After a long wait, “Haikyu!!” is finally back and with it comes thrilling action showdowns as Shoyo Hinata and the rest of the Karasuno crows face-off against others in the decisive battle at the garbage dump.

Haikyu The Dumpster Battle Review

It's hard to believe it's been four years since the end of “Haikyu!!” season 4. Based on the Weekly Shonen Jump manga series from Haruichi Furudate, this popular sports anime about a high school volleyball team is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new movie. Much like “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train,” “The Dumpster Battle” (also called the Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump) picks up right where the anime left off. Which means there isn't much backstory or reiterating facts for newcomers or those who may have forgotten where things ended. Everything is presented in a way that expects the audience to know the anime, the characters, relationships, and team history. There are a few breadcrumbs of info but brushing up on the manga or the anime is probably still a good idea. Although I still believe there is enough excitement here to grab the attention of any rookies.

Despite a four year absence, “The Dumpster Battle” proves that Haikyu!! hasn't lost what makes it stand out– emotional moments, strong characters, and mind-blowing, heart-pumping action sequences. The movie revolves around the highly-anticipated Battle at the Garbage Dump, a match between rivals Karasuno and Nekoma High School. The two schools have faced off in practice matches before but this time they are playing in the Nationals Tournament. This matchup becomes the eye of the tornado of clashing personalities, skill-levels, motives, and principles. It isn't only a showdown between the schools but it also pits Shoyo Hinata against his friend/rival Kenma Konzume. Shoyo doesn't just want to win the tournament but he also wants to help his friend Kenma find a love for the sport. 

Unearthing a passion for the sport and being open to new experiences is something Haikyuu!! has always been about.  In this case we discover more about Kenma's love-hate (mostly hate) relationship with the sport. Told through a series of flashbacks, “The Dumpster Battle” explores Kenma's seemingly aversion to volleyball while being friends with those who love. Not only is it intriguing but it gives depth to his character, helping the emotional payout to land nicely in the end. 

By adapting about 33 chapters of the manga into a single 85-minute movie, much of the cast gets pushed to the background as the focus is on Kenma and Shoyo’s relationship. This is typical in anime films, with the supporting cast usually reduced to cameos, but in this instance we see them quite a bit even if there isn't much dialogue between them. However, each gets their moment to shine and the thrill of watching these rivals clash is thrilling. The final moments are so incredibly animated you feel as if the theater has been transformed into an arena. There you are, sitting court side, on the edge of your seat. How the manga drawings explode onto the screen elevates the experience for both anime-only fans and readers. You might know what is going to happen but I bet you will second guess that knowledge as you watch it play out in all its glory.

Despite glossing over some aspects of the story, the movie remains faithful to its source material. Major moments are present including scoring that point as well as the imagery of crows and cats, which represent the schools Karasuno and Nekoma respectively. As for the match itself, it's pure adrenaline fuel. As with any big budget, the animation gets a nice boost. From subtle tweaks in a character's expression or movement to dynamic motion in the middle of the games, the animation is crisp and eye-catching. There is an electrifying POV from Kenma’s perspective that speeds up and slows down mimicking the rush one feels in the middle of a heated battle like this one. 

When it comes to sports anime, they generally fall into one of two categories– character dramas or superhero stories. The former is grounded more in reality, where players overcome obstacles and the general mechanics of the game are explained. Whereas the latter treats its characters like they are almost inhuman (“Blue Lock”) with some crazy abilities. “Haikyuu!!,” is a character drama, one that offers some education on the game, slice-of-life fun, and well-written arcs for its cast. The movie delivers on all of those points, staying true to what makes this anime popular not only in Japan but around the world. 

VERDICT

“Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle” is an exhilarating return to the world of Shoyo Hinata and his teammates. It is important to note that this is the first of two films that will act as a replacement for Season 5. It's an interesting choice and something I could see other anime adaptations adopting if all goes well for Haikyu!! Although this one ends nicely it does leave you wanting more or at least a slightly longer runtime. Fortunately we have had practice being patient for new Haikyu!! so here's hoping the wait this time is less than 4 years! Ultimately, “The Dumpster Battle” does what the anime does best– delivers  humor, heart, and epic sports action. 

Crunchyroll will release “Haikyuu!! The Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump” in theaters on May 31, 2024.