Harukana Receive

Harukana Receive
Cover of the first manga volume featuring Haruka Ōzora
はるかなレシーブ
(Harukana Reshību)
Genre Sports (beach volleyball)
Manga
Written by Nyoijizai
Published by Houbunsha
English publisher
Demographic Seinen
Magazine Manga Time Kirara Forward
Original run October 2015 – present
Volumes 6
Anime television series
Directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka
Produced by Shintaro Yoshitake
Hiroyuki Kobayashi
Hidehisa Nagasawa
Noritoshi Isogai
Mitsuhiro Ogata
Written by Touko Machida
Music by Rasmus Faber
Studio C2C
Licensed by
Original network AT-X, Tokyo MX, TVA, SUN, RBC, KBS, TVQ, BS11
Original run July 6, 2018 – September 21, 2018
Episodes 12

Harukana Receive (はるかなレシーブ, Harukana Reshību) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nyoijizai. It began serialization in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Forward with the October 2015 issue. The manga has been licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment in North America, with the first two volumes scheduled to be published in July and October 2018 respectively.[1] An anime television series adaptation by C2C aired from July 6 to September 21, 2018.[1]

Plot

Taking place in Okinawa, high school city girl Haruka Ōzora has an extreme complex about her tall height comparison while her cousin Kanata Higa (an Okinawan native) is very self-conscious about her short height and flat chest; she also begins to have second thoughts about quitting volleyball all together. However, with help from their experiences, the two girls decide to form a volleyball club at their school.

Characters

Haruka Ōzora (大空 遥, Ōzora Haruka)
Voiced by: Kana Yūki[2] (Japanese); Tia Ballard[3] (English)
Kanata's first cousin. She comes to Okinawa because of her parents' employment, and although initially Kanata is distant from her, they quickly become friends thanks to beach volleyball. Haruka is a rather light-headed and open person, so she often emotionally reacts to people and events around her. She also tends to admire Kanata and from time to time give her ambiguous compliments, but this trait was removed in the anime.
Kanata Higa (比嘉 かなた, Higa Kanata)
Voiced by: Saki Miyashita[2] (Japanese); Sarah Wiedenheft[3] (English)
Kanata is Haruka's first cousin and partner in beach volleyball. Although she is already an experienced volleyball player, several years ago she was forced to leave this sport because of her parents' death and psychological trauma. Kanata is a rather shy, quiet and reserved girl, but in unusual situations she can behave eccentric. Like Narumi, she is in a long depression because of the breakdown of their volleyball pair, which is why Ayasa and later Haruka compare them to the ex-girlfriends. Nevertheless, in the future, she regains confidence in her abilities thanks to her ever-strengthening bond with Haruka.
Claire Thomas (トーマス 紅愛, Tomasu Kurea)
Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki[4] (Japanese); Amber Lee Connors[5] (English)
An American exchange student at Urama High School who, along with her twin sister Emily, is one of the top junior beach volleyball players in the world. Claire combines the personality traits of Haruka and Ayasa, demonstrates the carelessness and cheerfulness of the first, and the playful teasing of the second. She quickly becomes close with Haruka because of the similarity of their personalities and they can often be seen together if Kanata is not around.
Emily Thomas (トーマス 恵美理, Tomasu Emiri)
Voiced by: Rie Suegara[4] (Japanese); Bryn Apprill[3] (English)
The younger Claire's twin-sister and her beach volleyball partner. Although they often argue with each other and Emily regularly sarcastically comments on her childish antics, they still remain a good pair and Emily refuses to play with anyone other than Claire.
Marissa Thomas (トーマス マリッサ, Tōmasu Marissa)
Voiced by: Umeka Shouji (Japanese); Jamie Marchi[3] (English)
Claire and Emily's mother.
Narumi Tōi (遠井 成美, Tōi Narumi)
Voiced by: Miyuri Shimabukuro[1] (Japanese); Felecia Angelle[3] (English)
Phlegmatic and serious Kanata's former partner on volleyball. Although earlier they became friends and shared a strong bond thanks to beach volleyball, at the moment they are in a rather strained relationship and do not play together anymore. At the same time, she continues to worry about Kanata and is sincerely pleased when she finds Haruka as a new partner. Together with Ayasa, Narumi is a multiple champion of local competitions in beach volleyball and even got along with her the title of "idols" of this sport.
Ayasa Tachibana (立花 彩紗, Tachibana Ayasa)
Voiced by: Kanae Itō[1] (Japanese); Dani Chambers[3] (English)
Narumi's best friend and partner. She is the first person with whom Haruka befriended in Okinawa besides her cousin. Although Ayasa is quite a friendly person, she is strongly emotionally attached to Narumi and even compares to her jealous girlfriend when she uses a romantic metaphor for their partnership in volleyball.
Akari Ōshiro (大城 あかり, Ōshiro Akari)
Voiced by: Chisa Kimura[1] (Japanese); Lindsey Seidel[3] (English)
A new girl who originally wanted to play beach volleyball to become popular as an idol, but eventually decides to become a beach volleyball club manager. Akari is a tsundere, so she is constantly embarrassed and nervous when other girls call her their friend or when Claire remember her participation in the drink's advertising in the past.
Mai Sunagawa (砂川舞, Sunagawa Mai)
Voiced by: Riko Koike[6] (Japanese); Apphia Yu[3] (English)
Ai Tanahara (棚原 愛衣, Tanahara Ai)
Voiced by: Akari Kitō[6] (Japanese); Madeleine Morris[3] (English)
Youna Aragaki (新垣 陽菜, Aragaki Youna)
Voiced by: Satomi Akesaka (Japanese); Leah Clark[3] (English)
Kanna Aragaki (新垣 柑菜, Aragaki Kanna)
Voiced by: Minami Takahashi (Japanese); Monica Rial[3] (English)

Media

Manga

Harukana Receive is a manga series written and illustrated by Nyoijizai. It began serialization in Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Forward with the October 2015 issue.[7] The chapters are being collected and released in the tankōbon format by Houbunsha. As of August 9, 2018, 6 volumes were released. Seven Seas Entertainment have licensed the manga for a North American release.[8]

No.Japanese release dateJapanese ISBNEnglish release dateEnglish ISBN
1 March 12, 2016[9] ISBN 978-4-8322-4675-1July 3, 2018[10] ISBN 978-1-626929-05-0
2 October 12, 2016[9] ISBN 978-4-8322-4754-3October 30, 2018[11] ISBN 978-1-626929-21-0
3 March 11, 2017[9] ISBN 978-4-8322-4814-4April 2, 2019[12] ISBN 978-1-642750-23-2
4 September 12, 2017[9] ISBN 978-4-8322-4870-0——
5 April 12, 2018[9] ISBN 978-4-8322-4938-7——
6 August 9, 2018[9] ISBN 978-4-8322-4970-7——

Anime

An anime television series adaptation by C2C aired from July 6 to September 21, 2018, on AT-X and other channels.[13][1] The series is directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka, with series composition by Touko Machida and character designs by Takeshi Oda.[14] The opening theme is "FLY two BLUE" by Kana Yūki and Saki Miyashita, while the ending theme is "Wish me luck!!!" by Yūki, Miyashita, Atsumi Tanezaki, and Rie Suegara.[15] Crunchyroll simulcast the series with English subtitles, while Funimation streamed an English dub.[16] The series ran for 12 episodes.[17]

No. Title[lower-alpha 1] Original air date
1 "We Don't Need Aces"
"Ēisu Nante Hitsuyō Nai no" (エースなんて必要ないの) 		July 6, 2018
Haruka Ōzora travels to Okinawa to live with her cousin, Kanata Higa, and their grandmother. While exploring the beach, Haruka comes across Narumi Tōi and Ayasa Tachibana practising beach volleyball. Taking offense to an offhand comment from Haruka about being a future ace, Narumi, who appears to have a history with Kanata, challenges the two of them to score a single point against her and Ayasa. Although Haruka ends up losing, she learns the meaning behind Narumi's words, as beach volleyball requires full coordination with your partner. As Haruka becomes excited to learn beach volleyball more, she makes plans to have another match with Narumi and Ayasa after some more practice, only learning afterwards that they are both high school champions. 
2 "Believe in Me"
"Watashi o Shinjite" (私を信じて) 		July 13, 2018
With one week until their rematch with Narumi and Ayasa, Kanata trains Haruka so that she move around more easily in the sand before moving onto ball practice, teaching her how to do a cut shot. On the morning of the match, Haruka comes across Ayasa, who reveals that Kanata was Narumi's former volleyball partner who had a habit of running away from the ball. Feeling happy from overhearing Haruka defend her, Kanata wears her old uniform for the match. After Narumi sees through the girls' cut shot tactic, Haruka encourages Kanata to overcome her fear and receive the ball, catching Narumi off guard and allowing Haruka to win a point. Afterwards, Narumi feels remorse for the way she treated Kanata, while Haruka explains how Narumi's behavior towards Kanata helped her come up with the winning tactic. 
3 "I Want to Regain My Former Self"
"Mukashi no Jibun o Torimodoshitaitte Omotteru" (昔の自分を取り戻したいって思ってる) 		July 20, 2018
Upon transferring into Uruma High School, Haruka meets Kanata's volleyball friends, Claire and Emily Thomas, and joins them for volleyball practice. As the Thomas sisters get an overwhelming lead, Emily becomes irritated when Kanata won't use a pokey spike. As Kanata remains hesitant on going against her play style by using pokeys to compensate for her short height, Haruka uses one herself, encouraging Kanata to do the same and overcome her block. Afterwards, the girls decide to enter a volleyball tournament, with Kanata becoming determined to regain her former self. Later, Kanata explains to Haruka about how she became friends with Narumi through beach volleyball. 
4 "Isn't This Perfect For Us?"
"Watakushi-tachi ni Pittari da to Omowanai?" (私達にぴったりだと思わない?) 		July 27, 2018
As Haruka wishes she could be more informal with Kanata, Claire, who has been teaching her how to block, notices Haruka's swimsuit is loose and suggests everyone goes to buy new swimsuits. While trying to find some matching swimsuits, Haruka and Kanata meet Ai Tanahara and Mai Sunagawa, who are taking part in the upcoming Junior Tournament. Haruka picks out a pair of swimsuits and customises it with a pattern, unaware of the hidden meaning it carries. The next day, Emily tells Kanata about the promise she made with Narumi when she went to Kyoto before bringing her to Haruka's practice, where the two become even closer. 
5 "Until You Break"
"Anta no Kokoro ga Oreru made" (アンタの心が折れるまで) 		August 3, 2018
The Junior Tournament begins with Haruka and Kanata up against Ai and Mai. As Haruka and Kanata get an early lead thanks to the latter's strategies, Ai and Mai soon fight back with their own strategies, managing to predict Kanata's pokeys. 
6 "I Won't Break"
"Orenai yo, Watakushi wa" (折れないよ、私は) 		August 10, 2018
Kanata's repeated use of pokeys soon prove effective as their wide range cause Ai and Mai to grow more tired, helping her and Haruka to even the score. Perfecting her block, Haruka scores the winning point to take the match, although they wind up losing in the next round. Afterwards, Haruka and Kanata hear about the national Valkyrie Cup from Emily and Claire and become determined to all make it there together. 
7 "We're Already Friends"
"Mō Tomodachi de sho" (もう友達でしょ) 		August 17, 2018
Akari Ōshiro, who aspires to become a popular idol like Narumi and Ayasa, contemplates joining the beach volleyball club, but gives up when both Emily and Claire refuse to be her partner. While looking to return the bag she forgot, Haruka and Kanata learn that Akari doesn't have any friends due to her status as a local celebrity. Upon hearing this, Kanata challenges Akari to a one-on-one match, predicting every one of her moves. Despite failing to beat Kanata, Akari enjoys the experience and officially joins the volleyball club while also becoming friends with everyone. The next day, the gang meet Emily and Claire's mother, Marissa. 
8 "I'll Keep Our Promise"
"Yakusoku Mamotte Miseru Kara" (約束守ってみせるから) 		August 24, 2018
Marissa begins coaching Haruka and Kanata by training them to block and receive her powerful spikes, teaching them to think as a team. Later, at the start of the new year, Narumi and Ayasa have a stopover in Okinawa, prompting Haruka to rush Kanata to the airport, where she reaffirms a promise she made with Narumi to win the nationals. 
9 "This Is How I Feel"
"Kore ga Watakushi no Kimochi desu" (これが私の気持ちです) 		August 31, 2018
Akari becomes anxious when she learns that only one team from Okinawa can qualify for the nationals, meaning Haruka and Kanata will have to compete against the Thomas sisters for the spot. After speaking with Narumi and Ayasa, Akari expresses her feelings by making everyone matching scrunchies to represent their friendship even when apart. During the qualifiers, Haruka and Kanata face off against Kanna and Youna Arikawa, managing to beat their topspin attacks and reach the final round, where they face Emily and Claire. 
10 "The One I Wanted to Fight"
"Atashi ga Tatakaitakatta no wa" (アタシが戦いたかったのは) 		September 7, 2018
The final round between Haruka & Kanata and Emily & Claire begins, with the latter team bringing out their seriousness. However, Haruka and Kanata soon begin their plan to throw the sisters off balance, evening the score. Emily, recalling how she and Claire once lost against Kanata and Narumi, shows her determination to become stronger and support Claire, winning the first set. 
11 "At This Point, We're Basically Playing Head-to-Head"
"Koko Made Kitara Makkō Shōbu" (ここまできたら真っ向勝負) 		September 14, 2018
Claire recalls how she was determined to beat Kanata following her first loss against her, but thought she would never obtain a satisfactory victory after Kanata had become stricken with fear. After Haruka and Kanata manage to win the second set, the pair use what they learned from their match with the Arikawa sisters to take advantage of the wind. As the match reaches its climax, Emily and Claire reach match point, but despites everyone else's fatigue, Kanata remains focused, allowing her and Haruka to reach deuce. 
12 "And That's Why We Choose Our Irreplaceable Partners"
"Dakara Watakushi-tachi wa, Kakegae no Nai Hitori o Erabu" (だから私たちは、かけがえのない一人を選ぶ) 		September 21, 2018
Following an intense decue, Haruka manages to successfully block Claire's spike, winning the match and the tournament. As Emily comforts Claire over their defeat, Haruka and Kanata receive a message from Narumi telling them to be happy with their victory. Later, as the gang celebrate with a barbecue, Emily and Kanata thank Akari for helping everyone stay together while Claire entrusts her and Emily's scrunchies with Haruka, urging her and Kanata to win the nationals in their place. 

Reception

Lauren Orsini from Anime News Network describes the greatest strength in Harukana Receive to be sharing "the story of that joy, skimming over anything that wasn't important" and highlighting that, in spite of the emotional intensity in some of the beach volleyball matches, messages of friendship and enthusiasm are strongly at the forefront in the anime, even if the stakes might not be as high as those of other series in the season. Orsini further characterizes Harukana Receive as being a solid summer anime, with a relaxing, warm story about beach volleyball and players who are passionate about the sport.[18]

Notes

  1. ↑ All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Harukana Receive Anime's Additional Cast, July Premiere Revealed". Anime News Network. March 23, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Harukana Receive Beach Volleyball Anime Casts Kana Yūki, Saki Miyashita". Anime News Network. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Our Summer 2018 SimulDub lineup is just for you!". Funimation. June 21, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Harukana Receive Beach Volleyball Anime Casts Atsumi Tanezaki, Rie Suegara". Anime News Network. February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Amber Lee Connors on Twitter". Twitter. August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 23, 2018). "Harukana Receive Anime Reveals Cast, Visual for New Pair". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ "如意自在「はるかなレシーブ」沖縄×ビーチバレーのフォワード新連載" (in Japanese). Natalie. August 24, 2015. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Seven Seas Lands a Sexy Spike With License of HARUKANA RECEIVE Beach Volleyball Manga Series". Seven Seas Entertainment. November 13, 2017. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "はるかなレシーブ" (in Japanese). Houbunsha. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Harukana Receive Vol. 1". Seven Seas. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Harukana Receive Vol. 2". Seven Seas. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Harukana Receive Vol. 3". Seven Seas. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  13. ↑ Sherman, Jennifer (June 8, 2018). "Harukana Receive Anime's Video Previews July 6 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Harukana Receive Anime Reveals Teaser Visual, Main Staff". Anime News Network. November 23, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  15. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 9, 2018). "Harukana Receive Anime's Cast Perform Opening, Ending Theme Songs". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  16. ↑ Ressler, Karen (June 28, 2018). "Crunchyroll, Funimation to Stream Chio's School Road, Harukana Receive, Hanebad Anime (Update)". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  17. ↑ "BD/DVD" (in Japanese). Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Harukana Receive. Episode 12". Anime News Network. September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
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