Surprise anime movie just set a major box office record

The anime Haikyu!! has just rocked the Japanese box office in a big way, pushing it towards some of the biggest franchises in the world.

After four seasons, Haikyu!! originally concluded in 2020. The volleyball anime, following high school students Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama as they seek to become professional players in the sport, charmed fans for years with a beautiful story of two friends working towards a common goal.

In the aftermath of the Haikyu!! Season 4 finale, it was revealed we’d get two anime movies. The first, Haikyu!! the Movie: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump — aka: Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle — opened on February 16, and it jumped straight into the history books in Japan.

In fact, Haikyu!! has just moved into the pantheon of the most popular anime franchises going, and if these numbers should hold, it might be a phenomenon.

Haikyu!! has one of the best opening days ever in Japan

Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle earned 890 million yen on opening day in Japan. This gives the film the fourth-biggest first day box office in Japanese cinema.

For context, Haikyu!! now sits behind Jujutsu Kaisen 0, One Piece Film: Red, and Demon Slayer: Mugen Train in terms of Japanese opening day takings. That’s some impressive company — you have one of the most enduring franchises in One Piece, a current sensation in Jujutsu Kaisen, and what is currently the highest-grossing film ever in Japan.

Needless to say, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle is doing well for itself. The film will depict the long-awaited match between Karasuno High and Nekoma High, the eponymous Battle at the Garbage Dump, that was teased at the end of the fourth season.

Susumu Mitsunaka, who directed episodes of the show, is directing the film. Besides Haikyu!!, he’s also worked on The Boy and the Heron and Weathering With You, so he’s a strong filmmaker. As of now, we don’t have a UK or US released for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, but when we know, you’ll know.

In the meantime, check out our guides to Demon Slayer season 4 and the best anime like Solo Leveling.