Manga is a world as diverse as the comic universe can get. From romance to fantasy, it offers a smorgasbord of genres. But if there’s one genre that wears the crown, it’s shonen. It’s the realm where friendship, battles, and personal growth coalesce into a rollercoaster of emotions. Within this realm, sports manga like Haikyuu and Blue Lock have become the stuff of legends.
Why Haikyuu Scores Big in Popularity
When it comes to sports manga, the characters and the way they interact with the sport they are playing are essential for it to be successful; thus, without interesting characters, it’s tough for a sports manga to become successful.
Haikyuu Manga Versus Anime: What’s the Fuss?
For the anime fans, you’re in luck. Haikyuu doesn’t just stop at the manga; it’s been adapted into an anime series that’s equally engaging. However, for the purists who believe in going to the source material, knowing the length of the manga journey is fundamental. So, if you’re ready to dive into this universe, you might be asking, “How many volumes of Haikyuu are there?”
By the Numbers: The Haikyuu Manga Series
Written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate, the first chapter hit the stands on February 20, 2012. Serialized in the prestigious Weekly Shōnen Jump, the series is a deep dive into the world of volleyball. With a lineup of stellar characters, including but not limited to Shoyo Hinata and Kageyama Tobio, the series is a slam dunk, or should we say a spike!
As of 2023, the Haikyuu manga series is complete with a whopping 45 tankōbon volumes, housing 402 chapters. The first volume, featuring Hinata and Kageyama on its cover, was released on June 4, 2012, and the last volume followed on November 4, 2020.
Haikyuu!! x V.LEAGUE "The Volleyball" — DAY 2 live tweeting & translation thread! pic.twitter.com/oOVvujLWtN
— Kseniya (@TrianaNero) August 14, 2022
A Glance at Haikyuu’s Volumes
| Vol. No. | Volume Title | Chapters | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinata and Kageyama | Ch. 1-7 | June 4, 2012 |
| 2 | The View from the Top | Ch. 8-16 | August 3, 2012 |
| 3 | Go, Team Karasuno! | Ch. 17-25 | October 4, 2012 |
| 4 | Rivals! | Ch. 26-34 | January 4, 2013 |
| 5 | Inter-High Begins! | Ch. 35-44 | March 4, 2013 |
| 6 | Setter Battle! | Ch. 45-53 | May 2, 2013 |
| 7 | Evolution | Ch. 54-62 | August 2, 2013 |
| 8 | Former Lonely Tyrant | Ch. 63-71 | October 4, 2013 |
| 9 | Desire | Ch. 72-80 | January 4, 2014 |
| 10 | Moonrise | Ch. 81-89 | April 4, 2014 |
| 11 | Above | Ch. 90-98 | June 4, 2014 |
| 12 | The Tournament Begins! | Ch. 99-107 | August 4, 2014 |
| 13 | Playground | Ch. 108-117 | October 3, 2014 |
| 14 | Quitter’s Battle | Ch. 118-125 | December 27, 2014 |
| 15 | Destroyer | Ch. 126-135 | March 4, 2015 |
| 16 | Ex-Quitter’s Battle | Ch. 136-144 | May 1, 2015 |
| 17 | Talent and Instinct | Ch. 145-153 | August 4, 2015 |
| 18 | Hope is a Waxing Moon | Ch. 154-162 | October 2, 2015 |
| 19 | The Chance That Connects | Ch. 163-171 | December 4, 2015 |
| 20 | Switch for the Utmost Limit | Ch. 172-180 | March 4, 2016 |
| 21 | First Snow | Ch. 181-189 | June 3, 2016 |
| 22 | Point Setter | Ch. 190-198 | August 4, 2016 |
| 23 | Upperclassmen | Ch. 199-207 | December 2, 2016 |
| 24 | The Wounded Cat | Ch. 208-216 | March 3, 2017 |
| 25 | The Best Opponent | Ch. 217-225 | May 2, 2017 |
| 26 | Empathy | Ch. 226-234 | August 4, 2017 |
| 27 | Invitation | Ch. 235-243 | December 4, 2017 |
| 28 | The New King | Ch. 244-253 | March 2, 2018 |
| 29 | A Battle of Concepts | Ch. 254-262 | June 4, 2018 |
| 30 | The Battle of the Little Giant | Ch. 263-271 | August 3, 2018 |
| 31 | Heroes | Ch. 272-280 | October 4, 2018 |
| 32 | Beyond the Dream | Ch. 281-290 | January 4, 2019 |
| 33 | Challenge | Ch. 291-299 | March 1, 2019 |
| 34 | Battle Lines | Ch. 300-308 | June 4, 2019 |
| 35 | The Birth of a New King | Ch. 309-317 | August 2, 2019 |
| 36 | The Battle of the Little Giant | Ch. 318-326 | October 4, 2019 |
| 37 | Challenge | Ch. 327-335 | January 4, 2020 |
| 38 | Beyond the Dream | Ch. 336-344 | March 4, 2020 |
| 39 | Heroes | Ch. 345-353 | June 4, 2020 |
| 40 | Battle Lines | Ch. 354-362 | August 4, 2020 |
| 41 | The Birth of a New King | Ch. 363-372 | October 2, 2020 |
| 42 | Challenger | Ch. 373-381 | January 4, 2021 |
| 43 | Find the Solution | Ch. 382-390 | March 4, 2021 |
| 44 | Ultimate Challengers | Ch. 391-399 | May 4, 2021 |
| 45 | The End of the Clash of Ages | Ch. 400-402, extra chapters | July 2, 2021 |
What’s the Haikyuu Manga Really About?
At its core, Haikyuu is the coming-of-age story of Shoyo Hinata. Inspired by a volleyball player known as the “Little Giant,” Hinata dreams of volleyball stardom despite his shorter stature. But the road to glory isn’t smooth, especially when his nemesis, Tobio Kageyama, ends up in the same high school team. Yet, the drama, the friendship, and the intense matches make this series more than a sports manga; it’s a saga of life itself.
The Final Whistle
Whether it’s the in-depth characterization, the riveting sports action, or the incredible growth arc of the characters, Haikyuu has it all. Knowing how many volumes there are can only prepare you for the magnificent journey that lies ahead. So, is Haikyuu worth your time? Absolutely. Because in the realm of shonen sports manga, Haikyuu is nothing short of a grand slam.
