You understand, 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 certainly comes from the actual fact I simply do not take care of actual world sports activities all that a lot – the whole lot takes too lengthy and the drama of all of it can really feel a bit too compelled for my liking. However there may be one collection that I have been which means to take a look at for an extended whereas, and have persistently stated 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, properly, it’s, simply not the collection. As foolish as it would sound, I am right here at present to let you know 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 strategy to determine whether or not you wish to examine one thing out than through a breezy, roughly 90 minute lengthy film? There may be in fact the query of whether or not it is even pleasant for somebody that is aware of nothing about Haikyu, one of many foremost 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 staff going through off in opposition to their rivals Nekoma on the Spring Nationals event. It is the primary official match between the 2 colleges, 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 in regards to the collection, the most important shock is who the primary 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 focus as a substitute being on his personal private rival – and good friend – 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, performing as foil for somebody like Kenma, who acts like he would not even actually like volleyball all that a lot. Specializing in Kenma undoubtedly threw me off a contact based mostly by myself expectations, and clearly this is able to have been within the case for the unique manga too, however I feel 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 good friend and teammate Kuroo. Their relationship specifically was a deal with to observe, providing a transparent instance as to why folks get so invested in Haikyu to me.
When it got here to the animation, it is not essentially something notably on the market (that is volleyball in spite of everything, how wild you will 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 everything of the match – you possibly 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, in all probability probably the most necessary components of a sports activities anime. If I am not invested within the sport itself, even once 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 feel that is probably the most complimentary issues I can say in regards to the movie. For essentially the most half, I do need to admit I felt misplaced when it got here to the character relationships. There’s lots of them to steadiness, 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 necessary, 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 need extra of this in my life. I wish to watch Haikyu.
No, I do not suppose The Dumpster Battle the proper 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 properly sufficient as a taster for a collection that clearly has lots 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 time doing it.
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle is out in UK and US cinemas Could 31, accessible to observe each subtitled and dubbed.
