Ep 1. Greetings

Haikyu!! 3rd Season is a Japanese sports anime television series that follows the story of Shoyo Hinata, a high school student who dreams of becoming a great volleyball player. The third season of the show premiered on October 8, 2016, and the first episode is titled "Greetings."

In this episode, the Karasuno High School volleyball team arrives at Shiratorizawa Academy to start their fierce match against the powerhouse volleyball team of Shiratorizawa. Karasuno is known as the "Flightless Crows" and has improved dramatically since the first season. They're seeking to prove themselves as a team of great players capable of taking down any team that comes their way.

Shiratorizawa Academy is known as the "Ushiwaka Kingdom," named after their star player Wakatoshi Ushijima. Ushijima is a tall, strong and powerful player who dominates the court with his incredible spikes and serves. He is widely regarded as one of the best high school volleyball players in Japan and is a formidable opponent to the Karasuno team, who seem anxious and nervous during their first meeting.

The episode is full of tension as both teams prepare for the game. Karasuno players are seen talking to one another, trying to psyche themselves up for the game. They talk about the importance of staying calm and focused, especially considering the intimidating reputation of the Shiratorizawa team. Hinata, who is always enthusiastic about any game, keeps reminding his team not to underestimate their opponents, saying that every player on the other team is very skilled. Meanwhile, the Shiratorizawa players are seen practicing, and Ushijima is shown spiking the ball with incredible ferocity.

The Karasuno team is introduced to the Shiratorizawa team before the game begins. As the teams greet each other for the first time, Karasuno is surprised by the strict attitude and demeanor of their opponents. Unlike Karasuno, the Shiratorizawa team doesn't engage in light-hearted banter and doesn't seem to smile much. This seriousness makes the Karasuno team more anxious, but they try to maintain their composure.

The episode is beautifully animated and captures the tense atmosphere of a high-stakes game. The music heightens the sense of anticipation, and viewers are made to feel that anything could happen during the game.

Overall, "Greetings" is an excellent introduction to the third season of Haikyu!!. It sets the scene for the impending game between Karasuno High School and Shiratorizawa Academy. The episode introduces new characters while building upon the personalities of the characters introduced in previous seasons. The focus on the mental preparation of the players adds depth and nuance to the show, making it more than just a simple sports anime. Fans of the show will be on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the upcoming match between the two teams.