THE FIRST SLAM DUNK Gets North American Theatrical Release Later this Summer
GKIDS announced today that the distributor acquired the rights and will release THE FIRST SLAM DUNK in the United States and Canadian theaters later this summer, both in Japanese with subtitles and an all-new English dubbed version.
GKIDS is proud to announce the N. American distribution rights to THE FIRST SLAM DUNK! ????
After smashing box office records across Asia, #SlamDunkMovie hits US & Canadian theatres this summer in its original Japanese & a new English dub.
????Get updates at https://t.co/7dtiWIrWuV pic.twitter.com/AZfgUZOZVB— GKIDS Films (@GKIDSfilms) May 1, 2023
The original Slam Dunk TV anime aired from 1993 to 1996, with four anime films spun off from the original anime. Series manga creator Takehiko Inoue directed and wrote the screenplay for THE FIRST SLAM DUNK with Toei Animation returning to animate the series. As of April 24, the film has achieved a worldwide box office of US$225.17 million from ten territories in Asia. Anime Limited and Toei Animation Europe will also release the movie in the UK, Ireland and Malta this summer.
GKIDS describes the movie:
Shohoku’s “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure. Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota had a brother who was three years older. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, who was a famous local player from a young age, Ryota also became addicted to basketball.
In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship. And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School.
Source: GKIDS on Twitter, Press Release
Kyle Cardine is a Managing Editor for Crunchyroll. You can find his Twitter here.
