The 2023 Fantasia International Film Festival revealed the winners of its 27th edition, after careful consideration by the jury, during a live ceremony held on July 29th, 2023.

“The First Slam Dunk,” the latest anime film based on Takehiko Inoue’s Slam Dunk manga, emerged as the winner of the Axis: Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation for the best-animated feature film.

In a statement, the jury described “The First Slam Dunk” as a true gem, as it not only enhanced the existing franchise but also appealed to new viewers who hadn’t experienced the previous material.

“A gem of a film through and through that enriches an already existing franchise, while at the same time remaining open to viewers who never have never seen or read any of the previous, existing material.”

Moreover, the anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s “SAND LAND” manga received a special jury mention in the same category.

The Axis Jury, composed of esteemed professionals in the animation industry, includes Nadim Zaidi, a talented digital matte painter, Arizona O’Neill, a skilled illustrator and filmmaker, and Aki Takabatake, the visionary founder and CEO of Momo Films Inc.

The First Slam Dunk movie released in Japan on Dec 3, 2022.

Cast members announced include:

• Shugo Nakamura as Ryota Miyagi (point guard)
• Jun Kasama as Hisashi Mitsui (shooting guard)
• Shinichiro Kamio as Kaede Rukawa (small forward)
• Subaru Kimura as Hanamichi Sakuragi (power forward)
• Kenta Miyake as Takenori Akagi (team captain and Center)

The opening theme song was performed by The Birthday, while 10-FEET performed the ending theme song “Zero Sensation”.

The First Slam Dunk movie was directed and scripted by Mangaka Takahiko Inoue himself at Toei Animation.

Among the listed staff members are character designer/animation director Yasuyuki Ebara (Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress) and technical directors Katsuhiko Kitada (Attack on Titan episodes, Major: Yujo no Winning Shot), Naoki Miyahara (Digimon Adventure, Popin Q), Toshio Ohashi (LayereD Stories 0), and Yu Kamatani (Looking for Magical DoReMi, Precure Super Stars!).

Daiki Nakazawa directed the CG, and Yuta Ogura produced the CG. Kazuo Ogura directed the art. Yota Tsuruoka was in charge of directing the sound with Koji Kasamatsu.

The First Slam Dunk debuted at number one at the Japanese box office and grossed ¥1.296 billion ($9.5 million) during its first two days. As of Feb 7, 2023, the film grossed ¥10 billion ($76.2 million) in Japan.

It had become the highest-grossing anime film of all time in Korea for a brief period of time. It was then surpassed by Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume No Tojimari.

The film also won the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year in 2023.

Inoue published his iconic sports manga in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1990 to 1996 for a total of 31 volumes. The manga inspired a television anime in 1993, and it received four anime film sequels.

Source: Official Website