Netflix recently released The First Slam Dunk on their platform, a 2023 film that has quickly become a beloved modern classic and received high praise from critics.
The First Slam Dunk, as the name implies, was a phenomenal success and not just among anime films, but among all movies released in 2023. This sports anime made a grand entrance on the big screen, featuring the intense match between Shohoku High School and the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School, for the regional championships.
Takehiko Inoue’s manga features a climactic march, which is brought to life through a captivating combination of CGI and hand-drawn animation. The action on the court is depicted using CGI, while the use of hand-drawn animation adds depth to flashbacks and other scenes. This results in a sports movie that will be remembered for years to come and sets a new standard for anime on the silver screen.
Takehiko Inoue both wrote and directed the sequel to the ’90s anime show, which concluded in 1996. Similar to Haikyuu!!, the TV show only adapted a portion of the manga, while the new film now covers the remaining storyline.
The success of The First Slam Dunk demonstrated the demand for films of this genre after the release of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which earned a staggering $279 million globally. This impressive figure solidifies its position as one of the highest-grossing Japanese films of all time, despite being in a non-English language.
In recent years, we have witnessed the success of various anime films such as Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle, Spy x Family Code: White and Blue Lock: The Movie – Episode Nagi, all of which have brought major franchises to the big screen. This marks a change from the past, where the dominant anime films were often from Studio Ghibli or Makoto Shinkai productions.
The First Slam Dunk has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Starburst described the film as utilizing stunning animation to depict basketball in a way never seen before, while IGN praised its ability to capture the excitement and intensity of an NBA final through mesmerizing visuals and camera angles that live-action films could not match.
If you have been wanting to catch up, now is the perfect opportunity. Terminator Zero will be coming to Netflix soon, adding to the excitement of the week for the streaming service. To discover more, be sure to see what other new movies are being added to streaming this month.
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