The animated film, based on writer Haruichi Furudate’s popular manga and anime series, opens in the U.S. and Canada today, May 31.
According to Crunchyroll, as of April 30, the film has earned over 10 billion yen (~ USD 65 million) since opening in Japan on February 16. The series, which inspired the movie, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Crunchyroll.
In the film, Shoyo Hinata joins Karasuno High’s volleyball club to be like his idol, a former Karasuno player known as the “Little Giant.” But Hinata soon finds that he must team up with his middle school nemesis, Tobio Kageyama. Their clashing styles turn into a surprising weapon, but can they beat their rival Nekoma High in the highly anticipated “Dumpster Battle,” the long-awaited ultimate showdown between two opposing underdog teams?
Susumu Mitsunaka directed and wrote the screenplay from an original story by Haruichi Furudate. Production I.G produced the film.
The franchise is based on the original Weekly Shonen Jump manga series from Haruichi Furudate, a slice-of-life sports anime revolving around Shoyo Hinata’s love of volleyball. Inspired by a small-statured player known as the “Little Giant,” Hinata creates a team in his last year of middle school. His team is unfortunately matched up against "King of the Court'' Tobio Kageyama’s team in their first tournament, inevitably losing. After the crushing defeat, Hinata vows to surpass Kageyama. Entering high school, he joins the volleyball team only to find that Tobio has also joined, making his once rival his new teammate.
TOHO Animation produced the series.
The clip introduces the players on rival teams Nekoma and Karasuno, and their coaches. It also shows legendary Coach Ikkei Ikai in a hospital bed rooting for his grandson, the new coach on his former team! Check it out:
Source: Crunchyroll
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
