Summary
The First Slam Dunk broke box office records in Japan, South Korea, and Chile, becoming a global hit. The film delves into themes of grief, self-esteem, and identity, transforming it into a relatable, mature sports story. The combination of CGI and hand-drawn animation creates a visually stunning masterpiece with a character-driven storyline.
Netflix has now added First Slam Dunk with its massive library. The film is adapted from one of the best-selling manga series of all time, Slam Dunk, and is a hidden gem that is sure to captivate anyone who gives it a chance. Its production is helmed by Toei Animation (famous for One Piece, DragonBall and Sailor Moon) and DandeLion Animation Studio (Pingu in the City, Poketoon). This amazing production team is headed by the manga’s creator, Takehiko Inoue, who wrote and directed the film.
The First Slam Dunk was released in theaters on December 3, 2022 and became an instant hitThe film debuted at number one at the box office in Japan, earning $112 million, the highest-grossing film in the country in 2023.
Success in Japan quickly spread globally, as Inoue's film became the highest-grossing animated film of all time in South Korea, even surpassing blockbusters like Barbie and Oppenheimer when released in Chile.
The first Slam Dunk is an absolute masterpiece that every anime fan should watch
Inoue's work is still absolutely perfect.
Nearly thirty years after Slam Dunk debuted as an anime in 1993, sparking a nationwide craze for basketball, The First Slam Dunk picks up where the hit show left off. The series centers on the final basketball match featured in the manga, a clash between Ryota's Shohokku High School and the reigning basketball champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School. The protagonist, Ryota Miyagi, a point guard on the Shohoku High School basketball team, must overcome the death of his older brother. Devastated by his grief, Ryota struggles to fulfill his late brother's dream of becoming a great basketball player.
Fans of Slam Dunk may want to read Inoue's other basketball manga, Real, which follows a group of characters who play basketball in wheelchairs.
The film explores the barriers of grief and the importance of community in these times. It is a sports drama steeped in the essence of a coming-of-age story. Ryota’s struggles and hardships begin as a manifestation of the weight of his brother’s legacy, that of a golden child, and his doubts about whether he can live up to it. However, they do not end there. His journey is that of a seventeen-year-old struggling to forge his own identity. He is seen struggling with self-esteem and searching for purpose, universal human themes.
Slam Dunk is a revered brand for good reason.
And the first Slam Dunk only continued that legacy.
Inoue is known for his perfectionism with the samurai manga Vagabond, and in Slam Dunk, he perfectly combines technical and artistic elements to bring to life the underlying emotions of his characters. Through his masterful use of action sequences and slow motion, the final game is adapted to explore the intensity of the characters' passion for the game they play, while also revealing what is going on inside them. Inoue's combination of CGI and hand-drawn animation creates an artistic visual medium that perfectly frames the inner lives of these young athletes.
Beyond the awards it has won, beyond the cultural impact of the manga, beyond Inoue's art, as a standalone work, The First Slam Dunk is a thrilling, moving, relatable, and breathtaking story that everyone should watch.
The First Slam Dunk combines thrilling action with a character-driven storyline, weaving the two together and framing them against the backdrop of the biggest match of these young men's lives. This story has something for everyone. Even those who have seen the anime will be treated to never-before-seen flashbacks, new scenes, and a new ending.
This movie was released on Netflix on August 25.expanding its reach and providing it with a wide range of potential new fans. With its incredible origins, The First Slam Dunk is sure to be one of the best anime on Netflix. Beyond the awards it has won, beyond the cultural impact of the manga, beyond Inoue's artistry as a standalone work, First Slam Dunk is a thrilling, touching, relatable and breathtaking story that everyone should follow.
