kien

kurokenist

[missinconsistent]

The Haikyuu movie is *the* Kenma movie, and I'm living for it. I won't get too into spoilers pertaining to the match, but I will talk about some things in the movie, so if you want to go in blind then stop reading here and go watch the movie!!

I did not expect the movie to explore Kenma and Kuroo's friendship as much as it did, and I love it so much (I didn't read the manga, btw so this was such a surprise). The series already shared quite a lot of flashbacks to their childhood and them playing volleyball together. But, it was always framed in a way that Kuroo kinda dragged Kenma along into playing volleyball with him. I never really expected these childhood flashbacks to mean any more than that. The movie really explored *why* Kenma played volleyball thanks to Kuroo. It really emphasized how important playing volleyball *with* Kuroo meant to him.

Like the scene back to the summer camp when Kenma is thinking he'd rather not play volleyball over playing a video game or watching volleyball, but then Kuroo calls his name and reaches his hand out is just so sweet. Especially considering that Kenma is most likely thinking how this is Kuroo's final year.

I am obsessed with how Kenma's friendly rivalry with Hinata actually parallels his friendship with Kuroo through flashbacks. With Kuroo being the friend that got him to play volleyball, and Hinata being the friend and rival that really pushed Kenma to take a match seriously, and see how fun it can be.

And idk if my take is different, but I really like how Kenma doesn't have a Tsukishima arc. The match doesn't make him fall in love with volleyball, but it just makes him realize that even if he doesn't love the sport, he loves a good and interesting match with his friends. He doesn't care about nationals. He just likes playing against Hinata, in particular (imo). But I think that's what makes the match between them so damn investing.

It's so refreshing to see the movie mostly revolve around Kenma's pov and see this character break out of his shell and push himself. To decode Hinata in an attempt to beat him and have his expectations blown away. Seeing this competitive, smug, and serious side of him is such fan service and I love it lol.

The scene when the match plays out from Kenma's eyes is so (chef's kiss). It's a bit nauseating, but it genuinely is my favourite moment in the movie. The way Kenma's eyes are on the ball before darting across the court, glancing over at his teammates and opponents, and back to the ball again. When it even shows Kenma taking a fall, Lev checking up on him, and Kenma just shouts to focus on the ball, I was just floored with how well it immerses you in the match. It just really has you on the edge of your seat, and quite literally puts you in Kenma's head to know this guy who is seemingly indifferent to volleyball, in that moment, is having the time of his life.

It's such a good climactic moment that's so different from other concluding matches from the series prior. It's not about big final builds up to the final strike, or block, or whatever move the characters are doing. It's just about being in the moment. About Kenma being in the moment. And it's such a brilliant and unique way to end the match.

[estesolar]

me @ unironically everyone who’s coming back to kuroken after leaving us in trenches

[leafeon-oreo]

I just finished watching the haikyuu movie and it was so awesome.

Kenma is now my official favorite character and kuroken for the win!!!

There was moments where I was at the edge of my seat.

I was simping for kenma alot during the movie.

I even told my dad kenma is my fictional crush and he didn't judge me.

[goodboydummy]

I’ve always kinda headcanon’d that kenma and kuroo have been in an established relationship precanon, but the movie changed my mind a little.

I do think Kenma fell for kuroo when he overheard kuroo talking to his dad about how if he really wanted to do something he would give his all, because who can resist the wonderful and terrible ordeal of being truly seen by another person? Especially that young??

But I don’t think kuroo realized that he was in love with kenma until the nekokara match because watching kenma be happy playing the sport they learned together made him happy too… and he realized he was going to have to put up with Kenma’s difficult personality for the rest of his life 😂

[chodzacaparodia]

Me, leaving the cinema after watching Haikyuu! The Dumpster Battle: I need Kuroken fics to cope.

[missinconsistent]

I find it so funny how during their childhood, Kuroo would just barge into Kenma's house whenever he pleased. You see Kuroo peeking through Kenma's door when Kenma is lying sick.

But also, when he catches Kenma up at 5AM playing video games?

Like boy just has the keys to the house cus I guess he can waltz in to see what Kenma is doing before the sun is even up.

And now the movie adapting this panel, but having it as a sequence of Kuroo barging into Kenma's room over time, and one of them when Kenma was still in the middle of changing (I wish I could get a screenshot)

Like, it's so funny and cute that Kuroo just invites himself into his friend's house unannounced, and no one questions it. Kenma's parents are probably just like "oh you're here again :)" and they just go about their day like seeing a stray cat that drops by from time to time.

The two were most definitely still like that throughout high school, too. During the little sequence of young Kuroo coming into Kenma's room in the movie, I thought you'd see him growing up every time the door opened (which would've been so sweet but sadly no).

I could be remembering wrong, but I vaguely remember hearing about tidbits of the Haikyuu characters grown up, and apparently Kenma's friends will just crash at his place when they like. So, it seems Kenma is pretty used to it now, thanks to Kuroo lol

[mari-writes]

My thoughts on Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle

⚠️ Warning: Spoilers for the film (and portions of the manga) ahead!

Two days ago, I went to see Haikyuu: The Dumpster Battle. I've been a fan of this series since 2015, and I started the manga within a month of the anime. So going to this film was a huge deal for me. (The only other time I've experienced a HQ screening was at the 2018 Crunchyroll convention!) It was awesome being at the theater with fellow fans wearing jerseys of our favorite teams, all excited to see our boys on the big screen. 🥰❤️

I absolutely LOVED how the film began, showing us Kenma and Hinata's first meeting but in a different way than in season 1, with the cat and crow staring each other down, and Kuroo overhearing their conversation from nearby. It really set the mood, especially with the incredible score (honestly the soundtrack is one of my favorite aspects of the movie).

However, I was upset that they left out the backstory of Nekomata and Ukai Sr. These flashbacks are so important to give the rivalry context and depth. The fact that these two characters met in middle school, and then had this battle decades later as elders, was so impactful. Not showing the history of their relationship affected the film's emotional impact. In my opinion, THIS was the biggest flaw in the script.

While we're on the negatives: I do think the film relied a lot on prior knowledge of the story. Which is to be expected, it's basically the 5th season of a show, but I don't think even casual fans would be able to keep up with how many characters and plot points quickly came and went. I recall being perplexed at certain things they chose to keep in, some of which were fun, but not necessary and just muddled the viewing experience.

Also: the subtitles. I've always had a beef with how Crunchyroll does subs. Not the translators themselves (I LOVE YOU GUYS YOU'RE AMAZING) but how they place the text. It was hard to distinguish between the primary and secondary dialogue. They were often stacked onto each other, with the barest hint of italics to differentiate. Honestly, while some background dialogue was great, I would've rather gone without to avoid confusion.

There were some other weakness, like the pacing and important character moments they cut. Obviously, as a MASSIVE fan, I would want everything to be adapted fully and perfectly. But that was never going to happen with a 1.5 hour film. 🤷‍♀️ The screenwriters did a really impressive job considering what they were tasked with accomplishing. Major kudos to them!

Now, on to the things I loved about the movie:

The animation. Gods, the animation was fantastic, such a breath of fresh air after season 4. I could tell how much care the artists put into this project. Some scenes literally had me speechless, sitting there frozen with my mouth hanging open. The final rally was animated ENTIRELY in Kenma's POV. The music faded out; you could here his heavy breathing and the team calling to each other. It made you feel like you were on the court. I've never seen anything like it before.

I mentioned the score earlier, but special shout out to the musicians, composers, and everyone involved in the soundtrack. 👏 I literally had goosebumps multiple times. And having a track by SPYAIR playing during the end credits gave me so much fuzzy nostalgia!

The voice acting was amazing. Kenma's actor, Yuki Kaji, absolutely hit it out of the park. He's always been one of my faves from the cast, but he went above and beyond in this film. But everyone did, really. It was so important for me to see the Japanese version FIRST to hear this wonderful cast who I've been following for the past 9 years.

Kuroo Testsuro. Good lord, did I come out of the theater having fallen completely in love with Kuroo. 😍❤️ His character is just SO GOOD, full of passion and love for his friends and the sport itself. I think the movie really highlighted this. (And it made me so emotional, knowing where he ended up in the future!)

BOKUTO AND AKAASHI. Thank you, movie team for letting them have their cute little moments. Especially the one with Yachi. I love these two so much. I'm very scared that their biggest arc, aka the Mujinazaka match, won't be animated. But I'm so grateful we got them in this film.

The after credits scene. REMEMBER TO STAY AFTER THE FIRST CREDITS YOU GUYS! They included the hilarious exchange between Kuroo and Daishou after the match, which was a really fun way to end things. 😆 Mika's little "You ready?" to her silly snake boyfriend was perfect. It made me giggle.

Okay, those are my initial thoughts! If I see the film again I might update this. For now, let me just say I really enjoyed it overall and it was such a special experience seeing these beloved characters on the silver screen. I still mourn the loss of a 5th season, and I'm nervous about what will be cut from the final movie... but that's future Mari's problem... 😅

Thanks for reading! 💕

[dollimile]

another kuroken

[justanother-story]

Haikyuu movie spoilers *****

The whole sequence with kenmas POV of the third set was so GOOOD

Now I'm imagining if we are gonna get Daichi's POV in the match against Kamomedai 😭 him flashing back his whole HS volleyball career I dont know if I can take it 😭😭😭

[rebelwithoutabroom]

KENMA'S POV

[shobiowlie]

this scene stuck with me

[writtenbymylo]

‼️HAIKYUU DUMPSTER BATTLE SPOILERS‼️

Kenma: *smiling* Kuro, thanks for teaching me volleyball.

Me, in the theater:

[ushijimaschubbs]

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

im not gonna stop talking about kozume kenma

[kuhuhukun]

Ready...FIGHT!!

[toasted-raccoon]

we are back !! hq is real !!

[loveable-sea-lemon]

these bitches are slaying fr

(via everyone's individual IGs)

[firstsensibility]