Haikyuu: Battle of the Garbage Dump is the first of the iconic series’ two final films. It focuses on the match between Karasuno and Nekoma during the Tokyo Nationals. 

With other mega-hit shows such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer releasing film adaptations instead of full-length seasons, this is the current trend with popular shows. However, the decision to do this to Haikyuu, a series that focuses on the slow burn of human connection, left me skeptical of a film’s ability to faithfully adapt the culmination of the friendly rivalry between Karasuno and Nekoma that has been built up since the show’s first season. 

Haikyuu: A Refresher

Haikyuu follows Hinata Shoyo on his journey to become a professional volleyball player. After he watches a match featuring The Little Giant, he forms a volleyball club where he is the sole member. When he reaches high school, he joins the Karasuno Volleyball Club. Here, he forms lifelong friendships and rivalries on his journey to become a world-renowned athlete.

The series showcases the competitive nature of sports. It also highlights the bonds people form by pushing each other to greater heights. 

I’ve been vocal about my disappointment with Haikyuuuuu’s rushed ending. Four seasons of excellent storytelling, one of the greatest underdog stories in modern media, and it gets a lackluster ending. I don’t think two films can effectively capture the weight of the remaining 100+ chapters for any series.

Despite my disappointment with the payoff of this series-long rivalry, the film itself is fine. It’s a decent adaptation, considering the time constraints.

The Good

The friendly rivalry between Hinata and Kenma, Nekoma’s setter, was the main focus of this film. The film starts with a flashback to the meeting between the exuberantly enthusiastic Hinata and the silent Kenma setting the stage for the showdown between the two. Throughout the film, we see flashbacks of the duo training together, hoping for the day they can go all out against each other with real stakes on the line. That time is now, as they face each other in a match during the Tokyo Nationals. 

Neither boy holds back, as Kenma’s analytical plays quickly shove Hinata into a cage. The music, visuals, and composition of the shots focus on Kenma’s silent predatory nature versus Hinata’s loud offensive nature. 

However, like a cat, Kenma waits and hopes for Hinata to break free and give him a fight worth fighting. Hinata, not one to ever back down, fights with all his might, making this part of the film one of the highlights.

The Compromises

What disappointed me was the depiction of the mentorship between Nekoma’s Kuuro and Karasuno’s. Like Kenma and Hinata’s friendly rivalry, Kuuro and Tsukishima’s bond also plays a significant role in the series. Since season one, Kuuro served as Tsuki’s mentor and was one of the reasons why Tsuki found his love for the game. 

The film did its best to portray the relationship between the student and his mentor/rival but it didn’t get as much attention as Hinata and Kenma’s arc as it was glossed over instead of treated like an important plot point. Unfortunately, this is a result of the film format, so the team had to focus the film around Hinata and Kenma’s bond to meet the time constraints. 

Overall

Haikyuu: Battle at the Garbage Dump is a fine film. While many moments are rushed, the film did its best despite time constraints. 

Both teams are excited to play against a team that healthily challenges them. They inspire each other to adapt, improvise, and overcome at every level, inspiring viewers to cheer for both teams. However, I recommend reading the match for the full experience.

Haikyuu: Battle at the Garbage Dump is now streaming on Crunchyroll.