On May 22, Takehiko Inoue officially announced via his X (formerly Twitter) account that his iconic basketball manga SLAM DUNK will be released in digital format for the first time ever. The digital release is scheduled for June 2, marking a significant milestone for the beloved series.

The announcement stated:
“Starting June 2, SLAM DUNK will be available in digital format.”

Inoue also shared insights about the original artwork:
“As a side note, I drew the original manuscripts on B4-sized Kent paper. For double-page spreads, I used horizontally placed B3-sized sheets. Since the series was created for print, it was designed with two-page layouts in mind. Reading it on a large tablet in spread view might actually be the closest to the original and easiest to read.”

He also noted that one advantage of the digital version is the ability to clearly see the inner binding area, which is typically harder to view in physical books.

Inoue’s works are rarely available digitally. His manga REAL was the first to be released in e-book format in 2019, marking his digital debut. Now, SLAM DUNK follows as his second series to receive a digital release.

SLAM DUNK was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from issue No. 42 in 1990 to issue No. 27 in 1996. The story follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a high school delinquent turned basketball rookie, who joins Shohoku High’s basketball team and rapidly grows through rivalries with teammates like Rukawa Kaede and matches against powerhouse schools.

The series earned massive popularity for its dynamic basketball action and emotionally driven characters, capturing the hearts of millions. It has sold over 120 million copies in Japan alone. From 1993 to 1996, it aired as a 101-episode TV anime, and the 2022 anime film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK grossed over 16.4 billion yen, becoming a box office sensation.

Source : ORICON NEWS