TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The theatrical release of the anime movie "Haikyu!!: The Dumpster Battle" smashed box office records over the weekend, surpassing the previous record set by "The First Slam Dunk." The film raked in over NT$75 million, a significant increase from the NT$40 million experts had initially predicted.
In its opening weekend, "Haikyu!!" stunned industry insiders by grossing NT$69 million in three days. Including the limited early screenings in the Hsinyi District during the spring holidays, the total box office has already exceeded NT$75 million, surpassing expectations by more than 1.8 times and breaking the first-week box office records of "The First Slam Dunk" and "Jujutsu Kaisen 0."
"Haikyu!!," an anime adaptation that first aired in 2014, tells the story of high school students passionate about volleyball. The series has resonated with many students, from daily campus practices to competing in national tournaments.
The previous record holder, "The First Slam Dunk," was a nostalgic trip for many viewers, particularly those in their 30s and 40s. The film ultimately grossed NT$458 million in Taiwan and a staggering NT$3.34 billion in Japan.
In Japan, "Haikyu!!" has already amassed approximately NT$2 billion, making it the fourth highest-grossing film on its opening day in Japanese cinema history.