The Intersection Of Sports and Manga: Slam Dunk

The 90s were a time of popular anime series in and outside of Japan. Shows like Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and Dragon Ball Z dominated the airwaves. Another popular program from that time was the sports anime Slam Dunk. It did not gain a lot of fame in America during its initial airing. However, it was still massively popular in Japan and became a beloved classic.

The Story of Slam Dunk

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Slam Dunk follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a delinquent gang leader with zero charm. After transferring to Shohoku High, he gets rejected by almost every girl there. Sakuragi eventually meets the girl of his dreams and basketball fanatic Haruko Akagi. Thinking he has potential in the sport, Haruko introduces him to the school basketball team. Sakuragi is reluctant but is later convinced to attend a few practices. He soon discovers his natural potential for the game and joins the team.

However, Sakuragi only joins in the hopes of impressing Haruko. He eventually discovers his love for basketball but continues to pursue Haruko. Things become tense when Kaede Rukawa joins the team and becomes Sakuragi’s romantic rival. Despite the tensions, the Shohoku team makes it to the national high school championship.

More About Slam Dunk

The Slam Dunk anime started as a manga written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue. Weekly Shonen Jump serialized it and eventually became the 101-episode anime. The manga and anime also spawned animated films and video games for consoles and arcades. By 2014, the Slam Dunk manga sold over 121 million copies.

Slam Dunk has received praise for capturing the spirit and artistry of basketball. The series remained grounded in reality and refrained from giving characters outlandish power moves. Everything that occurred in Slam Dunk can happen on a real-life basketball court. Despite his great potential, Slam Dunk refrained from depicting Sakuragi as a talented player. He still had to train and build his skills like a regular human. Sakuragi was just an ordinary guy, thus making him a unique protagonist in 90s anime.

The Impact of Slam Dunk

Like other popular anime, Slam Dunk left a mark on the world. The series increased the popularity of basketball in Japan, inspiring a whole new generation. In 2006, the show created a foundation that gave out athletic scholarships to Japanese youths. The Japan Basketball Association even gave Takehiko Inoue a special reward in 2010. Slam Dunk became popular in other Asian countries, such as Taiwan. ELTA TV played reruns of the show instead of basketball coverage during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Final Thoughts on Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk is considered an outstanding anime and the ideal sports anime. It lacks intense battle scenes, but it has much heart and relatability. The characters have many layers, and each goes through a development arc. The series even changed the world like no other anime has since. If modern fanatics want to watch a classic anime, Slam Dunk is an ideal choice.

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Article originally written by Ashton Wilson