The Haikyuu!! franchise continues to expand, delivering exciting news for fans worldwide. A brand-new special anime, Haikyuu: Where Monsters Go, has been officially announced, and it will spotlight one of the most anticipated matches in the Spring High National Tournament. This special will bring Fukurodani Academy and Mujinazaka High to the forefront, featuring their intense quarterfinal showdown.
The announcement comes alongside news of Haikyuu!! the Movie: VS The Little Giant, which will depict Karasuno’s fourth-round battle against Kamomedai High. With these releases, the franchise is set to bring some of the manga’s most thrilling matchups to life in a way that fans won’t want to miss.
Fukurodani vs. Mujinazaka Takes Center Stage
Shoyo Hinata (Haruichi Furudate)
The newly announced Haikyuu: Where Monsters Go will focus on a high-stakes quarterfinal match between two powerhouse teams. Fukurodani Academy, led by the electrifying Bokuto Kotaro, is known for its explosive offensive playstyle. On the other side, Mujinazaka High boasts one of Japan’s most formidable high school players, Kiryu Wakatsu, making this a match filled with high-intensity action and strategic battles.
The title Where Monsters Go refers to Chapter 336 of the Haikyuu!! manga, where this battle unfolds. Since the match is covered in just two manga chapters, the special anime is expected to be a single episode. Fans can anticipate high-quality animation and an electrifying adaptation of this pivotal showdown.
The announcement of this special anime wasn’t the only big reveal. The franchise also confirmed Haikyuu!! the Movie: VS The Little Giant, the second part of the Haikyuu!! FINAL film series. This highly anticipated movie will focus on Karasuno High’s crucial fourth-round match against Kamomedai High, bringing the long-awaited clash between Shoyo Hinata and Korai Hoshiumi to the big screen.
Tobia Kageyama (Haruichi Furudate)
Created by Haruichi Furudate, Haikyuu!! has cemented itself as one of the most popular sports anime and manga series. The manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2012 to 2020, concluding with 405 chapters across 45 volumes. The anime, produced by Production I.G., has been a massive success since its debut in 2014, spanning four seasons, multiple OVAs, and theatrical films.
Beyond anime and manga, the franchise has expanded into stage plays, video games, and a dedicated fanbase that continues to grow. Haikyuu: The Dumpster Battle, the first part of the Haikyuu!! FINAL film series, debuted in theaters last year before arriving on Netflix and Crunchyroll. With Where Monsters Go and VS The Little Giant on the way, 2025 is shaping up to be another exciting year for Haikyuu!! fans.
Netflix has officially revealed its most-watched anime series for the second half of 2024, giving fans a clear picture of which shows dominated viewership. The rankings, compiled from July to December, showcase the biggest hits in the anime world, with Dandadan Season 1 leading the charge. The numbers highlight just how popular anime has become on the platform, with multiple fan-favorite series making the cut.
While Dandadan took the top spot, it faced tough competition from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Training Arc and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1. The data provides insight into which series audiences the most and solidified their place as some of the most engaging anime experiences of the year.
Dandadan Tops Netflix’s 2024 Anime Rankings
Dandadan
Netflix’s latest What We Watched report shows that Dandadan Season 1 was the streaming platform’s biggest anime hit between July and December 2024. The series racked up a staggering 96.5 million hours watched, translating to 19.6 million views based on its total runtime. The anime’s unique blend of supernatural chaos and high-energy storytelling helped it secure the top position.
Meanwhile, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Training Arc came in second, accumulating 51.1 million hours watched or 12.9 million views. Despite its shorter runtime, the fourth season of Demon Slayer continued the franchise’s dominance on Netflix, proving its immense popularity among anime fans.
The first season of Jujutsu Kaisen secured third place with 76.9 million hours watched, translating to 8.1 million views. This proves the series remains one of the most rewatched and widely appreciated anime on Netflix, even years after its debut.
Meanwhile, multiple seasons of Demon Slayer found their way onto the list. The Entertainment District Arc (33.7 million hours watched, 6.9 million views), Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc (65.5 million hours, 6.4 million views), and Mugen Train Arc (17.0 million hours, 6.0 million views) all ranked in the top 10.
Several other series left a mark in Netflix’s anime rankings. Ranma 1/2 Season 1 surprised many by claiming the fifth spot with 30.6 million hours watched. Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Season 1 also made a strong impression with 14.7 million hours, proving that mecha anime still has a dedicated audience.
Dragon Ball DAIMA, Spy x Family Season 1, and The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1 all landed in the top 15. The rankings further highlighted the ongoing popularity of Kengan Ashura, Delicious in Dungeon, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse.
Dandadan
With Dandadan leading Netflix’s anime charts, excitement is already building for its second season. Scheduled to premiere in July 2025, the new season will pick up immediately after the thrilling events of the first, with Momo facing new dangers and Okarun and Jiji deeper into the world of occult mysteries.
The success of Dandadan is particularly impressive given its simultaneous release on Crunchyroll and its status as one of the most pirated anime of 2024. Despite these challenges, its incredible performance on Netflix solidifies its place as one of the most talked-about series of the year.
Momo and Okarun challenge each other’s supernatural beliefs, ghosts vs. aliens. Their arguments lead them into paranormal encounters where they discover both entities are real. Given power and thrown into bizarre, chaotic confrontations, they must navigate surreal threats while forming an uneasy partnership.
