Haikyuu!! [Season 1 Episode 5]

Haikyuu!! Season 1 Episode 5: Syncing Up and Throwing Up

If you’ve ever played a team sport, you know the mix of excitement and sheer terror that comes with your first official game. Haikyuu!! captures this feeling perfectly in Episode 5, titled “The View from the Summit”, where Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama finally start clicking as a duo—only for Hinata’s nerves to completely derail him in the most hilarious way possible.

The Sync Begins

This episode picks up right where the last one left off: Hinata and Kageyama are in the middle of their 3-on-3 match against their upperclassmen. The highlight? Kageyama’s sets are finally landing in Hinata’s hands like clockwork. Fans on MyAnimeList couldn’t stop gushing about how satisfying it was to see these two rivals-turned-teammates start meshing. One user put it perfectly: “The animation is always awesome, I’m surprised. Probably has a higher budget than KnB.” (And let’s be real, Production I.G. never disappoints.)

Tsukishima, the tall, glasses-wearing blocker, is forced to change his tactics because of Hinata’s speed, which frees up Tanaka on the other side. The teamwork here is electric, and it’s clear that Karasuno’s underdogs are starting to carve out their place on the team.

Hinata’s Nervous Breakdown: Comedy Gold

But the real star of this episode isn’t the volleyball—it’s Hinata’s spectacular meltdown. The moment he realizes he’s officially part of the team, his excitement turns into full-blown panic. The internet lost it over his antics:

• The Pants Incident: Hinata, in his nervous haze, tries to wear his jacket as pants. Then, in a moment of pure chaos, he ends up wearing Tanaka’s pants instead. Tanaka’s reaction? Priceless.
• The Vomit Scene: The cherry on top? Hinata pukes on Tanaka. Twice. Fans couldn’t stop laughing, with comments like “Poor Tanaka. He got puked over. XD” flooding the forums. One user even joked, “If you’re going to vomit, then sparkling vomit is the best way to do it.” (Because, apparently, Hinata’s puke was that animated.)

The Team Dynamic Shines

Beyond the comedy, this episode does a fantastic job of fleshing out the team’s chemistry. Tanaka’s over-the-top personality (shirtless celebrations included) and Sugawara’s calm leadership make Karasuno feel like a real high school team. Fans loved how “the characters actually feel like high schoolers playing sports,” as one Redditor pointed out.

And let’s not forget the introduction of Takeda, the faculty advisor voiced by Kamiya Hiroshi (of Levi from Attack on Titan fame). His youthful appearance and awkward energy had fans double-taking: “I thought he was a student! With that voice, this size! XD”

Mixed Reactions to Pacing

Not everyone was 100% sold, though. Some viewers felt the pacing was slow, with one critic complaining, “Apart from the acceptance battle of Hinata and Kageyama, almost nothing has happened.” But most fans defended the episode, arguing that the character development and humor were worth it. As one user countered, “It’s their first real game, and yet one of them is having the jitters. That’s realistic!”

Final Thoughts

Episode 5 of Haikyuu!! is a perfect blend of sports action and slice-of-life comedy. It’s the kind of episode that makes you laugh, cringe, and cheer—sometimes all at once. The animation is crisp, the voice acting is on point, and the characters are so lovable you’ll want to binge the entire season in one sitting.

As the episode ends with Hinata still a nervous wreck and the team gearing up for their first practice match, one thing’s clear: Karasuno’s underdog story is just getting started. And if the fan reactions are anything to go by, we’re in for an epic ride.

Rating: 9/10 – A near-perfect balance of humor, heart, and hype. Now, someone please give Tanaka a new shirt.

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Want more? Check out the discussions on MyAnimeList or dive into the next episode to see if Hinata survives his first match without puking again.