220https://i.ur.com/h5DIhlg.png Slam Dunk arrived at a time where basketball wasnt really a popular sport amongst the Japanese so the fact that it went on to become one of the most popular manga ever is really an astounding achievement. For it to have resonated with a crowd who before this mangas release where apathetic towards basketball highlights Takehiko Inoues brilliance as a mangaka and is evidence which reinforces his title as one of the arts geniuses. The Japan Basketball Association even went on to congratulate Inoue for helping to popularise the sport in Japan. Its safe to say that the existence of this manga is one of the main factors which helped spark an interest for the sport and inspire the youth of Japan to engage in it. Slam Dunk really is Inoues buzzer beater a series which helped revive basketball in a climate where it seemed like the sports time was running out. Now moving onto the manga itself Slam Dunk follows redhaired delinquent Sakuragi Hanamichi and his journey with basketball. At first his sole purpose in playing the sport was to impress his crush Haruko and potentially win her over from the popular Rukawa but as the series progresses we see Sakuragi develop a real appreciation for the sport. He develops as not only an athlete but as a person and the bonds he creates with his fellow teammates help to shape this development. Inoues genuine love for the sport shines through in the series volumes as matches are depicted with a lot of emotion and passion. Moreover some matches take multiple volumes to finish and this helps readers to really engage with the sport and the frustration which the characters may experience during these matches. Inoues art gets progressively better throughout the series and it successfully manages to depict the intensity of the sport not only the slam dunks and 3 pointers but the crushing defeats and the uplifting victories are masterfully represented in this manga. Even during the moments where the cast are not playing basketball the comedic scenes and lovetriangles are just as enjoyable and are crucial in understanding the characters and who they are. If youre not already a fan of basketball then its almost guaranteed that youll be a fan after experiencing this series it really is the pinnacle of sports manga and deserves all the praise it receives. The main drawback is how abrupt the ending is but that surely isnt enough to overshadow all the positives this manga possesses. 220https://i.ur.com/LKgI7bt.jpg?1