“Let’s Go, Shohoku High!” this has been the mantra for many fans of Takehiko Inoue’s Slam Dunk Manga series, and it has also been the mantra for the new animated film, The First Slam Dunk, which has scored over One Billion Yen in its first Opening Weekend.
That’s right, sports fans. The First Slam Dunk has made 1.296 Billion Yen (US $9.57 Million) with 847,000 ticket sales, making it the best opening for a Slam Dunk Anime Film in the history of the franchise. Also, it has to push Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume down to Second Place just in two days.
According to Crunchyroll’s Japan Correspondent, Daryl Harding, It is the highest box office of the original films, surpassing 1994’s Slam Dunk: Zenkoku Seiha da! Sakuragi Hanamichi’s box office of 1.12 billion yen and 1995’s Slam Dunk: Shohoku Saidai no Kiki! Moero Sakuragi Hanamichi’s total of 1.27 billion yen. Only the first anime film, just titled Slam Dunk and released in 1994, has made more than 1.45 billion yen.
Toei Animation and DandeLion Animation Studio are animating the movie. Original mangaka Takehiko Inoue is directing the movie and writing the screenplay. Yasuyuki Ebara is doing character designs and also serving as chief animation director. The series is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
But that’s not all. On December 10th, The First Slam Dunk will not only debut on 40 IMAX Screens, but it will expand to Dolby Cinema Screens at 34 theaters.
This iconic Sports Manga ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1990 to 1996 for a total of 31 volumes. The manga inspired a television anime in 1993 and had four anime film sequels. Viz Media released all 31 volumes of the manga in English.
Source: Crunchyroll
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