Kuroko’s Basketball vs Haikyuu
Hajime no ippo, Slam Dunk, Baki, Baby Steps, ping pong, the prince of tennis and other sports anime classics were once the talk of the town. Kuroko no Basuke (KNB) and Haikyuu, two of the most popular and well-known sports anime of the last decade, have emerged in the middle of it all, pushing the genre forward in new and exciting ways.
So similar, and yet so different. Both are based on manga that first appeared in Weekly Shounen Jump, the world's most popular manga magazine, and have been adapted into animation by studio production I.G
Each series has been extremely successful and well-received, featuring on numerous best-of lists and receiving high ratings on aggregate websites.
"But what if I'm not a basketball or volleyball fan?" you might be thinking if you haven't seen either of these series. Well, if you aren’t yet, there is a high chance that, as a result of these anime, which are chock-full of suspense scenes and detailed depictions of how awesome each sport is in its own way, you will develop a fondness for both basketball and volleyball.
For a long time, fans have been comparing and contrasting both shows in order to determine which is superior. There have been some arguments made on both sides in this regard that have been very convincing.
In this post, we’ll be comparing the two series. KNB VS HAIKYUU! Let’s get right into it.
Storyline
Both are sports anime that feature a male volleyball (Haikyuu) or basketball (Kuroko No Basuke) team with two main characters (Hinata & Kageyama/ Kuroko & Kagami) who help each other and combine their strength to become even stronger.
The plot revolves around a newly formed high school team that grows stronger as they meet increasingly challenging opponents, but the quality of play in each series varies greatly.
The characters in Haikyuu are portrayed as relatively ordinary athletic high schoolers playing on a relatively ordinary high school level, while the cast of Kuroko no Basuke is stacked with basketball prodigies who are said to be so strong that if they went pro, they might change the game forever.
The production of Haikyuu focuses on the main cast's weaknesses and how they learn to overcome them, while KNB on the other hand focuses on the antagonists' overwhelming power and how the main cast learns to overcome it.
The most of Haikyuu's time is spent working on the Karasuno team and their skill development. KNB, on the other hand, emphasizes the Generation of Miracles from the start, with an opening monologue identifying them as rivals from the protagonist's (Kuroko) past, with the sole aim of defeating them in the end
From our experience, KNB is way more action packed and intense, while Haikyuu on the other Hand is more wholesome. The storytelling of both Anime is amazing, so there is no real advantage on either side.
Due to the action-packed scenes and cliffhangers, KNB is constantly keeping audiences on the edge of their seats, making you hooked just from the episode! Haikyuu storyline has a slower approach, but will nevertheless capture your attention once you give it a couple episodes.
Characters
Art Style
The majority of fans will find the art style of KNB far more appealing. Apart from Kuroko, who appears to be small, all of the characters in KNB have broad shoulders, large, well-defined muscles, and are extremely attractive. A lot of them could easily pass for grown men, and almost all of them are meant to be able to cut an imposing figure out on the court. Meanwhile, Haikyuu’s characters are skinny, pointy, and sleek. They look like a bunch of kids, particularly when compared to the adults in the series.
Character portrayals
Haikyuu is a slice of life sports anime with characters that do not have any unusual physical abilities, just great agility, skill and potential. They're portrayed in a realistic manner that are quite relatable. They make mistakes, joke around, train hard, and you'll see how they evolve as the series progresses.
The cast of characters, the humor, and the more realistic aspect of the story elevate it to new heights.
KNB on the other hand isn’t realistic but a fantasy with characters who have special abilities ranging from Kuroko (Misdirection passes) to Akashi (Emperor Eye) to Midorima (Absolute Shooting Skills), and then there's the ZONE!!!, KNB's ultimate overpowered ability. However, the series' intense super-powered antics are just what most viewers want to see.
SEIRIN FIGHT! SEIRIN FIGHT! SEIRIN FIGHT!
Main Protagonist
Hinata is an infinitely more interesting character than kuroko. When comparing Hinata to Kuroko, it's obvious that the latter has a far more likable and well-developed personality.
Kuroko is, in reality, far too straightforward and emotionless as the series' protagonist due to his role as a shadow, according to the Myers-Briggs personality type. Kuroko is an INFJ personality type (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging personality traits) Hinata, on the other hand, is the ideal ENFP personality type (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Prospecting personality traits)
ENFPs are described as sociable free spirits, which Hinata exemplifies throughout the series.
Overall, I believe that, as with any matter of taste, a viewer's decision to interact with either of these series would be determined by what they enjoy in entertainment. Since the two shows are so similar, it's quite difficult to say which is better. Do you prefer action-packed scenes? Definitely go with KNB. Do you like a wholesome, realistic story of young men overcoming their weaknesses? Than Haikyuu might be more your cup of tea. Personally, I'm a fan of both Haikyuu and KNB.
What team do you stan? Let us know in the comment section.
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