Slam Dunk
SLAM DUNK
Serialized from 1990 to 1996 in Weekly Shōnen Jump, Slam Dunk tells of hot-headed high school student Hanamichi Sakuragi, who discovers basketball and pursues a national championship.
What is it?
Hanamichi Sakuragi was a troublemaker until an infatuation led him to join the basketball team. At first he knew nothing about the game and caused chaos, but through teammates and tournament rivals, he fell in love with basketball and became dedicated. Vivid characters and explosive game scenes define the series.
By the numbers
It won the 40th Shogakukan Manga Award for shōnen in 1994. Through anime it spread basketball's popularity in Japan. In 2010 the Japan Basketball Association honored author Takehiko Inoue for promoting the sport. The series gained fans across Europe and Asia.
Where to start
The series is complete at 31 volumes. It is regarded as one of the greatest sports manga ever, with 185 million copies in circulation.