Takehiko Inoue revived Slam Dunk as a film he directed; it grossed ¥16 billion in Japan

Slam Dunk, Takehiko Inoue's high-school basketball manga, ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1990 to 1996 and became one of the best-selling manga ever, but Inoue had long refused film adaptations.

The turning point was Inoue agreeing not just to license the property but to write and direct the film himself. The First Slam Dunk, his first time in the director's chair, opened in Japan on December 3, 2022.

The film kept topping the Japanese box office, reaching ¥8.28 billion from 5.67 million admissions by mid-January 2023. By August 2024, after revival screenings, it passed Avatar to become Japan's 12th highest-grossing film ever, with ¥16.2 billion ($111 million).

The First Slam Dunk opened December 2022, became one of Japan's highest-grossing anime films with ¥16.2 billion, and helped Toei post a record year.

The manga's ending left fans wanting more for 26 years, creating pent-up demand.

Inoue's direct involvement guaranteed fidelity fans trusted.

Telling a new story — Ryota Miyagi's — made it fresh rather than a retread.

Toei's production and distribution muscle turned the release into an event.

A creator who refuses to revive a beloved brand for years can create enormous pent-up demand — if the revival is made on their terms.

The First Slam Dunk helped Toei finish 2022 with its best box office year in company history at ¥32.56 billion. It sold strongly across Asia and later in Western markets, and ranks among the highest-grossing anime films of all time.