MANILA, Philippines — Fans of the manga-anime series "Haikyu!!" were also glued to Wednesday's preliminary men's volleyball match between Japan and Argentina as they awaited life to imitate art.
Japan dominated the four-set match by winning three sets to Argentina's one in the Pool C match held in South Paris Arena last Wednesday.
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For the fans of the popular volleyball manga, the crucial match for Japan has another element that they were waiting to unfold.
The manga-anime series tells the story of Shoyo Hinata, a high school boy who aspires to be a great volleyball player despite his small stature.
As he fulfills his dreams of becoming one of Japan's remarkable volleyball players, he meets Kageyama Tobio, who is considered a genius setter. Rivalry aside, they made a winning hitter-spiker duo at the fictional Karasuno High School.
Fast forward to their adult years, they meet one of their rivals, Oikawa Toru, a setter from a rival school. This time, the trio meet at the Olympics with Oikawa playing for Argentina.
In addition to the thrill of the manga story somehow unfolding in real life, "Fly High" was played during the Japan vs. Argentina match. "Fly High" is the opening theme song of the anime.
Check out these tweets:
During the match between Japan and Argentina at Paris Olympics, the theme songs of the popular volleyball anime “Haikyu!!” were played ????????. pic.twitter.com/0IyPVX4iKk
— Otaku Mantra (@OtakuMantra) July 31, 2024
Japan vs Argentina at the Olympics with Haikyu!! openings playing. This couldn't be more poetic. https://t.co/mMBntOIraE pic.twitter.com/Q7FE2s7qpS
— Warrior of Liberation (@is_fearr) July 31, 2024
(In Haikyu Oikawa joins the Argentinian team and they play Japan in the Olympics. Who wins the match is never said but now we know)
— Jake Mason, Prince Of A Thousand Enemies (@jj_mason) July 31, 2024
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