Nearly four years have passed since we learned the winner of the intense match between Karasuno and Inarizaki. I have become an ardent manga reader in the meantime, but I refrained from picking up this manga because I’m a sincere Haikyu anime stan. I was sure we would get follow-up seasons to tell the complete story of Kageyama and Hinata. Well, that might not be happening, but we have the Haikyu movie that carries the story forward.
I’ve eagerly awaited the release of the new Haikyu film for a long time. Now that the film has finally been released in India, here is my review of Haikyuu! The Dumpster Battle.
A Gripping Cat and Mouse Crow Volleyball Game
The movie picks up from where Season 4 ended, thus, featuring The Dumpster Battle — the epic showdown between Karasuno and Nekoma (crow vs cat).
As the match begins, the narrative shifts between the past and the present, similar to how the volleyball moves back and forth between the net in this high-stakes match. It was done cleverly to heighten the emotional resonance with both the teams; without dampening the nerve-wracking excitement of the ongoing game.
As a result, I can’t help but keep cheering for both teams, which is something we never experienced in any other sports drama. The Dumpster Battle centers around the theme of “an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.”
So, Karasuno’s relentless attack meets Nekoma’s unyielding defense, presenting movie-goers with an intriguing volleyball match of the year, just like the El Clásico.
Return of Our Beloved Cast
One of Haikyuu’s biggest strengths has always been its creator Haruichi Furudate’s masterclass in characterization. The series includes plenty of likable characters to root for. Now watching our beloved characters — Hinata, Kageyama, Kenma, Kuro, Bokuto, and others — return to the silver screen was a delightful experience with fellow Haikyuu fans. Proof of this was the audience’s wild reaction when each character was reintroduced one by one.
Kenma, the tactical genius drives this movie forward with his brilliant strategic plays and chibi-chan Hinata steals the show with his epic quick spikes. Almost all of the members of the team get their chance to shine and screentime to showcase their amazing volleyball skills.
Moreover, the stellar voice acting for characters like Ayumu Murase, Yuuki Kaji, Yuuichi Nakamura, Nobuhiko Okamoto, and many more has a phenomenal impact on the performance and in bringing these characters to life.
Dazzling Animation with Uplifting Soundtrack
Production I.G continues to deliver supreme animation quality. Be it the facial expressions or the fluidity of the volleyball moves, such as quick spikes and character movements, everything looked absolutely incredible on the bigger screen.
The masterful camerawork in distinct angles totally captured the intensity and atmosphere of the match. For example, the POV shots took my breath away completely.
Yuki Hayashi and Asami Tachibana composed a zestful soundtrack that successfully elevated the movie in every way, pumping adrenaline into the veins of an already rowdy movie crowd chanting in support of Karasumo at the top of their lungs. Together with a sublime animation and soundtrack, I bet that the movie will effortlessly teleport you to the heart of the stadium, at least it did for me.
Final Verdict: A Perfect Ace for Movie-Goers
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle is an exhilarating sequel that offers one of the greatest matches we have ever seen in the series so far. While I had my doubts about the production team releasing the Crow vs Cat battle as a movie instead of a regular season, now I can see why this movie is perfectly destined for bigger screens. This movie is simply Haikyu at its best with a fascinating rematch plot, remarkable animation quality, and amazing VA performances.
By seamlessly blending all these elements, the staff have skillfully executed and delivered a perfect ace of a movie that landed pretty well with the fans. Even on a working day in a Tier-2 city in India, the theatre was nearly houseful. That speaks volumes of the love Indian fans have for the Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyu series.
So, if you are saving your money to watch this movie on an OTT platform, let me tell you that it is a regrettable decision that will haunt you for the rest of your life. I wholeheartedly recommend you go to the theatres, joined by every Haikyuu fan, to watch Hinata and Kageyama on the bigger screen.
Ajith Kumar
An entertainment writer with a passion for analyzing and sharing insights on movies, shows, and anime.
