In Haikyuu!!, the Karasuno High School Boy's Volleyball Club faces off against a handful of rivals on the practice court and the "orange court." Shiratorizawa and Aoba Johsai are Karasuno rivals that fans love to see. The beloved crows gain a new rival over the course of the series, in the form of Inarizaki from Hyogo Prefecture.
Throughout it all, fans have their favorite episodes and while some may have a similar ranking, it's their content that sets them apart from one another. The highest-ranking are more about the team effort it took to defeat the enemy of the episode, while lower-ranked in the top 10 are more about individual character development.
The Former Coward's Fight (Season 2, Episode 22) - 9.4
Yamaguchi Tadashi was put into the Seijoh game as the pinch server and panicked. Fans and teammates already know he isn't the best under pressure and doubts his skills. As this episode starts, he is feeling guilty for letting his team down and unworthy of his role.
Yamaguchi's teammates encourage him and even strike a pose from the sidelines to remind him that they believe in him. One of the aspects of the show that fans gravitate towards is how each character overcomes whatever is holding them back. This is Yamaguchi's "I did it!" moment and was a culmination of a lot of built-up emotion that led fans to appreciate his growth and this episode.
An Annoying Guy (Season 3, Episode 8) - 9.4
Karasuno is in their fifth set against Shiratorizawa and Tsukishima is still out of the game after blocking Ushijima's powerful spike. Ushijima had somewhat of a legacy to follow after his father, but he didn't want to be like his dad. He wanted to be a player that could be strong and boost the morale of his team.
Ushijima reflects on the first time he met Hinata when he realized it wasn't Hinata's technique or talent that bothered him but "something else" and he swore to crush him because he never expected their battle on the court to be this hard. It wasn't just Ushijima's realization and determination that earned this episode its spot but also the funny moments between side characters Sugawara and Tendo, as the latter tried to bait the former into being "salty."
Removing The Solitary King (Season 1, Episode 24) - 9.5
Oikawa and Kageyama have a troubled past, which is one of the saddest things about Kageyama, and when Oikawa ignored young Kageyama's pleas for training and mentorship for so long, eventually Kageyama became known as the lonely setter. Kageyama had a moment to reflect on his past behavior, as he saw Kunimi come out of his shell on the Aoba Johsai team.
When Hinata pulls Kageyama out of his thoughts, Kageyama sheds the figurative cape and crown, joining his new team on the court, no longer the "The Lonely King." This is just the first step of many that Kageyama takes to reach a place of comfort, belonging, and confidence by the end of season 4. Not only does Kageyama grow in his understanding of being a part of a team, but Karasuno loses a game against their prefectural rival. Both of those things impacted fans greatly, knowing they were in for a journey to watch this underdog team become legendary once again.
Broken Heart (Season 4, Episode 16) - 9.6
At Spring Nationals, the pressure of Inarizaki's blocks and targeting of Tanaka start to get to him, fans get insight into his mind and what it's like for him having to climb the mountain of pressure he puts on himself to be a better player and teammate.
Tanaka is rarely at the forefront of an episode, but he has a dedicated fan following, so when his love life was explored, fans seemed to really enjoy learning how he would battle with the pressure of playing a tough team and how to handle his heart.
Pitons (Season 4, Episode 22) - 9.8
When Karasuno takes the lead against Inarizaki, it's a surprise to everyone. Inarizaki turns the game around, as Atsumu's serves are nearly impossible to receive. When Aran goes up for the spike, the ball slams into Hinata's arms as he receives the ball properly for the first time.
Not only did the underestimated main character accomplish a feat he'd been battling for three seasons, but Kageyama, not known for dishing out kudos, told Hinata "nice receive." Kageyama and Hinata are a common fanship for Haikyuu!! so this episode wasn't just iconic for Karasuno but also for the growth in the relationship of the two main characters.
Monsters' Ball (Season 4, Episode 24) - 9.8
The match against Inarizaki was one of the most tiring, but Atsumu got sharper even as he tired out because he enjoyed watching Hinata's progress on the court. Kageyama realized this and made sure to track Hinata, even when his spike came out of nowhere. This allowed their trust to deepen yet again because even when Kageyama was irritated by the spontaneity, they found a rhythm with each other and Hinata's excitement outweighed Kageyama's anger.
Kita makes a comment that they are witnessing the "monsters" on his team versus the ones on Karasuno and this made it a fan-favorite episode. Karasuno was finally facing off not only nationally, but with teams harder than they expected.
The Halo Around The Moon (Season 3, Episode 4) - 9.8
The end of the second set against Shiratorizawa is where Tsukishima got to shine. He used his blocking skills from training camp as best he could, but both teams kept reaching a deuce and trying to overpower the other, wearing themselves out.
He never let his emotions show and was constantly curious as to why everyone he knew was so passionate about volleyball. But when Tsukishima finally blocked Ushijima's spike, he realized for the first time that volleyball could be fun. It's the most passionate moment fans see from the smart-aleck middle blocker.
The Volleyball Idiots (Season 3, Episode 9) - 9.8
While episode 4 was Tsukishima's most passionate, this was his most enthusiastic, as he wanted to convince Coach Ukai to put him back in the game. This episode gave fans the chance to see Tsukishima and Kageyama agree to run from Ushijima's spikes. Not only was this a big moment in Tsukishima's understanding of blocking the #3 spiker in Japan, but it was a moment of growth for the team for Kageyama and Tsukishima to agree on anything.
Tsukishima's inner monologue reveals that his insecurities about actually enjoying the game of volleyball are still there. This episode exposes how far Tsukishima has come from a "too cool for school" personality to someone who now understood what it meant to fight hard to the finish. It's always satisfying when a frustrated side character is able to reflect and grow, rather than let their past or their enemies define them.
The Battle Of Concepts (Season 3, Episode 10) - 9.9
There are many things Haikyuu!! gets right about volleyball, but one of the things it always highlights is how the team and individual players develop throughout the games. Hinata had always been known for his quick attack with Kageyama, but Ushijima focused on Hinata alone. Tsukishima was never determined to care about volleyball but wanted to understand why everyone around him was so dedicated, and when facing an opponent as strong as Ushijima, they both rose to the occasion.
This episode rightfully earned its ranking with some of Haikyuu!!'s most intense animation and even a softening the blow of Shiratorizawa's loss with a quick look at Ushijima's friendship with Tendo.
The Absolute Limit Switch (Season 2, Episode 24) - 9.9
As this game decides who will go to the finals, Oikawa and Kageyama once again go head-to-head as the best setters for their spikers. Oikawa proves that he won't back down, while Kageyama proves that his instinct and talent have gotten stronger. Later, when Oikawa literally looks up at Kageyama after he couldn't save the ball, he gets flashbacks of their past and remembers why he's determined to be the best. This doesn't have the same impact on Kageyama, but nonetheless, they motivate each other.
Both of these characters are relatable fan favorites because they focus solely on their goal and realize that the world around them can actually push them further if they let it. This top-ranked episode rightfully earned its spot through how intense an impact the ex-teammates have on one another and how volleyball, something they love, can help them through their misgivings.