There are quite a few anime about basketball out there, but the most well-known is easily Kuroko’s Basketball, also known as its Japanese title Kuroko no Basket. The manga has sold well over 30 million copies and the anime is likewise still hugely popular, despite finishing in 2015. It may well be that the franchise is one of the most popular sports series as a whole. However, there’s one anime that may appeal just as much -- if not more -- to basketball fans, and that’s the classic Slam Dunk.
Just like Kuroko's Basketball, Slam Dunk is a sports anime with basketball as its central theme. However, it doesn't feature almost supernatural abilities like the former. It is more grounded and realistic, but still managed to reach great success. The anime aired from 1993-1996, but it is set to get a movie reboot in December 2022. Although Slam Dunk is very different from Kuroko's Basketball in terms of look, tone and characters, it’s still a great choice for basketball and sports anime fans despite its age.
What Is Slam Dunk About?
Slam Dunk follows the story of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a well-known delinquent in his school. He is infamous for having a bad temper, fire-red hair and a huge physique. However, he is also shown to be desperate to find a romantic partner. Sakuragi's previous record during his middle-school years is a streak of 50 rejections. Now that he has enrolled in Shohoku High, he aims to end that streak -- but it isn't necessarily going well. His infamy makes the other students avoid him, and he isn't really well-versed with wooing girls. That's why, when the beautiful Haruko Akagi approaches him, Sakuragi does his best to impress her.
Haruko is impressed with Sakuragi's physique and asks if he plays basketball. Infatuated and trying to impress her, Sakuragi lies through his teeth, so Haruko brings him into the gym and asks him to do a slam dunk. Sakuragi attempts to do so, but he overshoots and hits the board instead. Nevertheless, Haruko is impressed by his sheer physical ability and asks him to join the basketball team. After Sakuragi proves himself somewhat useful, he eventually manages to join the team.
Slam Dunk Is a Nicely Grounded Alternative to Kuroko's Basketball
While Kuroko's Basketball focuses on its characters' superhuman basketball skills, specifically Kuroko's and Kagami's, Slam Dunk remains grounded. In fact, it shares more similarity to the volleyball anime title Haikyuu!!. Slam Dunk's characters don't feature unconventional, over-the-top abilities, instead focusing on Sakuragi's journey from being a delinquent to a somewhat decent basketball player. Interestingly, Sakuragi shares a similar motivation to Chainsaw Man's Denji; he's aiming to be a good athlete to develop a romantic relationship with the series' heroine.
Slam Dunk's other charm is its characters and their relationships. Each member of Shohoku's basketball team contributes something to the team's wins. Even though Rukawa -- Sakuragi's proclaimed rival in basketball and love -- is undeniably the best among them, he doesn't simply carry the team; the other members also have compelling backstories and motivators. In addition, Slam Dunk's cast doesn't only include those playing basketball. Sakuragi's delinquent friends play an important role in his career and give him full support -- though, like other true friends, they mock him at every opportunity. Even as Sakuragi improves, they remain in the stands together with Haruko and explain to the viewers what's happening on the court.
Kuroko's Basketball may have impressed anime fans with its outstanding plays and abilities, but it was not the first to do so. Slam Dunk also has a notable following, particularly in Japan and nearby countries. While both anime share the same central theme, they offer different viewing experiences. That said, sports anime fans are sure to enjoy both.