"The First Slam Dunk," the highly anticipated anime film based on Takehiko Inoue's beloved Slam Dunk basketball manga, has been making waves at the box office. According to recent estimates from both Box Office Mojo and The Numbers, the film raked in around $98,710 and $88,000 respectively during its second weekend in North America. Notably, it secured the 18th position in box office rankings during this period.
Since its release, the film has garnered significant attention for its impressive performance. Cumulative earnings in North America stand at approximately $1,050,647 according to Box Office Mojo, and slightly lower at $1,033,000 according to The Numbers. The film's debut weekend saw it score $662,211 in ticket sales in the region.
GKIDS, the distributor responsible for bringing "The First Slam Dunk" to audiences in the United States and Canada, ensured a diverse viewing experience by offering both an English-dubbed version and one with Japanese audio and English subtitles. This was made available starting July 28th.
The film initially debuted in Japan on December 3rd, where it enjoyed immense success. During its opening weekend, it clinched the top spot at the box office, drawing in an impressive audience of 847,000 viewers and amassing a remarkable 1,295,808,780 yen (approximately $9.50 million). The film's accolades continued to mount as it was crowned "Animation of the Year" at the prestigious 46th annual Japan Academy Film Prizes. Toshiyuki Matsui, the film's producer, was also honored with the general award at the 42nd annual Fujimoto Awards by Eiga Engeki Bunka Kyōkai (Film Theater Culture Association).
As of July 23rd, "The First Slam Dunk" had sold a staggering 10.33 million tickets, translating to an impressive 14,900,403,870 yen (around $105.3 million). This significant feat has propelled the film to become the 14th highest-grossing film in Japanese cinema history and the eighth highest-grossing anime film in the country.
Fans of the franchise can catch the film in Japanese theaters until its scheduled run ends on August 31st.
Notably, Takehiko Inoue, the creator of the Slam Dunk manga, took on a hands-on role for the film. He directed and scripted the movie at Toei Animation, ensuring that his creative vision was faithfully brought to life on the screen. The team behind the film included notable talents such as character designer and animation director Yasuyuki Ebara, along with technical directors Katsuhiko Kitada, Naoki Miyahara, Toshio Ōhashi, and Yū Kamatani. The film's CG elements were skillfully directed by Daiki Nakazawa, and Yūta Ogura took on the role of CG producer. Kazuo Ogura contributed his directorial skills to the art direction, while Yota Tsuruoka and Koji Kasamatsu were responsible for sound direction.
In summary, "The First Slam Dunk" has emerged as a monumental success both in North America and Japan, captivating audiences with its captivating story and stunning animation. With its exceptional earnings and critical acclaim, it has solidified its position as a significant contender in the world of anime cinema.
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