The First Slam Dunk is perfect for everyone

After 25 years, Takehiko Inoue and Toei Animation‘s legendary basketball anime is back with a movie. ’90s kids, Slam Dunk Fans, and casual moviegoers can enjoy. The First Slam Dunk debuted at #1 at Japan’s box office. Of course, it still features the beloved moves of Shohoku High School’s basketball team members, Hanamichi Sakuragi, Kaede Rukawa, Takenori Akagi, Ryota Miyagi, and Hisashi Mitsui. So, if you miss the feeling of nostalgic haze or you’re just someone who’s interested, grab some courtside seats as we probe into the movie’s best parts. (Don’t worry, no spoilers here!)

The First Slam Dunk is perfect for everyone

A shift from the manga and its anime adaptation

The movie still follows the anime’s timeline, retaining the ’90s references of classic humor, looks, hairstyles, and vibe. It also still benches the original protagonist, red-haired Sakuragi, and his beast rebounds and clownery.

However, the movie now highlights Shohoku High’s point guard Ryota Miyagi. The movie features why he holds such sentimental value over his jersey #7. The film is structured over a single but intense ball game against the national champion Sannoh. Then, each timeout inserts Ryota’s flashbacks.

Another deviation that anime fans would probably notice is the voice changes which was because of the original voice actors’ old age. But, if you’re a newcomer, you wouldn’t notice any of these differences at all. You will still get sufficient context for the movie plot.

Still packed with drama and inspiration

One thing about animes is that they always teach a lesson about dreams, determination, and possibilities. The same goes for the movie The First Slam Dunk where beyond its epic scenes unfolds some life challenges that we can relate to. It revealed Ryota’s heartfelt struggle with self-doubt, dreams, and questioning life’s purpose.

When you give up, that’s when the game is over.
Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai

Upgraded graphics

Slam Dunk’s return to the big screen with The First Slam Dunk has departed from the traditional 2D animation. It also welcomes the new 3D-CG (Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics) visuals. The movie’s graphics also abandoned the SD (Super Deformation) style or chibi. Instead, animators improved how the Slam Dunk players smoothly maneuvered the physical court.

Even the sweat and ball-in-the-air moments are animated well; much so that it breathes more life and emotion into the characters. However, those sharp-eyed will notice subtle differences in some off-court scenes, where a few visuals may look a bit awkward. You’d feel it when you see it, but it’s not like it would affect the movie.

Court-crashing adrenaline

Resisting the urge to scream inside the cinema was challenging during hype outbursts. The 20-point deficit triggered the best pacing that created more pressure on the film. You’d love the trash-talking between the two teams!

If you’ve watched Slam Dunk before where the ball almost takes a week before it shoots, well in this movie, you’ll get to pray to the basketball gods to make the ball shoot as the timer counts to seconds.

The long silence at the end is also something that you won’t forget! Having said that, The First Slam Dunk movie has more like an open ending and could be a potential introduction to a new series. As they say, the possibilities are endless.