It’s hard to imagine a comic coming out in America and literally changing the culture. Movies sure, video games too, but comics? But that’s exactly what Slam Dunk did when it came out in Japan and became one of the most popular and beloved manga of all time. It inspired an entire generation of teens to pick up the ball and start shooting hoops. It single-handedly raised Japan’s interest in a sport that wasn’t popular. Why? It’s just that good.
This is considered the GOAT of all sports manga by many. It’s an exceptional manga in every single way. It features a sizable cast of lovable characters whose interactions on and off the court are equally exciting. It's got incredibly detailed art that raised the bar for realism in manga and is still rarely equaled. It has the ultimate diamond-in-the-rough main character who gets shined up through a fierce rivalry with the ultimate cool-as-a-cucumber type. It’s also full of nail-biting, gut-wrenching games that will leave creases on your graphic novel pages from holding it so tight.
But above all, it’s really entertaining. The hotheaded main character Sakuragi’s interaction with his teammates and the Colonel Sanders-looking Zen Master Coach coach is a non-stop laugh fest. The comedy is more frequent in the beginning with Sakuragi’s constant blunders on the court and hilarious outrage at his foil Rukawa getting all the attention, but that changes as the series continues. The fun of the journey is seeing this goofy guy turn into a serious baller that learns to gel with his teammates and more importantly to respect them. Watching him grow up and learn about the game and himself in the process is thoroughly rewarding.
This is a masterpiece that belongs with the all-time greatest manga or comic achievements. It’s right up there with game changers like Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns, it is THAT good. Or to use a sportsy reference, Hall of Fame material, all the way!
