The First Slam Dunk: Reuniting with Sakuragi and Company

It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, but it was 2021 when out of nowhere, an announcement that barely showed us a simple sketch was enough to excite a group of anime fans. Slam Dunk, one of the mythical works of the 90s, would be back with a movie to be released in 2022, bringing back the Shohoku team after more than 25 years since the last episode was released in Japan. While the name Slam Dunk may not have resonated with many on this side of the world during that era, those who were mesmerized by the moves of Sakuragi, Rukawa, Miyagi, Mitsui, and Akagi knew this was something not to be missed.

The First Slam Dunk takes us to Shohoku’s game against Sannoh, their next opponent in the national tournament, and the toughest opponent they have faced so far, being the strongest in all of Japan. Along with the game, we also have a story that focuses on Shohoku’s number 7, point guard Ryota Miyagi, who is taken as the protagonist of this story. This mix between the game and Ryota’s past, along with the legacy of his brother Sota and his maturity as a person and player, are essential parts of a story that seeks to capture the essence of the series while delivering one of the most important moments for fans: the last volumes of Takehiko Inoue’s work that were never animated.

The First Slam Dunk, a work beyond fans

This brings up the first question, is The First Slam Dunk just for fans? The easy answer would be yes, as it’s very easy to revisit and reconnect with most of the characters. Still, the mix of Miyagi’s past and the game makes it so that you don’t have to know the entire adventure of this team and their group of misfits to get to this point in the national championship.

The movie gives itself enough time to delve into some of its characters through flashbacks - as it couldn’t be otherwise in a sports animation - and give us more details about them. Now, this might not be enough as we don’t get to see some motivations or redemption arcs of some of the team members that those familiar with the series might know - characters like Rukawa or Mitsui remain very much in the background. However, it’s just enough to feel the excitement of the match and to feel with Ryota what this moment really means.

As for the animation, we find a mixture of 3D and 2D, which seems strange at first, but becomes normal as the movie progresses and manages to capture the speed and explosiveness of the sport. The level of detail is very well taken care of, with shots that manage to capture the entire environment and each of the plays very well. Watching Sakuragi’s dunks or Mitsui’s clean 3-point shots on the big screen is a visual treat. During the games, there are shots that show us the position of the players and how they move on the court to receive a pass, or in the moments when the defense is on a player, these close-ups allow us to immerse ourselves in the situation that the characters are in. Those who have read the manga will not only be able to relax when watching this animation, but also see one of the most glorious moments between Hanamichi and Rukawa. Outside of the match, we get to see incredible scenery showing the life of Japan in different areas of the island, from Okinawa, Miyagi’s home, to Kanagawa, where the Shohoku team lives.

As for the music, we have an incredible selection that manages to capture the essence of the original series. The mix of songs for the more energetic moments of the game manages to balance the more melodramatic and quiet moments of the movie. The excitement of running the play, making the comeback, and driving to the basket to score can be felt in each of the energetic notes. Meanwhile, the quieter themes manage to take us into a moment of introspection, remembrance, or even meditation for each of the characters. And beyond the instrumental music, the songs in the soundtrack have a very special energy.

The First Slam Dunk is a great way to bring closure to a story that took a generation almost 25 years to complete. The mix of animation is extremely well done, allowing both the game and the flashbacks to show the essence of the work. After more than 120 minutes, there is a great balance of a movie that not only shows Shohoku’s toughest game, but also the motivation the characters have to keep going. Personally, The First Slam Dunk was a reunion with friends I hadn’t seen in over 20 years. It was nice to see them again and know that they were doing well.