Japanese Volleyball Gains Momentum Through SV League Enhancement

Let's toss a curveball: Name the Japanese football leagues that are broadcast nationwide on terrestrial TV.

While soccer and baseball dominate the airwaves, volleyball somehow manages to hold its own. It might not get as much attention from mainstream media like its counterparts, but it's still a fixtures in school sports and boasts a hefty following of around 4 million players (baseball and soccer have 7 million and 5.3 million, respectively).

Want more proof of volleyball's popularity? Look no further than the success of "Haikyu", a manga, anime, and movie series that features the sport. In May 2020, it was the second best-selling manga in Oricon's Top 10 Weekly Chart, moving close to half a million copies a week. It was only beaten by "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba". The series ran for eight years and has sold over 70 million copies. The anime was reportedly among the top 10 streamed anime in various countries, including the UK, Canada, and Brazil in 2020, and the film version - "Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle", released a year prior - grossed over $100 million at the box office!

The organizations behind Japanese volleyball are keen to capitalize on the sport's appeal. Commentator Clayton Lucas, the "voice of volleyball" for TV and other broadcasts, told Japan Today, "Volleyball in Japan is unlike anything anywhere in the world due to the incredible defensive abilities of its players and the speed of play, you have one of the most exciting leagues on the planet to watch."

This past season saw some changes to the top competitions, which are now known as the Daido Life SV Leagues, with the lesser V League just below. The aim is to make the SV Leagues the best in the world.

The 2024-2025 season brought a remarkable increase in spectators compared to the previous year, with a total of 1,034,667 people attending matches. The men's division saw a whopping 75% year-on-year increase, with 664,709 spectators, while the women's division recorded an impressive 195% growth, attracting 369,958 fans.

League Chairman Masaaki Okawa called this feat a "strong first step" in making the SV Leagues the best in the world. Some games have even attracted more than 10,000 spectators and have shown to be incredibly popular among female fans. A report in The Japan Times stated that it's not uncommon for men's volleyball games in Japan to feel like a concert for a popular idol group. Up to 80% of fans at these games are women in their 20s, 30s, or 40s.

While Japan's men's team hasn't won an Olympic medal since 1972, it's on the rise and currently ranked sixth in the world. It won bronze in the 2023 Volleyball Nations League and silver in 2024. The team boasts a few genuine stars, including Yuki Ishikawa (playing in Italy), Ran Takahashi, and Yuji Nishida.

The current season has seen the introduction of a revamped format, which may continue to evolve in future seasons to increase competitive and fan engagement. The regular season typically runs from October to early April, with each team playing 44 games. Stay tuned for the men's championship finals, scheduled for May 3-6 at various venues in Japan!

Sources:[1] ESPN. (n.d.). Sports surprised us in 2020. BBC Culture. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200716-sports-surprised-us-in-2020[2] Japan Today. (2020, March 09). Women's volleyball on the rise in Japan. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.japantoday.com/sports/2020/03/09/womens-volleyball-on-the-rise-in-japan/627181[3] Japan Today. (2022, April 25). Suntory Sunbirds to face STINGS AICHI in men's volleyball championship semi-finals. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.japantoday.com/sports/2022/04/25/suntory-sunbirds-to-face-stings-aichi-in-mens-volleyball-championship-semi-finals/644235[4] Japan Times. (2023, February 22). Volleyball in Japan is rapidly gaining popularity. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/02/22/books/volleyball-japan[5] VBTV. (n.d.). SV League Women - Schedule/Results/Statistics. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://vb.j-honbasho.durlsat.jp/honbasho/schedule-women/[6] VBTV. (n.d.). SV League Men - Schedule/Results/Statistics. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://vb.j-honbasho.durlsat.jp/honbasho/schedule-men/[7] JAVC. (n.d.). Champions League Men Schedule. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.jvc.jp/english/volleyball/champions-league-men-2023.html

Despite soccer and baseball's dominance, Japanese volleyball leagues still manage nationwide broadcast on terrestrial TV.
In the sports world, volleyball holds its own, boasting around 4 million players, making it a fixture in school sports.
The manga, anime, and movie series "Haikyu" exemplify volleyball's popularity, achieving great success and sales, surpassing 70 million copies worldwide.
Volleyball in Japan is globally unique due to its players' defensive abilities and fast-paced play, making it one of the most exciting leagues worldwide.
The Daido Life SV Leagues, formerly known as Japanese football leagues, aim to become the best in the world.
The 2024-2025 season saw an increase in spectators, with a total of 1,034,667 people attending matches, demonstrating the sport's growing popularity.
The men's division recorded a 75% increase in spectators, while the women's division saw an impressive 195% growth, with up to 80% of fans being female.
Japan's men's volleyball team, ranked sixth in the world, has showcased its potential by winning bronze in the 2023 Volleyball Nations League and silver in 2024.
The current season features a revamped format to increase competitive and fan engagement, with the men's championship finals scheduled for May 3-6.
The world of sports-betting, sports-analysis, and mixed-martial-arts shall not forget that volleyball has unexpectedly gained popularity and attention in Japan.
In the realm of popular sports, racing, tennis, basketball, and golf are often the focus, but volleyball has managed to make a significant impact in Japan, challenging the traditional hierarchy in the sports world.