HAIKYU!! THE DUMPSTER BATTLE is out in UK cinemas now.
Synopsis
Shoyo Hinata joins Karasuno High’s volleyball club to be like his idol, a former Karasuno player known as the “Little Giant.” But, Hinata soon finds that he must team up with his middle school nemesis, Tobio Kageyama. Their clashing styles turn into a surprising weapon, but can they beat their rival Nekoma High in the highly anticipated “Dumpster Battle,” the long awaited ultimate showdown between two opposing underdog teams?
Review
Has it really been almost four years since the last season of HAIKYU!!? It really has, but what better way to celebrate the return of The Crows than with a trip to the cinema to watch the action unfold. HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle delivers a spectacular blow that’ll surely leave long-time and new fans gleaming with joy. Not only is it a great coming-of-age story shared between two forces of nature, Shoyo Hinata and Kenam Kozume, but it’s also a fantastic display of animation that makes it an absolute must for any anime fan.
After years of waiting, Karasuno and Nekoma are finally brought together in a fierce battle that’ll knock your socks off. The Crows vs The Wildcats. It’s a showdown of epic proportions, and it wastes no time in delivering that high-octane sporting action that helped put HAIKYU!! on the map. This movie takes everything that makes HAIKYU!! great and turns it into a fully cinematic treat ripe with laughs, stunning animation and heart.
One of the most interesting elements of this film is how it shifts our perspective away from Hinata and onto Kenma. It’s a really nice change of pace that really separates it from the more typical format of a standard HAIKYU!! episode. Not only that, it also heightens the stakes surrounding this confrontation. Both Hinata and Kenma have come such a long way from their first interaction. Kenma was very much a little gamer who prefered the safety of his own home and the familiarity of a good video game. This movie allows us to full appreciate his growth into a team player and a player who longs for the thrill with his team… and friends.
Much like some of the previous arcs, the entire movie is centred on this epic confrontation. The entire film takes place within the heated battle with flashbacks that help provide context and really communicate the importance of this match. There’s a gravitas that makes a simple game of volleyball feel like a life-and-death situation, but the little scenes also really help push the emotional weight to the foreground. We understand what’s at stake, and for characters like Hinata and Kenma, we get to see their evolution and progression.
In terms of animation, HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle is absolutely awesome in scale. There are some incredibly interesting pieces of animation that really stand out, and the film uses every opportunity to make the most of the cinema experience. It’s such a thrilling game of volleyball and the animation sells the ferocity and power of each spike, serve and jump. HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle has always been blessed with stunning animation, but seeing it on the big screen was something else entirely. The details pop, the facial expressions feel so much grander, and there’s this beautiful fluidity that makes the entire film flow wonderfully. Every second counts, even the beats during a chance ball, so you just get instantly drawn into the game, the characters, the visuals, and the emotion that holds it all together.
Verdict
HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle is such a treat. It may not be the most inclusive anime film, but for fans it ticks all of the right boxes. It’s such an exhilerating and immersive experience. You’re instantly gripped by the thrill of the game, as well as the drama that gradually intensifies. After such a long break, HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle absolutely ensures that the wait was well worth it. Full of charisma, laughs, outstanding animation, and really fresh ideas, HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle delivers a stellar experience that’ll definitely rejuvinate that HAIKYU!! love.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first four seasons of HAIKYU!! are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. So, what are you waiting for? This is the perfect opportunity to either rewatch HAIKYU!! or experience it for the first time. Will you be heading to the cinema for this big screen event? Make sure you let us know in the comments.
Don’t forget, you can catch up on all of the latest anime news right here.
