The First Slam Dunk
Seen it?2022 | 125 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and animation lovers. If you loved A Close Shave, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 5 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Shohoku's “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure. In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship. And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
14 wins and 6 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$258 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 96K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Takehiko Inoue
- Shugo NakamuraRyota Miyagi (voice)
- Jun KasamaHisashi Mitsui (voice)
- Kenta MiyakeTakenori Akagi (voice)
- Shinichiro KamioKaede Rukawa (voice)
- Subaru KimuraHanamichi Sakuragi (voice)
- Katsuhisa HoukiMitsuyoshi Anzai (voice)
- Asami SetoAyako (voice)
- Ryota IwasakiKiminobu Kogure (voice)
- Chado HoriiKentaro Ishii (voice)
- Maaya SakamotoHaruko Akagi (voice)