Inoue Takehiko made a deliberate attempt to create a movie that would appeal to existing fans of the original Slam Dunk while attracting new ones. In order to achieve this, he chose to focus primarily on Ryota as the central character. This choice inevitably required some sacrifices and left many devoted fans of Slam Dunk, including myself, feeling disappointed.
Takehiko was compelled to introduce new content otherwise the movie would have been a dull version of the manga.
One might question why Ryota was selected over Sakuragi, the protagonist of the original work. The fans already possessed a comprehensive knowledge of Sakuragi's character and story. Deviating from the original narrative to explore an untold or made-up story about Sakuragi would have potentially upset loyal fans. It had to be someone else. Among the five main characters, Ryota and Rukawa were the least explored. In my opinion, Takehiko had to choose between the two. He opted for Ryota due to his historical connections with Mitsui and Akagi, while Rukawa's disconnection from the other characters and his aspirations to become Japan's top player and move to the US were already established in the original work.
Readers of the manga will recall Ryota's exceptional performance in the game against Sannoh, where he stood out as one of the best players in the game. This presented an opportunity to delve into the motivations behind his performance, providing another reason why Takehiko chose to focus on Ryota's story and explore the significance of the game to him. In the manga, Ryota's passion for basketball was not fully elucidated; it was merely attributed to his desire to impress his crush, Ayako.
Another reason for selecting Ryota might be Takehiko's genuine passion for basketball and his desire for his work to have a positive impact on his fans. It is possible that he hoped Ryota's story would inspire talented young players who might have given up on pursuing basketball due to their frustration with their height, thereby helping them overcome their fears and challenges.
Prior to the movie's release, Takehiko wrote a blog to express his thoughts on introducing new content and dimensions to a character. He did not explicitly clarify his intentions or the reasons behind his bold decision though. Nevertheless, I believe he wanted to justify his decision, and perhaps clear his conscience.
Existing fans can now connect with and relate to Ryota on a deeper level. However, as an ardent follower of the original work, I cannot help but feel uneasy that certain pivotal moments from the manga were omitted from the movie. Including these moments would have likely confused new viewers who lacked the necessary context to appreciate them. While I recognize it was a difficult decision, in my humble opinion, brilliant key moments from the original manga should not have been omitted.
For instance, Akagi's struggle against Kawata was a significant moment in the manga. Akagi found himself in a position similar to his rival Uozumi when he faced off against him in the game that determined which team would make it to the Nationals alongside Kainan. Akagi belittled Uozumi in the game for avoiding one-on-one matchups, but during the game against Sannoh, he had to confront the reality that he was outmatched by Kawata, just as Uozumi had been outmatched by him. Akagi came to understand why Uozumi had avoided direct confrontation. Up until that point, Akagi had always been the top center in Kanagawa. This was the first time he encountered a center who surpassed him in every aspect, leading him to realize that he needed to rely on his teammates to defeat Kawata just like Uozumi did. He learnt that him losing to Kawata did not mean Shohoku would lose. This revelation was conspicuously absent from the movie, with only a fleeting glimpse of Uozumi standing up for Akagi's sake from afar in the stands, while Akagi continued to struggle against Kawata.
Furthermore, Mitsui's remarkable display of faith was disregarded. His previous conflicts with his teammates had nearly resulted in the suspension of the basketball team. Mitsui was exhausted in the game against Sannoh. He resorted to faith in his teammates, relying on them to compensate for his missed shots. This belief injected him with confidence. This was unfortunately not conveyed clearly in the movie. Additionally, the strong bond he shared with Coach Anzai, which fueled his determination to persevere despite his lack of stamina resulting from his fallout with basketball during his freshman year, was completely overlooked in the movie.
As for Rukawa, for a good few minutes, he was completely outclassed by Sawakita in the game. The movie failed to adequately convey how he overcame this struggle. After Shohoku's crucial victory against Ryonan, earning them a spot in the Nationals, Rukawa visited Coach Anzai to express his intention of going to the US. He thought he had reached if not surpassed Sendoh's level but he was taken aback when Coach Anzai unapologetically told him he was still behind Sendoh and that he needed to work harder to become Japan's top player before considering a move to the US. Prior to the Nationals, Rukawa challenged Sendoh and engaged in a one-on-one game with him, resulting in an endless tie. Sendoh acknowledged Rukawa's invincibility in an isolated one-on-one situation but explained that the dynamics drastically changed during an actual game. He also mentioned Sawakita to Rukawa, emphasizing his phenomenal abilities and how he himself was not a match for him. After repeated defeats against Sawakita, Rukawa finally grasped the essence of Sendoh's message and realized he needed to adapt his style. He began passing the ball more frequently to his teammates, confounding Sawakita and leaving him uncertain about his next move. This revelation delighted Coach Anzai, who had been patiently and prudently waiting for Rukawa to make this valuable discovery on his own terms. At that moment, Coach Anzai uncharacteristically celebrated, showing great enthusiasm for Rukawa's discovery and recovery in the game. This crucial narrative element was almost entirely omitted from the movie. In fact, there was no reference to Sendoh or his rivalry with Rukawa throughout the entire movie. Although Sendoh was not a main character in the original work, many dedicated fans regarded him as their favorite character.
Even Sakuragi, the central character in the manga, didn't receive the attention he deserved in the movie. There was no acknowledgment of his infatuation with Haruko, who discovered his basketball talent. This crucial aspect was neglected in the movie. Sakuragi was reduced to just another player on the court, with almost no mention of his secret long-distance shooting training, which played a pivotal role in the last seconds of the game when Rukawa passed him the ball. This omission significantly diminished the brilliance of the final seconds: Rukawa passing the ball to his rival teammate following his revelation, and Sakuragi making a successful long-distance shot after putting in tremendous effort during the special practice session under the supervision of Coach Anzai.
Apart from these shortcomings, Ryota's story in the movie added a layer of sorrow, which tainted the overall feel of the movie. The original manga, renowned for its predominantly cheerful and humorous moments, seamlessly intertwined with profound, meaningful, and purposeful scenes. Additionally, the frequent and often long flashbacks of Ryota during the games had a serious negative impact on my ability to enjoy the movie. Everytime I started to enjoy the game, it got interrupted by one of Ryota's many flashbacks. After a while, it became frustrating. Before posting this review, I thought of watching the movie again. However, the thought of getting interrupted by the slow and depressing flashbacks put me off.
I can understand some of Takehiko's choices from a commercial standpoint. Maybe he was left with no choice. It was either this or nothing at all. However, as a faithful fan of Slam Dunk, I can't help but feel rather disappointed. We waited close to three decades for this moment, only to realize that the movie wasn't truly intended for us. It catered more to potential new fans and casual fans. In my opinion, Takehiko should have incorporated Ryota's story into the movie without making it the primary focus. Alternatively, he could have extended the story beyond the game against Sannoh to introduce new content.
As a non-Japanese fan, I was not greatly concerned about the change in voice actors or the shift to CGI animation. On the contrary, I found the animation to be a work of art. It felt, or maybe was, running at 20 FPS, which added a desirable dramatic feel to the scenes. However, I had hoped that some of the original soundtracks would still be featured in the movie.
Despite all of these criticisms, it is undeniable that the movie is pretty decent for casual fans of Slam Dunk. If I had experienced Slam Dunk for the first time through this movie, I would have probably been confused. Slam Dunk's true fans who possess a profound understanding and strong emotional connection with the series will be disappointed the most though. The movie is best suited for individuals with a superficial understanding of Slam Dunk who are familiar with the story but are not emotionally invested in it.
I still have full faith in Takehiko and his work. I am confident he will continue to produce more Slam Dunk contents following this commercial success. I will be the first in line to watch them. I am sure if he reads my review, he will understand where I am coming from. I owe him an honest review.
Takehiko was compelled to introduce new content otherwise the movie would have been a dull version of the manga.
One might question why Ryota was selected over Sakuragi, the protagonist of the original work. The fans already possessed a comprehensive knowledge of Sakuragi's character and story. Deviating from the original narrative to explore an untold or made-up story about Sakuragi would have potentially upset loyal fans. It had to be someone else. Among the five main characters, Ryota and Rukawa were the least explored. In my opinion, Takehiko had to choose between the two. He opted for Ryota due to his historical connections with Mitsui and Akagi, while Rukawa's disconnection from the other characters and his aspirations to become Japan's top player and move to the US were already established in the original work.
Readers of the manga will recall Ryota's exceptional performance in the game against Sannoh, where he stood out as one of the best players in the game. This presented an opportunity to delve into the motivations behind his performance, providing another reason why Takehiko chose to focus on Ryota's story and explore the significance of the game to him. In the manga, Ryota's passion for basketball was not fully elucidated; it was merely attributed to his desire to impress his crush, Ayako.
Another reason for selecting Ryota might be Takehiko's genuine passion for basketball and his desire for his work to have a positive impact on his fans. It is possible that he hoped Ryota's story would inspire talented young players who might have given up on pursuing basketball due to their frustration with their height, thereby helping them overcome their fears and challenges.
Prior to the movie's release, Takehiko wrote a blog to express his thoughts on introducing new content and dimensions to a character. He did not explicitly clarify his intentions or the reasons behind his bold decision though. Nevertheless, I believe he wanted to justify his decision, and perhaps clear his conscience.
Existing fans can now connect with and relate to Ryota on a deeper level. However, as an ardent follower of the original work, I cannot help but feel uneasy that certain pivotal moments from the manga were omitted from the movie. Including these moments would have likely confused new viewers who lacked the necessary context to appreciate them. While I recognize it was a difficult decision, in my humble opinion, brilliant key moments from the original manga should not have been omitted.
For instance, Akagi's struggle against Kawata was a significant moment in the manga. Akagi found himself in a position similar to his rival Uozumi when he faced off against him in the game that determined which team would make it to the Nationals alongside Kainan. Akagi belittled Uozumi in the game for avoiding one-on-one matchups, but during the game against Sannoh, he had to confront the reality that he was outmatched by Kawata, just as Uozumi had been outmatched by him. Akagi came to understand why Uozumi had avoided direct confrontation. Up until that point, Akagi had always been the top center in Kanagawa. This was the first time he encountered a center who surpassed him in every aspect, leading him to realize that he needed to rely on his teammates to defeat Kawata just like Uozumi did. He learnt that him losing to Kawata did not mean Shohoku would lose. This revelation was conspicuously absent from the movie, with only a fleeting glimpse of Uozumi standing up for Akagi's sake from afar in the stands, while Akagi continued to struggle against Kawata.
Furthermore, Mitsui's remarkable display of faith was disregarded. His previous conflicts with his teammates had nearly resulted in the suspension of the basketball team. Mitsui was exhausted in the game against Sannoh. He resorted to faith in his teammates, relying on them to compensate for his missed shots. This belief injected him with confidence. This was unfortunately not conveyed clearly in the movie. Additionally, the strong bond he shared with Coach Anzai, which fueled his determination to persevere despite his lack of stamina resulting from his fallout with basketball during his freshman year, was completely overlooked in the movie.
As for Rukawa, for a good few minutes, he was completely outclassed by Sawakita in the game. The movie failed to adequately convey how he overcame this struggle. After Shohoku's crucial victory against Ryonan, earning them a spot in the Nationals, Rukawa visited Coach Anzai to express his intention of going to the US. He thought he had reached if not surpassed Sendoh's level but he was taken aback when Coach Anzai unapologetically told him he was still behind Sendoh and that he needed to work harder to become Japan's top player before considering a move to the US. Prior to the Nationals, Rukawa challenged Sendoh and engaged in a one-on-one game with him, resulting in an endless tie. Sendoh acknowledged Rukawa's invincibility in an isolated one-on-one situation but explained that the dynamics drastically changed during an actual game. He also mentioned Sawakita to Rukawa, emphasizing his phenomenal abilities and how he himself was not a match for him. After repeated defeats against Sawakita, Rukawa finally grasped the essence of Sendoh's message and realized he needed to adapt his style. He began passing the ball more frequently to his teammates, confounding Sawakita and leaving him uncertain about his next move. This revelation delighted Coach Anzai, who had been patiently and prudently waiting for Rukawa to make this valuable discovery on his own terms. At that moment, Coach Anzai uncharacteristically celebrated, showing great enthusiasm for Rukawa's discovery and recovery in the game. This crucial narrative element was almost entirely omitted from the movie. In fact, there was no reference to Sendoh or his rivalry with Rukawa throughout the entire movie. Although Sendoh was not a main character in the original work, many dedicated fans regarded him as their favorite character.
Even Sakuragi, the central character in the manga, didn't receive the attention he deserved in the movie. There was no acknowledgment of his infatuation with Haruko, who discovered his basketball talent. This crucial aspect was neglected in the movie. Sakuragi was reduced to just another player on the court, with almost no mention of his secret long-distance shooting training, which played a pivotal role in the last seconds of the game when Rukawa passed him the ball. This omission significantly diminished the brilliance of the final seconds: Rukawa passing the ball to his rival teammate following his revelation, and Sakuragi making a successful long-distance shot after putting in tremendous effort during the special practice session under the supervision of Coach Anzai.
Apart from these shortcomings, Ryota's story in the movie added a layer of sorrow, which tainted the overall feel of the movie. The original manga, renowned for its predominantly cheerful and humorous moments, seamlessly intertwined with profound, meaningful, and purposeful scenes. Additionally, the frequent and often long flashbacks of Ryota during the games had a serious negative impact on my ability to enjoy the movie. Everytime I started to enjoy the game, it got interrupted by one of Ryota's many flashbacks. After a while, it became frustrating. Before posting this review, I thought of watching the movie again. However, the thought of getting interrupted by the slow and depressing flashbacks put me off.
I can understand some of Takehiko's choices from a commercial standpoint. Maybe he was left with no choice. It was either this or nothing at all. However, as a faithful fan of Slam Dunk, I can't help but feel rather disappointed. We waited close to three decades for this moment, only to realize that the movie wasn't truly intended for us. It catered more to potential new fans and casual fans. In my opinion, Takehiko should have incorporated Ryota's story into the movie without making it the primary focus. Alternatively, he could have extended the story beyond the game against Sannoh to introduce new content.
As a non-Japanese fan, I was not greatly concerned about the change in voice actors or the shift to CGI animation. On the contrary, I found the animation to be a work of art. It felt, or maybe was, running at 20 FPS, which added a desirable dramatic feel to the scenes. However, I had hoped that some of the original soundtracks would still be featured in the movie.
Despite all of these criticisms, it is undeniable that the movie is pretty decent for casual fans of Slam Dunk. If I had experienced Slam Dunk for the first time through this movie, I would have probably been confused. Slam Dunk's true fans who possess a profound understanding and strong emotional connection with the series will be disappointed the most though. The movie is best suited for individuals with a superficial understanding of Slam Dunk who are familiar with the story but are not emotionally invested in it.
I still have full faith in Takehiko and his work. I am confident he will continue to produce more Slam Dunk contents following this commercial success. I will be the first in line to watch them. I am sure if he reads my review, he will understand where I am coming from. I owe him an honest review.