, in all my years of watching anime, the one sub-genre I’ve by no means actually gotten into is sports activities anime. To be sincere, that almost definitely comes from the actual fact I simply do not take care of actual world sports activities all that a lot – all the things takes too lengthy and the drama of all of it can really feel a bit too compelled for my liking. However there’s one collection that I have been which means to take a look at for an extended whereas, and have constantly mentioned to myself that I am going to watch it will definitely, as a result of everybody I do know that is watched it loves it greater than something: Haikyu.
This is not about me watching Haikyu, I am sorry to say. Or, effectively, it’s, simply not the collection. As foolish as it’d sound, I am right here as we speak to inform you about Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, and sure, I recognise that I am form of beginning on the finish of the collection, however hey ho, what higher approach to determine whether or not you wish to examine one thing out than by way of a breezy, roughly 90 minute lengthy film? There may be after all the query of whether or not it is even pleasing for somebody that is aware of nothing about Haikyu, one of many major causes I truly wished to test it out, however we’ll get again to that.
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle follows on proper after the fourth season, with Shoyo Hinata and the remainder of Karasuno Excessive’s volleyball workforce going through off in opposition to their rivals Nekoma on the Spring Nationals match. It is the primary official match between the 2 faculties, regardless of them having performed in opposition to one another earlier than, so the stakes are raised barely on this event, for apparent causes (and as a word, the entire movie is only one match, so do not anticipate all that a lot downtime). Proper off the bat, as somebody that once more, actually knew next-to-nothing concerning the collection, the largest shock is who the principle focus of the movie truly is.
Hinata, the tiny, energetic, red-headed protagonist takes a little bit of a backseat for this, with the main target as a substitute being on his personal private rival – and pal – Kenma. The movie does supply some flashbacks to assist set up their dynamic, making it clear how Hinata is that form of protagonist that evokes even their rivals to do and be higher, appearing as a superb foil for somebody like Kenma, who acts like he does not even actually like volleyball all that a lot. Specializing in Kenma positively threw me off a contact primarily based alone expectations, and clearly this might have been within the case for the unique manga too, however I believe it is a perspective that allowed the movie to do some enjoyable storytelling that I think about would hit a bit more durable for followers of the collection.
Kenma is a little bit of an odd character, reserved however sensible, and the movie could be very a lot about him discovering his drive on the volleyball courtroom, an evolution that I discovered charming. His backstory was rather well interwoven with the match, letting you understand how he got here to be a volleyball participant because of his childhood pal and teammate Kuroo. Their relationship particularly was a deal with to observe, providing a transparent instance as to why individuals get so invested in Haikyu to me.
When it got here to the animation, it is not essentially something significantly on the market (that is volleyball in spite of everything, how wild you may get?), however there’s some actually enjoyable directing in there too. The digital camera work felt kinetic and frenetic, actually permitting rigidity to be constructed up throughout the whole thing of the match – you can really feel each spike, wince at each mistake, flinch at each reception the place the ball was coming in a contact scorching. It bought itself to me fairly rapidly, most likely probably the most vital elements of a sports activities anime. If I am not invested within the sport itself, even after I don’t love sports activities, why am I watching it? However the film rapidly put me in my place, even having me considering, “man, do I wish to get into watching precise volleyball?”
I believe that is probably the most complimentary issues I can say concerning the movie. For probably the most half, I do must admit I felt misplaced when it got here to the character relationships. There’s a number of them to stability, and there have been a number of characters that weren’t enjoying within the match who got zero context as to why they have been vital, however once more, that is extra on me than it’s the movie. And but, on the finish of it I had come to the choice that I would like extra of this in my life. I wish to watch Haikyu.
No, I do not suppose The Dumpster Battle the right factor to leap into for those who’re new to the collection, however to be sincere I do not suppose that issues all that a lot both. It largely got here throughout as an prolonged episode, and that works effectively sufficient as a taster for a collection that clearly has a number of coronary heart and vitality. What I am saying is, you win Haikyu followers. I am going to watch the volleyball anime, and I am certain I am going to have a superb time doing it.
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle is out in UK and US cinemas Might 31, out there to observe each subtitled and dubbed.