Updated on December 14, 2:55 p.m. (GMT+8): Added images.
Fictional stories that closely resemble real-world sports events are exceptionally rare.
Yet, during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, something extraordinary occurred when Japan’s basketball team unintentionally reenacted a real-life Slam Dunk moment, mirroring the iconic basketball manga and anime series created by Takehiko Inoue.
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It happened when Japan defeated Finland 98-88 on August 27, 2023, transforming ink and paper into a captivating reality on the basketball court.
With Japan’s first FIBA World Cup 2023 win secured, the team’s star player, Yuta Watanabe, and point guard, Keisei Tominaga, met in center court to high-five each other.
Japan’s FIBA World Cup 2023 run culminates in a real-life Slam Dunk celebration
It was the same celebration Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede did when Shohoku High took the lead against Sannoh High in the inter-high tournament.
The parallels to Slam Dunk were so uncanny that even FIBA’s official Twitter pointed out the nostalgic moment with the caption, “Slam Dunk vibes.”
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Fans of the manga and anime will fondly recall a pivotal moment in the series when Rukawa and Sakuragi celebrated together after they conquered their major weaknesses. Rukawa humbled himself by choosing to pass the ball for the team’s benefit, while Sakuragi achieved his first successful jump shot in an official game.
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Beyond the Slam Dunk-themed celebration, Japan’s win over Finland was significant. It was the first time an Asian team was victorious in the FIBA World Cup 2023. Furthermore, the victory helped Japan qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Many members of Japan’s basketball team grew up as fans of Slam Dunk. Although the series is unfinished, its creator, Takehiko Inoue, has remained a dedicated basketball fan. Inoue attended most of Japan’s FIBA World Cup 2023 matches and even spent time with the players, as Japan was one of the tournament’s host countries this year.
Last year, the fictional basketball series experienced a remarkable revival with the release of the “The First Slam Dunk” movie. Despite the anime’s 26-year hiatus, the film was a huge box-office success, earning US$258 million in its worldwide release.
Slam Dunk fans hope Japan’s recent success in FIBA will lead to the return of the series, continuing the story of the self-proclaimed basketball genius, Sakuragi Hanamichi.
You can watch Japan’s FIBA World Cup 2023 highlights below:
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