Slam Dunk
Summary: Hanamichi Sakuragi, infamous for his temper, massive height, and fire-red hair, enrolls in Shohoku High, hoping to finally get a girlfriend and break his record of being rejected 50 consecutive times in middle school. His notoriety precedes him, however, leading to him being avoided by most students. Soon, after certain events, Hanamichi is left with two unwavering thoughts: "I hate basketball," and "I desperately need a girlfriend."
One day, a girl named Haruko Akagi approaches him without any knowledge of his troublemaking ways and asks him if he likes basketball. Hanamichi immediately falls head over heels in love with her, blurting out a fervent affirmative. She then leads him to the gymnasium, where she asks him if he can do a slam dunk. In an attempt to impress Haruko, he makes the leap, but overshoots, instead slamming his head straight into the blackboard. When Haruko informs the basketball team's captain of Hanamichi's near-inhuman physical capabilities, he slowly finds himself drawn into the camaraderie and competition of the sport he had previously held resentment for.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Hanamichi Sakuragi, infamous for his temper, massive height, and fire-red hair, enrolls in Shohoku High, hoping to finally get a girlfriend and break his record of being rejected 50 consecutive times in middle school. His notoriety precedes him, however, leading to him being avoided by most students. Soon, after certain events, Hanamichi is left with two unwavering thoughts: "I hate basketball," and "I desperately need a girlfriend."
One day, a girl named Haruko Akagi approaches him without any knowledge of his troublemaking ways and asks him if he likes basketball. Hanamichi immediately falls head over heels in love with her, blurting out a fervent affirmative. She then leads him to the gymnasium, where she asks him if he can do a slam dunk. In an attempt to impress Haruko, he makes the leap, but overshoots, instead slamming his head straight into the blackboard. When Haruko informs the basketball team's captain of Hanamichi's near-inhuman physical capabilities, he slowly finds himself drawn into the camaraderie and competition of the sport he had previously held resentment for.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Available At
Warning: Array to string conversion in /home/hianime.me.uk/public_html/anime.php on line 243
Array
Slam Dunk Pictures
Slam Dunk Review
Slam Dunk — Hanamichi Sakuragi, infamous for his temper, massive height, and fire-red hair, enrolls in Shohoku High, hoping to finally get a girlfriend and break his record of being rejected 50 consecutive times in middle school. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Sports conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.55). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Slam Dunk offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Sports, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Yanada, Kiyoyuki
Japanese
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Ogata, Megumi
Japanese
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Lee, Victor
English
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Moneta, Claudio
Italian
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Moscoso, Txema
Spanish
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Lee, Jeong Gu
Korean
Akagi, Takenori
Main
Leal, Lupita
Spanish
Mitsui, Hisashi
Main
Okiayu, Ryoutarou
Japanese
Mitsui, Hisashi
Main
Pizzuto, Michael
English
Mitsui, Hisashi
Main
Gu, Ja hyeong
Korean
Mitsui, Hisashi
Main
Cavalleri, Guido
Italian
Mitsui, Hisashi
Main
Rivera, Benjamín
Spanish
Mitsui, Hisashi
Main
Palafox, Jorge
Spanish
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Shioya, Yoku
Japanese
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Bridges, Dave
English
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Kim, Il
Korean
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Brusa, Stefano
Italian
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Regalado, José María
Spanish
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Hamaguchi, Tim
English
Miyagi, Ryouta
Main
Yu, Zheng Chang
Mandarin
Staff
Nishizawa, Nobutaka
Director
Akehi, Masayuki
Episode Director, Storyboard
Arisako, Toshihiko
Episode Director, Storyboard
Kakudou, Hiroyuki
Episode Director, Storyboard
Matano, Hiromichi
Episode Director, Storyboard
Nakamura, Tetsuji
Episode Director, Storyboard, Assistant Director
Shimizu, Junji
Episode Director, Storyboard
Takenouchi, Kazuhisa
Episode Director, Storyboard
Watanabe, Kenichirou
Episode Director
Yoshizawa, Takao
Episode Director, Storyboard
Akaishi, Masao
Theme Song Arrangement
Kawashima, Daria
Theme Song Composition, Theme Song Lyrics
MANISH
Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Lyrics
Ohguro, Maki
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Composition
Sakai, Izumi
Theme Song Lyrics
WANDS
Theme Song Performance
ZARD
Theme Song Performance
Zanni, Marc
Theme Song Performance
Acevedo, Patricia
ADR Director
Aoi, Kiyotoshi
Key Animation