yachi Hitoka.
While the series had already captivated audiences with four seasons by 2020, the creators decided to conclude the story with two full-length movies. The first Haikyu!! movie is set to premiere across Japan on February 16, 2024.
Haikyu!! shooting locations
Karumai in Iwate Prefecture
Karumai holds special significance as the hometown of Furudate Haruichi, the creator of the Haikyu!! anime series. Many elements of the town, including its schools, stores, and various locales, serve as inspiration for the series and movies.
In the anime, the fictional Karasuno High School draws inspiration from real-life Karumai High School, while the fictional Saitama-based Shinzen High School closely resembles Karumai Middle School. The fictional Sakanoshita Shop is modelled after a daily-needs store near Karumai High School.
Interestingly, the fictional Tatesaka Electronics Store in Sendai, where a young Hinata first dreams of playing volleyball, is situated on the main shopping street in Karumai. Additionally, the real-life Karumai Town Gymnasium inspires the fictional gymnasium where Hinata and Kageyama first meet during junior high school.
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Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture
Shiratorizawa Academy, a rival volleyball-playing school in the Haikyu!!, is based on the Tohoku International School in Sendai, which also inspires the Spring Inter-High Competition location.
Sendai Station, featured in the anime, offers Haikyu!! fans a wide range of merchandise and special events to indulge in. The fictional Sendai City Gymnasium, where the Miyagi Interhigh Prelims take place, draws inspiration from the real Kamei Arena Sendai.
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Tokyo
Tokyo serves as a significant inspiration for various scenes in the Haikyu!! anime movies and series. According to the storyline, fictional rival volleyball teams like Nekoma and Fukurōdani are based on real Tokyo schools.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and the Sumida City Gymnasium are actual sports stadiums in Tokyo. Ariake Arena, a multi-sport venue, and the Ajinomoto National Training Centre, an athletes’ training centre, are also real-life locations in the city. Furthermore, Kokuritsu-Kyōgijō Station, Meiji-jingumae Station, and Kitasandō Station in Tokyo have all made appearances in the Haikyu!! anime series and movies.
(Feature image credit: IMDb.com)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-What is the plot for the Haikyu!! series?
The Haikyu!! anime follows the journey of Hinata Shoyo and his friends and family as he strives to become a professional volleyball player despite his short stature.
-How many seasons are there for Haikyu!!?
Haikyu!! series consists of four seasons, with the final two seasons set to be released as full-length movies.
-Will there be another season of Haikyu!!?
The final season of the Haikyu!! anime series will be released as a movie, although specific dates have not yet been announced.
-What are the best characters in Haikyu!!?
Hinata Shoyo, the protagonist, is one of the most beloved characters in the series. Fans also adore Atsumu Miya, Tobio Kageyama, and Wakatoshi Ushijima.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Esha Dasgupta
Senior Digital Writer - Growth, TravelEsha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked ..Read More
