"Obsession" (Japanese: こだわり Kodawari) is the seventh episode of Haikyū!! Karasuno High School vs. Shiratorizawa Academy High School, based on the manga Haikyū!! by Haruichi Furudate. The episode premiered on November 18th, 2016.
The opening theme of this episode is Hikari Are by BURNOUT SYNDROMES and the ending theme is Mashi Mashi by NICO Touches the Walls.
Overview
With Kageyama resting for a bit, the fifth set will be starting with Sugawara as the setter. As he feels the pressure of finally entering the match, Kiyoko tries to calm him down. On the other side of the court, Tendo reminisces his first year on Shiratorizawa, his moments on the volleyball club, and his childhood memories which made him nurtured his current skills in volleyball. As the game carries on, an unfortunate incident happened which led Karasuno into a pinch.
Plot
Kiyoko calming Sugawara down
The fifth set starts with Sugawara as their setter to let Kageyama rest for a while. Kiyoko, then, tries to calm the nervous Sugawara down which caused Sawamura, Azumane, Nishinoya, and Tanaka to get jealous of him.
The fifth set, which only goes up to 15 points, was easily controlled by Karasuno, gaining the first point of the set. They were able to widen the point gap more with Sugawara scoring with Nishinoya as the setter, surprising everyone. Tendo, however, was noticeably maddened.
Tendo talking to Washijo
Tendo had a flashback then when he was still a first year player for Shiratorizawa where he gets frequently scolded because he relies on his 'hunches' too much. He then overhears other players talking about how Tendo manages to abruptly stop practices, remarking that taking a rest is not bad. The following day Tendo is seen talking to Washijo, coach of Shiratorizawa, stating that he only wants to play volleyball that makes him feel good. The coach, indifferent, replies that he doesn't care as long as they score.
Another flashback ensues where Tendo is seen talking to Ushijima in the cafeteria. Tendo, at first, was talking about TV shows, but suddenly asked Ushijima personal questions like why did he choose to play volleyball, which Ushijima answers that he was influenced by his father, Utsui Takashi, who was a secondary league player. He also stated that his parents are divorced and that his father is currently overseas, and felt nothing when asked if his father will watch him play if he ever gets to be a more successful volleyball player. When asked if Ushijima wanted to be like his father, he instead replies that wanted to be like the ace of his father's team before.
Shiratorizawa reacting to Ushijima
The game continues, with Karasuno leading, and Ushijima remembers a memory of his father talking about being proud and using his left-handedness as his strength. He successfully scores consecutive points, and Shiratorizawa leads the game with 5-4, even quoting Tendo: "I'm starting to get into it."
Shiratorizawa continues to attack and score, with Karasuno barely catching up if it weren't for Tsukishima who continuously blocks Ushijima's attacks. Unfortunately, the game pauses because Tsukishima's right hand was bleeding, and had to be taken into the infirmary. Narita subs him and the game resumes. Tsukishima, evidently upset of leaving the game, was assured by his brother and Kiyoko and asked him to put his faith on his teammates.
With Tsukishima gone, the Karasuno players tried to counter with Nishinoya as setter and Suguwara as spiker but was blocked by Tendo, who remembers a memory of being called a 'monster' when he was still a kid and states that he is not satisfied with only a one touch but a complete block.
Debut
Characters
Locations
Appearances
Characters
- Tōru Oikawa
- Hajime Iwaizumi
- Makoto Shimada
- Yūsuke Takinoue
- Saeko Tanaka
- Akiteru Tsukishima
- Yui Michimiya
- Takashi Utsui (flashback)
- Takanobu Aone (mentioned)