During a recent men’s volleyball match between Japan and Argentina at the Olympics on July 31, a surprise reference to the sports anime Haikyuu was featured. The anime’s opening song “FLY HIGH” was played during several key moments in the match, including after Japan’s victory, which added a special touch to the event. This unexpected inclusion has sparked excitement and speculation among fans.
Adding to the excitement, another Haikyuu theme song, “Phoenix,” was played during the warm-ups, and fans were seen sporting Nekoma towels, a nod to the anime’s fictional volleyball teams. This blend of real-world sports and anime culture delighted many viewers and made the game even more memorable.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Haikyuu song has been featured in the Olympics. During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the song “Imagination” from the anime was played during a match between Japan and Venezuela, showing that this crossover is becoming a bit of a tradition.
Fans of Haikyuu also noticed similarities between Argentina’s volleyball uniforms and the fictional Team A all-star team from the series, which includes characters Oikawa and Hinata. This resemblance, coupled with the fact that the match mirrored a fictional showdown between Oikawa and Kageyama, heightened the anime connection and excitement.
As Haikyuu prepares to wrap up with a second feature film, following the first film “The Dumpster Battle,” which covered Karasuno’s match against Nekoma, the series continues to make waves in both the anime and sports worlds. For more updates on Haikyuu and other anime, fans can check out recommendations and guides on the latest and upcoming anime series.
