The members of Gekidan Haikyuu share their thoughts after reading the final chapter of Haikyuu! They were also all given special commemorative shirts to congratulate the series!
(from her Ameblo blog)
Dear Furudate Haruichi sensei,
Thank you so much for all of your hard work on the Haikyuu series for these eight years.
I couldn’t express all my feelings for Haikyuu in a brief comment, so
From when I first read the manga, to when I grew to love it, to when I was able to be involved with it myself, and now. It’s existed in my life in many different ways, and again and again it’s supported me and given me courage.
When I first read it, I remember that my very first thought was, “Oh, it’s a new series from the author of “The Ghost Stories of the philosopher Yotsuya-senpai!”
I only had very slight knowledge of sports manga and of volleyball. Since I didn’t know the rules, I wondered if I’d be able to understand everything and was a little nervous as I tried reading it, but my worries were completely unfounded! And then I immediately wanted to read more, and started looking up more about volleyball.
And then thanks to Haikyuu, I even made a lot of friends I could talk to about it. When I had just barely met Naru-chan, who works on illustrations for goods, we spent so much time talking about Haikyuu, and that was what allowed us to become close friends, I’m sure of it.
At the same time, while I was filming for a drama, I would read the volumes together with my co-star Saitou Akari-chan, and getting excited together with her is a very precious memory of mine.
And then, when the information came out that Haikyuu would be turned into a stage play, this was back during the very first play, I thought to myself, “I wish I could’ve at least auditioned!” And I urged my manager, “When they have auditions for women, please please make sure you sign me up!” Now I feel a bit bad about that, but I’m glad that I pushed them repeatedly about it backi then. Because thanks to that, I was able to meet an absolutely irreplaceable girl.
Through Engeki Haikyuu, I became better able to face other productions; that show had a huge influence on me, it moved me, and it supported me. Over and over again, I was given courage from the way those boys (and the girls) single-mindedly played volleyball through all their worries, all the while keeping their eyes upward.
When I think about it, Haikyuu is a series that occupies a lot of places for me, and holds all sorts of meaning. It expanded the world of this high school girl who didn’t know much of anything about volleyball and its rules, it allowed her to make new friends when she became a college student, and when she was worried about her acting it gave her a lot of courage.
Haikyuu ran along on such a bright path as it faced its goal and came to its completion. I feel so happy that I was able to see that moment, and at the same time, of course I also feel sad. But just because it’s over doesn’t mean the end of that brightness. They graduated high school, and the series showed us the shape of the futures that each and every one of them chose, but even so their futures continue further still. I wonder how those wonderful futures might continue, and what sorts of thoughts might run through their heads… While they might feel some sadness at times, I hope they can also be as happy as I am now. I’m so full of gratitude that I was able to meet those boys and girls.
Once again, congratulations to Haikyuu on its completion. And thank you for all of the emotions, the courage you gave me, and the wonderful memories! I’m so happy that I found Haikyuu! I will love it forever!
Thank you so much for all your hard work!!!!
engekihaikyuu
sleepless-rain
fyeah-tsukkiyama
kanamesengoku
knightingale-s
