After 26 years, the sports manga and anime brand that has left the deepest impression in modern times has officially made its way onto the big screen, bringing audiences back to their youthful memories while stirring emotions in the intense basketball matches.
The Slam Dunk manga first made its debut in the Weekly Shounen Jump magazine in 1990 and continued to captivate readers throughout the 1990s. It is regarded as one of the “pillars” of this famous magazine, alongside legendary titles such as One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto. This manga also contributed significantly to the remarkable growth of the magazine during the early 1990s. From 1993 to 1996, the anime adaptation of the manga aired with 101 episodes, winning the hearts of many fans, especially teenagers.
Slam Dunk tells the story of the troublemaker Hanamichi Sakuragi, a tall high school student with a distinctive “brand” hairstyle and a knack for getting into trouble with girls. After meeting Haruko, a girl who loves basketball, Hanamichi finds himself increasingly attracted to the sport and “jumping” into the challenge of making slam dunks—an essential move in basketball that impresses girls. As he starts playing basketball to win Haruko’s heart, he joins the Shohoku High School basketball team, under the guidance of coach Anzai, as they strive to win the national championship.
The First Slam Dunk—the first film adaptation of this iconic series—is crafted by the original author, Inoue Takehiko. This time, the story is told from the perspective of Miyagi Ryota, rather than the usual protagonist Hanamichi. Set against the critical match between Shohoku and Sannoh—one of the top 10 teams nationwide—the film interweaves the backstories of former team members, especially Ryota, alongside the unfolding basketball action. Inoue Takehiko successfully depicts how basketball has profoundly impacted the lives of each Shohoku member.
Since its release—while still resonating with contemporary audiences—Slam Dunk is considered a transformative film/anime that revolutionized basketball in Japan, Asia, and many countries worldwide. At the time of its release, basketball was not a widely popular sport in Japan or Asia. However, through the passionate story of five teenagers dedicated to basketball, Inoue Takehiko brought this sport closer to the youth, creating a basketball craze in the countries where the manga was published. The success of Slam Dunk is evidenced by the surge in basketball participation among the youth in Japan during the 1990s. Notably, Inoue Takehiko was also recognized by the Japan Basketball Association for his efforts in popularizing the sport nationwide.
Regarded as a defining series for those who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, Slam Dunk is making a comeback after 26 years with a film adaptation that has left audiences thrilled. Not only does it evoke the nostalgic spirit of the original manga, but the film also attracts young viewers with its stunning visuals created using 3D animation technology, making it much more appealing compared to earlier anime released over two decades ago.
Upon its release in Japan, The First Slam Dunk quickly soared to the top of the box office charts, surpassing the massive hit Suzume by Shinkai Makoto. The movie’s strong appeal has remained consistent over time, even managing to outshine global box office giants like Avatar: The Way of Water, despite being released nearly two weeks after it.
International media outlets have noted that there seems to be no comparable entry that can overshadow Avatar: The Way of Water. Currently, even after more than three months since its release, The First Slam Dunk maintains its position in the top five box office rankings in Japan.
Not only is it dominating the domestic box office, but The First Slam Dunk is also sweeping across various theaters in Asia where the film has been released. In South Korea, it has surpassed 4 million tickets sold, outperforming Your Name to become the highest-grossing anime film in history in the region. Although it had a softer opening compared to Avatar: The Way of Water, the film’s positive reception among audiences has led it to break box office records in the weeks following its release. Many viewers aged 30-40 have been drawn to the film, including famous personalities like SUGA from BTS, actress Han So Hee, and Wonwoo from Seventeen.
Many viewers have shared that the intense, emotional basketball matches depicted in The First Slam Dunk are exactly what they have always hoped for when anticipating the film’s debut. Whether or not they had seen/read Slam Dunk prior to this, or were unfamiliar with basketball rules, audiences have been able to enjoy and fully immerse themselves in the film. The remarkable experience of The First Slam Dunk at the box office has solidified its status as an unmissable anime masterpiece for all audiences.
THE FIRST SLAM DUNK – Vietnamese Title: Slam Dunk: The First Slam Dunk – is set to hit theaters nationwide on April 14.
