Full-time comic artist

This gave Tanaka a familiar feeling, and he stopped wielding his g-pen and, unusually, took the initiative to chat with Yoshii Yamahisa.

The two of them talked for a long time.

"I don't have any plans to serialize a manga for the time being," Tanaka said honestly when Yoshii mentioned Tanaka's vision for the future.

“That’s great,” Yoshii Yamahisa said, describing his current situation.

Children who are destined to inherit the family business will indeed experience mental exhaustion when facing a treacherous and scheming crowd.

It's no wonder he reminisces about his innocent past.

Before parting, Yoshii Yamahisa said that he would soon get engaged to Takagi Kiko.

Hibiki Higashino was very happy and wished him well.

……

A week later, it was mid-April.

The 126th episode of "Slam Dunk" aired, which is also the 30th episode of the "National Tournament Arc".

With deep reluctance, many people sat in front of their televisions, quietly bidding farewell to this animated series that had been a hit for two years and seven months.

"I wonder when Slam Dunk will air again." Kazuya Takasugi skipped class and went to his graduate student dormitory to watch TV quietly.

During this time, his phone rang, but he hung up on it.

"Seriously, I'll have to dogeza (bow) and apologize to Yoshino-sensei later."

He swallowed hard, feeling uneasy.

But as the familiar background music started playing on the TV, he was transported back to the sweltering summer of Shohoku.

……

"Are we really going to lose?..."

Only 8 minutes and 40 seconds into the second half, Shohoku was down by 23 points.

The main players of Shohoku had only one sentence on their minds, and they were already panicking.

Sakuragi Hanamichi was substituted off the court, and Kogure Kiminobu entered the game.

"That damned father... he actually substituted me, a genius, out of the game..."

"Is it really not working?"

"The guy with glasses is about to retire, so this is giving him one last chance to play."

Sakuragi Hanamichi's mind was filled with wild thoughts; he was completely overwhelmed by Sannoh's power.

He didn't listen to a word Coach Anzai said.

After the timeout, the Sannoh players were full of fighting spirit, while the Shohoku starters were in a terrible state.

Coach Anzai told Sakuragi to watch the game carefully.

Sakuragi, however, thought that Coach Anzai's purpose was to make him clearly see this humiliating defeat, so that he could avenge it in the future...

Sakuragi Hanamichi became confused; he couldn't hear anything anymore.

It wasn't until Coach Anzai rebuked him that he snapped out of his daze.

When Sakuragi Hanamichi sat down next to Coach Anzai, Coach Anzai quietly said:

"Am I the only one who still believes...we will win...?"

This is the plot of the first few episodes of the "Slam Dunk" anime. When Kazuya Takasugi saw this, his suppressed feelings suddenly lifted.

The disheartening thoughts of "Shohoku will lose," "The gap is too big," and "There is no hope" were swept away by Coach Anzai's words, which were like a stabilizing force.

He got goosebumps and felt the damn charm of "Slam Dunk" once again.

"Never give up hope until the very last moment; once you lose heart, the game is over."

This is a classic line from the 96 anime "Slam Dunk," spoken by Coach Anzai to Mitsui. Coach Anzai still carries on this idea and strives for Shohoku's victory.

"This is so cool!"

This is the core of "Slam Dunk".

……

Sakuragi Hanamichi was substituted off the court because Coach Anzai wanted him to see the game clearly and understand his own role.

Rukawa Kaede missed his shot, and Sannoh's power forward Nobe Masahiro grabbed the rebound, allowing Sawakita Eiji to score a layup on a fast break.

So what Sakuragi needs to do is grab the rebounds!

If Sakuragi Hanamichi can grab the rebound, the gap will be reduced by four points.

With the blessings of Shohoku's substitutes, Shohoku's hope, Sakuragi Hanamichi, makes a dazzling appearance once again.

"If we give up, the competition is over...!"

Sakuragi Hanamichi broke free from his confusion; his heart was filled with unwavering determination to focus entirely on what he needed to do.

He carries everyone's expectations on his shoulders. Never before has he been needed and anticipated by everyone as much as he is now!

He absolutely must win this round!

He declared to the audience, "I will definitely defeat the Mountain King!"

Slam Dunk is absolutely electrifying!

This is the plot of the previous episode of "Slam Dunk". Sakuragi Hanamichi's inner monologue moved countless viewers and stirred up countless emotions.

"That's right! Defeat the Mountain King!"

Go Shohoku!

They eagerly awaited the next episode.

……

And so today, the final episode of "Slam Dunk" has finally arrived.

They were eager to see a solo performance from Sakuragi Hanamichi, a complete novice who had only played basketball for four months!

They broke the oppressive feeling that Sannoh had brought them over the past month.

However, viewers who haven't read the "Slam Dunk" manga will be surprised to see that at the very beginning of the anime, Sakuragi Hanamichi pulls a trick, tugging at Nobe's clothes, to grab the rebound and score a basket.

"What an unexpected person! Hahaha!"

They thought Sakuragi Hanamichi would suddenly unleash his full potential, but it turned out to be such a clever plot twist.

For the next rebound, Nobe pulled his clothes tighter, causing Sakuragi Hanamichi to flash in front of him, successfully box out, grab the rebound, and put it back in!

Sakuragi Hanamichi displayed his extraordinary prowess.

The entire stadium was cheering, with shouts of encouragement for Shohoku rising and falling.

The audience, however, felt uneasy watching this scene.

They still hoped to see Sakuragi Hanamichi display his unparalleled talent and win a victory for Shohoku.

No one discovered Sakuragi Hanamichi's true talent.

When Akagi's confidence was shattered by Kawata, he forced himself to shoot haphazardly.

That shot was bound to miss.

Nobe, on the inside, had already jumped, heading towards the basketball that had missed its shot.

Sakuragi Hanamichi's mindset is entirely "I'll handle this."

Despite being behind and in an unfavorable position, Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately bounced up.

His unparalleled jumping ability, under his complete concentration, was finally fully unleashed.

He jumped more than 30 centimeters higher than Sannoh's power forward Nobe, and swatted the ball away before Nobe could even touch it.

While Nobe was still in shock, Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately jumped a second time. Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Sakuragi Hanamichi leaped into the air and caught the basketball!

"So high!"

"Compared to his height, his speed..."

"Incredibly fast!"

The basketball players and coaches watching were all stunned, their mouths agape in disbelief at this incredible scene!

"This is it!"

Meanwhile, Coach Anzai resonated with the viewers in front of their televisions.

This is exactly the kind of footage they want to see!

Sakuragi Hanamichi, he finally became the rebounding king!

During the more than four years of serialization of "Slam Dunk", even when facing the top power forwards in the national tournament, Sakuragi Hanamichi was able to grab rebounds and control the game!

Many people clenched their fists, their faces filled with excitement, staring intently at the television screen, unwilling to let go for even a moment.

But just then, the ending theme song of "Slam Dunk" started playing.

The animation has ended.

The anime ended when Sakuragi Hanamichi became the team's hope and began to turn the tide.

Many people are going crazy!

Kazuya Takasugi gripped his phone tightly and, in a fit of frustration, turned it off.

Hua Chao was panting heavily, wanting to hit someone.

"Why does it end here?"

"I'm going to die if I can't watch the Slam Dunk anime."

Is there anything that can be used as a substitute?

They're addicted to Slam Dunk.

Fortunately, there are still comics to follow.

Every Monday, Slam Dunk is serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump.