Takehiko Inoue gave fans a major update about the upcoming "The First Slam Dunk" movie on his blog. After several years into production, the film is about to finally near its completion.
Twenty-six years after being off the air, fans will once again see Sakuragi Hanamichi, Hisahi Mitsui, Miyagi Ryota, Rukawa Kaede, and the rest of the gang back on the basketball court. However, they will be on the big screen this time in "The First Slam Dunk."
The creator started his blog by thanking everyone who had supported him since his hit manga series began in October 1990. Thirty-two years have passed, and the franchise is still loved by many.
The mangaka realized he could create "something new" after taking the path he had taken before. So, he felt grateful for everyone who had read the manga in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine and print volumes, watched the anime on the small screens, and recently discovered the series.
"I feel the characters continue to live inside me well after the series finished," he said. So, whenever he drew a new illustration for the latest volume edition or art book, he would call them out from somewhere within him and renew them like he was breathing a new life into these characters.
So, with the coming of "The First Slam Dunk," fans are about to see a new "Slam Dunk" with a fresh perspective. Inoue added that he decided to work on this film, hoping it would give his iconic series a new life.
"Production is now in the midst of its final uphill climb with help from the entire staff," he continued. By the looks of it, Toie Animation is again busy working on the anime movie's production to bring the franchise back to life.
Meanwhile, Inoue already gave fans the first look at "The First Slam Dunk" by dropping a new key visual. For starters, the series is about a reckless kid who finds his real purpose in life through basketball.
The manga ran from 1990 to 1996 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Its English version can be read on Viz Media.
It was then adapted into an anime, starting in 1993 and ending in 1996. For fans who want to catch up on the series, it can be streamed on Crunchyroll. "The First Slam Dunk" will hit the big screen on December 3.
