#The stageplay is so perfectly cast i can't stress that enough

[anoant-haikyuu-dump]

As a fellow Nekoma's second years enjoyer who just recently found your posts, I need to know your thoughts on that scene in season 4 where Tora is like "you can call me Tora, that's what my friends call me" and Kenma's like "meh, can I not" and they're fighting and Fukunaga runs to them with the bucket. And then an abrupt cut to Kenma crying out "Tora!" while passing the ball. Insane. Still hits me with emotions every time I rewatch it.

And also this frame from the stage play.

DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT EPISODE OH MY GOD, I know I mostly talk about them as a group or Fukutora but Kenma and Tora's relationship is soooo special to me. They're such an important dynamic, especially for Kenma's character development!! To have someone as introverted and generally people-aversed as Kenma consider a guy with the complete opposite personality a friend is so endearing. Tora's everything he hates from how loud he is to his gung ho mindset to his boundless energy, but despite that they manage to get over their differences and build a connection. Even if he wouldn't admit it him calling Tora by his nickname is an involuntary acknowledgement of that bond. One of my favorite parts about Dumpster Battle or any Nekoma-centered arcs is watching Kenma grow to love not only volleyball but the people around him— it's great seeing him go from clinging to a childhood friend to allowing all sorts of people into his life. AND THE WAY KUROO WATCHES PROUDLY AS THEY TRY TO HUG HIM UGHH. In conclusion I can't watch that episode without losing my shit.

Slight tangent but I also love how those episodes turn Tora into more than just Tanaka 2.0. Obviously his design and personality were made to mirror him and that's his main gimick but by exploring his relationship with the other second years he becomes less two-dimensional.

Anyways here are some of my favorite Tora / Kenma panels because i miss them