Plot/Story
Slam Dunk is a manga that revolves around the "Genius" character name Hanamichi Sakuragi. It tells all about his journey from being a delinquent, a leader of his gang, to a newbie basketball player, from his lowest defeat, to his golden glory. The story and the plot itself is not something supernatural, but rather all parts of the story happens in one way or another in our real life. The story itself would draw the reader from laughing out all those laughable moves by Sakuragi, to being move by the defeat and moments happened to Sakuragi. One, no, in fact at least 4 of these happenings were a clear manifestation on how great the story is. First, the defeat by Shohuko in their practice game with Ryonan, where Sakuragi trip himself because of his school shoes, while insisting that there's still five secinds to pass the ball. Second was his pass to a Kainan's player, which was a huge blow for him, making him more determined to improve beyond his current limit. Third was his unyeilding determination that keep the hope of his team, which finally resulted in winning their game against Ryonan in the finals. Last was their tandem with his eternal rival Rukawa, Shohuko's ace player, in the very last moment in their match against the "king" Sannoh. the story is a big roller coaster of exciting events in the world of basketball in the eyes of a newbie....
Characters
The personalities of the characters were natural in thier own ways. for instance, Sakuragi. His own way of thinking would even sometimes makes the reader irritated because of his blissful thinking, yet would never let the reader hate him. "Never hate him" in the sense that his tenacity in overcoming all limits and boundaries and carrying his team in achieving a victory at all cost makes him still a lovable character. In contrast was Rukawa, the ace player, who also resembles in some of our great basketball legends in real life. Even the other characters has its own specialties in one way or another. In fact, the characteristics of a character would fully be understood as the story goes on, thus adding a certain degree of excitement to the story itself.
Drawing Style
The drawing style is pretty much straight. "Straight" in the sense that the drawing is a typical "sketch" of a real life and person. The graphics and even the drawing of the characters varies depending upon the mood or the situation of the story, thus the story is properly understood and delivered through these. The only set back is that some features of some characters that the mangaka wants to show is that it sometimes not that good. For instance, the mangaka wants to show a girl crying, only to draw a very beautiful girl into a somewhat but not totally ugly girl. Yet, if a manga should reveal its story not through words but through its drawings and graphics, then surely Slam Dunk is one of those mangas...
Enjoyment
As for its own enjoyment, it really is full of enjoyment. In fact, every part of the story is exciting. Its excitement is not the same with what a common manga is, compiled only at a certain part or point. Slam Dunk itself, from its very beginning, even until its end, still never cease to amaze the readers and always excite them all.
Overall
Too bad, that during its release in its home countries, there weren't many scanlation groups that time. All its scanlations only began to appear to public after a decade since the manga started to be published in its place og origin. Yet, even until 15 years and up, the manga is still being read by many, and infact, almost all of its readers are clamoring for its next installation. All redears wanted to see more on the development of the story where it left. And the manga itself had gain the characteristics of being a great manga by just the number of times the manga is being read over and over again by almost all readers. This manga is one of the best mangas that was ever publish, even in its own genre, sports.