Slam Dunk

Rukawa, the object of Haruko's affection, runs into Hanamichi on the school roof. Seeing Rukawa as his rival, Hanamichi picks a fight with the top basketball prospect. Haruko witnesses the two fighting, and she yells "I hate you!” to Hanamichi, causing him to succumb to the biggest shock of his life. With his stress level mounting from the incident, Hanamichi gets into a dangerously escalating argument with the gorilla-faced captain of the basketball team, "Gori," a.k.a. Takenori Akagi outside of the gym. The quarrel leads to a decisive 1 on 1 game with between Hanamichi and Gori, who is in fact the older brother of Haruko...

Gori and Hanamichi's confrontation continues, and the condition for the 1 on 1 game is set. Hanamichi needs to score only one point before Gori scores ten. It isn’t a big deal, but for a beginner like Hanamichi it is too high of a hurdle. In front of Rukawa and the entire student body's watchful eyes, the points continue to stack against Hanmichi. However, Hanamichi catches a glimpse of Haruko within the crowd, and mistakenly assumes from her concerned expression that she has come to cheer him on. Hanamichi regains his spirit in the nick of time. He manages to get the ball from Gori, and goes for a spectacular dunk...with Gori’s attached to the ball!

Riding high on his victory over Akagi, Hanamichi breaks into the team locker room and wears Akagi's uniform. However, Akagi refuses to acknowledge Hanamichi's spot on the team and does not take Hanamichi seriously. Thinking that Akagi will be impressed by his persistence, Hanamichi forcefully presses his case to the others on the team without avail. But it’s only when Hanamichi spends an entire night alone, cleaning the gym and polishing basketballs that Akagi approves of the rowdy freshman.

Though one week has passed since the rookie, Hanamichi, is accepted into the team, he finds himself practicing dribbling in the corner of the court.

Hanamichi wants to bypass the simple practices and go straight in to doing slam dunks, yet despite his inclinations he can't seem to escape from practicing the basics. Finally, his exasperation peaks and he throws in the ball. Hanamichi goes back to hanging with Yohei and his gang, but he still can’t get Akagi’s disapproving words out of his mind. Hanamichi awkwardly returns to basketball practice only to be greeted with a warm welcome by the team.

Hanamichi absorbs the lessons like a sponge and continues to become a respectable member of the basketball team. Vice-captain Kogure’s prospect of Hanamichi is high and he comes to expect a lot out of Hanamichi. Then, coach Anzai comes into the scene. Anzai is a former top national player. These days he has a relaxed composure, but as little as five years ago he was known as the demon coach of the university. Anzai announces to the team that they will have a practice game against the prefecture’s number 4 team, Ryonan High School. But first, Anzai calls for a practice match between Shohoku’s freshmen and upper classmen. It’s a showdown!

The pick-up game match between the freshmen and upperclassmen continues to heat up. Using extraordinary middle school level plays, Rukawa adds pressure on his older opponents. Akagi responds with his overwhelming level of play that's natural to an upperclassman. Hanamichi is frustrated at being left out of the game.

And within the crowd, Haruko's excited support for Rukawa ignites the fire of Hanamichi's jealousy. The last straw for him is Rukawa's beautiful slam-dunk. Hanamichi’s appeals to coach Anzai are granted as he is let in the match. Yet, Hanamichi’s rivalry with Rukawa keep him from making the necessary plays. To make matters worse, Hanamichi goes for the slam dunk, only to slam the ball into Akagi’s face!

One rainy day Akagi learns from the captain of the Judo club, Aota, that the Judo club is plotting to recruit Hanamichi. Just like Akagi, the Judo club is aiming for national domination and Aota had fixed his eyes on Hanamichi's atypical physical prowess. Since Hanamichi originally joined the basketball team just for the sake of Haruko, Akagi becomes slightly worried that Hanamichi may be swayed by the Judo club's offer. Akagi’s concerns prove to be valid as the Judo club uses pictures of Haruko to lure the love-drunk Hanamichi into their lair…

At the judo dojo, Hanamichi meets with Aota and is enticed into joining the judo club after being offered a photograph of Haruko. Though Aota is hesitant to give away Haruko’s photo—since he also has affections for Haruko—Aota does it to realize his dream to recruit Hanamichi and conquering the national judo scene. However, Hanamichi replies, "as much as I want that picture of Haruko, I have no intention of joining your club." He then easily defeats Aota, who begins to rant about his multiple tales Akagi and Aota’s fiery rivalry past.

Hanamichi feels himself increasingly attracted to basketball, and he begins to take the sport more seriously. Even Akagi, who covertly watched Hanamichi’s exchange with Aota, is happy at Hanamichi’s words and practice becomes more intense. Perhaps fueled by these incidents, Akagi asks Anzai for Hanamichi to learn the basic lay-up. Hanamichi has no interest in such pedestrian techniques, but when he gives it a try, it’s not as easy as he thinks. Unsatisfied, Hanamichi begins to secretly train early in the morning with Haruko to master the fundamentals.

During an early morning special training session, Hanamichi earnestly listens to Haruko’s lessons. Hanamichi is unaware that Rukawa, who happened to be around also for morning practice, is watching them stealthily from the shadows, as he gradually begins to get the hang of the lesson. After studying Rukawa’s form and taking note of Akagi’s advice about “placing it on the rim,” Hanamichi succeeds at the lay-up. However, being told of the importance of practice, Hanamichi stays behind to master the most pedestrians of techniques. Also in the gym a player from another high school watches on, taking notes...

A person appears in the gym where Hanamichi is practicing alone. It is a freshman from Ryonan High School named Hikoichi Aida. He has come to spy on Shohoku High School, but he is so taken with Hanamichi's smooth talk that he ends up blabbing about Ryonan's captain, Jun Uozumi, and their ace player, Akira Sendo instead. The next day, the Shohoku basketball team’s practice intensifies in preparation for the practice match against Ryonan the next day. In this intense state, Akagi asks Hanamichi to stay behind after practice. Hanamichi thinks he’s going to get scolded again by the stoic captain, but Akagi wants to teach the freshman about the importance of the rebound.

Shohoku High’s basketball team walks onto the court full of spirit. Sparks quickly begin to fly between Akagi and Uozumi – the showdown has already begun. Within this tension, the starting lineup is finally announced. However, the only freshman starter announced is Rukawa, with no mention of Hanamichi. Anzai helps Hanamichi understand his exclusion by telling him that he’s the "secret weapon.” Ryonan’s ace Sendo makes a belated entrance as the team’s coach raises his voice. Sendo offers an aloof “I’m late” as an excuse. In this scene of chaos, Ryonan’s Uozumi declares a 100 point game against his rival Akagi.

The match begins and Shouhoku quickly lets the other opponent score. The players on Shohoku's bench recognize that they face a considerable rival. Akagi and Rukawa are barely able to hold their own, and they see that each Ryonan player’s individual talents. Rukawa boldly challenges Sendo on the court, but Sendo circles around him and scores yet another shot. The game is totally in Ryonan’s control as they outscore Shohoku 19-0. Just as the Shohoku bench goes cold, Akagi puts away a spectacular dunk that revives the team’s spirits. With this jolt, Shouhoku makes it back into the game, ending the first half trailing 8 points, the score at 50-42.

The first half of the game ends with a score of 50 to 42 and Ryonan continues to overwhelm Shohoku. However, Ryonan's bench members are the ones getting anxious, feeling that they had underestimated Shohoku’s talent. Yet in contrast to the excited coach Taoka, Sendo genuinely acknowledges the talents of Shouhoku. He is even drawn to Hanamichi's latent abilities. This is when Hanamichi finally gets his chance to play. After a run in with his rival Uozumi, Akagi calls upon Hanamichi to replace him. But Hanamichi suddenly gets cold feet and causes a number of blunders. Rukawa gives the clumsy Hanamichi a good kick, which lights the fire under Hanamichi and his play.

Hanamichi enters the game with 9 minutes left in the 2nd half. With the loss of Akagi, Coach Taoka believes the game is over. However, he is shocked by Hanamichi’s unbelievable play, and Hanamichi shows off his “Funfun defense,” a defensive move last seen during Akagi’s one-on-one game. HananaTo add insult to Taoka, Hanamichi passes the ball not to Rukawa, but to Kogure. It also appears that Rukawa is showing signs of fatigue marking Sendo, but he’s still able to pull up and make the shot!

Rukawa, who dominated in rebounds, brings Shohoku up to 70 to 67. Taoka fears the freshmen duo: the star, Rukawa, who can compete with the seniors, and the strange presence of Hanamichi. Taoka orders Uozumi to shut down Hanamichi. This causes Hanamichi to struggle with the rebounds as signs of his beginner status start to show. It is Akagi who changes Hanamichi’s play as the captain subs in for Rukawa in lieu of receiving treatment. With Akagi on the court, Hanamichi is reminded of the special training he had gone through and steps his game up.

Two minutes remain in the game. With Akagi’s return, Rukawa resting on the bench, and Hanamichi remembering the fundamentals of rebounds. Shohoku regains momentum. When Kogure makes the 3-pointer, Shohoku takes the lead. However, the shot awakens Sendo who explodes with all his talent and takes back the lead before a blink of an eye.

Final minute, down by 4. In deperation to hold off the raging Ryonan Shohoku uses Hanamichi and Rukawa to double team on Sendo. It proves effective and Rukawa is able to score 2 points. Hanamichi also gains a chance of his lifetime for a “Slam Dunk,” but the voice of Haruko brings him back to his senses.

Hanamichi is still shocked after their loss to Ryonan but gains encouragement through Haruko’s words. He decides to retire his gym shoes and get some basketball shoes. Haruko takes him shopping and Hanamichi looks for basketball shoes for the first time.

The guy who Ohkusu and Youhei glare at is a second year guard of the basketball team, Ryota Miyagi. He was hospitalized after fighting with a senior, Mitsui Hisashi and his gang. Ryota gets in a tussle with Mitsui—also recently released from the hospital—once again. However, Ryota is more concerned about Hanamichi and Ayako—whom he mistakes them of being together.

The battle between Hanamichi and Ryota continues…although Hanamichi starts it by playing dirty, and the fight is nothing more than a childish fight. Later, Hanamichi, who coincidently heads home in the same direction as Ryota, hears of Ryota’s one-sided love for Ayako. As much as Ryota is in love with Ayako, she does not feel the same way.

As Hanamichi and Ryota become friends, Mitsui brings the thug, Tetsuo, to the gym during practice. Mitsui’s objective is to take down the basketball team as well as Ryota. As the gang walk into the gym in street shoes, they provoke Hanamichi and Ryota who are preparing for the interscholastic athletic tournament.

Rukawa can no longer put up with Mitsui who is doing whatever he pleases. Rukawa is hit with a mop and the fight escalates in to a bloodshed, and Ryota goes after Mitsui’s gang. A group of girls witness the incident and call for the teachers, and a crowd rushes to the gym. Shohoku basketball team is in trouble from the inside and outside of the gym. As Hanamichi startes to make a move, it is obvious that the worst is yet to come.

Youhei and Sakuragi’s Gang come to the rescue to defeat Mitsui and his gang. As Hanamichi, Youhei, and their friends fight with angry fists, Mitsui’s gang are forced to forfeit. Akagi arrives at the gym at the worst time, and he makes an expression of disbelief as he looks over the situation. He locks out the teachers and tells them that the basketball team is undergoing a “Secret Practice.” Akagi then walks over to Mitsui and slaps him across the face multiple times.

After Kogure’s confession, Hanamichi and the others learn of Mitsui’s glorious past as a star basketball player entering high school. At that time, Mitsui had a more lively look in his eyes. However, soon after Mitsui joins the team, a devastating accident occurs during a scrimmage game. Mitsui injures his leg and is hospitalized.

Mitsui’s downfall…was due to his sense of competition to not get left behind Akagi, and also from practicing with his recovering leg stemmed from his sense of impatience to get to the inter-scholastic athletic meet. As a result, he re-aggravates his injury and gives up going to the tournament. He disappears from the team…However, Mitsui’s love for the game never left him.

Mitsui, who changes his ways, rejoins the basketball team. Shohoku’s road to the tournament begins. Ryonan, who played a competitive practice game against Shohoku also prepares for the tournament while both teams are conscious of their rivalry. Finally, the day comes. Even Hanamichi who could not sleep, was full of fighting spirit as they take on their first challenger, Miuradai.

At the game against Miuradai, the key players—Hanamichi, Rukawa, Ryota, and Mitsu—are left on the bench. As a result, aside from Akagi and Kogure, the team is not able to compete to their fullest and the score deficit grows larger and larger. Miuradai realizes that Akagi is a one-man team and focuses on crushing him.

As Miuradai leads 22 to 8, Shohoku finally sends its best players out to court. Ryonan looks on and see that the real game has begun. Even Sendo, who until then had no interest in the game, senses that Shohoku has started to fight back after hearing the crowd’s cheer from outside.

Rukawa’s play helps Shohoku tie the game. Shohoku ends the first half with a 24 to 30, 6-point lead and take their momentum into the second half. In the second half, Miuradai brings out Naito, a skinhead who doesn’t look like he’s in high school. Miuradai plans to use their fouls to move on to the next round.

Naito succeeds in taunting Hanamichi to get into foul trouble. Naito then turns his attention to Rukawa. However, Rukawa is not affected by the rookie Naito. Rukawa notices Naito’s movements are nothing but power and speed, which causes him to move in one motion. Rukawa begins to attack this weakness.

Shohoku is victorious in their first match. However, Hanamichi, who fouled out of the game, can not get rid of his displeasure. Even after being encouraged by Haruko,Hanamichi fouls out once again fouls out in the second game. The nickname jokingly given to him, “Foul King”, is no longer just a nickname. Hanamichi decides to drop by Akagi’s home after the game to learn how not to foul out.

After fouling out two games in a row, Hanamichi’s distress has reached its peak. Hanamichi goes to Akagi’s house again, but Hanamichi contemplates knocking on the door because he thought Akagi’s advice was no help at all the previous night. Haruko notices Hanamichi’s hesitation, and she suggests an early morning training session. Hanamichi begins his training the very next day.

On the day of the third game, the team is annoyed that Hanamichi and Mitsui have not yet arrived., so they decide to go ahead and meet them at the gym. Hanamichi had overslept and so he rushes through a back street to make it to the game. While getting lost, Hanamichi finds Mitsui and Tetsuo surrounded by a group of thugs.

Hanamichi fouls out yet again for the third straight game. Though the team celebrates in their victory, Hanamichi cannot fully join in on the celebration. Even with Haruko’s words of encouragement, Hanamichi, like usual, fouls out in the fourth game The nickname “Foul King” will stay with him for a while. Shohoku moves on as the best 8 team, yet Hanamichi remains depressed.

Shohoku’s next opponent is Shoyo High School. The team’s captain, Fujima, also serves as coach. Most of the players on Shoyo can not even sit on the bench, and they cheer from the stands in a well organized matter which adds pressure to Shohoku. The Shohoku team feels a strong nervous presence.

Shohoku realizes Shoyo’s strength. The senior Hanagata, whose glasses are his trademark, shoots a fade away jump shot and shows off his skills. However, that was not the only reason Shohoku was having a hard time, and the team was feeling pressure that they have never felt before.

Rukawa’s mentions that “everyone’s movements are stiff,” and it causes the team to regain their pace, and the team plays harder. Especially Ryota, who explodes in the fast break as he steals the ball, cuts through the defense, and creates plays with his accurate passes.

Shohoku gain on Shoyo with the help of Ryota’s plays. Along with Mitsui’s 3 point shots, the game is tied 11 to 11. Shoyo’s team captain and coach, Fujima, feels it’s time for him to enter the game. However, Shoyo’s center, Hanagata, tells him it’s not his time yet. Shoyo regains the lead, 22 to 31 with 30 seconds left in the first half.

Shohoku escapes a bad situation with the help of Hanamichi dominating in rebounds. Mitsui enters the second half just on his will, but his exhaustion had reaches his limit. However, Hanamichi, who was left open the “Rebound King,” causes the game to turn around and Shohoku regains the pace.

Fujima’s play on the court amazes everyone. Hanamichi, who did not give up a single rebound to Shoyo before, begins to lose his ground as Shoyo changes into a completely different team. As a result, Shohoku is down by 6 points, but Coach Anzai calls a time out to help his team.

Mitsui, who has been covered by Hasegawa’s tough defense, reaches his limits and he seems to be standing only on pure willpower. 10 minutes remain on the second half, and Shoyo leads at 46 to 40. Anzai believes that Mitsui and Hanamichi are the key players that will break down the situation of this tough battle.

Hasegawa had watched Mitsui play in junior high and practiced hard to exceed Mitsui. Hasegawa vows to hold Mitsui to 5 points in the game with his tough defense. Though Mitsui’s exhaustion peaks, he does not yield to the exhaustion. His memory of his lively junior high years allows Mitsui to push through.

Thanks to Mitsui’s willed plays, Shohoku’s deficit goes down to 3 points. His energy seems unstoppable, so Shoyo switches their target to Hanamichi, who fears his fifth foul. Even the remark, “Sakuragi is the hole in their defense,” does not deter Hanamichi at all, and signs of his rejuvenation seems far.

With two minutes and thirty seconds left in the second half, the score is tied 60 to 60. With their will to win, Shohoku takes the lead first. The ball falls into the hands of Hanamichi and he moves to put the ball into the basket. Hanamichi is about to shoot. Defending are Hanagata and his team, two walls to break.

The day after the game against Shoyo, Hanamichi reminisces about his first ever slam dunk. Uncharacteristic of his usual self, he quietly embraces his own maturity. Yet, when he learns from Haruko that a picture of his slam dunk in the Shoyo game was in the newspaper, he begins to get excited and rowdy like always. A guy from the same middle school as Hanamichi, Oda in Takezono High, is about to play a game against Kainan.

Hanamichi’s 50th rejection was by Yoko. Yoko’s man of interest is Hanamichi’s rival, Oda in Takezono High. Oda intends to hide his foot injury to play in a game against Kainan. Hanamichi bumps into Yoko on the street and discovers that she is unhappy. Hanamichi assumes Yoko had a fight with Oda. He skips practice and takes Yohei and his gang to Takezono High.

A game where everyone expects Kainan Auxiliary High to win, the game against Takezono High begins with Oda in the starting lineup. Kainan’s main force Maki and Takasago sit on the bench while the second string players take the floor, and their abilities are flawless. Oda, with his foot injury, could not play to his ability as Takezono continues to fall into a hopeless situation. And finally, they reach their limit.

The final four is Shohoku, Kainan, Ryonan, and Takezato. Only two of these teams will make it to the Nationals. Shohoku’s first opponent is Kainan, and Hanamichi’s team is fired up. Meanwhile, Kainan’s captain Maki was bracing himself, but the rest of the team seem to have a sense of negligence.

Preparing for the Nationals, Kainan Auxiliary High and Shohoku High start their first game of the district finals. Though Shohoku is in their best condition, Kainan’s first year Nobunaga dunks it for a six to nothing lead. Hanamichi, who considers himself above Nobunaga, feels disrespected by Nobunaga when Nobunaga easily dunks the ball, and blows up.

In the last 10 minutes of the first half, Kainan leads 24 to 20, and inserts a third year, Miyamasu. A short and skinny, nerdy-looking Miyamasu bewilders Shohoku. But this was Kainan’s Coach Takato’s ingenious strategy. Miyamasu guards Hanamichi, is the complete opposite, weak player who confuses Hanamichi.

Shohoku is down by 15 in the first half. Hanamichi’s weakeness is constantly probed, and he is withdrawn back to the bench, and Shohoku find themselves in a bind. Yet Rukawa takes it upon himself to get fired up and regain the lead with his aggressiveness and scores two baskets. However, Akagi goes down in a collision with Takasago and he injures his foot. Shohoku loses their main pillar, and the team begins to feel distress.

Hanamichi is ready to fill the void as Akagi leaves the game with a foot injury. To answer Akagi’s dream of going to the Nationals, Hanamichi unleashes Gorilla’s next generation, “Flyswatter” against Kainan’s shots. Hanamichi also controls the rebounds and Shohoku rides the wave of momentum. In addition to Rukawa’s shooting, all engines are go. Akagi’s presence is still felt while Kainan is chased down.

With one minute and thirty seconds left in the first half, Kainan leads 45 to 40. Shohoku’s Rukawa, who was performing especially well, was receiving cheers from the younger players from his middle school, which fired him up even more. Rukawa was receiving all of the attention in the arena. Even Mitsui and Ryota were impressed by some of Rukawa’s plays as he shows off his three-point shooting ability.

With Rukawa’s performance, Shohoku ties the game. Akagi returns from his injury and Shohoku gets set for the second half against Kainan. Since joining Shohoku, all Akagi thought about was winning but never having supporting players and so his team was always eliminated early. However, believing that this year is different, Akagi endures the pain in his foot and clings onto Kainan. However, Kainan’s will to win has not altered either.

With 10 minutes left in the second half, Shohoku was down 73 to 63 as Coach Anzai calls a timeout. Shohoku changes its structure and comes out with Akagi, Rukawa, Ryota, and Mitsui on Maki and Hanamichi on Jin. While the entire team show signs of fatigue, Hanamichi demonstrates outstanding stamina, gains a chance at free throws. While he is laughed at for shooting them underhanded, he makes his shots with his own style.

Down by four in the last four minutes and thirty seconds, Shohoku resorts to an all-out effort. Akagi forgets the pain in his foot, and doesn’t step back from the fierce fight. The battle of will becomes a back-and-forth game of being down four or six points as there is only two minutes remaining. The crowd is dead silent as they watch the game attentively.

In the final 46 seconds, Kainan leads 90 to 86. Rukawa leaves the game due to over-exertion, and Mitsui is also in the brink of exhaustion. Both teams fight with their last ounce of energy. Hanamichi, who gets the ball from Ryota, fakes a shot, and steers to the basket and makes a slam dunk over Maki!

The night after the shocking loss, Akagi and the team recoveres. Ayako writes “On the Edge,” and the team instill it in their mind that they can’t lose anymore. Hanamichi is the only one who has not recovered from the shock of the loss. For that reason, he doesn’t even go to school, until Haruko encourages him, and he is revived once again.

To make a clean start, Hanamichi shaves his head but is unhappy with the spectators he attracts. Coach Anzai, who had his eye on Hanamichi, instructs the team to scrimmage first years against second and third years. During the game against Kainan, Hanamichi’s weaknesses were penetrated, so this scrimmage was used to clean out all of his weaknesses. As a handicap, Coach Anzai doesn’t play Akagi or Mitsui.

After losing the Kainan game, only two games remain: Takezato and Ryonan. Shohoku, who can’t lose anymore, prepares Hanamichi for the game against Takezato in three days. For that reason, Hanamichi continues to practice shots under-the-rim.

The Ryonan and Kainan game starts. In this game, Ryonan inserts Kicchou Fukuda, who was not at the practice game against Shohoku. The opponent Kainan, as well as Shohoku, observes the unfamiliar player. However, Hanamichi recognizes him from when he was depressed after the loss to Kainan, and is shocked at the unusual reunion.

With Sendo’s performance, Ryonan leads 29 to 39 into the second half. Fukuda, the other performer, puts up 20 points in his first official game, and he gradually becomes the center of excitement.

Uozumi objects to the referee’s call and picks up a technical. He picks up a regretful fifth foul and is disqualified from the game. Meanwhile, Kainan gains the lead. Sendo tries to pick up his team and struggles against Maki. It looks like a personal combat, and turns into a back-and-forth game. Meanwhile, Haruko who was at home, and from Haruko to Akagi who was at the arena, receives a message from the hospital.

Akagi and the team learn that Hanamichi’s quick action saved Coach Anzai’s life. Due to his hospitalization, Coach Anzai does not make it to the Ryonan game. Meanwhile, Hanamichi reminisces about the time he had been caught up in a fight and was unable to take his fallen father to the hospital. Hanamichi’s tears that Akagi saw in the hospital were due to the overlap of those memories.

The day of the Ryonan game finally comes. Ryonan, who is in their best condition, will play against Shohoku, who’s coach is hospitalized. Even so, losing this game would mean that the third years, Akagi, Kogure, and Mitsui would end their last summer. Finally, the first half begins.

Ryonan scores first, but Shohoku’s Hanamichi scores right back. He makes a shot under-the-rim that he never made before. Ryonan, included the whole arena, is shocked at Hanamichi’s improvement. After the practice game, Sendo, who told Hanamichi, “If you want to beat me, practice like you’re going to die,” sees his improvement and gets fired up.

The Ryonan game continues with the score tied two to two. Shohoku plays well until Uozumi and Akagi collides. Akagi starts to worry about his foot when Uozumi throws him to the floor. “Is the tape loose?”, “Is it aggravated?”

After the collision, Akagi’s performance is compromised due to his concern for his foot. Kogure takes a timeout but the deficit is nine points. Mitsui loses his calm, and confronts Akagi after noticing a difference in Akagi. But after receiving Hanamichi’s specialty head-butt, Akagi regains his confidence and intensity.

Being thrown down by Uozumi, Hanamichi doesn’t move. Yohei and his friends assume Hanamichi will explode and quickly react to avoid the worst situation. Akagi who puts down a gorilla dunk shows off his complete revival.

Ryonan takes a time out to praise Fukuda so that he will play up to his ability.

Eyeing Hanamichi’s weak defense, Ryonan throws the ball to Fukuda who is guarded by Hanamichi. The plan is a big success and Fukuda scores basket after basket. Hanamichi who is losing to Fukuda dives into the chairs and bleeds badly. Fukuda says, “I win,” and Hanamichi does not have anything to say in return.

Second half. Sendo has realized that Rukawa is not playing as aggressive as usual. Sendo figures that Rukawa has purposefully surpressed himself in the first half. Since Rukawa is the most active, he exhausts his stamina the fastest. Rukawa learns his lesson from the Kainan game and decided to go all-out in the second half.

Rukawa who was saving his energy in the first half explodes in the second half. Due to his performance, the lead is cut to one, 31 to 32. With no regard to Hanamichi’s competitive spirit towards Rukawa, Akagi, Mitsui, and Ryota continues to throw the ball to Rukawa. Rukawa’s superb plays, unstoppable even by Sendo, has Ryonan’s bench worried.

In the second half, Rukawa continues to play perfectly against Sendo in a back-and-forth game. Meanwhile, Mitsui picks up his third foul. If he gets a fourth, he will be forced to sit on the bench and both teams are attuned to Mitsui’s play. However, Uozumi with three fouls is in the same situation. And what Ryonan fears actually happens.

Last ten minutes of the second half. Hanamichi who took out Uozumi shows off his ability. Ryonan who lost Uozumi gives Shohoku a three point lead. Uozumi bites his lip at his own immaturity and remembers when he first joined the team and considered quitting. But the coach had high hopes for him. Sendo also mentally supported Uozumi, and Uozumi decides to support the team from the bench.

Less than nine minutes left, Shohoku leads 53 to 46. Hanamichi is fired up at getting Fukuda and there is no end to Shohoku’s energy. Uozumi who is on the bench with four fouls approaches Coach Taoka to let him back in the game. But Taoka repeatedly tells him, “Wait till the last five minutes.”

Ryonan is on the brink of losing. Sendo’s exhaustion has peaked and they are in a desperate situation. Though Taoka planned to bring back Uozumi into the game 5 minutes before the end, Taoka cannot bear being overpowered anymore and inserts Uozumi back in the game.

With Uozumi’s intense focus, Shohoku’s one-sided game gradually changes. With five minutes left and down by thirteen, Ryonan is in a critical situation, but Uozumi leads his team and tries to overpower Shohoku.

Shohoku is wielded by Ryonan’s pressure. Taoka tells Uozumi of Shohoku’s uncertain attributes and Uozumi attacks those uncertainties one by one. “Four players with three fouls”, “Their player’s stratum is thin.”, being picked at their weak points, Shohoku gradually strikes a sour note.

In the last three minutes and 18 seconds, with Sendo reverting back to his old self as “Scoring Machine”, Ryonan catches up to make it 58 to 65. Ryonan’s bench is also fired up by their momentum. And the entire arena is beginning to expect Ryonan’s come-from-behind victory. Although Shohoku has the lead, they are in panic.

In the last two minutes and 18 seconds, Shohoku has a two point lead, but Uozumi and Sendo’s miraculous abilities are starting to be exhibited and Shohoku feel cornered. Not having Mitsui in the game is big, and after the gap shrinks to one point from a free throw, their impatience grow even larger. Mitsui who is suffering from dehydration is biting his lip because he isn’t able to get back in the game and realize that he only plays with his fortune from middle school and hasn’t improved.

With Hanamichi’s performance, the momentum changes again. And Shohoku holds a one point lead in the last minute and 30 seconds. While Ryonan is panicked, Shohoku wants to score another basket to secure the victory. Taoka forgets about Kogure who entered the game for Mitsui and focuses on the other starters. However, that is a major miscalculation.

With less than a minute, Kogure’s three-pointer gives Shohoku a four-point lead with the score 68 to 64. But Ryonan, who never give up, continues to play hard and Shohoku is also fired up. Both teams play very hard in the everlasting final minute, and the final whistle is blown.

Whole Shohoku High School is making some noise after the basketball team’s achievements of run-ups in the district tournament and entry to the Nationals. The starters are especially given attention and second year, Kawai Mari, a reporter for the broadcasting club has her eye on Rukawa. However, his attitude is unfriendly, and when Mari tries to get interviews from the other players, Akagi says, “You’re in the way of practice.” and shuts her out.

Hikoichi’s big sister and reporter, Yayoi Aida’s report on Sendo is nixed by the chief editor. His point is that rather than Kanagawa, the spotlight should be on national level players. However, Yayoi does not want to give up on Sendo, and goes to Ryonan for an interview. There, she sees Uozumi and Ikegami give their retirement speeches and sends Uozumi who begins his training to be a chef off with cheers.

Hanamichi who bumps into Maki and Nobunaga of Kainan decides to follow them to Nagoya to check out the “Star of Aichi”, Aiwa Academy’s Moroboshi. However, in the finals arena, Moroboshi is out of the game due to a hard check by a first year. It is a shocking scene to see Moroboshi’s Aiwa Academy down by 20 points to Meihou Tech.

Kogure felt malaise from Rukawa, which is due to Rukawa’s wanting to go to America. However, Anzai is against Rukawa’s decision and confesses about a student, Yazawa, who felt the same way back in his Devil Coach days. That student went to America overestimating his abilities and died in an accident in despair.

All the schools who are entering the Nationals have decided. With only a month left before the Nationals, Shohoku’s practice gets heated. Especially Rukawa who plays his hardest even in scrimmage games and grabs for the ball with intensity. This is because he has a new goal of becoming the number one high school player in Japan. For that reason, Rukawa challenges Mitsui to a one-on-one after practice.

The intensity in Rukawa and Mitsui’s one-on-one is increasing. However, the game ends in disagreement and Hanamichi steps in to challenge Rukawa. Meanwhile, Fukazawa Athletic University’s Coach Karasawa and player Sugiyama are visiting the Akagi household. They are trying to get Akagi to come to Fukazawa Athletic University and to get their recommendation approved, they need Akagi to finish in the top 8 at the Nationals.

The Shohoku basketball team encounters an unexpected crisis. Shohoku High School regulations state, “If you have four or more failed tests, you are not eligible to participate in the interscholastics”. Hanamichi, Rukawa, Mitsui, and Ryota all fell under this category. However, after Akagi’s desperate appeal to their teachers, they are given a chance to make-up the exams. Akagi has the four of them study at his house, and with Haruko and Ayako’s help, a study session is put into effect.

To be able to cheer Hanamichi on at the game, Yohei and his friends get part-time jobs to pay for travel expenses to Hiroshima where the national tournament will take place. They start working in two seaside shacks, but on payday they are faced with an unexpected expense. So, when the owners say, “If you protect the shacks from the typhoon, I’ll triple your pay”, they jump at the chance to make more money.

Finally, the intense training camp has started. When Akagi and his team go to Shizuoka for a combined training camp with Jousei High School, Hanamichi is told to stay behind for a special training with Anzai. Anzai is betting on Hanamichi’s ability to improve incredibly and wants him to master the jump shot in a mere ten days.

While Hanamichi is practicing his 20,000 jump shots, Akagi and the team have a practice game in Shizuoka with their fellow training camp partners, Jousei High School. Top team in Shizuoka, top 8 in the nation, Jousei is surely a strong team that can’t be taken for granted. Even Rukawa starts out a bit jittery, but once his engine is revved up, they instantly shrink the score gap.

While Hanamichi works hard on his 20,000 jumps jump shot training, Haruko invites him to the festival for a change of pace. Hanamichi is very elated for this Haruko’s suggestion. Hanamichi makes sure Yohei and friends don’t come and disturb him to go on a date with Haruko. However, while they are scooping goldfish for some little kids, and having fun, Haruko is approached by some thugs and their good time is ruined.

The final day of training camp. Hanamichi finally makes his final jump shot to end his 20,000 jump shot training. Akagi and the team comes back from Shizuoka, and they will have the finishing practices starting tomorrow before the national tournament starts. Haruko notices the bad condition of Hanamichi’s basketball shoes, and takes him to the sports shop the next day.

Hanamichi annoyingly suggests a practice game to show off the results of his special training to Akagi and the rest of the team. Then, Shoyo’s Fujima, Hanagata, and Hasegawa who coincidently met up with Hikoichi come by to cheer them on. But it is Hanamichi’s devious side that suggests that they hold a practice game. As Hikoichi starts to look for other players, Akagi has no choice but to agree.

The Shoyo and Ryonan mixed team consists of Fujima, Hanagata, and Hasegawa from Shoyo along with Uozumi and Ikegami from Ryonan. A lot of pressure is put on Shohoku. But Shohoku, who has improved their playing ability, do not fear the strong team. They are very aggressive, and quickly take the lead. Hanamichi, who is on the bench, and the one who suggested the game, is anxious to showcase how much he’d improved from all of the training he’d done.

When Sendo joins the mixed team, they establishes chemistry, making crisp passes, and continuous dramatic combinations that are far more advanced than the district tournament plays. On the other hand, Hanamichi is unable to show off the results of his training, and his teammates look at him with disdain.

Shohoku’s scrimmage with the mixed team of Fujima and Hanagata of Shoyo, with Uozumi, Sendo, and Fukuda of Ryonan instantly changed momentum when Sendo entered the game. However, Hanamichi who was concerned with his jump shot focuses on his rebounding. And the momentum shifts back to Shohoku until the mixed team pulls apart again as Shohoku has to chase after them creating a see-saw game.

The opportunity has finally presented itself for Hanamichi to show off his new move, the “Training Camp Shot”. While the players from the mixed team and even his own team look on in disbelief, Hanamichi carries on making his Training Camp Shot. There is an uproar in the stands as fans begin to realize that he might be a genius. As the students keenly watch on, he dominates the rebounds and even fuels the offense with some momentum.

Hanamichi Sakuragi, an entering Shohoku high school freshman holds a record for being rejected by 50 girls during middle school. His nearly 2 meters height and bright red hair causes most students to write him off as a delinquent. One day, a girl named Haruko Akagi approaches Hanamichi without any fear. When she asks Hanamichi: “do you like basketball?” Hanamichi falls head over heels for the girl of his dreams. Without missing a beat, Hanamichi tells her he loves basketball, and the two head to the gymnasium where Hanamichi learns about the slam dunk. He also learns of Rukawa, one of the country’s top basketball prospects, also a freshman at Shohoku.