Spoliers!!
Well, I don't have anything to criticize this manga for because it was wonderful from begining to end. My ONLY (small) complain is something about the ending. I have nothing against the concept of the main team losing, in fact, I think it was a bold idea (considering this was released in the 90s), and it's more realistic since we're used to see the main team winning in mainstream media. Not to mention how Shohoku was strugling so hard in the last match we got to see. It was a brave and wise decision to make them lose the competition. NEVERTHELESS, I'm a little dissapointed about HOW they lost. I thought they were going to lose against Sannoh after that impressive and grueling match (I was under the impression that They were a stronger team than Shohoku). And I would have preffered to see them lose right there after we withnessed that titanic match than to read a small text box saying they happened to lose against an unknown team in an unknown match in the last chapter. It was an aticlimatic choice, in my opinion.
But alas, despite bothering me a little, this was one of the best mangas I've ever read and probably the best Spocon ever. Thank you, sensei.

This is the manga that got me into manga/anime and started it all for me. So it holds a special spot in my heart. This manga made me cry and laugh and feel so deeply. It took me through some tough times in my life. I loved everything about it, from the art, to the characters, to the plot. I only wished it would have gone on longer - there's definitely potential for more.

Sakuragi is one of my favourite characters of all time - he's the typical yankee and an absolute idiot, but so determined and pure of heart. His character development arc was amazing, and I'll never forget the chills I got when . I cried really hard at that scene. Towards the end of the series, he truly became someone I admired and looked up to.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes manga, particularly the sports or shonen genre. It truly set an incredibly high standard for future series of such kind.

Nice manga, characters are endearing but I'm still a bit disappointed. Story could go far more further, why is it stopping with a national championship? Some games are taking 3-4 volumes to end.... too long for me! And relation between the characters could have been more developed. At the end it's a shame because the base is awesome! 7.5/10 so still a great manga! Last thing I want to mention is that I learned quit a bit about basketball rules... and I like it!

Quintessential sports manga

At the beginning the art made me feel weird but honestly it gets better (mangakas tend to get better after doing so much), the story is amazing, the MC doesn’t disappoint and slowly you get to like him and his team. It gets emotional and interesting.

I don't really know how to describe its greatness. Read the other reviews please~

But, I myself love Sakuragi and all his quirks. I find them cute, hahaha... Weird me.. Well, I even find myself liking his hairstyle. That's not my usual favourite style though, so I'm a bit surprised at myself...Weird

At first I didn't think i was going to be interested in a manga like Slam Dunk but then i read the manga and i fell in love with the characters, the art, the story, the games...everything. But, once i finished i felt empty on the inside besides the anime & movies ( which i finished shortly after ) don't satisfy. i felt as though the manga's ending was like a cliffhanger and there's suppose to be more but there isn't and that makes me sad because i want to read more.

Oh man i am writing this review 10 years after i first read it, so my memory might be a bit scewed but i had to do it better late than Never!

The MC at first might appear to be Annoying and a bit Cute Cocky but believe me the Charm wears ON pretty quick...around 30 chapters in i already fell in love with him ...his quirkiness and the comedic situation that he himself forces into is GOLD!

Side characters are also well developed and they have their own reasons and Background that gets revealed as the series progresses. This is the BEST chemistry i have seen for a Sports manga...

One of the most standout arcs is towards the final and that is what pretty much defines this manga for me...i won't spoil the final match details but lets just say that it is the most Intense and exhilarating thing you will ever read ! Guaranteed !!!

There is a reason why Slam Dunk is so beloved to many younger generations in the Philippines: Sakuragi Hanamichi is a relatable, imperfect protagonist with big dreams for an underdog. I will try my best to be as objective as I can in this review, as I am forever a fan of Slam Dunk and its imperfections in all its entirety—within the anime and the manga.

The main characters develop emotionally, mentally, and physically, while their individual backgrounds have been fleshed out and incorporated into their hunger for victory. Their emotions are very well portrayed through the sense that I felt their willpower and their effort that endured through numerous trainings and setbacks. I must commend the author for being able to craft such abstract emotions and allowing the readers to feel the growth of the Shohoku team. The interactions within the Shohoku team is reminiscent of real interactions between close friends. Teasing, jokes, and light-hearted insults are frequently exchanged between teammates and enforce the feeling of close friendships and brotherhood. Comical scenes are usually perpetrated through Sakuragi, whose foolishness and straightforward mindset are often the brunt of jokes.

The art is, of course, fairly dated and does take time getting used to in the beginning. I will admit it took me awhile when confronted with Sakuragi's own preposterous hairstyle. The same is said when introduced to Sakuragi for the first time; he acts mindless and I was a bit frustrated with his personality, but after pulling through the road bumps his personality becomes more tolerable, I promise.

I also admit at times, this manga can become bland in terms of plot. There is not much to say about basketball except training, competing, eating, and sleeping. But I was swept up in the emotions of the characters that everything was exciting, particularly fights and basketball matches.

Sakuragi Hanamichi is undoubtedly the underdog and it was entertaining to watch his growth as a character and a basketball player. Shohoku's journey as a team also brought aspirations and changes in myself: never give up and always try your best. Readers also have the opportunity to learn more about basketball as Sakuragi learns the basics, and it was extremely helpful in the sense that I could watch an NBA match on TV and understand what is happening. The ending, however, is not as neatly wrapped up as I would have liked it to be, but I suppose I can live with it. I regard this as a classic for the very reason that it portrays emotions and characters so vividly that it transcends the two-dimensional world. This manga may not be perfect, but it was certainly worth reading and watching.
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art | ★★★☆☆ (3.75, to be exact)
characters | ★★★★★
plot | ★★★★☆

... Last updated on March 25th, 2015, 3:41am

I put off reading this manga for a long time because the cover art looks sweaty and unattractive (it's actually not so). Now that I've read the whole thing, I just want to read more!

This manga is fun, with a strange main character that might anger readers or cause 2nd-hand embarrassment at times. There are many jokes, puns, and slapstick humor weaved evenly throughout every chapter without disrupting the flow of the manga. I actually wanted to cry at many points.

Long story short, I unexpectedly came to love this manga. Slam Dunk is the BEST of the basketball genre--better than Kuroko no Basket and etc in many aspects. Anyways, kudos to the author! Because of Slam Dunk, I became interested in other basketball manga ( and basketball in general ) as well!

... Last updated on July 24th, 2014, 1:15am