Spotlight Character: Hanamichi Sakuragi (Slam Dunk) MAL Character Information Page: Hanamichi Sakuragi MAL Favorites: 644 For the next week I would like to have everyone familiar with this character discuss what they think makes it an exceptional character. What attributes make it stand out in the ocean of interesting characters that exist in the realms of anime and manga. Unlike the other two subjects I will not force this conversation to fall into any set structure. Characters that are nominated typically get here because they are adept at breaking the existing character moulds and defying definition. Because of this freedom I encourage everyone to do their very best to stay on topic and keep any and all debate civil. Have fun and I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say about this character. RESULTS OF THE YOU DECIDE POLL Hanamichi Sakuragi was NOT inducted into the club Character list: 14 Yes - 70.0% 6 No - 30.0% 46 Don't know this character - 63.8% of the total number polled 6 Abstained - 8.3% of the total number polled |
santetjanApr 5, 2011 3:40 PM
| You do not beg the sun for mercy. |
| Sometimes I wonder if my love for Slam Dunk comes from the fact that it being my childhood manga and the one that got me into basketball. wiki said: In 2010, Inoue (author) received special commendations from the Japan Basketball Association for helping popularize basketball in Japan. tv tropes said: The manga is still very popular in South Korea, where it is said it has inspired a generation of players. When it comes to the discussion of Sakuragi Hanamichi, I am not sure if we can discount the cultural impact Slam Dunk had. The story revolve around Hanamichi's experience and he's the one and only rookie in shohoku team. I'll write more when I get back. |
| Sakuragi is idiotic, funny, but has lots of guts, heart and passion. Starting off as a rookie, he slowly learns the ropes through sheer hard work and determination, slowly beginning to love the game for what it is. A truly inspirational character that is probably one of the major triggers for the increased popularity of basketball. While his character falls in line with typical shounen archtypes, I think he is far better than Naruto will ever be. He is what made the series tick so it's a definite yes from me. |
| I understand it's within the club's policy to vote, I would like to point out that not only the anime adaption is appalling with the overblown dramatic moments, pacing and repetitive actions. But more importantly, the anime is an incomplete adaption of the manga, it only covered half the content, add in a needless filler match and didn't feature nationals. Sakuragi was loosely mold after Takehiko Inoue. Their primary motivation for basketball was chasing skirts before they fall in love in with the sport itself. After countless love rejections, Sakuragi joined the basketball team to please Haruko, a basketball fangirl, who's brother is the captain of the Shohoku team. Unlike the other sports protagonist, he does not have any special talent besides his great athleticism which was the result of the numerous fights he got involved when he was younger. Here we have a rookie who was rightly handled as one, forced to train his basics for a long period of time against his wishes. Sakuragi serves well as a foil to the other 4 more experienced players of Shohoku's first team, this help to create interesting interactions between the characters. He has the typical intelligence of a good-for-nothing delinquent and does the craziest antics on and off the basketball court. Like the weird cursing handsign, chasing anyone that angers him in a official basketball match etc etc. Blinded by his envy of Rukawa's popularity, he had a fierce (one-sided) rivalry with him. And because of this, Sakuragi is akin a walking time-bomb for the team. He's extremely deluded, he cling heavily on his 'Tensai' belief and screwed up spectacularly whenever he attempts to show off. Although he's a rookie, he often held the obstinate belief that he is or will be the best player in the prefecture and conveniently ignored his criticism. However, little by little, there's a noticeable growth in Sakuragi's character. Besides learning more about the fundamentals of basketball and acquiring skills that play to his strengths, Sakuragi grew attached to the sports himself. I'm not just referring how he grew from a player who foul out for the first couple of matches to an important integrated player of Shohoku. Gradually, Sakuragi develops as a basketball player. He first acknowledged the importance of practice. Later on, he shaved his hair as an act or repentance after he made a crucial mistake in the last seconds of an important match, an act which my college's football team did when they lost due to penalties in the final. He choose to check out other national teams instead of wasting his time in a pachinko parlor with his Sakuragi Gang. Last but not least, there is an important on-going gag that occur in the series. Sakuragi and Rukawa never voluntarily passed to each other once in a match. With the succession of each matches, the aloof Sakuragi who once cared more about his love life and pride matures into a passionate full-fledged basketball player. A guy who stop underestimating the sports itself, understand its glory moments, the need to put his pride before the team and eventually discover his appreciation for basketball. I don't have enough praise for this character. 100% Yes. |
live2winMar 29, 2011 11:19 PM
| Sakuragi can be distinguished from the other sports anime leads. I think this is what makes him unique and original. Unlike most, if not all, sports leads, Sakuragi has not a hidden talent. Thus, his development as character goes hand on hand with the development of his skills as player. What he learns about the game is also what he learns about himself. As he surpasses challenges immposed by the sports he also fights his own problems. Consequently, his development is very interesting. However I'm divided. As a Sports character, Sakuragi is clearly worth of induction. But as character, is this enough? Is being interesting enough? Maybe the anime does not make him justice, and I haven't even finished yet. Therefore, I'll abstain. I know what kind of development would make him worth of my vote, but I haven't seen it yet and, while I believe it can happen in the manga, it will probably won't happen in the anime and movies. |
 Waratte Oemashou Sore ha Chiisana Inori |
| My 2nd post was full of fan wankery so I guess I would touch any inconsistencies with Sakuragi's character at the same time providing more needless flattery in defence to the construction of this character. Many wonder why Sakuragi despite being a potential loose cannon is allow to stay as one of the first team players. There are many justifications, the cliche answer would because Coach Anzai want him to gain experience and develop his inherent talent. In hindsight, it was also reveal that Coach Anzai had since mellow down from his demonic regime because of a past incident with his prized student. Therefore, he's more lenient with Sakuragi's crazy antics, arrogance and screw ups. Another interesting to note was that the few games where Sakuragi foul'd out consecutively, Shohoku team was cruising in the match. 'Dominating' would be a better word. His screw'd out are compensated by the competence of his team members. We also have to look at set up of the team. It is not only Shohoku fringe players are weak but the position played of each first team members. They have SF/PG/Centre occupied by Rukawa, Miyagi, Akagi respectively. Sakuragi role was PF and there were simply no close 2nd for that position in Shohoku. There are two main prototype for sports manga. One of them tries to balance slice of life within the sports genre while the other focus heavily on games. In this case, Slam Dunk falls under the 2nd category. In a manga span 75% of its content on matches, it still does a great job in developing Sakuragi's character. ladyxzeus said: t I haven't seen it yet and, while I believe it can happen in the manga, it will probably won't happen in the anime and movies. Personally, I believe it did. Slam Dunk ends at the highest possible point without dragging the series any further and it manage to concludes Sakuragi's growth beautifully. Edit: I would like to hear more opinions of this character, especially the ones that vote yes :/ |
live2winApr 3, 2011 4:26 AM
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