Why did Haikyuu!! change its animation style?

Fans of the hit anime series Haikyuu!! were in for a surprise when season 4 debuted with a change in animation style. The show’s first three seasons were characterized by dynamic animation that captured the thrill of the volleyball matches played by the members of Karasuno High’s team. However, season 4 marked a turning point for the series as the team finally made it to Nationals, and this momentous occasion was captured in a new animation style that had some fans concerned about the quality of the action scenes.

According to reports, the change in animation style was a deliberate choice made by the producer of Haikyuu!! who wanted the series to be more faithful to the manga’s original drawing style. The manga and season 4 share a simpler artistic style that differs from the more detailed and dynamic animation seen in the first three seasons. This trend of creating anime that closely resembles the drawing style of their original manga counterparts is becoming increasingly popular among animation studios, and Haikyuu!! is no exception.

In addition to the change in animation style, season 4 also saw a shift in the show’s key staff members. Susumu Mitsunaka, who had served as the series’ director for three seasons, stepped down and was replaced by Masako Sato, a veteran director who had worked on major anime films such as Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away. Takahiro Chiba, the show’s chief animation director, also stepped down and was replaced by Yū Kobayashi, who had previously worked on the show as a key animator.

The change in staff and animation style was met with mixed reactions from fans. While some fans preferred the show’s original animation style and found the new style lacking in dynamism, others appreciated the effort to stay true to the manga’s original art style. Some fans even praised the show’s continued focus on character development and the enduring humor that made the show a fan favorite from the beginning.

Overall, the change in animation style and key staff members during season 4 of Haikyuu!! was a significant shift for the series that sparked both excitement and concern among fans. However, the continued popularity of the show and its characters proved that the series still had a lot to offer, no matter the animation style.

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