[Digital] Slam Dunk Episodes #96-101 (Series Finale)

[Chris Beveridge]

Review by Chris Beveridge

Mania Grade: B+
* Age Rating: 13 and Up
* Released By: FUNimation Entertainment, Ltd.
* Running time: 150
* Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
* Disc Resolution: 480i/p
* Disc Encoding: MPEG-2
* Series: Slam Dunk

In Summary:

Slam Dunk was a series that I really enjoyed when I first saw part of it on DVD and really lamented that Toei dropped the ball on it. I resisted for awhile in checking out a streaming version of it but I gave in and did the whole series this way. I would have once long preferred to own it, but now having seen it, I don’t imagine that I’d watch it again. That said, it was an amazing experience to see because these characters and the situations they’re put through are exhilarating, heart wrenching and inspiring. There are so many wonderful things about the show, such as its dedicated focus on the sport itself and not silly pointless outside drama. The way it made you really unsure about what could happen in any match and the sheer intensity of those who played. But it also had a whole lot of fun along the way, often because of Sakruagi, but generally as a whole group. There’s a reason why Slam Dunk is so well known and popular even all these years later. It was an influential piece of work at its time and it hasn’t really been matched in scope since then. I hope this eventually get a home video release that it deserves, but I’m glad Toei at least managed to provide the fans it tantalized the series with a way of seeing it after all this time. Very recommended.