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Uncategorized March 13, 2025

BDS Students Enjoyed an Unforgettable Night of Basketball, Emotion, and Animation Brilliance with the Special Screening of ‘Slam Dunk’ at the Japan Information Culture Center

A few members of the BDS Travel Club visited the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan 在アメリカ合衆国日本国大使館 to watch the US screening of The First Slam Dunk, offering a new spin on the Japanese classic series.  The movie was fantastic!  Those of us who aren’t anime followers LOVED the movie as much as those who appreciate […]


A few members of the BDS Travel Club visited the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan
在アメリカ合衆国日本国大使館 to watch the US screening of The First Slam Dunk, offering a new spin on the Japanese classic series.  The movie was fantastic!  Those of us who aren’t anime followers LOVED the movie as much as those who appreciate the creative culture and brilliance of the art.

It was heartwarming to be recognized by Ms. Headly, the JICC Educational Programs Coordinator, whom we met last year when the Travel Club visited the JICC for Nenjago. At that time, she gave students a book about Japanese culture and also sent a book about studying abroad in Japan for a senior who applied to an international college to do just that!  Ms. Headly lived and taught in Japan and has offered to host our Japan & South Korea travelers for a Japanese etiquette class before we travel in the spring of 2026!


Here’s the trailer to the film:  https://youtu.be/iwZYmpj81_0?si=VeI7fqPEFd1DaZEg

The First Slam Dunk, the highly anticipated feature film adaptation of one of Japan’s most iconic sports manga.
For over 30 years, Slam Dunk has been more than just a manga—it’s been a cultural phenomenon that sparked a basketball revolution. It not only inspired countless players and fans across Japan, but also generated a massive following in East and Southeast Asia. The original manga, which ran from 1990 to 1996, follows the Shohoku High Basketball team’s journey through both their triumphs and their struggles, capturing the hearts of generations of basketball lovers.

With The First Slam Dunk (2022), the legendary creator INOUE Takehiko makes his directorial debut revisiting the thrilling Shohoku vs. Sannoh High championship game from a new point of view Ryota Miyagi, Shohoku’s lightning-fast point guard, is a supporting character in the original manga but here takes center stage offering a fresh and deeply personal perspective on the Slam Dunk story. As Ryota plays in the shadow of his older brother, the high-stakes game becomes the backdrop for an intimate, more personal story of loss, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness.
With breathtaking animation and stunning visuals, The First Slam Dunk has been praised worldwide and earned the 2023 Japan Academy Prize for Best Animation. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise or new to the Slam Dunk world, this film is must-see.