Volleyball itself isn't really the point of Haikyuu. It's more so that you watch a group of kids give everything they have to be the best team in their region. Nothing is handed to them. They go through a lot of struggles and only see gradual improvements through training sessions before they become good enough to even be recognized by the elite. Watching them work from the bottom up, day in and day out reach the top of what they're passionate about makes the viewer want to root for their success. and then by extension care about volleyball as you see the game from their perspective.
If you've ever played a competitive sport or have any activity in life that you're passionate about you will probably relate to and appreciate those kids caring so damn much about being the best. to me that's the real selling point of the show. Same principle applies of working hard for a hard reward regardless of the competitive activity. And even if you don't have that passion you can use them for inspiration to find that yourself, or live through the success vicariously. Then Hinata's underdog story of being doubted by everyone b/c of being undersized becomes inspirational as he dominates people at the net regularly.
Kuroko is the best comparison to Haikyuu. Same era, similar set ups. I think Haikyuu has better characterization because the show is more grounded, more concerned with exploring realistic sports issues like how chemistry can make or break the performance of a team. Never really see Kuroko and Kagami struggle the way that Hinata and Tobio do for a long time. No one in Seiren feels disconnected from the team in the way that some players on Karasuno are. Karasuno emphasizes the performance of an entire team more so than Kuroko where the stars usually hard carry in crunchtime and lineups are short. The improvements are much more subtle and rewarding, whereas in Kuroko it's literal anime power ups.
but Kuroko is the more visually impressive sports show because basketball allows for way more creativity in the animation. and most players have some super power ability.
Haikyuu still looks great
but doesn't approach Kuroko at its best. This is one of the best gifs I've ever seen. Could watch it a dozent times and notice something new each time.
The no look to Izuki that Kagami sells by moving his head in Kuroko's direction
Doesn't just fake out Akashi. Kuroko and his defender too. Both react to that pass as if it were thrown. Can even see the defender motioning his arm to deflect it.
Kagami sprinting down the court immediately after that pass knowing his team will have numbers on the fastbreak
Izuki using his off arm to shield the defender away from his dribble. Stops on a dime to give Kuroko enough time to catch up (you can see him running in the background), anticipates him being in a spot then whips a behind pass on a rope to an open man to avoid any chance of the defender getting a deflection
Kuroko throws the touch pass alley in the perfect spot for Kagami
Kagami tomahawk slams that shyt and hangs off the rim to catch himself/forstyle
That is basketball porn. Nothing in Haikyuu can approach that level of excitement imo, and it separates the two in terms of general excitement in the matches
Haikyuu has the more memorable OPs. The 2nd one in season 2 was the best of any involved
Both do a good job of giving the rival teams personality so you wind up rooting for players to succeed outside of just the main guys.
I'd give Kuroko a slightly better score in Haikyuu. Anime power ups aren't necessarily bad things in terms of raw entertainment in sports, and it does have realism here and there. Both are in that 9 range, Kuroko closer to a ten. Both really great shows that do the sports genre justice.