The First Slam Dunk (2023)
Out of all the sports anime, few have become quite as iconic as Nobutaka Nishizawa's Slam Dunk series that was released from 1993-1996. Made up of both a 101-episode series and 4-films, Slam Dunk captured the hearts of audiences across the globe. Screening as part of the 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival, Slam Dunk now returns to the big screen with Takehiko Inoue's The First Slam Dunk. Focusing on Ryota Miyagi (Shugo Nakamura), the point guard of Shohoku high-school's basketball team, the film blends an intense basketball game with flashbacks from across Miyagi's life showing the trials and tribulations he went through to get to this point.
Releasing nearly 30-years after the previous Slam Dunk media, there immediately are 2-questions to ask regarding The First Slam Dunk: one of accessibility, and one of purpose. For those who have no previous history with the Slam Dunk franchise, things can start somewhat confusing and slow as the story bounces back and forth between the past and the present with very little context given to the characters and the situation they find themselves in. Especially for the first half of the film, it can be a difficult process to fully get sucked into the feature which on the outside can feel somewhat hollow, especially when it comes to the extended basketball sequences as Shohoku struggles to keep up with Sannoh. However, these problems are ones that fade over the course of the runtime. While the side characters remain rather underdeveloped, Miyagi's narrative becomes quite moving and the basketball game takes on a new intensity as the overwhelming power of Sannoh is felt and the audience cannot help but hope for a miracle for Shohoku. This is the beauty of the sports anime genre and a great example of how drama can be formed within a game to pull the audience to the edge of their seats and hang onto every play with bated breath. While undoubtedly the film will have the greatest impact on those who have watched and enjoyed the franchise it belongs to, this is a narrative that can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone.
The next question is one of purpose. Why is this film being made nearly 30-years after the release of the franchise it belongs to? While it is hard to say that the film provides much that is required to be seen, the angle taken is undeniably moving. Miyagi is not the main protagonist of the anime and his backstory is one that is genuinely moving. Largely defined and haunted by the passing of his older brother and the impact that event had on the rest of his family, Miyagi has gone through hell and the film focuses on this process with a sense of poignancy and honesty. Even just with communicating the powerful emotions being felt, characters struggle in a way that feels authentic to the experience. While this narrative feels, at times, too removed from the game being played for these two sides to fully come together as many would expect, both sides still do work and feel engaging for what they are. While it is hard to say this meditation on grief provides many new revelations, it still is solid and gives the film a needed emotional punch.
Technically, the film is a mixed effort. The feature uses a bold animation style that blends CGI and 2D animation to conflicting results. While when stationary most characters look awkward and awful in the way only CGI animation can provide, in movement the style gives a unique intensity and flow that is effective and memorable. While a standard 2D animation style would be far more consistent, it is hard to think of any other work of sports anime that looks like this which helps it stand out with a unique identity if nothing else. The music by Satoshi Takebe and Takuma Mitamura is also a standout feature of the production. Especially in the later portions of the runtime dedicated to the basketball game, the score is one of the most effective parts of the film when it comes to ramping up the intensity and drama of a scene and it is clear the film would not be as successful as it is without it.
Overall, The First Slam Dunk is a strong sports anime feature film that will work well both for those who are a fan of the anime and those who have never even heard of it. While the greatest impact and reward will come to those who know these characters and have connections to them, the narrative has enough gravitas and emotion to connect to all audiences and provide something of value.
Releasing nearly 30-years after the previous Slam Dunk media, there immediately are 2-questions to ask regarding The First Slam Dunk: one of accessibility, and one of purpose. For those who have no previous history with the Slam Dunk franchise, things can start somewhat confusing and slow as the story bounces back and forth between the past and the present with very little context given to the characters and the situation they find themselves in. Especially for the first half of the film, it can be a difficult process to fully get sucked into the feature which on the outside can feel somewhat hollow, especially when it comes to the extended basketball sequences as Shohoku struggles to keep up with Sannoh. However, these problems are ones that fade over the course of the runtime. While the side characters remain rather underdeveloped, Miyagi's narrative becomes quite moving and the basketball game takes on a new intensity as the overwhelming power of Sannoh is felt and the audience cannot help but hope for a miracle for Shohoku. This is the beauty of the sports anime genre and a great example of how drama can be formed within a game to pull the audience to the edge of their seats and hang onto every play with bated breath. While undoubtedly the film will have the greatest impact on those who have watched and enjoyed the franchise it belongs to, this is a narrative that can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone.
The next question is one of purpose. Why is this film being made nearly 30-years after the release of the franchise it belongs to? While it is hard to say that the film provides much that is required to be seen, the angle taken is undeniably moving. Miyagi is not the main protagonist of the anime and his backstory is one that is genuinely moving. Largely defined and haunted by the passing of his older brother and the impact that event had on the rest of his family, Miyagi has gone through hell and the film focuses on this process with a sense of poignancy and honesty. Even just with communicating the powerful emotions being felt, characters struggle in a way that feels authentic to the experience. While this narrative feels, at times, too removed from the game being played for these two sides to fully come together as many would expect, both sides still do work and feel engaging for what they are. While it is hard to say this meditation on grief provides many new revelations, it still is solid and gives the film a needed emotional punch.
Technically, the film is a mixed effort. The feature uses a bold animation style that blends CGI and 2D animation to conflicting results. While when stationary most characters look awkward and awful in the way only CGI animation can provide, in movement the style gives a unique intensity and flow that is effective and memorable. While a standard 2D animation style would be far more consistent, it is hard to think of any other work of sports anime that looks like this which helps it stand out with a unique identity if nothing else. The music by Satoshi Takebe and Takuma Mitamura is also a standout feature of the production. Especially in the later portions of the runtime dedicated to the basketball game, the score is one of the most effective parts of the film when it comes to ramping up the intensity and drama of a scene and it is clear the film would not be as successful as it is without it.
Overall, The First Slam Dunk is a strong sports anime feature film that will work well both for those who are a fan of the anime and those who have never even heard of it. While the greatest impact and reward will come to those who know these characters and have connections to them, the narrative has enough gravitas and emotion to connect to all audiences and provide something of value.