As the Haikyu!! anime celebrates its 10th anniversary, the volleyball phenomenon continues to reach new heights, exceeding even the expectations of the creators behind it. Following the release of Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle movie in Japan this past February, the film has secured its place as the 35th highest-grossing movie in Japanese box office history. The movie’s immense popularity, fueled by additional screenings, has drawn fans back to theaters, solidifying Haikyu!!’s place in anime history.
At Anime NYC, a panel celebrated the film’s success, and Crunchyroll News sat down with key members of the anime production team and the series’ manga editor. The conversation shed light on the remarkable success of Haikyu!!, the team’s journey, and the global fandom the series has inspired.
Key Players Behind the Scenes
The panel included three influential figures: Shoichiro Taguchi, a producer from Toho responsible for distributing the Haikyu!! anime, Keiko Matsushita, an animation producer from Production I.G., and Riki Azuma, an editor from Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, who has overseen the Haikyu!! manga from its early stages.
Matsushita recounted how she became involved in the project, recalling the moment she began scouting for talent to bring the manga to life. “When we started looking for a director, I immediately thought of Director Mitsunaka because he reminded me of Hinata [the series’ main character]. He had a passion for sports and a natural ability to tell emotionally resonant stories.”
Azuma and Taguchi humorously referred to their roles as “garnishes,” having joined the project after it was already in development. Despite this, their contributions to the success of both the manga and anime have been pivotal.
Building the Creative Team
Matsushita emphasized the importance of selecting the right team to adapt Haikyu!! into anime. “I chose Director Mitsunaka because of his background in sports anime like Big Windup! and his incredible ability to capture human movement and emotion,” she explained. She also selected Takahiro Kishida as character designer and Taku Kishimoto as scriptwriter, forming a creative team that would embody the spirit of the series.
Unexpected Success
Despite their confidence in the quality of The Dumpster Battle, both Taguchi and Azuma admitted that the film’s success took them by surprise. “We expected the film to perform well, but not at this level,” Azuma said. “When the movie returned to the Top 10 during its revival screenings, it was a surreal moment. It was a testament to how deeply fans connected with the story.”
Taguchi echoed this sentiment, describing the incredible turnout for the film’s special screenings. “We screened the movie at over 350 theaters across Japan, setting a new record for revival screenings. It was astonishing to witness how many fans still showed up.”
The Global Appeal of Sports Anime
The conversation shifted to the recent surge in popularity of sports anime, with Haikyu!! and THE FIRST SLAM DUNK both making waves at the box office. Azuma reflected on the broader appeal of sports stories. “Sports manga is a major genre in Weekly Shonen Jump, but translating it into successful anime is challenging. What makes sports anime unique is the ability to watch the same game over and over again and still feel the excitement. That’s the magic of Haikyu!!.”
Matsushita noted the universal appeal of youth-centered stories in sports anime. “There’s something powerful about focusing on a limited time—like the three years of high school in Haikyu!!—and how that time shapes you. It resonates deeply with audiences because it reflects the fleeting nature of life itself.”
Haikyu!!’s Global Fandom
One of the most striking aspects of Haikyu!!’s rise to fame has been its international following. Taguchi and Matsushita were both astonished by the series’ reach, particularly during the Tokyo Olympics. “I was shocked to hear Haikyu!! music played during the volleyball matches,” Taguchi said. “Even more surprising was seeing a Brazilian player with a Haikyu!! tattoo and fans cosplaying as characters in the stadium. It was a proud moment.”
Matsushita shared a memorable experience from Paris, where she encountered fans dressed as characters from the show. “At a volleyball match, the theme song from Haikyu!! started playing, and everyone in the crowd began singing along—even though it’s a Japanese song! It showed me just how far-reaching this series has become.”
Conclusion
With the overwhelming success of The Dumpster Battle and a passionate fanbase that spans the globe, Haikyu!! continues to thrive, even a decade after its debut. The series has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, proving that the universal themes of friendship, competition, and growth resonate across cultures. As the creators behind Haikyu!! reflect on the journey so far, one thing is clear: the love for this volleyball story shows no sign of slowing down.