Intense but non-violent volleyball matches with moments that are dramatic and high-stakes but not scary. A brief imaginary scene depicts two players holding knives at each other, symbolizing their fierce competition and rivalry. But this scene is metaphorical and doesn't reflect actual violence.
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Themes include passion, teamwork, perseverance, friendship, respect, personal growth, support, and sporting conduct.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Characters model teamwork/sporting conduct and mutual support. Both teams encourage each other to improve and maintain a strong sense of goodwill, despite being rivals. Shoyo Hinata and Kenma Kozume particularly stand out. Shoyo is enthusiastic, determined, and able to inspire others, while Kenma's journey highlights self-discovery and perseverance.
Diverse Representations
a little
This Japanese anime film primarily features male Japanese characters, focusing on a high school men's volleyball team. Female characters, such as Kiyoko Shimizu and Hitoka Yachi, serve as the team managers but have minimal screen time or impact on the plot. Other women appear as fans or cheerleaders, also playing minor roles without significant influence on the storyline. The characters primarily consist of high school boys with athletic builds.
Parents need to know that HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle is a film that continues the story of the sports-themed series, centering on intense volleyball matches. Language is the biggest issue; words used include "pissing," "damn," "dammit," hell," "ass," "d--k," and "dips--t." There are intense but non-violent high-stakes moments, and a brief imaginary scene depicts two competitors holding knives at each other to symbolizing their fierce competition and rivalry. The film has positive messages about teamwork and perseverance and is a good fit for viewers who enjoy sports-themed stories with uplifting and motivational themes. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Don't waste your time with the visually unappealing film.
I took my 12-yr-old son to see this today and we only lasted an hour... and that was only because for the very first time he was allowed to sit in the front and enjoy the big screen properly (I stayed in the back row because that would make me sick!). He eventually gave up on it. It had a terribly slow, depressing, boring start and never improved. The visuals are very ugly, the subtitles didn't help and it was a complete nothing film. Normally my son loves everything at the cinema but he wasn't loving this! He also didn't understand a lot of the volleyball references. I can't really give my own opinion as I just used my phone throughout because there was no entertainment value for me at all. Apparently it had no humour, no nothing.
HAIKYUU!! THE DUMPSTER BATTLE follows the highly anticipated match between Karasuno High and Nekoma High at the Nationals Tournament. Shoyo Hinata (voiced by Bryson Baugus) and his teammates face off against their longtime rivals, with a particular focus on Hinata's relationship with Kenma Kozume (Clint Bickham). The film explores themes of passion for the sport, friendship, and personal growth through a series of intense volleyball matches.
The animation and visuals in this film are top-notch, making the intense volleyball matches thrilling to watch. HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle showcases high-quality art that enhances the overall viewing experience. Even if you're not familiar with volleyball or the original series, the film's engaging balance of technical sport elements and compelling character-driven storytelling will likely captivate you. The emotional depth and strong character dynamics provide a captivating narrative for both fans and newcomers. Overall, the movie combines a gripping storyline and inspiring themes, making Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle a must-see both for sports anime enthusiasts and general audiences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle portrays competition and rivalry. How do the characters handle winning and losing? What can be learned from their examples of sporting conduct?
How do you interpret the imagery of one team being represented by a crow and the other team by a cat? What do these animals say about the teams' rivalry?
How do characters demonstrate perseverance and teamwork? Why are those important character strengths?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
