Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle brings together two long-time rival schools in Karasuno and Nekoma as they do battle once more in a match that brings Hinata's anime journey to an end.
To help get you prepared, we’ll run the rule over what exactly to expect from Haikyu’s return. That includes the volleyball movie’s US and UK release date, new trailer, cast, and which manga chapters it’s likely to adapt.
For more, check out our guides on Jujutsu Kaisen season 3, Demon Slayer season 4, and the new anime out in 2024.
Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle release date
Haikyu the Movie: The Dumpster Battle will be released in cinemas on May 31.
There is also a second movie planned which will bring the story to a close. At this rate, anything before 2025 for that would be a pipe dream. Production I.G. remain on animating duties, while Susumu Mitsunaka will direct.
Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle story: what manga chapters is it adapting?
Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle continues where the fourth season left off. Karasuno has progressed to the third round of the Nationals, besting Tsubakihara in the first round before sneaking past the uber-tough Inarizaki High School and their talismans, the Miya Brothers.
Next up? Nekoma, the high school that has battled it out with Karasuno during their glory years. On top of that, there’s also a friend rivalry brewing between Hinata and the timid setter Kenma.
In terms of the source material, Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle movie will start from chapter 291 of the manga and should go up to chapter 325, give or take a few chapters. That does mean, then, that either a large chunk of the Nationals arc (up to chapter 369) or the Final Arc (chapters 370-402) would be cut out in the second movie. In our opinion, the National Arc wrap-up will likely serve – pun intended – as the series finale for the show, with remnants of the Final Arc scattered in.
For a recap on Nekoma’s journey to their showdown with Karasuno, be sure to check out the season 4 episodes 'Vivid' and 'Cats vs. Monkeys.' To familiarize yourself with their team, the OVAs The Path of the Ball and Land vs. Air are must-watch specials.
Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle cast
The main cast are all likely to return for Haikyu the Movie. That includes the ultimate underdog Hinata (Ayumu Marase), setter Kageyama (Kaito Ishikawa), and Daichi (Satoshi Hino). Libero Nishinoya (Nobuhiko Okamoto) will bring the thunder once more as, too, will hot-headed Tanaka (Yu Hayashi).
Joining them is Tsukushima (Koki Uchiyama), Sugawara (Miyu Irino), Asahi (Yoshimasa Hosoya), and Yamaguchi (Soma Saito), among others. Watching on from the wings are Hitoka Yachi (Sumire Morohoshi) and Kiyoko Shimizu (Kaori Nazuka).
On the Nekoma side, we’ll hear plenty more from the likes of Kenma (Yuki Kaji), Tetsuro Kuroo (Yuichi Nakamura), and Lev (Mark Ishii).
Haikyu: The Dumpster Battle trailer
The first trailer for the Haikyu movie has been released – now with English subtitles.
Still, any Haikyu fan should be able to get the gist: it recaps the final few episodes of the fourth season, while taking a quick look ahead to the hotly anticipated third round match-up between Karasuno and Nekoma. Might Hinata’s infectious personality finally rub off on Kenma?
There’s also a poster which shows Hinata and Kenma each brandishing a knife aimed at the other. Let’s hope their on-court behavior is a little more cordial than that…
Will there be a Haikyu season 5?
Sorry to the bearer of bad news, but there are only four seasons of Haikyu. The two upcoming movies are, in effect, Haikyu season 5. That does mean, then, that the anime will largely be incomplete compared to its manga counterpart, especially when it comes to the Final Arc.
Where can I watch Haikyu?
All four seasons of Haikyu are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. The Dumpster Battle movie is getting a theatrical release in the US and UK.
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