SLAM DUNK（スラムダンク）の最終回
最終回の内容
全国高校総体2回戦、湘北高校対山王工業高校戦。絶体絶命の状況から湘北は徐々に反撃を開始し、流川と桜木の連係プレーで逆転シュートを決める。しかし、その直後に桜木が背中の負傷で倒れてしまいます。安西先生に交代を促されるも、桜木は試合に出ることを強く希望し、再びコートに戻ります。残り時間わずか、両チームの死力を尽くした攻防が繰り広げられる中、最後に桜木が流川からのパスを受け取り、劇的な逆転シュートを放ちます。試合は湘北が1点差で勝利しますが、桜木は負傷が原因で次の試合には出場できませんでした。その後、湘北は3回戦で敗退し、物語は山王戦での勝利を最後に幕を閉じます。
感想・レビュー
全国最強と謳われる山王工業との激闘の末、流川と桜木のハイタッチで逆転勝利を収める最終回は、連載当時は衝撃的な終わり方でした。その後、山王戦以降の物語が描かれなかったことや、桜木の怪我で次の試合に出られなかった結末を残念に思う声もありましたが、あの感動的なクライマックスで物語を終えることに、作者の並々ならぬ覚悟を感じました。未だに語り継がれる伝説的な最終回だと思います。
漫画データ
掲載誌：週刊少年ジャンプ
作者：井上雄彦
巻数：全31巻
The final episode of Slam Dunk
Summary of the final episode
In the final match of the Inter-High School Championship, Shohoku High School faced off against Sannoh Kogyo High School. After a desperate struggle, Shohoku began to counterattack, with a combined play between Rukawa and Sakuragi leading to a go-ahead shot. However, Sakuragi collapsed immediately after due to a back injury. Despite being urged by Coach Anzai to substitute out, Sakuragi insisted on staying in the game and returned to the court. In the final moments, as both teams gave their all, Sakuragi received a pass from Rukawa and made a dramatic go-ahead shot. Shohoku won by one point, but Sakuragi’s injury prevented him from playing in the next game. Shohoku was subsequently defeated in the third round, and the story concluded with the victory over Sannoh.
Review of the final episode
The final chapter, which ended with a dramatic go-ahead shot and a high-five between Rukawa and Sakuragi, was a shocking conclusion at the time. Although some expressed regret that the story didn’t continue past the Sannoh match and that Sakuragi couldn’t play in the next game due to his injury, the author’s strong resolve to end the story at that emotional climax was evident. It remains a legendary ending that is still talked about today.
