“Does losing prove that you’re weak? Isn’t losing difficult for all of you? A challenge where, after ending up on your hands and knees, you must see if you can stand up again. If you stay on your hands and knees, that proves you are weak.” – Takeda Ittetsu, Haikyuu I first discovered Haikyuu , a sports anime that follows short king Hinata Shoyo’s dream to become a renowned volleyball player during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Truthfully, it wasn’t the first thing on my to-watch list — nor was it the second, third, or fourth. Still, my sister pushed me to watch it, and luckily, I decided to listen. Haikyuu changed my life .
It gave me a reason to smile and laugh despite the crushing anxiety I felt. It filled me with an overwhelming sense of comfort and warmth that helped me navigate the darkness of my depression. Most importantly, it inspired me to scrape myself off the ground and move forward, no matter how difficult it seemed.
Four years later, the above quote spoken by Takeda Ittetsu, the faculty advisor of Karasuno’s volleyball team, still rings true — both for me and Haikyuu’s characters. Haikyuu: The Dumpster Battle picks up after the conclusion of Season 4. The first of two planned films that will bring the anime adaption to a close, it depicts Karasuno’s anticipated showdown with Nekoma High.
While Karasuno’s crows and Nekoma’s wildcats have battled before, this will be their first official match. If there’s one thing Haikyuu has always excelle.
