The First Slam Dunk: any sports film worth its salt tells a good story of an underdog, and INOUE Takehiko’s adaptation-continuation of his own manga is no exception. This is tighter than most, focusing almost exclusively on one basketball game, shown pretty much in its entirety, with further context being fed through flashbacks. Each shift in the game’s dynamics is explored, also working as the main way of character development, and most of them get at least some love. This structure raises the stakes of each moment in the game, and the protagonist, with his backstory, makes for a compelling character to root for; in other words, this is a very efficient film. And it’s entertaining as well, as the game is exhilarating. The animation is excellent: the main characters are distinctive, with a strong visual identity, and the way the sports action is shot is exemplary. Voice acting is quite good, chiefly NAKAMURA Shuugo, who plays the team’s point guard with a sad story. Editor TAKITA Ryuuichi navigates well with the structure, which moves the film along and accentuates the emotional moments. The banging musical score, by TAKEBE Satoshi, fits the film perfectly, as do the two songs that bookend the film.