The First Slam Dunk Review

Diverting from the source material is always a risk for any adaptation. Fans of the original work want to see the characters, world, and story they fell in love with faithfully brought to life on screen. The impact of these changes varies from person to person, but deviations can often frustrate certain individuals—especially the original creators. Stephen King famously disliked Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining, and Alan Moore has been openly critical of all adaptations of his work.

However, one way to mitigate this issue is by involving the creator directly in the adaptation process. We’ve seen this recently with Neil Druckmann’s involvement in The Last of Us TV series and with Slam Dunk’s mangaka, Takehiko Inoue, who took on both writing and directing roles for the outstanding The First Slam Dunk.

Unlike its manga and previous adaptation, The First Slam Dunk centers on Ryota Miyagi (Shugo Nakamura/Paul Castro Jr.), the point guard of the Shohoku High School basketball team. The film primarily follows an inter-high tournament match between Shohoku High and Sannoh Kogyo High, with the underdog Shohoku team fighting against the odds to defeat the reigning champions. Through a series of flashbacks interwoven with the game, we learn how Ryota’s older brother, Sota—who tragically lost his life at sea—became the inspiration behind his love for basketball, as well as how the team we see on the court came together.

Shifting the focus from the hot-headed rookie Hanamichi Sakuragi (Subaru Kimura/Ben Balmaceda) to Ryota Miyagi is a bold decision. The original story allowed viewers to experience the game through the eyes of an inexperienced player, capturing the thrill of his growth and adaptation. Recreating this sensation from the perspective of a more skilled player presents a unique challenge—one that Takehiko Inoue masterfully navigates. The First Slam Dunk emphasizes Shohoku’s collective struggle to overcome the formidable Sannoh Kogyo High rather than centering on a single player’s journey. Ryota Miyagi is an exceptional player—quick and agile—but when he becomes the primary target of Sannoh’s defense, he finds himself effectively neutralized, struggling to make a successful offensive play.

Every player has their own strengths and weaknesses. Hanamichi Sakuragi may be inexperienced, but his extraordinary jumping ability allows him to secure crucial offensive and defensive rebounds. Hisashi Mitsui (Jun Kasama/Jonah Scott) possesses an exceptional three-point shot, yet his stamina is notably low—likely due to a lingering knee injury and other circumstances. Kaede Rukawa (Shinichiro Kamio/Aleks Le) is a superb all-around player but tends to operate as a lone wolf. Takenori Akagi (Kenta Miyake/Aaron Goodson) thrives as a center, using his physical presence to anchor Shohoku’s defense, yet he struggles with self-doubt—especially when facing the far stronger Sannoh team. Watching how the players navigate their strengths and weaknesses is utterly gripping, as their teamwork and adaptability become crucial in countering Sannoh’s tactics. Furthermore, with the film focusing entirely on a single match, every minute and second carries weight.

Amidst the intensity of the game, The First Slam Dunk delves into deeply human drama, primarily through Ryota Miyagi’s perspective. Living in the shadow of his older brother, Sota—who was destined to be a prodigy before his untimely death—Ryota is constantly compared to him, with many lamenting that he fails to measure up. Even Ryota’s mother, still consumed by grief, struggles to accept him, as basketball serves as a painful reminder of the son she lost. For Ryota, however, basketball was the one thing that kept him going through his darkest moments. He also wrestles with survivor’s guilt, which manifests as arrogance as he matures, leading to conflicts with teammates like Hisashi Mitsui and Takenori Akagi. This deeply human and emotional core elevates The First Slam Dunk, making the audience even more invested in Shohoku’s success.

The film’s animation has long been a point of debate. It employs 3D animation for the basketball sequences while using a more traditional 2D approach for dialogue-driven moments. Even on my third viewing, it still takes time to adjust to the animation style. Japanese 3D animation does not always match the visual refinement of Western counterparts like Pixar. However, while it may not be the most visually striking, this approach ultimately enhances the storytelling. Once you witness Ryota sprint past defenders and execute behind-the-back es with remarkable fluidity, it becomes impossible not to be impressed.

Both voice casts deliver remarkable performances, making either the subbed or dubbed version a worthwhile experience. Shugo Nakamura and Paul Castro Jr. truly shine as Ryota Miyagi, delivering powerful performances that may bring you to tears by the film’s end. Another standout is Subaru Kimura and Ben Balmaceda as Hanamichi Sakuragi—both perfectly embodying the lovable hothead, whose inexperience often makes him the comedic heart of the team.

Adding to the film’s impact is its phenomenal soundtrack. Composer Satoshi Takebe crafts a score that seamlessly enhances every scene, heightening the emotional weight of the story.

Ultimately, only Takehiko Inoue could have brought The First Slam Dunk to life in such a masterful way. His deep love and ion for the characters he created in 1990 shine through in this stunning reinterpretation. Destined to be regarded as one of the finest sports anime of all time, The First Slam Dunk is an outstanding film that captures the raw intensity and exhilaration of basketball at its best.

★★★★1/2

Available on  4K UHD + Blu-ray Collector’s Edition, Steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD on 24th March / Shugo Nakamura, Subaru Kimura, Jun Kasama, Shinichiro Kamio, Kenta Miyake / Dir: Takehiko Inoue / Anime Limited / 12