My unwavering certainty as to the result of this match hasn’t wavered (I’m going to look quite a prat if I’m wrong).  But with three eps left I’m a bit stumped as to where Haikyuu is going to end this season.  Inarizaki has drawn out way longer than I thought, to the point where it would be an odd decision to start the next match now.  But we’re already at 26-26, a deuce game.  Even if you allow the season finale for a code, does it make any more sense to spend two full episodes on the rest of this set?

After last week’s tour de force, easily the best episode of the season, this week’s is more of a stead at the tiller sort of affair.  There’s more focus on the relatively boring third-years – Inarizaka’s Kita, Samurai-kun, and Captain Excitement.  But that implies that the the more interesting freshmen will really shine in the finale (of this match, anyway).  And they do have their moments, especially Tsukishima (and one especially unlikely bit of heroism from Shouyou).

I think the takeaway from this ep is that Inarizaka and Karasuno are basically evenly-matched at this point, and the winner will be decided by a millimeter on the key points, who rises up at the right moment, and luck.  That alone is significant as a progress indicator for the Crows, as their opponent was national runner-up.  It’s also notable that their vanquished opponents of the past seem to have taken a rooting interest in them (including Oikawa, whose appearance in the preview last week set off a frenzy on Twitter).  A bit of narrative conceit perhaps, but certainly forgivable.

Highlights of this endgame include a true service ace by Asahi, a dink serve by Tobio (clever boy), and a very interesting exchange between Tobio and Tanaka-kun.  That actually occurred earlier in the match, when Ryuu asked Kageyama not to set him for a while and was rebuffed (and a good thing too).  It all builds up to two match points saved by the Crows on Tobio’s serve, though they don’t manage to close the deal yet.  There’s also an exchange between Kita and two zaku foxes on the sidelines, where he verbally spanks them for dismissing the studs on the cort as geniuses.  I take his point and welcome his message, because in a sense that is in fact an insult to the hard work they put in to becomes freaks.  But I do wish Kita had more buildup earlier, which would gives these at-the-death scenes more weight.

The headline moment however was once again a miracle save by Shouyou – this time a kick-out with his foot which turns into an unlikely winner.  That was awesome – it’s always nice to be reminded of Hinata’s insane reflexes and preternatural volleyball instincts.  But the best part for me was Tobio’s reaction, because it’s clear he’s a little freaked out at being reminded of how good Shouyou-kun could become.  They’re teammates now, but Kageyama – like most great athletes – is a profound egotist.  The idea that someone, even a teammate, might have even more natiral talent than he does is threatening to him in a most entertaining way.