After a seven‑year gap, the world of high‑school volleyball is set to receive a fresh burst of Haikyu!! energy. Series creator Haruichi Furudate has produced a brand‑new illustration to mark the franchise’s renewed partnership with Japan’s national high‑school volleyball championship, commonly known as “Haruko.” The artwork was initially revealed during the recent Jump PRESS event and later shared on the official Haikyu!! X account.
Spring High Volleyball, officially the “All‑Japan High School Volleyball Championship,” crowns the nation’s top high‑school teams each winter. Because Haikyu!! centers on a high‑school team’s rise through the same competitive landscape, the tournament has long served as a natural backdrop for the series. The last official collaboration between the manga and the championship took place in 2020, making this the first joint effort since then.
The newly unveiled illustration spotlights Hinata Shoyo, the series’ indefatigable protagonist, leaping toward a soaring spike with a backdrop of cheering crowds and tournament banners. The dynamic pose captures both Hinata’s relentless optimism and the high stakes of the national competition. Fans first caught a glimpse of the piece on the official Haikyu!! X account, where the full version was later posted for public viewing.
Accompanying the visual, the Haikyu!! account expressed hope that Furudate’s drawing would “add to the excitement for the players competing at Spring High.” The tweet emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the series and the real‑world tournament, suggesting that the artwork could serve as a rallying symbol for young athletes across the country.
For readers who may need a quick refresher, Haikyu!! began its manga run in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2012 to 2020, chronicling the journey of Karasuno High’s volleyball club. Production I.G animated the subsequent TV series, with the first season airing in 2014, followed by three additional seasons that concluded in 2020. The franchise has since expanded into a variety of media, including recap movies, OVAs, stage plays, and video games.
Looking ahead, the collaboration arrives alongside two major 2027 anime releases. The first is HAIKYU!! the Movie: VS The Little Giant, an original film that pits Karasuno against a new formidable opponent. The second is the special anime HAIKYU!! Where Monsters Go, slated for a 2027 debut and promising fresh side‑story content. Both projects are expected to ride the wave of heightened interest generated by the Spring High partnership.
Fans and aspiring players alike have welcomed the announcement, noting that the synergy between a beloved sports manga and the nation’s premier high‑school volleyball tournament feels “like destiny.” As the tournament approaches, the new illustration will likely appear on promotional materials, merchandise, and possibly even on‑court signage, further cementing Haikyu!!’s place in Japan’s volleyball culture.
Featured image: ©Haruichi Furudate/Shueisha, Haikyuu Production Committee, MBS
Source: Anime Corner