Anime's Greatest First Episode

[@TheSoak]

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[@DokuDoki]

I enjoyed how haikyuu consistently made feel volleybal like the coolest thing ever, without ever going over the edge with the spectacle (in way Kuroko's Basketball did, although I enjoyed that in its own way for the literal basketball superpowers. The two shows were doing something different and ultimately I prefered Haikyuu more). In other words, "I'll take the potato chip... and eat it"

[@byejuyo]

I can understand why people might like KNB more than Haikyu, but after being a huge KNB fan and watching Haikyuu I don't really think anyone can make a good argument that KNB is a better show. It's like Haikyu takes all the things that KNB did wrong and fixes them (such as the seirin plot armour)

[@ShupperDupper]

haikyuu is consistently, episode for episode, a spectacular show. can’t think of a weak link in the entirety of the current run!

[@lazyrainysoul]

i love volleyball. i've played since primary school but was never serious about it. i recently joined a volleyball club and a lot of the members in it play it because of haikyuu, so i watched it. it strengthened my love and passion for sport so much that i practice every day after school to aspire to reach the character's levels. haikyuu has taught me a lot of things. i may not have the height disadvantage of shoyo per se, but i've always been a lazy person when it comes to taking things seriously. now i'm a middle blocker on our team, affectionately but unofficially nicknamed "crows".

[@yusriyarofifahalimah1805]

that means.. you're Tsukishima :)

[@arshdeepdeo3722]

Attack on titan still has my favourite pilot episode of all time due to it's context being drastically changed whenever you rematch it after learning some new truths about the world. You did a great job making a case for Haikyuu, though I loved watching this show during lockdown!

[@evanbelcher]

I really enjoyed this video. I feel like the "people talking about anime" youtube subgenre can be really hit or miss but the way you break down & narrate scenes is really great.

[@craftychicken12]

Haikyuu quickly became one of my favorite anime of all time and even after just one episode I could tell that it was something special. I HATE sports and so to make me care about this kid who dreams of becoming a volleyball star is no easy feat. Haikyuu not only made me care about Hinata, but it also made me appreciate and fall in love with every character. From those who have only a short character arc where they change over the course of 5- 10 episodes to those whose arcs span multiple seasons, every character's story is crafted so well and so intricately that you question whether these are based on real people. To make someone who hates sports not only watch the whole show, but go on to give other sports anime a try, is something I will forever thank Furudate for

[@yusriyarofifahalimah1805]

im on the same page.. i used to hate sports anime with every bone in my body (bc the superpower trope that always comes with it, made me prejudiced about the genre).. but now i will forever hold Furudate sensei's work dearly in my heart☺

[@LdotMessi]

I haven't seen this first episode since it came out like a decade ago. Amazing analysis on the episode, you've highlighted so many important points that i glossed over when i watched it as a kid. It's great to see this show again from on older perspective! I hope you continue to make content on Haikyuu or breakdown other shows in this manner, keep it up!

[@LonnyH]

Aoashi takes everything Haikyuu does right and tells it through a soccer story. Absolutely brilliant show if you haven’t seen it. Unfortunately it was overshadowed by Blue Lock. At this point I doubt there’ll be a second season.

[@joekinsman3415]

6:53 The kanji for Karasuno is actually 烏野 which means crow field. I think what you were thinking of was 烏の.

[@LifesY-T]

fine... ill watch haikyuu for the 14th time.

[@tesshh1]

I wouldn't mind more videos about Haikyuu, your analysis is very good and interesting

[@jameslaughland2053]

love your stuff. wishing you success

[@LouisRaymond-y7d]

BTW they also agree that the game is only over when the ball drops because volleyball is one of the only sports without a time limit. It only progresses with points scored. Little pragmatic, but also tells you about the type of people who play, and how important their resolve is. I think the Tsukishima part wasn't a strong point, though I'm surprised you didn't point out Tsukishima as a foil for Hinata specifically. Someone not passionate, someone who relies on careful thought instead of pure effort, someone who already has the natural gift of height. "Dark" character is a little vague, but I understand you didn't want to give spoilers. Your points on why it's a good first episode are great! I actually think it can be boiled down even further to Haikyuu's dedication to "show-don't-tell" and use of symbolism. No one has to tell you Hinata is an amiable person (I think only Sugawara literally mentions it much later when he makes friends with Yachi). Hinata doesn't say "I want to be like him!" or "I am obsessed and self-motivated!" You can see him work himself to bits yourself, you can see him not give up in hopeless situations, you can see his eyes light up when anyone mentions the Little Giant. The symbolism, don't get me started. But even the shots, the lighting, the music... Almost everything cinematography-related in Haikyuu is an intentional decision, a lit major's wet dream. The shadow Hinata casts on his friend is just like when a giant is looming over a person (sound like someone trying to be a giant?). Hinata is always looking at the source of light (the ball, his obsession), sometimes he even is the source of light cast on other people while they stare at him and his resolve in awe. When so many things are pregnant with meaning you get a lot of feelings... At least for me it makes me look forward to unravelling the rest of the story. That's why I thought it was a good first ep. Maybe I'm just a sucker for metaphors. Lastly I think those of us who think Haikyuu is "perfect" also find the underdog story very compelling. Even from the beginning; Yukigaoka, Hinata's middle school has a very humble name "snowy hill" while Kitagawa Daiichi literally has No. 1 in the name lmao. You can also see a bit of underdog rivalry between a small school in the rural areas (with not enough members/budget for a club!) VS a renowned school with a stacked roster and a coach. One side has a natural advantage and one does not. You kind of see the bigger conflict always getting hinted at outside mere volleyball; the conflict of philosophies on what it takes to succeed, whether the underdog can win.

[@Slaakarok]

The Soak Haikyuu content! 😄

[@Seelenwolf]

22:20 thats why i love my country's dubs, german dubs often go above and beyond when dubbing, in the german dub kageyama is correctly saying I am going to win all these games.we also dont have the over 9000 mistranslation from DBZ as dubs arent translated from english but from their original language.

[@vikmite9635]

Where do you watch german dubbed anime?

[@Seelenwolf]

@@vikmite9635 most of the time on crunchyroll.

[@Seelenwolf]

@@vikmite9635 looks like my last reply didnt went throug, most of the time i would use crunchyroll.

[@alicia7053]

I gotta say, I don't often like watching German dubs bc the translations sometimes just feel off somehow, but I will forever stand by Haikyuu's German dub! It's literally so funny and organic, probably bc it's just a silly show with an everyday premise, so watching it in German doesn't make it feel out of place for me. They do have their minor translation hiccups, but the voices just fit the characters so well and it's so quotable haha I just love it

[@zFrizzi]

To Your Eternity's first episode is my favorite first episode out of any show

[@Sun_arise]

Times to go back and watch for the 8th time

[@gameliking]

I'm not a huge anime watcher, I've seen a few but I wouldn't say I'm an anime fan. Haikyuu is one of if not my favorite out of the ones I've seen. It's so good.

[@elisehoyt4107]

SPOILERS AHEAD! I still remember getting into Hyaikuu my senior year of college, watching while i worked on my senior film. I literally screamed when Captain Daisuke got injured. Hyaikuu was the first anime that reminded me that i really liked volleyball, even though im not very good, but that it's so fun to play and even more fun to play with your teammates. It also made me wish i had more people to play with like Hinata growing up. I actually didnt want to play sports growing up because the people around me would yell at me just for messing up in P.E, or a receas game of soccer! Different people need different kinds of encouragement to improve, and i loved how supportive the Kurasuno team was of each other. Who knows, maybe i'll find some casual friendly volleyball players one day?

[@mothmankickflip]

Rip daichi 😢

[@jimtamim1708]

Please a video about, "The Anime Ending" because i think you need to make a video on that too. Many would say "what matters is the journey". If only that, nobody would clown on the Promise Land anime ending, Oshi no ko last chapter, JJK, MHA.

[@beaboutlove]

this needs more views

[@vibes_1425]

My favorite first episode of all time is Cross Game. Don't know how many people that watched this vid watched that though.

[@lord6992]

To your eternity Is the only right answere imo

[@garielstatie528]

great analysis video but i cant help but think this opinion is something you only get on hindsight if were greatest 1ep why not oshi no ko 🧐 i recommend that anime if you haven't seen it yet or Dandadan & death-note those where the first that came to mind here

[@benmason9080]

I firmly believe Akame ga kill had one of the strongest opening episodes of all time.

[@Garland41]

Maybe I'm old school, but I would say that the greatest first episode of Anime is Yu Yu Hakusho. But I would say that it bucks what you say a good pilot should give. Rather it unravels a mystery while going into Yusuke as an example of the human condition while still being 14.

[@KairosRabbit]

How about hiring starting animators to make your content and use short clips from the original media. That could help against copyright

[@JenniferFuss]

I am confused that you think that the viewer would expect to win. From my experience with sports anime there is basically no chance that they will win and would play against the genre if they win. I am pretty sure that "Attack No. 1" starts somewhat the same.

[@ekthepro]

Haikyuu is a true sports anime whereas most other “sports” anime are battle shonen in disguise.

[@Vxlocit.y]

the best first episode is without a doubt oshi no ko its was so sad and it was a whopping 1 hr long

[@svenbjorn9700]

The top of the S in soak should form from the fishing line falling.

[@davidjavier1052]

Its oshi no ko, i swear it gets overshadowed by the classics but oshi no ko is by far the best

[@lettuce1626]

Idk if frieren has the best first ep, I remember it took me a few episodes to finally enjoy the show The hype and emotional moments dont come until like at least 3 eps But if ur talking about good first ep to build up the future eps, then thats different Im just saying, standalone, not the best, quite slice of lifey

[@minicle426]

Digimon Adventure.

[@natalimoina]

Despite the generally poor adaptation from Ufotable, definitely gonna say DS has the best first episode. They did fairly well there and didn't muck up any of the story like they do later.

[@kotakaishiboi]

lowkey zom100 gives it a good run for its money

[@_Shaugen]

Your usage of dub clips really weakens the presentation

[@shishkey]

With a title like that I hope you don't mind some challenges to the claim. After listening to your criteria, a few 1st episodes came to mind: Aldnoah Zero (If talking about 1st episodes only, the show falls off hard after that.) Monster Ping Pong the Animation Also gotta stand up for Game of Thrones S1E01. Haikyuu presents: - The backstory and philosophy for the hard working, good-natured main character - A skilled opponent with a conflicting results-oriented mentality - The planting of a seed for the future with the remarks from Karasuno High - The subversion with the revenge target becoming a team-mate instead. vs Game of Thrones: - The introduction of the supernatural with the White Walkers - The introduction of the Starks, Robert & the Lannisters - So many interactions of note to list: Arya showing off her physical prowess, and general lack of interest in 'ladylike' things, Jon being more of a mentor figure to Bran than Rob, Theon showing hostility to Rob, the naivety of Sansa, the way Jamie 'handles' Tyrion, the camaraderie between Robert and Ned, Tyrion finding common ground with Jon, Cersei and her disregard for The North. - The introduction of Danaerys, Dothraki & Jorah - The hook of Bran getting thrown out of a window.

[@unburdenedcatcreature]

Why are you “standing up” for Game of Thrones on a KZbin video specifically about anime? 😂

[@shishkey]

@@unburdenedcatcreature Because the video directly calls it out, in like the first 20 seconds? By the end of this video I will I hope have convinced you that the opening episode of Haikyuu is not only the greatest first episode of any anime ever but also just one of the greatest pilot episodes in TV history right up there with the likes of Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones.

[@Flexclipsss]

it's oshi no ko easily, not even close. best first episode ever

[@Gr_YoruToshiro]

oski no ko is better

[@Gr_YoruToshiro]

the first episode

[@sorozxd8071]

blue lock ep1 clears especially with ego's speech

[@leboski4019]

LMAOOOOO

[@sheleavitt06]

I don’t appreciate the dig at dubbed animes. Some of us are slow readers and dubs make it so that we are actually able to enjoy the anime without having to pause every three seconds to read and comprehend what is happening. So you can keep your sub vs dub feelings to yourself 😤