‘Haikyu!! Dumpster Battle’ Review: Was It Worth The Wait?
It’s been four long years since the end of the Haikyu!! anime and fans have been eagerly waiting for the sequel film, ‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.’ This film, the first of two planned to wrap up the series, picks up right where season 4 left off, with Karasuno and Nekoma set to finally settle their rivalry in the national tournament.
Given the massive popularity of Haikyu!! over the past decade, expectations for ‘The Dumpster Battle’ were sky-high, especially among those who would have preferred a fifth season. Thankfully, ‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle’ more than lives up to the hype. The writing, animation, and direction are as impressive as ever, if not more so. Even if it weren’t canon, any ‘Haikyu!!’ or sports anime fan would be remiss to miss out on what might be one of the best anime films of the year.
Also Read: The Best Matches in ‘Haikyu!!’
Despite the four-year gap since the anime ended, ‘The Dumpster Battle’ spends little time recapping past events. This is both a strength and a weakness. On the plus side, it shows the film’s confidence in its audience to remember the important details or piece them together as they watch. Given Haikyu!!’s popularity, this makes sense.
However, the lack of a recap can make the film a bit inaccessible. It’s hard to attract new viewers who haven’t watched or read ‘Haikyu!!’ and even old fans might struggle with forgotten plot points and character details. While this doesn’t ruin the film, it does present a minor drawback.
‘Haikyu!!’ has always been known for its stunning animation and ‘The Dumpster Battle’ is no exception. The film showcases consistently gorgeous animation from start to finish, using an innovative technique that mixes 3D animation with unique artwork to enhance the visual experience. Coming four years after the end of the anime, fans expected the movie to at least match the series’ quality, and it certainly does.
The film’s direction is another standout feature. The editing keeps the game moving quickly while allowing time for key plays. Unique camera angles make the plays look dynamic and exciting, a hallmark of the anime that the film maintains beautifully. The music and camerawork perfectly complement the animation, highlighting the heart and intensity of every scene. Moments like Hinata regaining his confidence for a massive spike or Kenma playing frantically from a first-person perspective are made even more impactful by the film’s direction.
A significant factor in the film’s success is the return of Susumu Mitsunaka as director. Mitsunaka, who directed the first three seasons of ‘Haikyu!!,’ was replaced by Masako Sato for season 4, a change some fans viewed as a step-down. Whether that’s true is debatable, but Mitsunaka’s return has undeniably resulted in some of the best direction in the franchise, ensuring there’s never a dull moment.
Beyond the animation and direction, the film’s writing remains as strong as ever. Despite the intensity of the Karasuno and Nekoma match, the film incorporates plenty of humour, a hallmark of the series. The characters’ interactions and comedic moments keep the story engaging and light-hearted.
The character dynamics, especially between Karasuno and Nekoma, are another highlight. The film pays off years of build-up, concluding various relationships in satisfying ways. Whether heartwarming or heartbreaking, these moments are sure to please both old and new fans.
Kenma stands out as a particularly well-developed character. ‘The Dumpster Battle’ completes his arc of learning to love volleyball, making his eventual loss all the more bittersweet. Flashbacks to his relationships with Hinata and Kuroo further emphasise his growth, making him one of the best-developed characters in the series.
The match between Karasuno and Nekoma was always going to be a major event and ‘The Dumpster Battle’ delivers on all fronts. The writing, animation, and direction are at their peak, and despite the film’s quick pacing, it successfully conveys its story excitingly and engagingly.
