It's a worthwhile Dumpster Battle
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Well, in my opinion, the reason lies in the plot's setting, which avoids exaggerating the sports or the characters' capabilities with insane supernatural elements often found in other sports anime. Instead of relying on superpowers, Haikyuu focuses on a team of underdogs that is about to rise. As a typical and deep-seated shounen anime, everything begins from the bottom, and Haikyuu showcases many iconic moments along the way. In this case, the concept behind these iconic moments is likewise not exaggerated. Haikyuu consistently emphasizes the characters' growth and resilience in overcoming adversity. Some flashbacks, interactions, or conversations may seem casual, but they serve as crucial foreshadowing, building up to iconic scenes for particular characters step by step.
Besides, the references designed for the teams have made each match significant and have stimulated the plot. For example, the main team is alluded to as crows due to its name, 'Karasuno' (烏野), and the team's quick, synchronized attacking playstyle that imitates crows. Not gonna lie, these references make the volleyball battles look impressive but not absurd. In the movie, this was exemplified by 'the dumpster battle' between the crows (Karasuno) and the cats (Nekoma), who have always been fated and historical rivals.
The movie begins with a flashback of Kenma and Hinata, highlighting their battle as one of the key focuses. Flashbacks are common yet crucial tools that can enhance the depth of the plot; however, they can have the opposite effect if misused. The dumpster battle includes flashbacks that are particularly convincing. These flashbacks are necessary for a better understanding of the characters, especially for Nekoma's members like Kuro and Kenma. Every flashback featuring Kenma reminiscing during the match builds up to his gratitude towards his teammate Kuro, culminating in Kenma's renewed passion for volleyball by the end of the match. Additionally, flashbacks of players from both teams from previous seasons emphasize the bond between Karasuno and Nekoma, significantly intensifying the match's emotional impact.
Though the movie's pace was consistently maintained and optimized with flashbacks to draw the audience's attention back from the intense match, I still can't help but wish for a better adaptation, as it’s challenging to fit everything into 1 hour and 30 minutes. Additionally, the match's ending felt abrupt and lacked the excitement of previous matches. However, this was just a minor flaw in the overall experience. The movie certainly deserves to be watched on the big screen, as it offers new and exciting elements throughout. Notably, the visual representation of Kenma’s point of view on the court was impressive. Kenma also exhibited a hint of sadism as he trapped and pressured Hinata during the match. Despite Kenma's cunning tactics, it was fascinating to see Karasuno adapt and counterattack effectively. Karasuno delivered many surprises, especially with Hinata, who continued to show significant improvement in this match.
To sum it up, the experience of watching on the big screen was truly enjoyable, with impressive animation and sound effects. Although I expected a more dramatic ending to the match, the overall performance was decent and satisfying, making it worth the ticket. Haikyuu remains the best sports anime in recent years. With only one movie left to conclude the story, I hope for a finale that lives up to the high standards set by the series. As someone who hasn't read the manga, I look forward to a fitting end to this outstanding anime.