Slam Dunk Vol. 26 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

Underdogs..Shohoku High School takes on the defending champions, Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo. But as Shohoku showed them they can match up quite fine with Sannoh in the first quarter, by second quarter, Sannoh shows amazing offense and also superior defense and increasing their lead.  Will Shohoku have an answer to the explosiveness of Sannoh Kogyo?  Find out in  volume 27 of Takehiko Inoue’s “Slam Dunk”!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 27

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2013

 

Winning isn’t everything in the game of basketball, but who wants to come in second? It takes dedication and discipline to be the best, and the Shohoku High hoops team wants to be just that. They have one last year to make their captain’s dream of reaching the finals come true—will they do it?

As the game against Sannoh heads into the second half, Shohoku struggles to keep up. Sannoh’s coach Domoto isn’t about to let Shohoku think they can stage an upset and lets loose his team’s explosive offense. With Shohoku on the ropes and Sakuragi upset by a substitution, the players start feeling completely outmatched, and even Akagi begins having doubts. But Coach Anzai hasn’t given up yet, and he begins priming Sakuragi on the sidelines for a comeback!

The National Tournament (the summer championships) continues as the underdogs, Shohoku High School had the lead over three-time championship team, Sannoh Kogyo.

But now, Sannoh Kogyo has unleashed the press and defensively, have contained Shohoku High, to the point that they can’t even score one point.

With everyone from Shohoku High stressed out that they can’t shoot or find a flaw in Sannoh’s press defense, the lead that Shohoku had has now gone in reverse as Sannoh is now ahead in the first half.

What is “Slam Dunk”?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

In Volume 26 of “Slam Dunk”, as the Shohoku High School basketball show they are good enough to content with an A-rank team, Sannoh Kogyo knows they must change things up as they are the defending champions. That includes sending their untested huge man, Miko Kawata.

But how will Coach Anzai respond? Shohoku High also has an untested player…Hanamichi Sakuragi. But will Sakuragi find a way to overcome Kawata’s massive height and frame?

What happens in Volume 27?

Shohoku High School made themselves known to the championship team that they had what it takes to go against them and win.  And with the first quarter looking like Shohoku High had the potential to be the better team, Sannoh uses the defensive press (double teaming the ball carrier) and now Shohoku is unable to shoot or get inside the paint.

Rukawa can’t even make one point with Sawakita on him, Akagi can’t even get a basket off with Kawata guarding him and the speed of Ryota Miyagi is proving to be ineffective.

And when Sannoh runs up the points in the second quarter, will coach Anzai have an answer to Sannoh’s defensive press formation?

Do you love basketball? The excitement, the strategy that goes behind-the-scenes with coaching?

Volume 27 of Takehiko Inoue’s “Slam Dunk” explores the Shohoku High School strategy in the underdogs taking on the A-ranked Sannoh Kogyo. But as volume 26 was about Shohoku using strategy against Sannoh, now the roles are reversed as Sannoh has become defensively aggressive, double teaming anyone in Shohoku who has the ball, Shohoku can’t even get one point against Sannoh, who is able to score with ease now.

But what becomes a 3 point lead becomes a 10-point lead and the lead continues to increase.  What kind of strategy will Coach Anzai have now?

As this volume concludes first half of the competition and begins the third quarter.  The thrill of the game of basketball is quite evident in the pages of volume 27 of “Slam Dunk”. With a total of four volumes left in the manga series, Takehiko Inoue definitely wants to show readers that this game will not be like any game Shohoku has played.  This time, the defending champs will show why they have won three years straight but will Shohoku have an answer to their amazing offense and defense?

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements of basketball. From the layups, the dunks, the defensive coverage and just the feeling of basketball, he captures it so well in the pages of each manga release.

So for any “Slam Dunk” fan, this is a pretty awesome volume and I’m looking forward to the second half of the competition which will continue in volume 28 of “Slam Dunk”.

Overall, if you love manga and basketball, “Slam Dunk” is a manga series that I highly recommend!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 26 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

Shohoku High School takes on the defending champions, Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo. Can the underdogs, Shohoku High School find a way to beat Sannoh?  And what happens when both teams look to unpredictable players of their team?  Find out which team will lead in the first half of the competition in volume 26 of Takehiko Inoue’s “Slam Dunk”!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 26

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: February 5, 2013

 

With a slight lead thanks to Mitsui, Shohoku has their hands full as the game against Sanno heats up. Sanno’s coach Domoto sends in Mikio, a player whose strength and size make up for his lack of experience. Coach Anzai counters by telling Shohoku to run their offense through Sakuragi, and the game becomes a battle between the two inexperienced power players.

What Sanno thought would be an easy win for them is turning out to be a lot more than they bargained for – Shohoku’s here and they mean to go all the way to the top!

The National Tournament (the summer championships) has become an excite contest as underdogs Shohoku High School has made it to the next bracket, but this time, to take on the three-time championship team, Sannoh Kogyo.

And as everyone thinks the game will be a blowout and that Shohoku has no chance, Shohoku is showing that they have what it takes to beat the A-ranked team!

And as Shohoku has their ace shooter, Hisashi Mitsui sinking three pointers, Sannoh Kogyo is now putting defensive pressure.  Knowing that they must make adjustments to the defensive pressure, Coach Anzai decides to take the risk by unleashing his untested player, the hothead Hanamichi Sakuragi.

But will the plan work?

Find out in part two of Shohoku High School vs. Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo competition in vol. 26 of “Slam Dunk”!

What is “Slam Dunk”?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

What happens in Volume 26?

In Volume 26 of “Slam Dunk”, as the Shohoku High School basketball show they are good enough to content with an A-rank team, Sannoh Kogyo knows they must change things up as they are the defending champions.  That includes sending their untested huge man, Miko Kawata.

But how will Coach Anzai respond?  Shohoku High also has an untested player…Hanamichi Sakuragi.  But will Sakuragi find a way to overcome Kawata’s massive height and frame?

This volume features the second part between Shohoku High School (Rank C) vs. Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo (Rank A).

Do you love basketball?  The excitement, the strategy that goes behind-the-scenes with coaching?

Volume 26 of Takehiko Inoue’s “Slam Dunk” explores the Shohoku High School strategy in taking on the A-ranked Sannoh Kogyo.  Instilling confidence in the team but making sure to adjust to Sannoh Kogyo’s defensive strategy and that is by utilizing Mitsui as a deep 3-point threat and Sakuragi as a jump shooter.

But its the swagger and confidence we see in Shohoku, who are not afraid to back down against the defending champions and showing that no matter how much the champs adjust offensively or defensively, that Shohoku has an answer to the challenge.

What’s interesting is seeing both teams send in their unknown players.  For Sannoh Kogyo, they are testing the massive height of their player Kawata who excels under the basket but for Shohoku, it’s all about Sakuragi who has trained so hard, to now show he’s more than a dunker and can shoot jumpshots.  But his first challenge is figuring out how to defend against Kawata.

As this volume sets up the first half of the competition, the thrill of the game of basketball is quite evident in the pages of volume 26 of “Slam Dunk”.  With a total of five volumes left in the manga series, Takehiko Inoue goes all out as the underdogs, Shohoku High continue with their dreams of winning a basketball tournament.  Can they do it?

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements of basketball. From the layups, the dunks, the defensive coverage and just the feeling of basketball, he captures it so well in the pages of each manga release.

So for any “Slam Dunk” fan, this is a pretty awesome volume and I’m looking forward to the second half of the competition which will continue in volume 27 of “Slam Dunk”.

Overall, if you love manga and love basketball, “Slam Dunk” is a manga series that I easily recommend!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 25 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

Shohoku High School must prepare for their next competition at the Summer National Tournament and this time, it’s the #1 ranked team, last year’s championship team, Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo.  Will the guys be ready and will they be prepared to face off against the fan favorite?  Find out in volume 25 of “Slam Dunk”!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 25

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2012

 

After watching a video of Sannoh’s semifinal game from the previous year, the Shohoku players, except Sakuragi of course, are feeling nervous – three of Sannoh’s starters this year played on that championship team. To make things worse, the stands are filled with Sannoh supporters eager to see their favorite rack up an easy win against Shohoku. But Coach Anzai’s been here before and he knows his players, instructing them to lead off with a surprise attack that lets Sannoh know that Shohoku’s in the house, and they aren’t going out without a fight!

The National Tournament (the summer championships) so far has proved to be exciting as the C-ranked underdogs, Shohoku High School has beaten “A” ranked team, Toyotama High School.  Bit now, Shohoku High has the most difficult challenge they have ever faced and that is to take on Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo, last year’s championship team and also the team that is looked at as the best high school team in Japan.

And as the guys of Shokoku High School are watching videos of Sannoh Kogyo playing and defeating nearly every competitor by more than 15 points each game, the guys start to worry about their chances of beating the top team at the tournament.

Meanwhile, as Sannoh Kogyo watches video tape of Shohoku High School, they don’t really seem them as a deep threat.  They even go against a college team that are similar in style as Shohoku and blow them away.

But will Shohoku High School gain the confidence they need in order to take on Sannoh Kogyo?

Find out in the beginning of Shohoku High School vs. Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo competition in vol. 25 of “Slam Dunk”!

What is “Slam Dunk”?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

What happens in Volume 25?

In Volume 25 of “Slam Dunk”, as the Shohoku High School basketball team preps for their matchup against Sannoh Kogyo, the team are in shock to see how awesome Sannoh Kogyo is.  Dominating on offense and defense, the guys suddenly start to feel overwhelmed that they may not be good enough to beat the top team, except Sakuragi who wants to show that he is the best player.  But with confidence a bit low, the coach must find a way to get his guys ready.

Meanwhile, we get to see how Sannoh Kogyo is preparing for their matchup with Shohoku High School.

And the matchup between Shohoku High School (Rank C) vs. Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo (Rank A) begins!

For the love of basketball and manga, “Slam Dunk” is seen as a classic!   The thrill of basketball competition is alive and active in volume 25 of “Slam Dunk”.

In this latest volume, we get to see how the guy’s are not going to get any easy breaks after their last win, because next up is last year’s champions, the pinnacle of Japanese high school basketball, Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo.

As any team who is studying the top team may feel underwhelmed by their scoring prowess and defense, Shohoku knows they are the underdogs, that people will rally against them and are not expected to win or do well against Sannoh.  But the guys must drum up their confidence that they can beat Sannoh Kogyo and bring it to the basketball court.

And to see the guys go from bummed out to seeing the spark in their eye as they know they are going to have to put it all on the line to beat this top team is exciting!

As this volume sets up the competitive battle between both high schools, the cool part is just seeing the team dynamics and also seeing Sakuragi  showing off but also discovering more about himself as a player.  He has been the wild card of Shohoku, but may prove to be their awesome weapon.  But that remains to be seen!

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements of basketball.   From the layups, the dunks, the defensive coverage and just the feeling of basketball, he captures it so well in the pages of each manga release.

So for any “Slam Dunk” fan, this is a pretty awesome volume and definitely exciting as the guys must take on the best ranked team at the tournament in order to accomplish their dream!

If you love basketball and you love manga, “Slam Dunk” vol. 25 is recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 24 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

It’s what the players have been dreaming of… to play at the Summer National Tournament. And now, ranked C team, Shohoku High School must take on ranked A, Osaka’s Toyotama High School.   Exciting, all basketball action in every page… Find out who wins the first matchup in volume 24 of “Slam Dunk”!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 24

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2012

 

It’s the second half of Shohoku’s debut game in the National Championship. Toyotama boasts the top three scorers from the Osaka regionals, and they’re bent on nothing less than crushing Shohoku! But Coach Anzai’s got a plan: steal the ball, run and score, facing Toyotama’s run-and-gun style head on! If Shohoku can’t beat Toyotama at their best game, what chance do they have of beating last year’s champion Sannoh in the next round?

The National Tournament (the summer championships) have begun and Shohoku High School who is ranked “C” is taking on ranked “A” team, Toyotama High School.

And already, the guys of Shohoku are realizing that these guys is their biggest challenge yet and to win, they are going to have to play as a team.  Meanwhile, star player Kaede Rukawa was hit hard by Toyotama High’s “Ace Killer”, Minami and his eye is swollen shut.  With Shohoku’s top shooter  now limited to one eye, how will this affect the team’s chances?  Also, will Hanamichi Sakuragi show his true offensive prowess?  Or will he continue to embarrass himself in front of the team.

Find out in the conclusion of the Shohoku High School vs. Toyotama High School competition in vol. 24 of “Slam Dunk”!

What is “Slam Dunk”?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

What happens in Volume 24?

In Volume 24 of “Slam Dunk”, as the Shohoku High School basketball team play their first matchup in the summer tournament, bad blood has already erupted between Shohoku and Toyotama High School.  And now, taking that energy to the basketball court, but as Toyotama High School has the upper-hand and Shohoku’s Kaede Rukawa has a swollen eye and Sakuragi not playing team ball, does Shohoku even have a chance?

Volume 24 is the conclusion of the matchup between Shohoku High School (Rank C) takes on Toyotama High School (Rank A). Who will win?

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

The thrill of basketball competition is alive and active in volume 24 of “Slam Dunk”.

In the last volume, things were not easy for the Shohoku players. In fact, Toyotama shows off their brilliance by countering the offensive tactics that Shohoku has in the early minutes of the game and taking an early lead. And for the trash talking Kishimoto of Toyotama High School, he wonders if Shohoku is a joke, especially Hanamichi Sakuragi, who he has to guard.  But when Toyotama shows they are a dominant team, Coach Anzai has a new strategy to take on Toyotama and that is utilizing team captain Takenori Akagi, ace player Kaeda Rukawa and bencher Yasuda! Will this strategy pay off?

In volume 24, it’s all about the basketball matchup between both high schools and while not so much about strategy, it’s about people overcoming issues.  Kaede Rukawa is the best player  of Shohoku, but with a swollen eye, he must continue to show that he can play a high level and still play with one eye.

Meanwhile, Sakuragi who has practiced many times to improve his jump shot, still has a lot to prove as he is not exactly doing all that well.

But if the team can play together as a team, perhaps there is a chance that they can put some points up on the board and defeat Osaka’s Toyotama High School!

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements of basketball. I did notice with vol. 24, he is doing a lot of experimentation with character shading more than any previous volume.  So, not sure if this is a step into a different direction illustration-wise.

So for any “Slam Dunk” fan, this is what everyone has been waiting for in the manga series. For so long we have seen these players dream of playing at the summer tournament and now they are there, about to play their first game against the dominant Toyotama High School team and knowing that even last year’s champs are in their competitive bracket.

It’s 100% basketball action in volume 24 of “Slam Dunk”.  If you are a sports manga fan, and love basketball, this volume is definitely recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 23 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

It’s what the players have been dreaming of… to play at the Summer National Tournament.  And now, Shohoku finds out that not only are they ranked “C”, not only will they have to go against the A ranked Toyotama High School but the winner must go against last year’s champions, Sanno Koguo.  Does Shohoku have a chance of beating Toyotama High?  Find out in volume 23 of “Slam Dunk”!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 23

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: August 7, 2012

 

Now that they’ve made it to the Nationals, Shohoku learns exactly where they rank in the overall standings compared to some of the other teams, and they don’t like it! Shocked to learn that they’re only a C-ranked team, they’ve got to get their game on to beat their A-ranked first round opponent, Toyotama. Even if they beat Toyotama, Shohoku’s opponent in the second round is last year’s champion, Sanno Kogyo. For Sakuragi, Akagi, Rukawa and the boys of Shohoku High, the real game begins now!

It’s time for the National Tournament (the summer championships) and Shohoku High School players learn that not only are they rated “C” but their bracket has them facing the toughest teams in the tournament, starting with Toyotama High School.

For Toyotama, because Shohoku is rated at “C”, they don’t think that Shohoku has any chance to play against them.  But the first match of Shohuku begins as Coach Anzai prepares to use his strategy on how to take on the top-rated Toyotama high School team in volume 23 of “Slam Dunk”!

What is “Slam Dunk”?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

What happens in Volume 23?

In Volume 23 of “Slam Dunk”, as the Shohoku High School basketball team are on their way to the summer tournament, they are shocked to see their bracket which includes Toyotama but also Akita’s Sannoh Kogyo, last year’s champs.

But as the group considers the possibility of playing the champs, Kishimoto of Toyotama overhears the group and he gets ticked off at the Shohoku players of even thinking they have a chance against these other schools when they have not even played Toyotama.  A fight nearly ensues.

As the players are restrained from fighting, the teams begin preparing for their matchup.

Volume 23 is the beginning of the summer tournament as Shohoku High School (Rank C) takes on Toyotama High School (Rank A).  Who will win?  And does Shohoku have a chance against a rank A team?

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

After taking a breather from basketball competition in volume 22, the team returns with the biggest competition in their lives and that is their first match of the National Tournament vs. an A rank team, Toyotama High School.

And things are not going to be easy.  In fact, Toyotama shows off their brilliance by countering the offensive tactics that Shohoku has in the early minutes of the game and taking an early lead.  And for the trash talking Kishimoto of Toyotama High School, he wonders if Shohoku is a joke, especially Hanamichi Sakuragi, who he has to guard.

But when Toyotama shows they are a dominant team, Coach Anzai has a new strategy to take on Toyotama and that is utilizing team captain Takenori Akagi, ace player Kaeda Rukawa and bencher Yasuda!  Will this strategy pay off?

And because we are back into tournament mode, reading this volume goes quickly as the focus begins to be more about trashtalking and strategy but showcasing Takehiko Inoue’s artwork and showing the energy and the emotions of basketball.

The beginning chapters do start off with a focus on story, primarily about the team learning about their bracket and their C ranking but 75% of the volume is focused on Shohoku vs. Toyotama.

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements of basketball. With this volume, much more exploration of characters shopping, studying or training in basketball. Character designs are well-done and it’s great to see the female characters featured in this volume as well.

So for any “Slam Dunk” fan, this is what everyone has been waiting for in the manga series.  For so long we have seen these players dream of playing at the summer tournament and now they are there, about to play their first game against the dominant Toyotama High School team and knowing that even last year’s champs are in their competitive bracket.

So, it’s not going to be an easy matchup for Shohoku High School, but these players are determined to win!

Overall, “Slam Dunk” is an enjoyable manga series that is full of excitement and captures the passion of competitive high school basketball.   If you are a basketball fan, “Slam Dunk” is a no-brainer… Definitely recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 22 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

A “breather” volume of “Slam Dunk” as members of Shohoku High School deal with a few things in their personal lives before competing in the National Tournament.   From training, college scouting,trying to get a passing grade in a class in order to be eligible to play basketball to a player wanting to move to America for the challenge.  If you love basketball and love manga, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 22

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2012

 

For the Shohoku High players, the past echoes in the present as Rukawa learns something about Coach Anzai that leaves him determined to be the best high school player in Japan. With ten days remaining until the start of the national tournament, Coach Anzai sends the Shohoku High team to Shizuoka for a week of practice with another local team. But Sakuragi stays behind for a special practice session that will push him to the limit and improve his individual skills for the crucial games ahead.

With the Shohoku High School players celebrating their win at the Prefectural Tournament and now advancing to the National Tournament, with so many talented teams preparing to compete, Shohoku knows that in order to win the tournament, they will need to get better not only as a team, but each player will need to be better than before.

And for Kaeda Rukawa, Hanamichi Sakuragi and Takenori Akagi, the National Tournament is the biggest stage and many people dream just to get in the tournament, but to win it…that would be the ultimate dream come true for these young basketball players.

And with volume 22 of “Slam Dunk”, we get to see how these players deal with the pressure as they near tournament time!

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

In Volume 22 of “Slam Dunk”, as the players near competition for the National Tournament, Kaede Rukawa is considering of going to America to play basketball, but Coach Anzai feels he is not ready and tries to find a way to get him to stay.  Meanwhile, Haruko Akagi likes Kaede, but she knows in her heart that basketball is more of a priority than getting into a relationship.  How will she deal with her feelings towards him?

Meanwhile, one of the top universities meets with Takenori Akagi for him to play basketball for their team and as for Hanamichi Sakuragi, we know he can dunk, he can play defense but he is not good at his jumper.  So, Coach Anzai develops a program for him to be an outside threat.  But is he up to the challenge?

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

For volume 22, Takehiko Inoue has created is a “breather” volume after the long Prefectural Tournament, focusing on characters and team dynamics outside of competition.  As volume 23 will begin the National Tournament, for this volume, Inoue concentrates on the primary characters, Hanamichi, Takenori and Kaede.  Three talented basketball players but they are going to need to get better or push themselves to be better than their competition and with the National Tournament, many teams have fought their way to get into the tournament and these teams are the best in the country.

For Kaede’s story, it was an interesting story of players who think they are very good in their country, that they need to move to the United States to be even better.  But Coach Anzai knows that Japan and America are in different leagues and to play in America, is difficult.  He experienced it once with another player of his and through this story, we learn the tragic tale of a dream to make it in America that doesn’t go all that well.

While Takenori Akagi’s story is straight-forward, as he is being scouted by a university, in previous volumes, we already know his mind is only on the National Tournament for now.

Which leaves us to Hanamichi, the darkhorse of the team because no one knows what to expect from him.  While he is known for running his mouth and being cocky, Hanamichi has one advantage and that is his will-power but most importantly, what takes others months to learn, Hanamichi subjects himself to intense training, to the point that he learns very quickly.  And in this case, his latest challenge is to learn how to shoot far from the net.  No dunking, just shooting and learning about his form and practicing.

There is also another storyline which many Western readers will understand and that is for athletes to keep up their GPA and in this case, what happens when a few of the basketball players of Shohoku are not doing so well and fail a class?

So, with “Slam Dunk”, this one will be a fascinating volume.  Plus a much longer read as this latest volume is focused more on story rather than competition.  So no pages of just graphics and a single word bubble, there are several storylines featured in vol. 22.

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements of basketball.  With this volume, much more exploration of characters shopping, studying or training in basketball.  Character designs are well-done and it’s great to see the female characters featured in this volume as well.

Overall, “Slam Dunk” is an enjoyable manga series and if you are a basketball fan, “Slam Dunk” is a no-brainer… Definitely recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 21 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

One of Japan’s top selling manga series of all time, “Slam Dunk” vol. 21 features the final two minutes between Shohoku and Ryonan High School.  Winner advances to the national tournament.  Who wins? Basketball and “Slam Dunk” fans will definitely enjoy this latest volume!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 21

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: April 3, 2012

 

It’s do or die for the Shohoku High School Basketball Team! If they want a spot in the Nationals, they need to win this game. As the second half winds down, Shohoku hangs on to a one-point lead over Ryonan despite Mitsui’s collapse. Ryonan keeps the pressure on with their best players, Uozumi, Fukuda and Sendoh, giving it all they’ve got. Sakuragi steps up defensively, and now he’s Shohoku’s last hope of staying alive in the tournament – but is he up to the challenge?

It all comes down to the final two minutes between Shohoku High School vs. Ryonan High School. Winner of this match gets an entry in the National tournament.  And what a nail-biter this volume turned out to be in vol. 21 of Takehiko Inoue’s “Slam Dunk”!

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

In Volume 21 of “Slam Dunk”, it’s the final two minutes and Ryonan has cut the large lead of Shohoku down to one.

With Mitsui falling hard and taken out of the game for exhaustion, Shohoku’s bespectacled athlete Kogure comes into the game.  We learn how Kogure and Akagi joined the basketball team together and although Akagi is the one who is known for his basketball skills, both teenager had one dream and that was to make it to Nationals.  Now that they are seniors, this is the only chance they have to make it to Nationals.

Which leads us to the main game…who will win between Shohoku vs. Ryonan?

Also, we get to see members of other teams who made it into Nationals and players having to make difficult decisions, including Kaeda Rukawa.

As for the losers of this final match-up, this may be the final competitive basketball game for the senior students.  How difficult will it be to say goodbye to the sport you love?

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

Volume 21 similar to the last eight volumes captures the thrill of competitive high school basketball through its pages with an attention of detail by Takehiko Inoue on basketball from player fatigue, foul’s, strategy, you name it… you will find it in this latest volume.

The last volume showed how a team can mount a comeback and the strategy that was needed to make that comeback.  Volume 21 shows us how the unknown players from the bench can easily disrupt the game by surprising players not familiar of them.  In this case, first-year student and Shohoku hothead (prone to making many mistakes) Hanamichi Sakuragi and the usually on the bench, Kiminobu Kogure.

This volume also shows us the agony of defeat as some of the players are seniors and what happens when it all comes to an end.  This final volume also begins to prep the readers to some of the other teams and their team members who advanced to the finals.

With that being said, reading this volume will go quickly because the illustration do take up a big part of the pages versus dialogue but if you appreciate basketball and Takehiko Inoue’s work, you know that this style works and the efficacy of competition of competitive high school basketball is captured amazingly well.

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements, the offensive and defensive stances to how the players penetrate the perimeter and score. He also doesn’t step back when it comes to capturing the players during competition. He fully includes detail of profuse sweating and the fatigue a player goes through from start to finish.

Overall, “Slam Dunk” is an enjoyable manga series and if you are a basketball fan, “Slam Dunk” is definitely recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 20 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

One of Japan’s top selling manga series of all time, “Slam Dunk” vol. 20 features the final fourth quarter of the finals between Shohoku vs. Ryonan High School and winner advances to Nationals.  Two evenly matched teams, but despite Shohoku up ahead by 15 pts., without Coach Anzai there to guide them through defensive strategy, does Shohoku have a chance in preventing the offensive onslaught in the fourth by Ryonan High?  Basketball and “Slam Dunk” fans will definitely enjoy this latest volume!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 20

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: August 2, 2011

 

Shohoku steadily increases their lead against Ryonan with less than ten minutes remaining in the game, but the all-out attack wears Shohoku down and fatigue is getting the better of them. Without Coach Anzai’s guidance, Shohoku struggles to hold on against Ryonan as their weaknesses are exposed one by one. Sakuragi’s inexperience is one of their biggest and the margin for error is slim with Sakuragi on the court. Is this game going to push Shohoku to the edge of total collapse?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

In Volume 20 of “Slam Dunk”, it’s the fourth quarter of the finals between Shohoku and Ryonan, two evenly matched teams but only one can go on to the finals.

With Shohoku ahead by 15 pts., it looks like it’s going to be  a clear win but Ryonan’s coach has a plan, knowing that Coach Anzai of Shohoku (who has been hospitalized) is not there to help guide the team and that nearly every player in Shohoku High’s basketball team is in foul trouble.    And now, Ryonan starts to display their offensive assault against Shohoku.  Will Shohoku be able to bounce back?

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

Volume 20 captures the thrill of basketball through its pages with an attention of detail by Takehiko Inoue on basketball from player fatigue, foul’s, strategy, you name it… you will find it in this latest volume.

And while the protagonist team, Shohoku is up ahead in the fourth quarter by 15 points, without Coach Anzai, the team is put in a disadvantage and playing with no clear plan, especially since each player is in foul trouble.

Meanwhile, this volume focuses on Uozomi of Ryonan, who has always looked at Akagi as a rival and has literally worked his butt off for this moment to play against him, but also to utilize the offensive weapons that Ryonan is known for.  But as these teams are evil matched, “Slam Dunk” vol. 20 is about the fourth quarter and ending with a teaser to the final minute of the game, with readers wondering who will emerge victorious?

With that being said, reading this volume will go quickly because the illustration do take up a big part of the pages versus dialogue but if you appreciate basketball and Takehiko Inoue’s work, you know that this style works and the efficacy of competition of competitive high school basketball is captured amazingly well.

As for the manga series, Takehiko Inoue’s illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements, the offensive and defensive stances to how the players penetrate the perimeter and score. He also doesn’t step back when it comes to capturing the players during competition. He fully includes detail of profuse sweating and the fatigue a player goes through from start to finish.

Overall, “Slam Dunk” is an enjoyable manga series and if you are a basketball fan, “Slam Dunk” is definitely recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 16 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

One of Japan’s top selling manga series of all time, “Slam Dunk” vol. 16 features Sakuragi going through intense training to become a better shooter on the team, meanwhile the two unbeaten teams – Kainan High School and Ryonan High School take on each other in the tournament.  Who will emerge as victorious?  Another exciting manga volume of “Slam Dunk”!

 

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 16

 

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

 

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

 

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: June 11, 2011

 

Thanks to an impressive showing during a scrimmage between Shohoku’s rookie and veteran players, Coach Anzai decides to give Sakuragi a crack at playing center. Though the game reveals several of Sakuragi’s weaknesses, it also highlights just how far his technique has come in a very short amount of time. With but three days until the game against rival school Takezato, Sakuragi is placed on a new and grueling training regimen: he must make 500 shots each and every day!

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s. Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased. For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis. You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for. A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”. In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia. The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School. He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team. But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

In Volume 16 of “Slam Dunk”, it’s tournament time and the story continues after the Shohoku vs. Kainan High School match in which Shohoku nearly came back to beat the top seeded team but it all came down to Sakuragi free throw shot and the problem is, Sakuragi has never been a good perimeter or free throw shooter and unfortunately, it cost them the game.

With Sakuragi having lost confidence in his game, Shohoku’s basketball team captain Takenori Akagi has Sakuragi undergo a three-day boot camp of intense training to improve his shooting.

Meanwhile, with Kainan and Ryonan High School having won one game each, the two teams take on each other.  But with so many people confident that Kainan High School has the better team, Ryonan High School is about to unleash the new and improved Fukuda.  Does Ryonan High School have any chance of beating Kainan High School?

Here is a brief spoiler-less summary of each chapter of “Slam Dunk Vol. 16″:

• Chapter 135 – Center Mitsui – The first year students must undergo training and Sakuragi must take on the center Mitsui.
• Chapter 136 – Take the Shot – Sakuragi is under the gun to make a shot, can he make one?
• Chapter 137 – 3 DAYS -  Akagi has Sakuragi take part in a grueling three-day shooting camp.  Can Sakuragi improve on his shooting?
• Chapter 138 – Survival Game – Shohoku vs. Takezato High School in the tournament but Sakuragi is missing?
• Chapter 139 – Ryonan’s Challenge – Everyone starts to notice Ryonan High School player Kiccho Fukuda.
• Chapter 140 – An Unorthodox Strategy – With Kainan thinking they have this game in check, they weren’t prepared for Fukuda.
• Chapter 141 -  POINT GUARD – In an unexpected turn of events, Ryonan High School is leading the game over Kainan High School.
• Chapter 142 – Fukuda’s Secret – Fukuda basks in the audience’s cheers for him.
• Chapter 143 – Kainan WAVE – Kainan High School’s Nobunaga Kioyta has had enough of his team behind in the scoreboard and wants to make sure he brings synergy to the team ASAP!

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”!

With the latest 16th volume of the popular basketball manga series, this latest volume is broken up into two arcs.  One dealing with Sakuragi’s training to become a better shooter and the second arc focusing on the matches between the unbeaten teams, Kainan High School vs. Ryonan High School and the strategy that Ryonan develops in order to defeat Kainan High.

In previous volumes, we know about Shohoku High School team captain Akagai’s determination of wanting his team to make it into the championships but the problem is that, although Sakuragi is an excellent rebounder and really strong on defense, if the game depends on his shooting, Shohoku will not have a chance and they need to get him better immediately.  So, Sakuragi undergoes intense training to become a best shooter, but will he be prepared in the next matchup?

While Shohoku High School is the main team being focused on in the series, writer Takehiko Inoue also showcases the competition between the other teams and in this case, Shohoku’s main rival, Kainan High School as they take on the unexpected Ryonan High School.  Unexpected in the fact that their new player Fukuda, who was once quite terrible, is now one of the best offensive/defense players on their team and although Kainan High School is favored to be the better team to win the tournament, Ryonan High School wants to show that they have the potential to be better than Kainan.

With that being said, reading this volume will go quickly because the illustration do take up a big part of the pages versus dialogue but if you appreciate basketball and Takehiko Inoue’s work, you know that this style works and the efficacy of competition of competitive high school basketball is captured amazingly well.

His illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements, the offensive and defensive stances to how the players penetrate the perimeter and score. He also doesn’t step back when it comes to capturing the players during competition. He fully includes detail of profuse sweating and the fatigue a player goes through from start to finish.

Overall, “Slam Dunk” is an enjoyable manga series and if you are a basketball fan, “Slam Dunk” is definitely recommended!

 

Slam Dunk Vol. 14 by Takehiko Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

One of Japan’s top selling manga series of all time, “Slam Dunk” features the second half between Shohoku High School vs. Kainan High School.  If you love manga and you love basketball, “Slam Dunk” is a fantastic manga series worth checking out!

© 1999-2011 Takehiko Inoue and I.T. Planning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MANGA TITLE: Slam Dunk Vol. 14

STORY AND ART BY: Takehiko Inoue (井上 雄彦)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2011

Winning isn’t everything in the game of basketball, but who wants to come in second? It takes dedication and discipline to be the best, and the Shohoku High hoops team wants to be just that. They have one last year to make their captain’s dream of reaching the finals come true – will they do it?

I can easily remember the popularity of “Slam Dunk” during the early ’90s.  Despite being here in America, I would venture to the local Tower Records or travel to Japan Town and head to the Japanese bookstore to pick up the latest Shonen Jump magazine and watching the anime series.

Granted, I came into “Slam Dunk” several years late but I recognized how popular the manga and anime series was, especially the music and sure enough “Slam Dunk” was one of the first anime soundtracks (on cassette) that I had purchased.  For me, it was quite intriguing because the sports that I have watched from Japan and manga and anime being based from those sports are typically baseball, soccer or tennis.  You just don’t think about basketball but sure enough, “Slam Dunk” captured the essence of high school basketball and the excitement of team dynamics, offense/defense and squaring off against a rival team.

But this is what Takehiko Inoue is known for.  A mangaka who is a basketball fan, his manga series is considered iconic in the fact that many kids in Japan played basketball and became interested in the sport because of “Slam Dunk”.  In fact, the series was not just popular in Japan but also throughout Asia.  The manga sold over 100 million copies in Japan between 1990-1996, earning a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2005 and in 2007, the series received the distinction as “Japan’s Favorite Manga”.

Inoue would eventually follow up with “Buzzer Beater” in 1997 (which he collaborated with ESPN) which was a more farfetched story about basketball ala intergalactic competition. Followed by a samurai manga story titled “Vagabond” in 1998 and back to a basketball manga with “Real” in 2001 (based on people with disabilities in wheelchairs who compete in basketball), so Inoue has a pretty strong following for his works.

And his hits series “Slam Dunk” has been released ala manga in America courtesy of Viz Media.

“Slam Dunk” revolves around a cocky and rough street punk named Hanamichi Sakuragi who is a first-year student at Shohoku High School.  He has fallen for Haruko Akagi, the younger sister of Takenori Akagi, the captain of Shohoku High’s basketball team.    But for Haruko, she likes Kaeda Rukawa, the first-year basketball star that all the female students love.

So, to prove his worth in front of Haruko, Hanamichi joins the Shohoku basketball team which includes Kiyota, Maki, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi and their team manager, Ayako.

In Volume 14 of “Slam Dunk”, it’s tournament time and Shohoku takes on Kainan High School which feature two prodigy basketball rookies, Kenji Fujima and Shinichi Maki.  It’s the second half of the tournament and Shohoku is in the lad by two points.  The problem is that Shohoku captain Takenori Akagi is injured but with his persistence and determination to make it to the finals for the tournament, he will do all he can to help his team, even if he is in pain and injured.

But by the second half, Kainan High School’s rookies turn up the heat and are now ahead in points.  Shohoku High School’s coach needs to come up with a new game plan in order to make sure his team will win the match.

Here is a brief spoiler-less summary of each chapter of “Slam Dunk Vol. 14″:

• Chapter 117 – A Year or Two Later – We learn more about Takenori Akagi’s backstory and why he will play injured.
• Chapter 118 – Two Giants – Captain Takenori Akagi vs. Kainan Haigh’s Shinichi Maki…the two giants.
• Chapter 119 – THE BEST – Kainan’s Shinichi Maki turns up the heat and shows why he is an awesome basketball player.
• Chapter 120 – SILK – Kainan High School unleashes their three-point wizard, Jin.
• Chapter 121 – Anzai’s Strategy – With Shohoku behind, the Coach comes up with a risky strategy to counter Kainan High School.
• Chapter 122 – An Energetic Man – Using the coach’s new strategy, can Shohoku come back from behind?
• Chapter 123 – Humiliation – Shohoku is making a comeback but the players laugh at Hanamichi’s underhand shots at the foul line.
• Chapter 124 – I PLAY TO WIN – Shohoku High School cuts the Kainan High lead to 78-72.  Can they still comeback to win?
• Chapter 125 – Team Tenacious – Both teams are competitive…will Shohoku be able to tie or take the lead?

If you love basketball, you will love “Slam Dunk”.  Takehiko Inoue is known for stretching a game for several volumes and in this case, volume 14 focuses on the third quarter up to the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.  His pages capture the emotion of basketball from Akagi playing in pain, the team drenching in sweat or in awe of Kainan High’s rookie prodigies to the crowd who are literally biting their nails as they support their two teams during the final half.

This latest volume is all-basketball, with just a few short pages of learning about Akagi’s determination of wanting to win this matchup, there are no non-basketball stories in this volume, it’s straight up all action and gameplay between the two basketball teams.

With that being said, reading this volume will go quickly because it’s more illustration versus dialogue but if you appreciate basketball and Takehiko Inoue’s work, you know that this style works and the efficacy of competition of competitive high school basketball is captured amazingly well.

His illustrations have always been a highlight for me and I was always amazed of how he captured movements, the offensive and defensive stances to how the players penetrate the perimeter and score.  He also doesn’t step back when it comes to capturing the players during competition.  He fully includes detail of profuse sweating and the fatigue a player goes through from start to finish.

Overall, “Slam Dunk” is an enjoyable manga series and I can’t wait to see who wins between Shohoku vs. Kainan High School in vol. 15!