The “Sannoh match” depicted in the main story is recognized by the original author, Inoue Takehiko, himself as the greatest match in sports manga.
“THE FIRST SLAM DUNK” has been much talked about due to the backstory of character Miyagi Ryota, which is not depicted in the original work, and the vivid visuals. However, the original work is full of the inner thoughts of not only Miyagi, but also various other characters, as well as episodes that could not be depicted in the movie!
In this article, we will introduce the details and famous scenes from the Sannoh match in the original work!
The Sannoh Game is an episode in which the Shohoku High School Basketball Club, to which the original protagonist Sakuragi Hanamichi belongs, competes in the national tournament, depicting the match they play in the second round against Sannoh Technical High School.
Sannoh is often depicted as the strongest high school in the story, having won the Inter-High School Championships three times in a row. Shohoku will face this opponent in the second round.
Shohoku is an unknown school that has not achieved any results, despite having captain Akagi, who was said to be a player who could compete nationally. However, with the addition of super rookies such as Sakuragi and Rukawa Kaede, and the addition and growth of other players, the school has advanced to the national level.
The “Sannoh Game” depicts the fierce match between the weak school Shohoku and the reigning champion Sannoh.
The match against Sannoh was animated for the first time in “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.” This match was never depicted in the TV anime “SLAM DUNK” that was broadcast in 1993.
As mentioned above, it is a famous match, so fans have been hoping for it to be made into a movie, and it finally came to fruition in 2022. Inoue-sensei was in charge of direction, scriptwriting, and character design, and while animating that famous match, he surprised fans by making Miyagi Ryota the main character and adding episodes that had not been depicted before.
The match against Sannoh in “THE FIRST SLAM DUNK” is largely the same as the match against Sannoh in the original manga. However, in the original manga, the Sannoh members are explored in more depth, and not only Sakuragi, but other Shohoku members and players that Shohoku has faced up to now appear, making it a fitting match as a culmination of the original manga.
By enjoying both the movie and the original game, you will be able to fully appreciate the series “SLAM DUNK.”
Currently, “SLAM DUNK” has been published in three versions: a book, a complete edition, and a newly revised edition, with the match against Sannoh marking the climax of the story.
Book: Volumes 25-31
Complete edition: Volumes 20-24
Newly revised edition: Volumes 16-20
The match against Sannoh is depicted in each of the volumes mentioned above.
The match against Sannoh began with no one expecting the unknown team to win.
Led by beginner Sakuragi, Shohoku plays beyond their ability, somehow managing to grasp the atmosphere of the venue and keep up with Sannoh.
The strongest Sannoh, who did not neglect their preparations even against the unknown Shohoku, gave Shohoku a hard time with their secret weapon, the all-court zone press defense, and widened the gap to 20 points.
王者の貫禄を見せ、湘北を突き放します。
圧倒的な実力差を前にして、湘北がとった作戦は桜木によるリバウンド。相手や味方のシュートが外れた際に、リングからこぼれたボールをキャッチするプレイです。
並外れた運動能力と才能を持つ桜木は、尽くリバウンドをとりながらチームを鼓舞。本来の力を取り戻した湘北は、点差をぐんぐん縮めていきます。
しかし、山王は日本1のプレイヤー・エースの沢北栄治を使い再び圧倒的な点差をつけます。
その沢北とマッチアップする湘北のエース流川楓も、これまで選択しなかったパスの才能を開花させ、またしても点差を詰めていくのです。
あまりにも執念深い、粘り強い湘北に観客たちの雰囲気も変わり始め、湘北の勝利が少しづつ見えてくるのですが、ルーズボールに走り込んだ桜木が観客席に突っ込んでしまい、背中を痛めてしまうのです。
選手それぞれが、限界を超えこれまでにない強さを誇るチームとなった湘北ですが、桜木の怪我によるパワーダウンが厳しく、また窮地に立たされてしまいます。
しかし、何度も追いついてくる湘北に削られているのは山王も同じ。両チーム力を尽くした壮絶な試合になっていきます。
桜木は、一度は休んだものの怪我をおして出場。全員の頑張りにより一時は20点もあった差をひっくり返しついに湘北が逆転するのです。
山王は、あくまでも冷静に攻めを続け残り時間10秒で、逆転します。残り時間の無い中で、無理やりシュートに行く流川。
彼の視界に入ったのは「左手はそえるだけ……」とシュートの基本を暗唱し、未だに諦めていない桜木の姿でした。
一本のパスが桜木に入り、そのままジャンプシュート。試合終了のブザーが鳴り響く中、桜木の放ったシュートはネットを揺らすのでした。
79：78のスコアで湘北が勝利。歴史を塗り替えた瞬間となりました。
コメント