Even though it’s been decades since the last anime project, The First Slam Dunk was a huge box-office hit, showing just how beloved the series is. Naturally, there’s a clamor for a follow-up, and this is what creator Takehiko Inoue addressed as he talked about a potential The First Slam Dunk sequel.
During a recent stage event, Inoue said something interesting about his thoughts on a sequel.
While he did not explicitly say he would push for one, he did not close the door for a sequel possibility.
The First Slam Dunk Is Getting Final Screenings in Japan
The stage event happened on August 15, over a week before the scheduled final run of the hit basketball anime film.
Slam Dunk is a hugely influential manga and anime series, though its last proper project was back in the 90s.
So, it was a surprise that Inoue returned to the series with The First Slam Dunk, a 3DCG movie that Inoue himself directed.
The anime film was released in Japan back in December, and it became a huge box-office hit in the country.
Soon, the movie was also released in other Asian countries where it also became a big draw.
It has been over half a year now since the film’s release in Japan, and The First Slam Dunk is gearing up for its final theatrical screenings.
Called Last Game, the final screenings of the film will be in selected IMAX and Dolby Cinema locations in Japan. These screenings will take place between August 25 and 31, 2023.
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Takehiko Inoue Talks About Potential Sequel for The First Slam Dunk
To put the film’s success into perspective, The First Slam Dunk is currently the fifth highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide, meaning it has made more than movies like One Piece Film: Red and Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
Given how well-received it is, many fans are hoping for a sequel, though director Takehiko Inoue did not confirm that a sequel will be made.
Instead, Inoue said he wasn't going to say anything regarding a sequel as he didn’t want it to tie him down.
He clarified that if he said that there wouldn’t be a sequel, he wouldn’t be able to do it if ever he felt like drawing one up.
This is a bit of a vague statement, but it should still be positive news overall as Inoue did not deny the possibility of a sequel.
Given the film’s success though, it’s hard not to believe that a new Slam Dunk project will be made in the future.
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Source: Cinema Today via Anime News Network
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