"Being strong means... being free" (Haikyuu)

Summary

This video explores the concept of freedom, focusing on how strength, discipline, and skill lead to true personal freedom. Using examples from the anime *Haikyuu!!*, the creator highlights characters like Hoshiumi and Nishinoya, who find freedom through embracing their unique strengths, rather than being weighed down by comparisons or limitations. The video emphasizes that 'being good means being free,' showcasing how overcoming fears, mastering skills, and finding confidence leads to a life of fulfillment, both in volleyball and beyond.

Takeaways

• 🏋️‍♂️ Freedom comes through strength, not just physical but mental and emotional strength.
• 🏐 In 'Haikyuu!!', the line 'Being good means being free' reflects the idea that improving yourself leads to greater freedom.
• 📈 Skill development, whether in sports or other areas, creates freedom by allowing you to overcome obstacles and limitations.
• ⛔ Hoshiumi accepts his limitations (height) but hones the skills he can control, showing the importance of focusing on strengths over weaknesses.
• 🌟 Confidence comes from mastery. The more you develop your abilities, the more freedom you gain to pursue your goals.
• 💪 The mental battle of accepting oneself and not comparing to others, as shown in Hinata's journey, is key to achieving personal freedom.
• 🌍 Nishinoya’s journey symbolizes freedom from expectations; his life on the open sea reflects the freedom to choose his path.
• 🚪 Overcoming fear is central to achieving freedom in both volleyball and life, as seen in Nishinoya’s evolution and decisions.
• 🤝 True freedom also involves relying on others when necessary, as Noya's story highlights the importance of support from friends.
• 🗝️ The routine of self-improvement may seem boring, but it’s actually the key to unlocking the freedom to live life on your own terms.

Q & A

What type of freedom is the speaker focusing on in the video?

The speaker focuses on the freedom that comes from skill, mental strength, and physical strength, rather than just quitting a job or escaping responsibilities. This freedom is accessible through personal development, such as mastering certain skills and overcoming mental barriers.

How does the speaker define the relationship between strength and freedom?

The speaker emphasizes that true freedom comes from strength—whether mental, physical, or skill-based. Strength allows people to overcome limitations, fears, and societal expectations, ultimately giving them more control and freedom over their lives.

How does the speaker connect the concept of freedom to Haikyuu’s characters?

The speaker references various Haikyuu characters, like Hoshiumi and Hinata, to illustrate that freedom comes from their mental and physical resilience. Hoshiumi gains freedom through relentless practice despite his short stature, while Hinata embraces his unique role and abilities, freeing himself from comparisons to others.

What is the significance of the quote 'Being good means… being free' in the context of the video?

The quote signifies that mastery of skills or self-acceptance brings freedom. When individuals are 'good' at something, they gain the freedom to pursue what they love without being held back by insecurities or limitations.

How does Hoshiumi's story demonstrate the idea of 'freedom through strength'?

Hoshiumi’s story demonstrates that despite being the shortest in his family and often overshadowed by others, he gains freedom through relentless practice and self-improvement. By honing the skills he could control, rather than focusing on his disadvantages, Hoshiumi becomes one of the most well-rounded players in the series.

How does the speaker relate Nishinoya’s decision to quit volleyball to the theme of freedom?

Nishinoya's decision to quit volleyball and pursue a life of adventure illustrates freedom from societal expectations. Even though he was one of the most talented players, he chose to follow his own path, which symbolizes breaking free from the pressure to conform to others' expectations.

What role does fear play in limiting freedom, according to the speaker?

Fear limits freedom by causing people to focus on potential failure rather than success. The speaker suggests that great players, like Nishinoya, succeed because they are not bound by fear or expectations and are willing to take risks and explore new opportunities.

How does Hinata's journey in Haikyuu embody the concept of finding freedom?

Hinata's journey reflects finding freedom by embracing his unique strengths rather than focusing on what he lacks. Initially, he struggles with being called 'The Greatest Decoy,' but he eventually finds freedom in accepting and excelling in his role, while also letting go of the desire to be like taller players.

What lesson does the speaker derive from Hoshiumi’s acceptance of his limitations?

The lesson is that accepting limitations can be empowering. By focusing on what he could control, Hoshiumi turned his weaknesses into strengths and became a more versatile player, which granted him greater freedom on the court.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between discipline and freedom?

The speaker suggests that discipline leads to freedom. Practicing skills and persevering through difficult times grants the freedom to achieve one's goals and pursue passions, as it removes limitations and creates opportunities for success.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ The Concept of Freedom Through Strength

This paragraph introduces the concept of freedom beyond just quitting jobs, focusing instead on the freedom gained through skill, physical, and mental strength. Drawing from the anime *Haikyuu!!*, it explains how true freedom stems from personal strength, with examples from Yamaguchi and Shimida's conversation about how to enjoy sports, reflecting a larger principle applicable to life. Taking care of one’s health, honing social skills, and cultivating discipline are highlighted as pathways to this broader freedom, which the anime's characters strive toward.

05:01

🏐 Hoshiumi’s Journey: Freedom Through Volleyball

The focus shifts to the character Hoshiumi from *Haikyuu!!*, detailing his childhood struggle as a short player in a family of tall athletes. Despite physical limitations and spending much of middle school on the bench, Hoshiumi chooses relentless practice to overcome these challenges. This paragraph emphasizes how his determination to improve, particularly in volleyball skills, enables him to stay competitive. His mental strength, coupled with his ability to embrace his shortcomings and focus on his strengths, illustrates the core theme of achieving freedom through skill.

10:06

🛡️ Embracing Limitations: Hoshiumi’s Mastery

This section delves deeper into Hoshiumi's volleyball prowess, where he turns his perceived weaknesses into strengths. By focusing on areas like spiking, receiving, serving, and especially setting, Hoshiumi refines his abilities to a high level. His practice goes beyond mere competence, turning these skills into powerful weapons. The paragraph also highlights the importance of accepting personal limitations, a key part of Hoshiumi’s mental fortitude and the freedom it affords him on the court.

🌱 Finding Confidence: Hinata’s Path to Freedom

Here, the spotlight shifts to Hinata and his internal battle with being labeled 'The Greatest Decoy.' Initially, Hinata struggles with this title, wanting to spike like taller players, but he eventually embraces his role. His journey reflects a broader theme of self-acceptance, where he discards what doesn’t matter and focuses on what truly resonates with him. Over time, Hinata develops confidence in his abilities, both literally in his jumping and metaphorically in his career, symbolizing the mental freedom that comes with self-belief.

🌊 Nishinoya’s Fearless Pursuit of Freedom

Nishinoya's story is introduced as a reflection of a life lived freely, both on and off the volleyball court. He embodies a fearless mindset, playing without hesitation and, after high school, choosing an unconventional path of adventure by moving to Italy to fish. This choice to live a life of freedom away from the pressures of professional volleyball reflects a core theme in *Haikyuu!!*: pursuing personal fulfillment over societal expectations.

🏐 Fear and Growth: Nishinoya’s Evolution

In this paragraph, Nishinoya’s fearlessness is further explored, especially through his confrontation with Atsumu’s challenging serves. Despite his initial struggles with overhand receives, Nishinoya overcomes his fear with the help of his teammates. This moment in the anime plants the seed for his eventual journey to Italy. It showcases how facing fears head-on, whether in sports or life, is key to achieving true freedom, a concept central to Nishinoya’s development as a character.

🎯 The Difference Between Good and Great Players

The paragraph elaborates on how fear distinguishes good players from great ones. Good players often focus on potential failures, while great players, like Nishinoya, don’t let fear hold them back. By focusing on success rather than the consequences of failure, they achieve more freedom, both on the volleyball court and in life. This mindset, centered on fearlessness, allows for personal growth and the pursuit of one’s desires, a recurring theme in *Haikyuu!!*.

🌍 Freedom Beyond Volleyball: Nishinoya’s Adventure

Nishinoya’s life choice to travel and live adventurously is highlighted as an example of true freedom, achieved through fearlessness and self-reliance. His decision to explore the world mirrors the lesson learned in volleyball: freedom comes from minimizing fear and focusing on personal fulfillment. Hinata, too, reflects this idea by traveling to Brazil to improve his skills. The overarching message here is that breaking free from expectations and fear allows individuals to chart their own paths in life, as both Hinata and Nishinoya do.

💪 Strength Brings Freedom: Conclusion

The final paragraph wraps up the video's themes, emphasizing how freedom comes from building personal strength—whether mental, emotional, or physical. By overcoming distractions, mastering skills, and conquering fears, one gains the confidence and freedom to pursue their goals. The example of Nishinoya traveling the world highlights how this freedom manifests in life, showing that getting stronger, in all senses, leads to greater personal freedom.

Keywords

💡Freedom

Freedom in this video is discussed as more than just the ability to quit a job or escape responsibilities; it’s about gaining freedom through personal strength, skills, and mental discipline. The video explores the idea that real freedom comes from mastering various aspects of life—whether it's health, social skills, or mental resilience—so one is not held back by limitations, but rather empowered to do what they truly want.

💡Strength

Strength is portrayed as a crucial component of freedom. The video suggests that by building physical, mental, and emotional strength, individuals can overcome barriers in their lives, such as fear or limitations. This theme is illustrated through characters like Hoshiumi, who, despite his height disadvantage, focuses on mastering skills that give him the freedom to stay competitive in volleyball. Strength here is about persistence and self-discipline, not just physical power.

💡Skill

Skill is emphasized as a pathway to freedom, particularly the freedom to perform well in competitive environments like sports. The video discusses how characters like Hoshiumi gain freedom by honing their skills, even when they are disadvantaged. This concept suggests that the more skilled you become at something, the more opportunities open up to you, allowing greater autonomy and control over your path.

💡Comparison

Comparison, especially self-comparison to others, is presented as a major obstacle to personal freedom. The video highlights how comparing oneself to others can be mentally limiting and disempowering, particularly when you focus on what you lack rather than your unique strengths. The example of Hoshiumi and Hinata shows how these characters learn to stop comparing themselves to others and instead focus on their own growth.

💡Mental resilience

Mental resilience is a key theme in the video, referring to the ability to persist through challenges and setbacks without giving up. This is linked to the idea of freedom because overcoming mental obstacles, like self-doubt and fear, allows characters to continue pursuing their goals even when the odds are against them. Hoshiumi's perseverance despite his height disadvantage is an example of mental resilience.

💡Hoshiumi

Hoshiumi is a key character in the video used to exemplify the theme of freedom through strength and resilience. Despite being shorter than other players and facing setbacks, he focuses on mastering the skills within his reach and refuses to be limited by his height. His journey emphasizes that freedom is gained by accepting one's limitations and working hard to improve what can be controlled.

💡Hinata

Hinata is another character used to discuss freedom, particularly in how he learns to embrace his role as 'The Greatest Decoy' in volleyball. Initially, Hinata struggles with wanting to be like the taller players, but eventually finds freedom by accepting his unique strengths. This mirrors the broader message of the video: freedom is found by embracing who you are, rather than wishing to be someone else.

💡Discipline

Discipline is portrayed as a tool for achieving freedom. The video argues that sticking with difficult tasks, even when they are challenging, allows people to reach their goals and ultimately live more freely. This is evident in the way Hoshiumi disciplines himself to master every skill he can, which gives him the freedom to be a versatile player on the volleyball court.

💡Fear

Fear is highlighted as a barrier to freedom, both in life and in sports. The video discusses how characters like Nishinoya learn to overcome their fears, which in turn allows them to play more freely and make bold decisions in their lives. Overcoming fear is linked to the idea of being free to make choices without being held back by what might go wrong.

💡Expectations

Expectations are shown as limitations that restrict freedom. The video highlights how societal or personal expectations can dictate what people should do, such as becoming a professional athlete because of talent. Characters like Nishinoya break free from these expectations by choosing paths that fulfill them personally, even if they don't align with what others expect. This underscores the video’s message that true freedom comes from living according to your own values.

Highlights

The concept of freedom goes beyond just quitting your job and encompasses skill, physical, and mental strength.

Haikyuu's line 'Being good means... being free' applies not just to sports but to many aspects of life.

The idea that strength in health, social skills, and discipline gives you freedom to pursue goals and achieve success.

Hoshiumi's story illustrates finding freedom through relentless practice and honing skills, even in the face of disadvantages like his height.

Despite being shorter than other players, Hoshiumi discards what he can't control and focuses on perfecting what he can, achieving mastery.

Hoshiumi's training in all volleyball skills (spiking, receiving, serving, and setting) reflects his pursuit of freedom through strength.

Mental strength, as showcased in Hoshiumi’s acceptance of his physical limitations, plays a critical role in finding freedom.

Hinata's journey, paralleling Hoshiumi's, highlights the freedom that comes from embracing his unique role on the team, such as accepting the 'Greatest Decoy' title.

Overcoming the fear of failure and comparison to others is a key factor in achieving personal freedom and satisfaction.

Nishinoya embodies freedom both on and off the volleyball court by choosing a life of adventure over the expected path of a professional athlete.

Nishinoya’s journey to becoming fearless and accepting challenges is tied to his ability to push past the expectations of others.

The Haikyuu!! series emphasizes that true freedom comes from minimizing fear, relying on others for support, and choosing your own path.

Noya's choice to pursue a life at sea instead of professional volleyball reflects his personal freedom and refusal to be bound by expectations.

Freedom is about breaking the shackles of expectations and fear, making choices that align with personal desires rather than societal pressures.

Strength through discipline and resistance to distractions provides the freedom to enjoy life, progress, and self-confidence.

Transcripts

If I asked you if you wanted “Freedom”  you’d probably say yes, however a lot of us,  

myself included, struggle to envision what it  actually looks like beyond quitting our jobs,  

which sure would be nice, but I think there’s  something more important. In this video I’m going  

to focus on a side of freedom that is accessible  to us all. The freedom that comes through skill as  

well as physical and especially mental strength.  The idea that “Being good means… being free.”

It’s a line that comes up repeatedly throughout  Haikyuu across a number of characters,  

with its first appearance, I believe,  being from Yamaguchi and his discussion  

with Shimida which gave us a very similar quote  “To truly enjoy sports, you have to be strong”.

Obviously the example here is sports, but it  applies to everything. Taking care of your  

health gives you the freedom to actually  do the things you want instead of being  

held back because you don’t feel great,  practising your social skills gives you  

the freedom to speak to whoever you want,  having the discipline to stick with things  

when times get tough gives you the freedom to  pursue and actually achieve whatever you want.

And that last one is the focus of Haikyuu.  We see it in a lot of different characters,  

but the one I want to focus on today is Hoshiumi.  I’m going to run through some parts of his  

backstory and you’ll see how this all ties into  that line, in particular the mental side of it.

He’s been obsessed with volleyball from a young,  young age. And yet sadly ended up being the only  

short king in a family of giants. He’s had  to watch everyone around him surpass him in  

an instant. First with his older brother, who  just walked into a training session and hit a  

great spike on his first try, despite Hoshiumi  having to practise and practise for it. And as  

someone who’s been playing volleyball for  maybe 3 months now and to be honest still  

can’t do that consistently, to be able  to do that on your very first try is very  

impressive. And just seems to hammer home the  point to Hoshiumi, that he’s born “without”.

Years on, this only becomes more extreme,  as after playing for close to a decade,  

he’s now got competition for his spot from  someone who’s only been playing for a year.  

From a player who embodies that unfairness  of the world - Gao Hakuba. He stands at 6’8”,  

which I believe makes him the tallest in the  series, just ahead of Hyakuzawa. He’s seemingly  

gifted with natural strength, and whilst  he’s certainly not at Hoshiumi’s level yet

, there’s a pretty huge difference here in that  Hoshiumi spent the entirety of middle school on  

the bench, which forgive me if I’m wrong here it’s  a bit different in the UK, but if he started in  

second grade and didn’t play until high school,  I think that’s eight years on the bench. Whereas  

Gao seems to have become a starting player  for a very strong school almost instantly.

So what does any of this  have to do with that line?

Well, let’s go back a bit to when he was younger.  

Spending years on the bench the way  he did, it would have been extremely  

easy for him to have simply stopped playing  volleyball. To have allowed his height to dictate  

that he simply couldn’t do the thing he wanted.  Instead he opted for a different path, to find  

the freedom found through strength. Practising  everything and anything he could relentlessly.

Which is something else I want to  talk about, he knew, being short,  

that there were some weapons  simply inaccessible to him.

And so, he accepted his weaknesses. He ignored  the weapons he couldn’t wield: and instead  

focused on all the ones he could. Carefully,  persistently honing them all to a wicked point.

(^chapter 362)

As one of, if not the, most well rounded player  in the series, Hoshiumi practiced everything,  

not just spiking, receiving, serving,  and most notably setting. Now of course,  

everyone practises everything but he took  it to a whole level entirely. Rather than  

simply being things he has to be able to  do, he turned them into potent weapons.

For example he didn’t just  get “good” at overhand passes,  

he got amazing at them to the point  where he can reliably set no matter  

where he is on the court. In doing so, he  gained the freedom to stay on the court.

However, as cringey and cheesy as it sounds,  the greatest strength which offers the greatest  

freedom, is linked to what we were just  talking about, and it’s to be able to have  

faith in your own wings, and not wish  you had or the ones of other people.

This is something I’ve always struggled  with. From my physique to my channel to  

my job to my flat, I’ve always found  myself constantly comparing myself  

down to the tiniest detail and it really zaps  all enjoyment of whatever it is you’re doing.

But if we’re talking about freedom here, having  the strength to not compare yourself to others,  

gives you the freedom to actually feel  good about yourself. To be proud of your  

progress and happy with how you’re doing.  And for Hinata, this was something that had  

bugged him since he first joined Karasuno  and was labelled “The Greatest Decoy”.

It wasn’t what he wanted. He thought it was  uncool and he wanted to be able to spike like  

the tall players he saw but with time, he realised  that “Hinata Shoyo” standing on the court is far  

more important to him than whether he’s called  “The Greatest Decoy” or “The Little Giant”.

In the same way Hoshiumi discarded the “weapons  he couldn’t wield”, Hinata not only did the same,  

but also discarded the things that  didn’t matter to him as much. And broke  

the shackles of “Being the greatest decoy  isn’t cool” and “I wish I was like them”.

But there’s a reason this took so long, he  had to give his brain some evidence that it  

actually worked. It’s kinda hard to when you’ve  got zero proof that it’s a good idea, not that  

you can’t or shouldn’t, I’ve just personally  always found it quite hard. But by this point  

in the story, he’d already beaten some pretty huge  names and played a major part himself in doing so.

He’d seen proof that he could reach the same  heights as anyone else, literally in his jumping  

and metaphorically in his future career. And in  this match here, against the modern little giant,  

who’d already reached Japan’s youth  camps, Hinata, fully has faith in himself.

And Hoshiumi had done the same too, rather  than letting his height get him down,  

he simply accepted that there was nothing he could  do about it, and we see how far that’s taken him.

But this idea goes way beyond volleyball,  and there’s one player in particular that I  

think really embodies this idea, Yu Nishinoya,  however I’m going to pass things over to someone  

a lot of you likely know for that, but be warned  there will be manga spoilers beyond this point.

In the post time skip match between the Jackals  and Adlers, Furudate puts a thematic stamp on this  

idea through the reintroduction of Nishinoya.  During this match we see many of our favorite  

characters reunite, with one exception—Noya is  nowhere to be seen. Near the end of the first set,  

Asahi clues us in to what he has been up to,  living off the coast of Italy fishing for  

Merlins. After high school, Noya chose to pursue  a life of adventure instead of one on the court. 

Throughout the story, Noya had been the  embodiment of playing freely. As libero of an  

offensive-minded team, Noya allowed his teammates  to play without the fear of getting blocked.  

Outside of the Inarizaki match, Noya brought  a fearless and free perspective to his team.  

He extends his freedom to his choice of career,  forgoing expectations of becoming a professional  

athlete and making it to the open sea. Noya’s decision to quit volleyball and  

the way he handled himself on the court  shows how expectations and fear deeply  

connect to a person’s ability to become “free.” If you are one of the most talented high school  

volleyball players, like Noya, you are expected  to become a professional athlete. Because athletes  

are held in such high regard, it is seen as a  waste of potential if you don’t go pro despite  

being talented enough to do so. The same  expectations for how you should live your  

life applies to the style in which you are  expected to play. Small players are liberos  

and the tallest are middle blockers. Furudate plays with our expectations of  

players all the time in Haikyuu!!. After Noya’s  reintroduction, he highlights the uniqueness of  

the Jackals’ play style. First with Bokuto's  unorthodox but now signature chest receive,  

followed by an Atsumu setter dump, with the  chapter ending as Hinata fakes a spike into a set. 

The “freest” players on the court always  play at the highest level because they are  

not bound by the strategies of their opponents.  You can’t back them into a corner because there  

is always another direction to go. They are  not limited by what you think they might do,  

and always make the best choices for themselves.  That is captured in the panel at the end of this  

chapter, with Noya standing on the edge of  the sea, paired with Hinata’s surprise set. 

So much of Haikyuu!!’s story explores how  volleyball reflects real life. The lessons  

learned on the court give the players a foundation  for making difficult choices. The freedom we see  

Noya play with flows into his willingness  to set aside the career path most would  

have chosen and follow what his heart tells him  to do. He is able to journey across the world,  

literally, because he tackles fear head on. Noya is no stranger to fear, as clearly shown  

in the match against Inarizaki. Atsumu puts our  favorite libero's receiving skill to the test by  

getting the better of Noya with his jump floats. So far in the story Noya had never shown fear,  

taking on Date Tech and Shiratorizawa  with confidence, empowering his teammates  

to overcome their own trepidations. Atsumu has the skill to challenge the  

weakest part of Noya’s game, overhand receives.  And he targets Noya relentlessly hoping to break  

Karasuno’s guardian. Furudate plants the  seed for Nishinoya’s journey to Italy in  

this match. Noya tells everyone about his  childhood, how for the longest time he  

was scared of everything but his grandfather  made sure to put him out of his comfort zone,  

assuring him that if something gets too scary,  your friends will be able to help you through it. 

Noya overcomes his fear of Atsumu through the help  of Kinoshita and gets back to his free style of  

play. Years later Noya’s decision to move across  the world is rooted in his fearlessness. Through  

the trial and errors of competition Noya built  a foundation to accept fear and try new things. 

The difference between good players and great  ones is often fear. Good players have preconceived  

ideas about the talent level of themselves  and their opponents. They are expected to  

play within a certain style, and if they fail  to score or make a receive, then a substitute  

will be on the way. Great players avoid that  mindset, never focusing on the consequences  

of failure but on the results if they succeed. That mindset doesn’t just apply to volleyball  

but life. If you are too focused  on what might happen if you fail  

then how could you be expected to succeed. Noya’s example throughout Haikyuu!! shows  

the importance of finding freedom within  your life. It comes from minimizing fear,  

relying on friends, and always trying out new  things. Don’t allow your life to be dictated  

by the expectations of what others want  you to do and instead focus on yourself. 

For Hinata, he embraced freedom by traveling to  Brazil, building up his body and making sure he  

could fill any role on the volleyball court. For  Nishinoya, his freedom was found on the coast of  

Italy. A life at sea where he literally  has the freedom to go in any direction he  

pleases. Getting good means breaking the  shackles of expectations and fear, and  

taking life in the direction you want it to go. “Being good means being free,” for Nishinoya that  

takes him away from Japan and volleyball. He  embraces the mindset of the greatest athletes  

to pursue a life that he finds fulfilling.  That is truly what it means to be good.

A huge thank you to Aniessays for his segment,  to finish off the video, I just wanted to say  

that once you’ve heard this line once you’ll  start to notice it everywhere. I gave some  

examples earlier but it really does apply to  so much, the stronger your ability to resist  

distractions the more time you have, the better  you get at something the more you get to do it,  

the more confidence you have in yourself, which  is typically built up from all sorts of strength,  

the more comfortable you’ll be  overcoming the fear to do well,  

anything. And when you put all that  together, you get someone like Nishinoya,  

free to travel and go wherever he wants in the  world, picking up whatever job he needs to get by.

I think the assumption is that the routine of  building yourself up in something is “boring”,  

y’know we’ve all done this, I don’t want  to do x because it’d be boring but anyone  

doing those things knows it simply  isn’t true. It’s actually really fun,  

and the rewards of it are even  more fun. By comparison, if you  

don’t have the strength to drop the things  harmful to you, you’re a prisoner to them.

If you’re looking for more freedom, the  answer is likely, simply, getting stronger.

Thank you very much for watching, I’ve got plenty  of other Haikyuu videos if you want to check them  

out here. Thank you to NorthstarUK for joining as  a channel member, and I’ll see you all again soon.