Slam Dunk: A Nostalgic Return to the Court
For decades, the globally beloved sports anime “Slam Dunk” has captivated audiences. The final episode of the original anime series aired 21 years ago, leaving fans hanging with the promise of the national tournament. For many, a piece of their childhood and adolescence remained frozen in that moment, eagerly anticipating the animated adaptation of the national tournament arc.
That dream finally materialized in December 2022 with the release of “The First Slam Dunk” movie in Japan. The film brought the intense showdown between Shohoku and Sannoh to the big screen, fulfilling the long-held desires of countless “Slam Dunk” enthusiasts.
Following its release in China last April, “The First Slam Dunk” sparked a phenomenal wave of enthusiasm, with many fans revisiting the film dozens of times in theaters, cherishing this animated masterpiece that embodies their youthful memories.
Now, after more than a year, “The First Slam Dunk” has returned to theaters during the summer season, reigniting the passion of fans once again. The re-release, which began on August 3rd at 11:30 AM, was strategically timed to coincide with the start of the Shohoku vs. Sannoh match in the original story, adding a special touch of significance for devoted fans.
A Night of Celebration
To mark the re-release, a special “National Tournament Celebration Night” event was held in Shanghai, drawing a crowd of enthusiastic moviegoers. The band 10-FEET, who performed the film’s theme song “Dai Zero Kan,” made a surprise appearance after the screening, sharing behind-the-scenes stories about the song’s creation. They revealed that the inspiration for “Dai Zero Kan” was significantly influenced by the experiences of Kaede Rukawa.
Reporters at the event interviewed numerous fans, including long-time devotees from the 80s and 90s, as well as newcomers who discovered the series last year. All of them had eagerly purchased tickets for the re-release, some having already seen the film dozens of times. Many even came dressed in basketball jerseys or brought along “Slam Dunk” merchandise, adding to the celebratory atmosphere as they relived their cherished youthful dreams.
The Enduring Appeal of “Slam Dunk”
“The First Slam Dunk” chronicles Shohoku High’s battle against Sannoh Industrial High in the national tournament. Fans showed their support by wearing team jerseys and bringing along merchandise like dolls, badges, and flags.
Interviews with fans who had seen the movie dozens of times revealed that “youth,” “dreams,” “fulfillment,” and “inspiration” were recurring themes in their responses.
SA酱, an 80s fan, attended the evening event, marking her second viewing of the day and her 30th or 40th viewing overall. When asked why she had seen the movie so many times, SA酱 explained that while many fans who had read the original story were familiar with the plot and ending, the youthful spirit and passion of the series were timeless.
“The first time I saw it, I felt like my childhood friends had come back to visit me. Now, after seeing it about 40 times, I can watch the semi-realistic, semi-dreamlike match with a calmer mindset. Before, I focused more on the game itself, but now I pay attention to the underlying stories, such as the emotional journeys of each player and how they overcome their limitations.”
Having been a fan of “Slam Dunk” for nearly 30 years, SA酱 admitted that she once held stereotypical views about sports being dull. However, she found herself empathizing with the characters’ struggles and aspirations, and she was inspired by the positive and uplifting energy of the series, which ultimately led her to appreciate basketball.
Another 80s fan, known as “Shoe Store Owner,” had lost count of how many times he had seen the movie. Having read the original manga and watched the TV series as a child, he had been waiting for the national tournament to be animated for over two decades. “It’s like releasing all the youthful energy I’ve accumulated for over 20 years. Even though I know the story, I still get emotional and excited every time I watch it.”
As a basketball enthusiast himself, “Shoe Store Owner” considers “Slam Dunk” to be his introduction to the sport. He also sees Sakuragi Hanamichi and Hisashi Mitsui, his favorite characters, as role models who have guided him through difficult times.
“Sakuragi’s journey from beginner to talented player mirrors my own experience of going from zero to making the school team. Mitsui, on the other hand, experienced setbacks and struggles during his youth but never gave up. As a man who never quits, he has been a great source of inspiration for me.”
Jackie, another fan from the 80s, clearly remembered that this was her 42nd time watching “The First Slam Dunk” in theaters. She has been a fan of the series for 26 years, since 1998.
“The story of this passionate sports anime shows that whether you have talent or not, hard work is essential. 99% effort plus 1% talent is what allowed Shohoku to reach the national tournament and defeat the champion Sannoh Industrial.”
Jackie recalled that her initial viewing of the movie was simply about fulfilling a childhood dream. However, she found herself increasingly captivated by the film, and she cherished the atmosphere of supporting the movie with fellow fans.
“Every time I watch it, I feel a new and different kind of emotion. I especially love the main characters of the Shohoku team, especially when Captain Takenori Akagi says that he realizes his dream has already come true. Almost everyone in the audience was moved to tears. After watching it, you might feel that youth is fading away, but the dream in your heart will always be there.”
In contrast to the long-time fans, Mumu, a 90s fan who accompanied Jackie, discovered the series last year through the movie and has already seen it nearly 20 times.
“On the one hand, the work is truly excellent. Takehiko Inoue’s realistic art style is also very different from many authors, which is very attractive to me. On the other hand, youth and passion are themes that will never fade away,” Mumu said.