Like a lot of sports anime, Haikyuu!! features a hot-blooded, unrefined but friendly protagonist. Likewise, the volleyball series, which premiered in April, doesn’t get any points for originality by pairing its lead up with a cocky, aloof partner.
A few years ago, the show’s commitment to character design that pleases female fans would have been unique, but shows about athletics with eye candy for the ladies have been done before with The Prince of Tennis, Kuroko’s Basketball, and not-immediately-evocative-of-its-featured-sport Free!, which focuses on high school swimming.
Haikyuu!! does have something that currently no other anime does, however, and that’s talking posters.
The unique interior decorations come courtesy of toymaker Takara Tomy. Two different posters will be available, and while the version with highly-talented yet haughty Tobio Kageyama has yet to be shown, Takara Tomy has released a video showing of the poster for main character Shoyo Hinata.
As the video shows, there’s a strip of plastic along the top edge of the illustration, with a ring to slip over a tack or peg.
Touch the poster and the attached speaker comes to life, making the messy-haired volleyball player shout, “My name’s Shoyo Hinata!”
▼ Nice to meet ya, Shoyo.
Of course, no matter how infatuated you are with your favorite anime character, you don’t want to hear them repeating the same exact phrase over and over again. That’s why each poster comes with 10 different voice samples, some of which are produced by tapping different parts of the illustration.
Still other phrases come as a result of sliding your fingertip across certain paths.
Each version is priced at 2,376 yen (US$23.50), and the special posters go on sale August 10.
We’re calling the over-under until someone puts the same technology to use to create “tickle the half-naked schoolgirls” posters at exactly three weeks.
Source: Comic Natalie, YouTube
Images: YouTube
Talking robot Pikachus go on sale in Japan, make Pokémon fans dreams come true【Video】
Of course you’ll talk to this Pikachu lamp from Japan, so it talks back and dances too!【Video】
6 predictions: Which brand new Japanese anime will be the dark-horse hit of 2020?【Videos】
There’s now a moving Gundam anime robot model that you can control with your brain【Video】
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan now sells bagels…cooked in bamboo steamers
Should you warm up your convenience store onigiri rice balls in the microwave?【Taste test】
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
10 of our absolute favorite places to spend a day in Tokyo
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says