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Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk is a Japanese sports manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Slam Dunk is a Japanese sports manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1990 to 1996 and follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a high school student who joins a basketball team at Shohoku High School.

Plot

The story follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a brash high school student who joins Shohoku High School's basketball team. The manga combines sports competition with comedy, drama, and character growth.

Publication

Slam Dunk was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1990 to June 1996. Shueisha collected the chapters into 31 tankōbon volumes.

Adaptations

The manga was adapted into an anime television series by Toei Animation, which aired from 1993 to 1996. A feature film titled The First Slam Dunk was released in Japan in December 2022.

Reception and impact

Slam Dunk became one of the best-selling manga series in history, with 185 million copies in circulation. It is also credited with helping popularize basketball among readers, especially in Japan.

Key facts

  • Slam Dunk is a Japanese basketball-themed manga created by Takehiko Inoue.
  • The series ran in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1990 to 1996 and was collected into 31 tankōbon volumes.
  • The story centres on Hanamichi Sakuragi and the Shohoku High School basketball team.
  • Toei Animation adapted the manga into a television anime that aired from 1993 to 1996.
  • The series has sold 185 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series.

Frequently asked questions

Who created Slam Dunk?
Slam Dunk was written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue.
When was Slam Dunk published?
It ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1990 to June 1996.
How many volumes does Slam Dunk have?
The manga was collected into 31 tankōbon volumes.
What is Slam Dunk about?
It follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a high school student who joins the Shohoku basketball team in Japan's Shōnan area.
Was Slam Dunk adapted into anime?
Yes. Toei Animation produced a television anime series that aired from 1993 to 1996.
Is Slam Dunk a best-selling manga?
Yes. It has 185 million copies in circulation, placing it among the best-selling manga series ever.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_Dunk_(manga)
    Supports: Author, publication run, 31 volumes, story premise, anime adaptation, circulation figure, 2022 film
  2. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=1596
    Supports: Author, genre, plot summary
  3. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=659
    Supports: Anime television adaptation and plot premise