Slam Dunk, Vol. 1

UPDATE: Before you even read this, please know that I have absolutely no love for basketball. I have very little love for sports, in general. Keep that in mind as I rave about Slam Dunk. I read the entirety of the series about a year and a half ago. I borrowed it from a friend who purchased the Singapore English-language releases. The translation was good, but it did have a few odd moments. I'm hoping that Viz takes some time and care with this translation considering the fact that this title finished its run ages ago and there is no other possible reason for them to release it on such a ridiculously drawn out schedule. On the current release schedule, this title is poised to finish production about 7 or 8 years from now (31 volumes released quarterly). Let's hope this changes. As for the story, Slam Dunk is top-notch. There isn't a single misstep in the entire run, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was incredibly exciting, intense, funny, and addictive. I can't imagine how painful it would have been to wait months between installments, but don't let that stop you from getting into it. Slam Dunk is an institution. It regularly receives honors as the most beloved manga series of all time in Japan, and for good reason. Those of you who are reading current Jump titles will see much that laid the foundation for current titles. The type of hero seen in this title was not entirely original as of its writing, but I feel that both Naruto and Ichigo owe a great deal to Sakuragi-kun. Don't sleep on this series. It really is one of the most enjoyable titles you may ever read. It is everything a Jump title should be, yet it has a much broader appeal as men and women of all ages seem to absolutely adore it.

Slamdunk it's the absolute best and funniest sports manga around it will make you roar with laughter and tears as you find yourself growing to care deeply for this fool Hanamichi and his team and his comming of age love for the game Basketball ! I love Hanamichi and his foolishness but he's also one of the toughest dudes out there so theres fighting and hiliarity to be had in spades .

It has been a long time since I've read a sports manga this good! Everything is so awesome, and the funny moments are hilarious too. How Hanamichi seem to embarass himself as an amateur basketballer yet gain fame thru it is puzzling but that makes the manga better. I thot I saw the best when I watched the anime, but after reading the manga, it was a whole lot more interesting.Seriously. The anime stops around the time when Shohoku qualifies into the national. But the manga goes on and on till the 2nd round of the national against Sannoh. That is the best game played in the manga besides the one against Kainan. I mean, it took up almost 7-9 volumes just for that game against Sannoh! Very beautiful game, and there are tremendous changes in Shohoku's players (read: between Kaede Rukawa and Hanamichi Sakuragi)

This manga is known as one of the best mangas of all time (alongside with Dragonball). While it was running in the manga magazines (which was quite a few years ago), it spawned a basketball craze in Korea. The storyline may seem quite cliched, but the way the story is told cannot be beat. It has sold over 100 million copies in Japan and still is a steady seller. If you have not seen this, you need to, because after it every other sports manga will seem like a pale imitation of it.

I can't praise this manga/anime enough. People who are wondering how good this is should really read this or watch the anime. It is hilarious and yet have crying moments. It has it's ups and downs just like the real life. It cuts through you when you read it. Very enjoyable. Very addictive and yet not for the faint of heart. Did I say very addictive? It is impossible to have one dose of this.