Takehiko Inoue (TI) deliberately used 3D mo-cap animation in the Shohoku vs Sannoh match scenes and 2D animation in the non-match scenes. This makes the movement of the characters in their basketball game scenes very realistic. The selection of 2D animation with the use of desaturated colours is intended to be closer to the original source of Slam Dunk (SD) itself, which is the manga.
SD fans who started reading the manga since the late 90s may feel a strong sense of nostalgia when watching The First Slam Dunk (T1SD), at the same time satisfying their longing for it. The basketball match scenes stays true to its original manga source. Some parts had to be shortened in order to meet the broadcast time, causing the end of the match to feel a little forced and short. Many scenes, especially those comic relief moments, feel like they can only be understood by the manga readers and may not caught by first-time viewers.
TI named it The First Slam Dunk because this story is adapted for viewers who are getting to know SD for the first time. Therefore, it was quite interesting when Miyagi was chosen to be the main character of T1SD. In the manga, not much of Miyagi's back story is revealed. Unlike the other members of the Shohoku team, readers get to know the characters Sakuragi, Rukawa, Mitsui and Akagi better. Each of them is over 6' tall and has a great level of athleticism. The 5'5" tall Miyagi was always at a disadvantage compared to them.
Miyagi is dwarfed by the other Shohoku team members. His weapon is his speed. He is constantly at war with the guilt inside him of losing his beloved brother. Miyagi's life journey is filled with challenges. He was criticized from an early age for not being as good as his brother at basketball, bullied caused by the envy of his teammates and battled with inferiority complex due to his physical inadequacy compared to the rest of the team. In a sense, the main character of SD in the manga, Sakuragi, can be seen as a 'superhero' when compared to Miyagi. Sakuragi is a quick learner, runs fast and has incredible jumping power coupled with his height. When the Shohoku team played against the reigning champion, Sannoh, Sakuragi had actually only been playing basketball for 4 months.
This difference, coupled with the tragedy of Miyagi's back story makes this T1SD closer and deeper to the hearts of many SD fans who watch it. Either way, I think the average SD fan must now be in their 30s-40s, having gone through the challenges of adulthood and the bittersweetness of their respective lives. In this sense, Miyagi is more 'human' than Sakuragi and maybe this is why TI chose to make Miyagi the protagonist of T1SD.
Salute to TI. As a first-time director, I think T1SD's is excellent. I felt unsatisfied watching it just once.
SD fans who started reading the manga since the late 90s may feel a strong sense of nostalgia when watching The First Slam Dunk (T1SD), at the same time satisfying their longing for it. The basketball match scenes stays true to its original manga source. Some parts had to be shortened in order to meet the broadcast time, causing the end of the match to feel a little forced and short. Many scenes, especially those comic relief moments, feel like they can only be understood by the manga readers and may not caught by first-time viewers.
TI named it The First Slam Dunk because this story is adapted for viewers who are getting to know SD for the first time. Therefore, it was quite interesting when Miyagi was chosen to be the main character of T1SD. In the manga, not much of Miyagi's back story is revealed. Unlike the other members of the Shohoku team, readers get to know the characters Sakuragi, Rukawa, Mitsui and Akagi better. Each of them is over 6' tall and has a great level of athleticism. The 5'5" tall Miyagi was always at a disadvantage compared to them.
Miyagi is dwarfed by the other Shohoku team members. His weapon is his speed. He is constantly at war with the guilt inside him of losing his beloved brother. Miyagi's life journey is filled with challenges. He was criticized from an early age for not being as good as his brother at basketball, bullied caused by the envy of his teammates and battled with inferiority complex due to his physical inadequacy compared to the rest of the team. In a sense, the main character of SD in the manga, Sakuragi, can be seen as a 'superhero' when compared to Miyagi. Sakuragi is a quick learner, runs fast and has incredible jumping power coupled with his height. When the Shohoku team played against the reigning champion, Sannoh, Sakuragi had actually only been playing basketball for 4 months.
This difference, coupled with the tragedy of Miyagi's back story makes this T1SD closer and deeper to the hearts of many SD fans who watch it. Either way, I think the average SD fan must now be in their 30s-40s, having gone through the challenges of adulthood and the bittersweetness of their respective lives. In this sense, Miyagi is more 'human' than Sakuragi and maybe this is why TI chose to make Miyagi the protagonist of T1SD.
Salute to TI. As a first-time director, I think T1SD's is excellent. I felt unsatisfied watching it just once.