Slam Dunk, Vol. 12

Slam Dunk [スラムダンク] #12

by Takehiko Inoue

Winning isn't everything in the game of basketball, but who wants to come in second? It takes dedication and discipline to be the best, and the Shohoku High hoops team wants to be just that. They have one year left to make their captain's dream of reaching the finals come true—will they do it? Takehiko Inoue's legendary basketball manga is finally here, and the tale of a lifetime is in your hands!

The final four teams that will play in the round-robin tournament have been decided, and Shohoku's one of them. However, Shohoku's next opponent is Kainan, and they're known as the "Kings" for good reason—they've made it to Nationals sixteen years in a row. Ever since he joined Shohoku, Akagi has dreamed of playing Kainan. His wish is about to come true, but is it one he'll soon be regretting?

Genres: Manga, Sports, Comics, Shonen, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga, Coming Of Age

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 1993

About the author

Takehiko Inoue (井上雄彦) is a Japanese manga artist, best known for Slam Dunk and Vagabond.

Reviews

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol, Kainan is not a champion team if their coach doesn't figure out one's weakness by only knowing how long you've been playing. Also, all respects to Yoshinori's determination to stay on a team like Kainan! Definitely a crazed-infused volume. Anyway, lights going to be on Rukawa on the next volume! Let's see what the star got against Kainan!

Also, I dunno why my bl radar keeps coming out, but I definitely got butterflies when Rukawa pushed Sakuragi back using his hands lol.

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

While volume 11 focused on the team's strength, this volume focuses on their individual weaknesses, especially Hanamichi's.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kainan proves to be an even more challenge to the rising superstars Shohoku, and that shows with the former having more experience and a deeper bench than the latter.

Funny, theatric and drawn with detail, Inoue's talent for consistency and characterization shines in all the Slam Dunk volumes I have read.

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Final Four!!

[Kesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice that we have a Yoshinori here. Also how did that coach find Sakuragi's weak point(s) in like less than ten minutes?

[Tiagoツ · Rating 4 out of 5]

y'all just know how to talk

[ilhaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my fave vol covers i think so many black people in this i rlly cant believe it

[J.M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense game!

Maki! <3

[Recep · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Edición argentina que muy probablemente repite el ISBN de la española.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the game against Shoyo, the Shohoku team jumps right into the next match against Kainan! Unlike previous matches in the series that were fueled more by Sakuragi and the team's want to better themselves and desire to win for their own sake, Kainan has been an ever-present antagonistic force since the beginning of the series. Maki being built up as this terror of a player, Nobunaga Kiyota's presence as this loud-mouthed prodigious rookie in comparison to Rukawa and Sakuragi, and a host of other players that have interesting quirks and playstyles that take Shohoku by surprise. Even their coach appears laid back while boasting an attentive eye for strategy- mirroring Shohoku's own Coach Anzai.

Our boys have won matches mainly through sheer physical force, and their ability to draw out raw talent that surprises and clinches momentum against opposing teams. But Kainan has the raw talent to match, or more accurately overpower, Shohoku, while having a deeper roster with more experience and tricks up their sleeves. Even when Shohoku manages to find their footing what Takehiko Inoue does brilliantly in volume 12 is turn the whole game into a strategy match. We're at the point in the series where it's stopped being about just pure physical gameplay but instead each team poking at the others' weaknesses to gain some leverage. And for however strong Shohoku has proven themselves they've still got plenty of weaknesses to exploit. Sakuragi in particular has become a focal point of their play - a position suiting the REBOUND KING - and if there's anyone who's style is straightforward and easy to figure out it's him. It looks like the whole match is going to be decided on whether Sakuragi can find a way to push himself through Kainan's defensive strategies in what is looking to be the best game of basketball Slam Dunk has presented yet.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slam Dunk, Vol. 12 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (99–107) of the on-going manga series.

This tankōbon continues with the Kanagawa Interhigh Tournament and the four teams in the semifinals are: Shohoku, Ryonan, Kainan and Takezato. For the first match Shohoku faces Kainan, which has won the Kanagawa Interhigh Tournament for sixteen years.

Before starting, Hanamichi Sakuragi rapidly becomes Nobunaga Kiyota's rival with both being very immature and both wanting to surpass Kaede Rukawa. Kainan is able to take the lead as the captain Shinichi Maki blocks most shots. As Sakuragi scores while confronting Kiyota, Kainan's coach, Riki Takato, replaces one of his players with Yoshinori Miyamasu, a player who looks very small in comparison to most members from Kainan.

When Yoshinori blocks Sakuragi, Sakuragi starts making several mistakes as he only plays well when he faces strong opponents. Sakuragi tries to make a slam dunk, but Maki fouls him and he misses both free throws. As such, Mitsuyoshi Anzai, the coach, replaces Sakuragi with Kiminobu Kogure near the end of the first half.

This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue. For the most part, I really liked the direction of the narrative. The Kanagawa Interhigh Tournament is moving along nicely, albeit a tad slowly. Shohoku High has the unfortunate luck in drawing their semifinal match against Kainan High, who has won this particular tournament for more than a decade.

All in all, Slam Dunk, Vol. 12 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems intriguing and I cannot wait to read more.

[Vanessa Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This review is for the series as a whole with 4.5 out of 5 stars*

I’ve posted 2 articles about Slam Dunk early this year so I’m sure you guys already have an idea how I adore this series. The anime series was incredible but its manga counterpart is beyond incredible, it was AHA-mazing!

I’m not a sporty kind of girl and I don’t think I’ll be anytime soon, but I think what’s great about reading books and watching shows is that you learn and (kind of) experience a lot of things you don’t normally do in real life. And because of Slam Dunk, I learn to appreciate sports stories and eventually love them.

When I started reading this manga, it felt so nostalgic. It’s not so different in the anime so while reading it, I keep on picturing out all those episodes which I think made my reading experience even more enjoyable.

Slam Dunk showcases a great team work. What I learn to appreciate about sports stories/shows is that it’ll give you a lot of lessons about what it means to be a great sportsman. And Slam Dunk absolutely slammed dunk that part!

I usually watch the anime series first before reading its manga counterpart and as for Slam Dunk, I’ve watched it quite a number of times already and I don’t think I’ll ever stop watching it, *wink. Even after watching the anime, I can still feel the tension, the suspense, and the excitement while reading this manga.

As you can read on its title, this manga centered around the sports basketball and through it weaved a really good story everyone of us will enjoy and appreciate whether you’re into sports or not. Another thing I love about reading manga is that it will never ceased to make you laugh with its funny scenes and Slam Dunk had it big time! I lost count how many times I laughed my heart out reading this masterpiece.

The drawings were really so good too plus those facial expressions were epic, especially Sakuragi’s, haha.

This story has a main character but I love that it didn’t just center around him but the author also gave its other characters a chance to share their own story. I love the character development as well especially Sakuragi’s.

And speaking of Sakuragi, I didn’t eventually like him at first. He’s definitely trouble and I didn’t quite appreciate his annoying antics and his excessive bragging. But all throughout the story, you can’t definitely help it but like his character. As I’ve said above, Sakuragi’s character development is definitely one you should see. From being this good for nothing delinquent, he became a true sportsman. I just absolutely love his improvement not just in basketball but eventually as a person. It’s definitely hard for me to explain but I just LOVE Sakuragi. Ofcourse he can still be an airhead sometimes but I can see now that it’s one of the things that makes him quite likeable, haha.

Slam Dunk has some pretty amazing group of characters and as I’ve said in this article, they come in varieties so I’m sure a lot of readers can find some characters they can relate and love.

The anime series left off the national championship and let me tell you guys, it was already good as it is. It was full of intense scenes with a right blend of humor but the national championship parts were sooooooo good I can still feel its intensity even after finishing this manga. Actually, I cried pretty hard when they won! You should definitely read it!!!

Although the ending felt short which ofcourse makes you want to ask for more, I guess it was still a pretty good and hopeful ending, not just for team Shohoku but for the other teams as well. Besides, after that intense match with Sannoh, I don’t think Slam Dunk failed me.

So if you’re looking for an intense sports shonen manga to read, Slam Dunk should be on top of your list.

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[Ryosei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitsui, the leader of the bad group who had been hospitalized in the same way, was also discharged, and he surrounded Miyagi.

Miyagi, who does not want to drag the basketball club into trouble, did not touch Mitsui and others.

As a result, Mitsui, who was involved in the fight between Sakuragi and Miyagi, ignited his revenge on Miyagi and the basketball club again.



Mitsui joined the basketball club as a junior high school MVP player. However, the tall power player Akagi brought up the topic, and in addition, he broke his knee, which caused him to feel defeated, and he moved away from the basketball club.



Mitsui made the last stand in front of Akagi who returned from the extracurricular class, but with the appearance of his teacher, coach Anzai, Mitsui confessed his true intention, "I want to play basketball."

What a good story

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the time of this review, I have read volumes 1-17 back-to-back. As always, I will try to only focus on the current review.

We begin with Kainan vs. Shohoku! I was definitely pulled into the story, but I cannot really talk about it due to spoilers. I can say that I like how Sakuragi tried to seek advice from Captain Akagi at one point in the book. I still find it interesting that we do not hear much from Coach Anzai, unlike the other coaches in this series. Kainan's coach, Takato, speaks a lot and we see some basketball strategy. Coach Anzai only speaks a handful of times, but he always has some sort of plan. I also appreciate the parallels between Akagi and Maki as the the captains for their respective teams as well as how well they handle their problem child. At the very end of the manga, Rukawa delivers a nice one-liner: "You all talk too much!"

Verdict: Bring it on, Kainan!

[Jared Pangier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shohoku has reached the Final Four in the prefectural tournament on the way toward achieving Captain Akagi's dream: Nationals. But they are facing the BEST team in the prefecture: Kainan. Kainan has reached the finals 16 years straight! A banner hangs in their gym: JOSHO—Ever Victorious. That is the kind of history Shohoku has to compete with, and with that history comes a wily coach who is able to pinpoint Sakuragi's weaknesses after he sleuthly finds out that Sakuragi has only been playing the game of basketball for three months. Will the Shohoku "secret weapon" backfire in this volume? Will he stand in the way of third-year Akagi's eternal dream to make it to nationals?

[N.E.C.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's the champion Kinan!

You only get to see little of the talent of Kainan but it's enough to put Shohoku against the ropes. I hope that this game lasts more than two volumes because the way it starte was amazing. Also, don't forget about Ryonan, another solid team that can make anyone poop their pants.

I can't get enough of Sauraki and Nobunaga's banter, this two were made to fight each other and i can't wait to see them both go at it. And what about Yoshinori? I totally forgot about him xD (from my time watching the anime). Don't judge a book by its cover people, don't you dare.

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the fact there's a concerted effort to address the players' weaknesses in this match, especially Sakuragi. Maybe I'm just showing mangaka preference, but Sakuragi's weakness feels more complex than a singular technical issue or mindset and Kainan was taking advantage of all the various facets of him as a player which I find to be just so interesting. I'm really hoping we get something similar from Rukawa in the next arc because as cool as he is, I really feel like he's overdo for some hubris coming his way.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume interessante e il match è decisamente entusiasmante. Sakuragi e Ryota sempre più i miei personaggi preferiti e poi il rosso inizia a migliorare sempre di più. Kyota del kainan è uno spaccone quanto Sakuragi e spero vivamente che lo Shohoku gli faccia abbassare la cresta. Persino Rukawa che non trovo molto simpatico in questo match ha iniziato a piacermi (la sua faccia di bronzo con Kyota è fantastica).

[Dan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rewatched the recent Slam Dunk movie that made me start reading this manga, this time with a friend who loves basketball. He was fairly impressed and picked up immediately on how a lot of Sakuragi's antics and specialties are an homage to Dennis Rodman. I was like yep that's a guy from basketball alright!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more iconic of sports manga. It's the first series where I actually both read the manga and watched the anime. It has flawed protagonists, growing up pains, colourful characters, and beautiful meaningful relationships, all neatly wrapped around the context of college basketball.

[Aidan]

Really good volume, I like seeing Sakuragi's growth and how he is falling in with the team. Like him asking Akagi for help is great to see. He wants to improve and he is willing to push aside his ego to do it.

[James Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shohoku are in the final-four and find themselves against the overwhelming force that is the Kainan team. What unfolds is a tense basketball game that exposes weaknesses within the team, as the formidable foes find shrewd ways to counter Hanamichi's unpredictability. It's also a darn funny volume.

[tinh tinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tập này peak quá đi mấtttt~ càng là người hiếu thắng một cách ngờ nghệch thì lúc thua cuộc lại càng đau, lúc thằng bé khóc mình cũng khóc theooo :(((((((( nhưng cách biệt 2 điểm với Kainan cũng đã cho thấy Shohoku là nhân tố bất ngờ rồiiiiii

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually what a joke like sakuragi and rukawa hating each other gets played as much as it has it gets old, I don’t think that’s the case here since I keep chuckling at the bits where they both express their dislike of the other

[The Little Bookshop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the funniest scene is when Sakuragi asked what year Maki is, who replied Akagi looks much older than him.
Bwahaha.

[Lory Blanco (areaderheart) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Andrea De Gouveia Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

En serio ¿¡En serio, pelirrojo!? Es que eres pendejo, no hay nada más, sólo eres un pendejo que salta alto y tiene la resistencia de un huracán. No puedo contigo.

[Andrea Aguas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shohoku is strong, but the reason why they couldn't get past Kainan at this point is because they don't know how to utilize their skills well.

[Drizztl · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10