The First Slam Dunk (2022)

New anime from director Takehiko Inoue for Toei Animation, based on the popular 90s series "Slam Dunk". The film won a Japan Academy Prize for best animation earlier this year.

The First Slam Dunk follows scholar Ryota Miyagi, the point guard on Shohoku High's basketball team. Ryota plays wisely and quickly, and with feigned composure he tries to outsmart his opponents. Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Sota, who was a beloved local basketball player from a young age, which is why Ryota also became hooked on basketball. After Sota's death, Ryota is motivated to always persevere. Ryota and his teammates Hanamichi Sakuragi, Takenori Akagi, Hisashi Mitsui, and Kaede Rukawa challenge their fated opponent, the Sannoh School, in the high school basketball final.