: Despite his exhaustion, Kenma outmaneuvers the opposition, setting the final ball to Fukunaga to secure the win for Nekoma. Critical Reception & Reviews
: Fans noted that Sarukawa was one of the most "Karasuno-like" teams due to their balanced play, making the tactical battle against Nekoma's defense highly engaging. Haikyuu!! To the Top 2nd Season (Dub) Episode 5
The episode centers on Sarukawa Tech's deliberate strategy to neutralize Nekoma by targeting their "brain," the setter Kenma Kozume. : Despite his exhaustion, Kenma outmaneuvers the opposition,
: The relief felt by the team after the win was a major highlight, especially Kenma's blunt admission that a third set "would have been the end of him". : The relief felt by the team after
Reviewers from Otaku Orbit and community discussions on Reddit highlighted the following:
: Sarukawa forces long rallies and purposely targets Kenma to make him move as much as possible, aiming to drain his limited stamina.
: The episode is praised for showcasing Kenma's mental fortitude and his deep trust in teammates like Kuroo and Yaku, even when pushed to his physical limit.