Haikyu!! (yes, with two exclamation marks) is a Japanese anime series that ran from 2014-2020, with a movie continuation in 2024. It follows Shoyo Hinata, a short middle schooler who becomes obsessed with volleyball after watching a legendary player nicknamed "The Little Giant" on TV. Despite his height disadvantage, Hinata is determined to become an ace player.

The series tracks his journey through high school volleyball, starting when he joins Karasuno High School's team and meets Tobio Kageyama, a talented but difficult setter who becomes both his rival and partner. Together, they work to revive their school's once-legendary volleyball program.

There are four seasons (totaling 85 episodes), plus several movies and OVAs (original video animations). The series is available on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu with both subtitled and dubbed versions.

The middle school Haikyu!! phenomenon is real. Walk through any middle school hallway and you'll spot the merch: hoodies with "Karasuno" printed across them, phone cases featuring characters, kids practicing the show's signature moves in gym class.

It's not just about volleyball. The show taps into something deeper that resonates with this age group:

The underdog story hits different at this age. Middle schoolers are constantly being told they're too young, too small, too inexperienced, or not good enough yet. Hinata's entire arc is about proving that limitations don't define you. When you're 12 and feeling like the world is full of things you can't do yet, watching a character succeed despite being told he's too short is incredibly powerful.

The found family dynamic. The show is really about how a collection of misfits and rivals learn to work together. Each character has their own insecurities and strengths, and the team only succeeds when they figure out how to support each other. For kids navigating friend drama and trying to find their people, this resonates hard.

It's actually educational. Kids are learning real volleyball terminology, strategies, and techniques. Parents report their kids suddenly understanding rotation positions, the difference between a quick attack and a pipe, and why a good setter is crucial. Some kids have even joined volleyball teams because of the show (and then realized real volleyball is much harder than anime volleyball, but still).

The competition feels real. Unlike shows where protagonists always win, Karasuno loses important matches. They make mistakes. They have to learn from failure. The stakes feel genuine, which makes victories more meaningful.

Haikyu!! is remarkably clean for a show about competitive teenage athletes. There's no fanservice (the weird sexualization that plagues a lot of anime), no romance drama, and no graphic violence.

What you will find:

What you won't find:

The dubbed version tones down language even further, making it suitable for younger viewers. If you have an 8 or 9-year-old who's interested, the dub is your friend.

This is where it gets real: if your kid gets into Haikyu!!, they're asking for a significant time investment. Four seasons at 85 episodes, with each episode running 20-24 minutes, means roughly 30+ hours of content.

Some families set this up as a weekend activity or limit it to a few episodes per week. Others let it become the comfort show their kid rewatches constantly (which, fair—it's that kind of show).

The good news? It's a complete story with a satisfying ending, not an endless series that goes nowhere.

Worth noting: Haikyu!! is often a gateway anime for kids who haven't watched much anime before. The sports focus makes it accessible, and the positive themes mean it's a relatively safe introduction to the medium.

If your kid gets hooked, they'll probably want to explore more anime. This is a good time to learn about age-appropriate anime options and have conversations about content differences between series. Not all anime is created equal, and Haikyu!!'s wholesomeness is not universal to the genre.

Kids aren't just watching Haikyu!!—they're talking about it, sharing favorite moments, debating character rankings, and creating fan art. It's become a genuine social currency in middle school circles.

This can be a positive: shared interests build friendships and give kids common ground. But it can also create FOMO for kids who haven't watched it yet or don't have access to the streaming platforms where it lives.

Ages 8-9: The dub version works well for mature 8-9 year olds, especially if they're already into sports. The themes of hard work and teamwork are age-appropriate, though some of the strategic volleyball talk might go over their heads. Younger kids might also struggle with the emotional intensity of high-stakes matches.

Ages 10-12: The sweet spot. Fifth through seventh graders are the core audience, and they're at the perfect age to understand both the volleyball strategy and the deeper themes about identity, pressure, and belonging.

Ages 13+: Older middle schoolers and high schoolers often appreciate the show on a different level, picking up on more subtle character development and psychological elements. Many parents report watching alongside their teens and genuinely enjoying it themselves.

For kids who don't like sports: Honestly, give it a shot anyway. The show is more about personal growth and team dynamics than volleyball mechanics. Many non-athletic kids have gotten hooked because they connect with the characters' struggles and relationships.

If your kid is deep in their Haikyu!! era, these questions can lead to surprisingly good conversations:

The show also opens doors to talk about handling pressure, dealing with failure, and working with people who are different from you—all incredibly relevant to middle school life, volleyball or not.

Many parents end up watching Haikyu!! alongside their kids and getting genuinely invested. It's one of those rare pieces of media that works across generations. You don't need to know anything about volleyball to follow along (the show explains everything), and the character development is legitimately compelling.

Co-watching can also help you understand what your kid is connecting with and gives you shared reference points for conversations. Plus, you'll actually understand what they mean when they start talking about "Karasuno's synchronized attack" at dinner.

That said, 85 episodes is a lot. If you don't have that kind of time, watching the first few episodes together can help you gauge whether it's a good fit for your family and give you enough context to understand what your kid is watching.

Haikyu!! is one of the most parent-friendly shows in the middle school media landscape right now. It's inspiring without being preachy, competitive without being toxic, and genuinely teaches positive values about teamwork, perseverance, and supporting others.

Green light this one. If your kid is asking to watch it, this is a great opportunity to say yes to something that's both entertaining and genuinely good for them. The worst-case scenario is they become obsessed with volleyball and want to join a team—and honestly, there are way worse outcomes.

The show's emphasis on hard work, learning from failure, and lifting up your teammates is exactly the kind of messaging we want kids to internalize. Plus, it might actually get them interested in a sport that doesn't involve a screen.

And if you need help navigating the broader world of anime for your kid, explore age-appropriate anime options or ask about specific series they're interested in.