Haikyuu!! “Monster Generation” Chapter 401 Interview Translation & Observations:
** OFFICIAL SPOILERS BELOW **
So, it’s National Haikyuu!! Day! With the release of Chapter 401, there was a Haikyuu!! “interview” by the news reporter character who interviewed Hoshiumi, Enaga, on the back of the mini poster sold. Thankfully, the interview with Bokuto, Hinata, Kageyama, and Ushijima was translated by @pala_bora on twitter with the help of @rainofashe on tumblr. The link is here.
After reading – and fangirling over – the translation, I wanted to reveal my…
Top Ten Favorite Observations from the “Monster Generation” Interview:
10. Atsumu Miya approves of Hinata’s Kansai-Ben Imitation
Atsumu, who wasn’t invited to the interview, has Hinata ask Enaga, “Why wasn’t I called?!” in the Kansai-ben accent Atsumu Miya sports. I wish we could hear this or see this interview animated.
Again, reminding us the audience that Atsumu is truly whipped for our favorite ball of sunshine, and Furudate enjoys giving us Atsuhina crumbs to nibble.
9. Ushijima Rides Horses…and I need this in my life.
Okay, so Hinata and Kageyama recount the moment they met Ushijima and raced him back to Shiratorizawa. Hinata remembers the high school had horses and we learned that Ushijima actually rode one.
Okay, now, all you artists out there – I have a headcanon request, please.
I need Ushijima on a horse, as Prince Charming – with Sakusa as Cinderella, getting picked up by him after cleaning her wicked stepsisters (Atsumu and Oikawa)’s rooms.
Seriously, where is our Ushijima on horseback fan art?! I NEED THIS.
8. Kageyama’s First Impressions on Hinata…
…was that “he sucked.” But the way it’s translated, it’s much like how he phrased it to Atsumu Miya when he first met Hinata. Like, “He sucks, but he’s not weak.”
He likens Hinata to a bug, but Ushijima kinda defends him, saying that some bugs just flit around instinctively…meaning, they can’t help but be annoying.
7. Bokuto owes a debt to Tsukishima…
Bokuto states that his practicing with Tsukishima really helped him to spike against blockers – Enaga notes that she believes Tsukki’s Sendai Frogs team is on its way up to Division 1 in the future – Ushijima hopes that they do so he can face him on the court again. Kageyama, of course, just calls him a cynical four eyes and tries to act unimpressed.
Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the Tsukishima love Furudate has given us in this time skip arc? I need more Sendai Frogs content!
6. Date Tech gets a Shout Out
Ushijima notes how tough Date Tech is as an opponent, and even brings up how in Kageyama and Hinata’s second year, they lost at the inter high qualifiers to them. Bokuto laments that he couldn’t face Date Tech since they weren’t in their prefecture. Ushijima likens them to Kamomedai, which impresses Bokuto a lot.
5. Bokuto and Ushijima played each other in Middle School!
Bokuto recounts losing to Shiratorizawa’s middle school and Ushijima specifically. I love that Ushijima casually points out that in their first game, Bokuto missed ALL of his serves. Kageyama lightens the embarrassment by throwing Hinata under the bus, though, remembering the serve to his head from their first practice match.
Kageyama does admit Hinata’s serves have gotten better, though. ^^
4. Speaking of which, everyone RAVES about Kageyama’s serves
Bokuto calls his serves “sick,” Ushijima notes they’re “remarkable,” and Hinata just casually says they’re “alright.” Of course you’d say that, Hinata.
There are three important notes about Kageyama from this part of the interview:
* He says that Atsumu is “beating” him at serving, since he’s a tri-wielder now, and he’s working on improving his serves to take back his top server spot.
* Kageyama STILL draws INSPIRATION from Oikawa’s serves – he’s still watching Oikawa as a reference for serving! ^^ Ugh, it makes me want to see the final Olympic battle and Oikawa’s sick serve SO BAD.
Also, Hinata calls Oikawa “The Grand King” and Bokuto learns he’s Kageyama’s senpai. Oihina rights still reign, y’all.
* Ushijima calls Oikawa the “Tactician” instead of “Grand King” and Bokuto says that both Oikawa and Kageyama are “evil” in terms of being servers.
3. Kageyama’s Autograph has HEARTS…and HE DIDN’T REALIZE.
Okay, so “Sugamomma” gave Kageyama suggestions on how to do his autograph as a pro volleyball player. What he didn’t tell Kageyama was that a detail on the autograph was a HEART.
Meaning, Kageyama’s been signing his name with a heart on it for YEARS and didn’t realize it.
Enaga, the interviewer, notes that fans really like the autograph that he has. I just love that Sugawara may have unintentionally made Kageyama more popular, with the cutest autograph.
2. The Other Signatures
Hinata doesn’t say much about his autograph, but apparently Bokuto perfected his autograph since elementary school, and of COURSE Ushijiima has beautiful handwriting with his autograph being very neat.
Bokuto offers to help Ushijima “spice up” his autograph, which he politely declines. Kageyama offers to have Sugawara help – which Ushijima not-so-politely declines the offer.
1. Their Goals
All four of them want a Gold Medal at the Olympics…of course, Furudate doesn’t reveal to us whether that ends up happening or not…for now.
This little interview was SO SO cute! I really hope Furudate does a “setter” interview and a “Middle Blocker” interview, like it says could happen – I’d read so many of these character interaction interviews if he just did little snippets in the future. I hope you all check out the translation!
