Slam Dunk (manga)

Slam Dunk

Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, Anime, Entertainment
Founded	October 1, 1990 (1990-10-01)
Founder	Takehiko Inoue
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Manga volumes, anime TV series, anime films, video games
Parent	Shueisha (manga publisher), Toei Animation (anime producer)

SLAM DUNK (presented in all caps) is a Japanese sports manga series both written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue. It was published in Shueisha's shōnen manga periodical Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1990 until June 1996, later collected into 31 volumes. The narrative follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a hot-headed high school student who becomes a member of the basketball team at Shohoku High School, situated in Japan’s Shōnan area.

The manga was transformed into an anime TV series by Toei Animation, which aired between October 1993 and March 1996. This adaptation achieved widespread acclaim internationally, particularly in Japan, Europe, and several Asian regions. In December 2022, the anime film The First Slam Dunk debuted in Japan.

With a circulation surpassing 185 million copies, Slam Dunk is ranked among the world's top-selling manga series. It earned the 40th Shogakukan Manga Award in 1994 for the sports category. Within Japan, it is regarded as a seminal sports manga that significantly boosted basketball’s popularity among young people during the 1990s. In recognition of his contribution to promoting basketball domestically, Inoue was honored by the Japan Basketball Association in 2010.

Plot

Hanamichi Sakuragi, a rebellious high schooler and gang leader, has faced rejection from girls fifty times. During his first year at Shohoku High School, he encounters Haruko Akagi, who does not reject him outright. Observing his athletic potential, Haruko introduces him to the Shohoku basketball team. Although initially hesitant due to his lack of experience and a belief that basketball is for “losers” — influenced by a recent romantic rejection favoring a basketball player — Sakuragi joins the team to win Haruko’s admiration and soon reveals his natural athletic talent.

As time passes, Sakuragi’s interest in basketball deepens beyond his initial infatuation. The team welcomes a talented newcomer, Kaede Rukawa, who becomes both Sakuragi’s on-court rival and romantic competitor since Haruko harbors feelings for Rukawa. Two other vital players return: Hisashi Mitsui, an expert three-point shooter and former junior high MVP, and Ryota Miyagi, a quick point guard. Together with team captain Takenori Akagi, they strive toward winning the national championship. After overcoming a dominant team at nationals, Shohoku gains recognition and establishes itself as one of Japan’s leading contenders.

Production

Takehiko Inoue developed Slam Dunk driven by his enduring passion for basketball. Prior to this series, he released a one-shot manga in 1990 that contained early prototypes of Hanamichi Sakuragi and Haruko Akagi, which served as groundwork for Slam Dunk. Encouraged by readers who began playing basketball inspired by his work, Inoue sought to enhance the accuracy of his sports portrayal. His editor remarked that basketball had previously been considered somewhat "taboo" within manga narratives.

Inoue intended to express athletes’ emotional experiences related to triumphs, defeats, and personal growth. Compared with his later title Vagabond, Slam Dunk maintains a more straightforward emphasis on winning and achievement. Viewing basketball as instrumental to his success as a manga creator, Inoue founded a Slam Dunk scholarship program aimed at fostering the sport throughout Japan. Although primarily a basketball story, Inoue noted that the plot could have been set around other sports such as football.

The artistic style of the manga is distinctly more "mangalike" than his subsequent works like Real. Inoue’s own progression—from playing basketball initially to impress girls to ultimately developing genuine enthusiasm for the game—shaped Sakuragi’s character development. To ensure authenticity in depicting basketball competition, Inoue attended major events including the NBA Finals and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for research purposes.

Manga

Created and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, Slam Dunk was featured in Shueisha's shōnen manga publication Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1, 1990, until June 17, 1996. Its narrative spanned 276 chapters, compiled into 31 volumes under Shueisha's Jump Comics label, released between February 8, 1991, and October 3, 1996. The series was subsequently republished in a condensed 24-volume set (2001–2002) and later as a 20-volume edition in 2018. On November 8, 2022, Shueisha introduced Slam Dunk Jump, a special compilation selecting 24 chapters.

In North America, the English adaptation initially appeared through the now-defunct Gutsoon! Entertainment, serialized within their manga anthology Raijin Comics from 2002 to 2004, with five collected volumes issued. Following Gutsoon!'s closure, Viz Media secured the licensing rights and previewed the series in the December 2007 edition of the North American Shonen Jump. Serialization commenced in May 2008, with collected tankōbon volumes starting publication on September 2, 2008. The concluding volume (31st) was released on December 3, 2013.

10 Days After

Inoue created an epilogue titled Slam Dunk: 10 Days After in 2004, which was illustrated across 23 chalkboards at the former Misaki High School site in Kanagawa Prefecture. This artwork was publicly displayed for three days in December and featured in the February 2005 issue of Switch magazine. A documentary capturing this event was issued on DVD in May 2005. Subsequently, Flower published the epilogue in book format as Slam Dunk 10 Days After Complete on April 10, 2009.

Anime series

The anime adaptation consisted of 101 episodes produced by Toei Animation under the direction of Nobutaka Nishizawa. It originally aired on TV Asahi from October 1993 until March 1996 and was later shown on the satellite channel Animax. The series also included four feature-length animated films. While closely following the manga’s plotline, the anime omitted coverage of the National Tournament matches. In Japan, Toei released the series across seventeen DVDs between December 2004 and May 2005 and reissued them as three DVD box sets containing seventeen discs total in 2008. To commemorate its twentieth anniversary, the anime was also issued on Blu-ray.

In North America, Toei and Geneon briefly distributed the anime on DVD after the manga’s discontinuation but halted production after four volumes. Episodes were additionally accessible via IGN’s Direct2Drive platform. Starting in 2008, Toei made the series available for streaming through Crunchyroll, with Joost providing all episodes beginning May 2009.

The soundtrack composition was divided between Takanobu Masuda (episodes 1–61) and BMF (episodes 62–101). During its original broadcast period, three CD soundtracks were released. These included opening themes, ending songs, and other tracks compiled into a collection titled The Best of TV Animation Slam Dunk, issued in July 2003.

Anime films

Between 1994 and 1995, Toei Animation produced four anime films while both the manga and television series were ongoing. These movies predominantly featured original content not found within the manga. From August 1 to August 4, 2006, NHK aired all four films as part of NHK BS-2’s Summer Anime Choice programming block; subsequently, TV Osaka broadcast the last three films from January 3 to January 8, 2007. All four movies were compiled into a DVD box set entitled Slam Dunk The Movie, released on December 10, 2004.

The inaugural film, named Slam Dunk, debuted on March 12, 1994. Set after Shohoku’s practice match against Ryonan (prior to episode 20’s second half), it centers on a practice game against Takezono High and introduces Sakuragi’s encounters with Yoko Shimura and Oda. The second movie premiered on July 9, 1994; it takes place during Shohoku’s fourth-round qualifying game against Tsukubu High (between episode 36’s first half) and introduces new characters such as Godai, Rango, and Coach Kawasaki.

The third film was released on March 4, 1995. Situated after Shohoku’s defeat to Kainan and during a practice game against Ryokufu High (around episode 61), it develops additional story elements with original plot points. The fourth installment came out on June 15, 1995; it portrays Rukawa’s junior high kouhai Ichiro Mizusawa confronting paralysis while hoping for one final match against him (between episode 62’s first half).

On January 7, 2021, author Takehiko Inoue announced a new anime feature by Toei Animation titled The First Slam Dunk. Inoue acts as both director and screenwriter for this project, with Yasuyuki Ebara responsible for character design. The film premiered in Japan on December 3, 2022.

Video games

A variety of video games inspired by the series have been released primarily for the Japanese audience, with most developed by Banpresto and produced under Bandai. Two basketball simulation titles, Slam Dunk Gakeppuchi no Kesshō League and Slam Dunk 2, were made available for the Game Boy. The Super Famicom hosted three separate games: Slam Dunk: Shikyou Gekitotsu, Slam Dunk 2: IH Yosen Kanzenban!!, and SD Heat Up!!. Moreover, additional Slam Dunk titles were launched on the Game Gear, Mega Drive, and Sega Saturn systems.

In 1995, Banpresto released an arcade coin-operated game developed by Video System called From TV Animation Slam Dunk: Super Slams. During its development phase, it was initially titled 3 on 3 Dunk Madness and did not include the official Slam Dunk licensing. Characters from the series are also featured in the Nintendo DS fighting games Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars.

Unofficial fan-created mods exist for the PC edition of NBA 2K13 that incorporate elements from the series.

Other media

On December 2, 1994, a novel presenting an original storyline by Yoshiyuki Suga was published. Illustrations from Slam Dunk are included in the art book Inoue Takehiko Illustrations released on June 4, 1997, as well as its follow-up volume, Plus/Slam Dunk Illustrations 2, which came out on April 3, 2020. Additionally, a book titled Slam Dunk Shōri-gaku, focusing on the "Psychology of Winning" by sports psychologist Shuichi Tsuji and referencing the series, was published on October 5, 2000.

Manga

In 1994, Slam Dunk earned the 40th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category. At the inaugural Tsutaya Comic Awards' All-Time Best Section in 2017, it secured second place behind Kingdom. A 2006 survey involving nearly 79,000 Japanese respondents for the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival voted it as the top manga ever. The Japanese government’s Media Arts 100 Poll in 2009 also ranked it first within manga entries. That same year, an Oricon poll identified it as the most desired manga for live-action film adaptation.

In November 2014, readers of Media Factory's Da Vinci magazine ranked Slam Dunk as the fourth greatest series ever serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump. During TV Asahi's Manga Sōsenkyo poll in 2021, which gathered votes from 150,000 participants, it placed third after One Piece and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The French newspaper Le Figaro included the series among six recommended manga titles at the Paris Book Fair in 2019.

Sales

By 2004, over 100 million copies of Slam Dunk had been sold in Japan. This figure rose to 118 million by 2012 and exceeded 121 million by 2014. Globally, circulation surpassed 170 million copies by 2017 and reached more than 185 million by 2024. Volumes numbered 21 through 23 held a record for first print runs at 2.5 million copies each until that record was broken in 2002. The print edition of Slam Dunk: 10 Days After achieved positions six and fifteen on Oricon’s weekly manga rankings. The initial six volumes of the 2018 shinsōban release all ranked within the top eight during their respective release weeks; volume one peaked at number two. These strong sales contributed to Slam Dunk ranking as the fourth best-selling manga title in Japan for 2018 with total sales of approximately 5.2 million copies. It also placed ninth among Japan’s top-selling media franchises that year, with estimated revenue of ¥3.4 billion.

The English-language edition received recognition from Publishers Weekly as one of the best comics of 2008, while its first volume was honored as a "Great Graphic Novel for Teens" by the Young Adult Library Services Association in 2009.

During the first half of 2023 (from November 2022 through May 2023), Slam Dunk was ranked as Japan’s third highest-selling manga series, moving a total of 4.2 million copies.

Critical reception

Carlo Santos from Anime News Network commended Slam Dunk for its well-developed characters, energetic action sequences, and classic underdog narrative, describing it as "the complete package" for fans of both manga and basketball. Conversely, his colleague Carl Kimlinger observed that the initial volume resembled more of a romantic comedy centered on character introduction rather than a conventional sports manga. Santos pointed out that the manga’s true essence lies in the off-court storylines, where each individual pursues their own ambitions, with the basketball court serving as a backdrop for universal challenges. Likewise, Kris Kosaka of The Japan Times noted that Slam Dunk rises above standard sports tales by reflecting Inoue’s clear passion for basketball throughout every page.

Ben Sin from Sports Illustrated attributed the series’ lasting appeal to its compelling rivalries, charismatic lead players with devoted followings, and unforgettable characters and subplots that have become iconic within manga culture. Sin also lauded Inoue’s distinctive artistic style, highlighting his ability to transition effortlessly between intricate emotional depictions and exaggerated comedic expressions. Kimlinger regarded protagonist Sakuragi as an "inspired choice," skillfully balancing humor and arrogance while maintaining audience likability despite his rough edges. Santos remarked that although Sakuragi does not possess the usual shōnen superhuman talents, his evolution into a respectable athlete and person remains engaging. While some character designs now appear somewhat humorous, Santos praised the artwork for its fluidity and dynamic portrayal of movement.

Anime

The anime series has enjoyed considerable popularity within Japan. In TV Asahi’s 2005 Top 100 Anime survey, Slam Dunk secured eighth and tenth places in two separate polls. Its home video editions also performed strongly, featuring prominently on Oricon’s Japanese Animation DVD and Blu-ray charts.

The theatrical releases achieved notable box office success. The first three movies released between 1994 and 1995 earned ¥2.47 billion, ¥1.9 billion, and ¥2.16 billion respectively, accumulating a total of ¥6.53 billion (around US$65.3 million) domestically by 1995. The First Slam Dunk, launched in 2022, has grossed over US$281 million worldwide as of 2024, ranking among the top ten highest-grossing anime films ever.

Legacy and impact

Recognized as one of Japan’s most impactful manga titles and a leading sports manga globally, Slam Dunk played a pivotal role in popularizing basketball among Japanese youth throughout the 1990s. Alex Wong from Yahoo! Sports remarked that it "motivated an entire generation of basketball players in Japan." Dexter Thomas, a PhD student at Cornell University, credited the series with catalyzing the initial surge of basketball enthusiasm in Japan. Notable professional athletes such as Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe acknowledge the series as an inspiration, while J. R. Sakuragi adopted his surname from its main character after gaining Japanese citizenship.

Azusa Takahashi of Real Sound attributes the series’ widespread appeal to its authentic depiction of basketball, effectively balancing thrilling game sequences with consistent training scenes. The Slam Dunk Scholarship program, launched in 2006 by Inoue alongside Shueisha, offers fully funded academic and athletic scholarships to selected American preparatory school students aged 17 to 18 who succeed in admissions interviews. Distinguished recipients include Narito Namizato and Daichi Taniguchi. Inoue received formal recognition from the Japan Basketball Association in 2010 for his contributions to promoting basketball through both the manga and scholarship initiatives. Despite its domestic acclaim, Slam Dunk has not achieved significant mainstream success in North America, reflecting generally lower sales figures for sports-themed manga in that region.

The Kamakurakōkōmae No. 1 railroad crossing on the Enoshima Electric Railway, prominently featured in the anime’s opening sequence, has evolved into a popular pilgrimage site for fans of Slam Dunk. The influx of visitors—many traveling from China and South Korea—has led local authorities to deploy security personnel to address issues related to overtourism and disorderly conduct. Additionally, a replica crossing was constructed in Taiwan’s Taimali, underscoring the series’ cultural resonance and commercial impact across East Asia.

External links

• Official Slam Dunk Scholarship page hosted by Shueisha