Sakuga NotesLibrary / Film
The First Slam Dunk
One basketball game, forty minutes, and the smallest player on the court.
- Original title
- Za Fāsuto Suramu Danku
- Year
- 2022
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Director
- Takehiko Inoue
- Length
- 124 min
The story
Shohoku High plays reigning champions Sannoh at the national championships. Between possessions, the film goes back into the life of point guard Ryota Miyagi – the older brother he lost, the island he grew up on, and why he plays with his head down.
Why watch it
The original manga author directed it himself, and the game is animated with a physicality that makes a turnover feel like a punch. You do not need to know the series or the rules to follow it.
A scene to pause on. The last minute with the sound almost gone. The film strips the noise away until you hear sneakers and breathing.
Official trailer from the GKIDS Films YouTube channel. The player loads only after you press play. Open on YouTube ↗