May 1, 2023

GKIDS to release "Slam Dunk" in the U.S. this summer

GKIDS has acquired North American theatrical and home video distribution rights to Toei Animation's hit anime "The First Slam Dunk."

"The First Slam Dunk" is an adaptation of the popular 1990s sports manga "Slam Dunk" by Yuuhiko Inoue. Directed by the author himself, the film was produced by Toei Animation and Dandelion Animation Studios.

Read the synopsis of GKIDS:

Shohoku's "speedster" and point guard Ryota Miyagi runs around his opponents while always keeping his cool, playing with brains and lightning speed. Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota had an older brother three years older than him. Ryota became absorbed in basketball, following in the footsteps of his older brother, who had been a famous local player since he was a child.

In his second year of high school, Ryota, along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui, joined the Shohoku High School basketball team and made it to the Inter-High School basketball tournament. And now they are about to take on the champions, Sanno Kogyo High School.

The film opened in Japan last December 3 and has since grossed an estimated $232.9 million in just six territories. In South Korea, the film performed particularly well, ranking second at the box office in its opening weekend. It was also a smash hit in China, where it had the largest box office weekend ever for an imported animated feature ($55.2 million), bringing its total box office to $77.5 million.

No release date has been announced yet, but according to GKIDS, the film will be released this summer. The company plans to release the film in its original Japanese version with English subtitles and a dubbed version.

"We are very grateful to our partners at Toei Animation for working with us on what can be considered one of the greatest sports films of all time. "The First Slam Dunk is both thrilling and deeply moving, and has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Masayuki Endo, President of Toei Animation, said, "'Slam Dunk' has been a huge hit in Asia since its premiere in Japan last December.