Slam Dunk Vol. 1: A Nostalgia Trip to the ’90s

I would describe Slam Dunk Vol. 1 as the volume that helps to get a sense of the environment, as the best openings do, with an extreme amount of hints for what is to come. The more realistic tone the series will set later is merely hinted at here, with some scenes of seriousness that change the tone, though only slightly, as it is not meant to be super realistic at the moment. Which is amazing. It works genuinely, as this series is one that starts with a more playful tone before slowly evolving. It really is a testament to Inoue’s genius.

The characters here are truly the highlight of the novel, possibly only matched by the art, if I had to be precise. Each character has a distinct personality from the first volume. What makes this so crazy is how many characters we meet here. There are many characters shown in this volume, and all of them already feel like well-written, established characters from the jump. Another element that makes this so strong is the subversion at play with the characters. Sakuragi is not a nice or evil main character. Simply put, he is a rebellious teenager with an attitude. Considering Slam Dunk Vol. 1 came out in 1990, it is insane how subversive this manga is, which was mainly filled, at least in regards to shonen, with mostly nice, happy protagonists. Even more, there really is no villain or major enemy at play so far. Simply put, there are just two characters who don’t get along. Rukawa and Sakuragi. Possibly, if not, the greatest rivalry to grace manga. From their first fight, you know you are in for something incredible. The first fight not only illustrates their personalities but also their differences. This is all, by the way, done in the first volume. It is truly insane how much of a blast getting through this was.

The pacing of Slam Dunk Vol. 1 and simply all of this series is simply commendable. Each chapter is like a book you can’t put down. Each page feels bursting with life and a fast-paced energy that has never been matched in a manga or possibly any comic since. A true testament to Inoue’s craft.

The art here screams nostalgia, quality, and potential. To start, this comic evokes its time beautifully. You really feel like you’re in the 90s while reading this comic. This is all thanks to the power of Inoue’s artistry, as the atmosphere is key to all of this. You begin to notice that control is a key element in this comic. Inoue is a master of knowing his characters and carefully designing them. Despite this, some panels show that Inoue is still a bit new to all of this. In terms of its art, I would describe this volume as one with potential and some consistently great moments. Though this is not to discredit the brilliant art on display, which, on its own, shows Inoue is a true masterful artist. Even so, as these volumes continue, you will see an evolution. Slam Dunk Vol. 1’s role in this evolution is to serve as a launchpad for some of the greatest artwork to grace manga.

Another thing to highlight, in relation to the art, is the comedy that it helps to produce at every turn. Possibly one of the best things Slam Dunk Vol. 1 ever did was tell jokes. The comedy here is truly breathtaking. I laughed out loud over 30 years later. It’s truly shocking how much comedy here holds up. This is largely due to the art, which consistently responds to Inoue’s jokes with exaggerated and brilliantly designed characters to grab laughs, which it does almost every time brilliantly. To describe this comic, it’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once” if it had a child. Full of life, energy, fun, and laughs.

An amazing element that Slam Dunk Vol. 1 illustrates in its art is an understanding of the design of the basketball court and the game. This manga, from square one, makes it obvious that it knows what it is talking about. This isn’t some mangaka who doesn’t know the rules of the game, and in this volume, we learn some. However, what truly sets this apart is the artwork that showcases it all. Inoue designed the school’s basketball court in great detail. While this appears to be a small positive, it really stands out because it is a basketball manga in the most basic sense, and getting the design of basketball is key to the experience. It shows that Inoue did his research.

For myself, I have never been a huge basketball fan. I respect the sport, but I have never taken much interest in it. From the first volume on, prepare yourself to become an expert, as Slam Dunk Vol. 1 on its own will almost surely turn you into a fan of it.