Slam Dunk

At one time basketball was not that popular in Japan. That was until Takehiko Inoue wrote a manga series about a group of misfits on a basketball team called Slam Dunk. After this, more kids than ever were seen out on the streets and courts playing basketball than ever.

There are 31 volumes of the manga Slam Dunk not to mention an animated series. It has sold over 100 million copies in Japan alone. Inoue also wrote two other mangas with basketball themes called "Buzz Beater" and "Real" that are popular also.

In North America, it was originally released by Gutsoon! Entertainment a company that no longer exists. Raijin Comics serialized the manga in 2003 and 2004. Since that time VIZ Media a very popular anime entertainment company has picked up the license.

The main character of Slam Dunk is Hanamichi Sakuragi. He bins his journey as an outcast who becomes a fighter to gain power and popularity. This eventually earns him the position as a gang leader. Even though his has power and is popular now he has no luck with girls. He finds out the reason for this is girls are afraid of him. This is the case with Haruko Akagi the girl of Hanamichi's dreams.

Haruko notices Hanamichi's athletic ability and introduces him to the Shohoko basketball team. Because he really has no experience with sports and thinks basketball is for losers, he is reluctant to join. He also harbors resentment toward the sport because a girl he once liked dumped him for a basketball player.

Hanamichi does join the basketball team only to impress and win the heart of Haruko. He goes on to prove he is a natural athlete and a born basketball player. To add a twist his bitter rival Kaede Rukawa on the basketball court and off joins the team the same time he does. Kaede is a girl magnet and a star on the team.

Ryota Miyagi a short but fast player and Hiashi Mitsui an ex-junior high player join Hanamichi on the team. The four of them along with the team captain Takenori Akagi join and pursue the dream of making the Shohoku basketball team the Japan national basketball champions. Even though they are misfits, they become stars of the hardwood.