Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle
| Company type | Animated film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Film |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Founder | Susumu Mitsunaka (director) |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Key people | Susumu Mitsunaka (director), Haruichi Furudate (original manga author) |
| Products | Animated sports film |
| Parent | Production I.G |
Haikyu!! The Movie: The Dumpster Battle is a 2024 Japanese animated sports feature, both scripted and directed by Susumu Mitsunaka, with production by Production I.G. Adapted from Haruichi Furudate's manga Haikyu!!, this film acts as a direct continuation of the anime television series. The principal voice cast includes Ayumu Murase, Kaito Ishikawa, Yuki Kaji, and Yuichi Nakamura.
Distributed by Toho in Japan on February 16, 2024, and subsequently released in the United States on May 30, 2024, through Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Releasing, the movie earned over billion at the domestic box office, securing its position as the second highest-grossing Japanese film of 2024. A follow-up titled Haikyu!! vs. The Little Giant has been officially announced.
Premise
In the third round of the Spring Nationals, Karasuno High School faces off against Nekoma High School for their first official match. This eagerly awaited encounter, famously known as The Dumpster Battle between the crows and wildcats, represents a crucial milestone following a year filled with practice games. Central figures Shoyo Hinata and Kenma Kozume compete in a decisive showdown where no rematch is possible.
Voice cast
| Character | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Shoyo Hinata (日向 翔陽, Hinata Shōyō) | Ayumu Murase | Bryson Baugus |
| Tobio Kageyama (影山 飛雄, Kageyama Tobio) | Kaito Ishikawa | Scott Gibbs |
| Kenma Kozume (孤爪 研磨, Kozume Kenma) | Yuki Kaji | Clint Bickham |
| Tetsurō Kuroo (黒尾 鉄朗, Kuroo Tetsurō) | Yuichi Nakamura | Ty Mahany |
| Daichi Sawamura (澤村 大地, Sawamura Daichi) | Satoshi Hino | Justin Doran |
| Kōshi Sugawara (菅原 孝支, Sugawara Kōshi) | Miyu Irino | Adam Gibbs |
| Asahi Azumane (東峰 旭, Azumane Asahi) | Yoshimasa Hosoya | Orlanders Jones |
| Ryūnosuke Tanaka (田中 龍之介, Tanaka Ryūnosuke) | Yū Hayashi | Greg Cote |
| Yū Nishinoya (西谷 夕, Nishinoya Yū) | Nobuhiko Okamoto | Greg Ayres |
| Kei Tsukishima (月島 蛍, Tsukishima Kei) | Koki Uchiyama | Leraldo Anzaldua |
Production
The project was unveiled on August 13, 2022, as part of a two-film series entitled Haikyu!! Final. On August 19, 2023, the subtitle for the first installment was disclosed as The Dumpster Battle. Later, in December 2023 during Jump Festa '24, it was announced that "Orange" by Spyair would serve as the movie's theme song.
Release
The movie had its theatrical debut in Japan on February 16, 2024. Throughout its run, seven rounds of exclusive merchandise were handed out to select audiences, with the initial and final distributions featuring a special "33.5th" manga volume.
For the international market, Medialink managed the film’s release across Asia from April to May 2024, targeting regions including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Thailand. In April 2024, Crunchyroll secured theatrical distribution rights for North America and certain other territories, planning staggered releases between May and June in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Latin America, and North America. The film premiered in the United States and Canada on May 31.
Reception
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle has achieved a global box office total of $100.4 million. It launched at the top position in Japan’s box office rankings with an opening weekend revenue of ¥2.23 billion. Within 75 days, it crossed the ¥10 billion mark, becoming the fifteenth Japanese anime film to reach this benchmark. The total earnings in Japan amounted to ¥11.64 billion (approximately US$74.05 million), securing its place as the second highest-grossing Japanese film released in 2024.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 75% approval rating with an average score of 6.9 out of 10. According to PostTrak data, 93% of viewers responded positively to the film, with 80% indicating they would strongly recommend it.
At the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, the film was nominated for Film of the Year. Additionally, Alessandro Pili received a nomination for Best Voice Artist Performance (Italian) for his portrayal of Kenma Kozume.
Sequel
On March 2, 2025, a follow-up film titled Haikyu!! vs. The Little Giant was announced alongside a new anime short called Haikyu!! Where Monsters Go.