The hit anime film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK is set to return to Japanese theaters nationwide under the title THE FIRST SLAM DUNK 2027 in cinema, running from March 20 to April 1, 2027. The announcement was made on the official website on August 29, followed by a post on the official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Based on Inoue Takehiko’s legendary basketball manga, which ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 1990 to 1996, SLAM DUNK has sold over 185 million copies worldwide and been published in 30 countries and regions. The story of high school basketball players and their personal growth inspired a TV anime series that aired from October 1993 to March 1996, and continues to influence fans around the globe.
The film, written and directed by Inoue himself, was originally released in December 2022. It centers on Miyagi Ryota, the point guard and driving force of Shohoku High’s basketball team. Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota looked up to his older brother, a local basketball star, and followed in his footsteps. Now a second-year high school student, Ryota and his teammates—Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui—are preparing to face the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo, in the Inter-High tournament. The film enjoyed a long theatrical run until August 2023, followed by multiple revival screenings, and has accumulated a total box office revenue of 16.67 billion yen. Just recently, on August 29 and 30, a free outdoor screening was held at Tokyo’s Meiji Park, drawing significant attention.
Alongside the new nationwide screening announcement, a fresh visual was unveiled with the tagline: “Spring. In the season of beginnings. That summer begins.” Further details, including participating theaters, are expected to be announced in due course.
