The Best Sports Manga of All Time Could Soon Be Easier to Read Than Ever (But There’s a Catch)

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Although Slam Dunk, the all-time favorite sports manga and one of the best-selling mangas ever, has yet to go digital, this situation is now being rectified. The series becoming more accessible officially brings numerous advantages, and it’s long overdue for such a genre-defining and highly influential work to be made widely available. Moreover, this development may pave the way for other creations by the same artist to receive similar treatment in the future, including his masterpiece – the samurai tale based on a Japanese legend.

Starting June 2nd, “Slam Dunk” by Takehiko Inoue will debut on digital platforms for Japanese readers exclusively through Shueisha’s reading services. While there’s no word yet on the manga being made available digitally for international audiences, it’s a possibility that could happen in the future. This marks the second of Inoue’s mangas to be accessible digitally, as his “REAL” wheelchair basketball manga was announced to go digital in 2019.

【お知らせ】6月2日よりSLAM DUNKがデジタル版でもご購読いただけるようになりました。6月2日よりSLAM DUNKがデジタル版でもご購読いただけるようになりました。

— 井上雄彦 Inoue Takehiko (@inouetake) May 22, 2025

Slam Dunk Is Finally Coming To Digital

Takehiko Inoue recently unveiled a fresh illustration to go along with this news update. He explained that reading his manga in digital format complements his drawing style and manuscript creation, while the double-spread panels are more appealing because they lack the binding in the middle that partially covers some pages. Following the successful release of the movie adaptation for his popular series, Slam Dunk, this latest announcement has been eagerly anticipated by fans who have grown up with and been inspired by the series across two generations.

The story Slam Dunk focuses on Hanamichi Sakuragi, a man with a fiery temperament and a history of being rejected by women, notably fifty times. His life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Haruko Akagi, who sees his hidden potential beyond his tough demeanor. Intrigued by her, Hanamichi is convinced to join the basketball team at Shohoku High School, where she attends, recognizing his natural athletic skills. Initially hesitant due to inexperience and a grudge against basketball, he ultimately decides to join to win Haruko’s heart. With rivals and teammates like Kaede Rukawa, Hisashi Mitsui, and Ryota Miyagi by his side, Hanamichi plays a crucial role in transforming Shohoku from an underdog team into national championship contenders.

Without a shadow of a doubt, “Slam Dunk” stands out as one of the most artistically impressive and vivid manga ever created. Reading it digitally will undeniably enhance fans’ appreciation of the art, although reading it physically remains a fantastic experience too. Interestingly, this digital release could pave the way for “Vagabond” to make its digital debut as well. Inoue’s manga being reprinted by Viz, the “Vagabond” Definitive Edition hitting the shelves, and “REAL” seeing more consistent publishing have given fans of this legendary mangaka a delightful string of fantastic news over the past year and a half.

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2025-05-22 22:33