Takehiko Inoue Discusses the Origin of Slam Dunk and the Possibility of a Sequel

Takehiko Inoue, known for directing the initial Slam Dunk film and originating the Slam Dunk manga, participated in the "COURT SIDE in THEATER FINAL" talk event on August 15. During the event, he shared insights about his involvement in the film's production, the dedication he invested in its development, and the potential for a follow-up installment. At 56 years old, Inoue, who also directed the film, expressed his cautious stance regarding the possibility of a sequel: "Stating definitively whether there will be a sequel or not could constrain me. If I confirm its existence and it doesn't materialize, that would be regrettable. Conversely, if I declare there won't be one, I might hinder myself from pursuing it even if I decide to create it. Hence, I prefer to refrain from making any statements at this juncture." Inoue expanded upon the filmmaking journey, emphasizing his dedicated efforts to bring the successful film to fruition: "Before the movie's premiere, my primary aim was its completion.

I strived to enhance it even slightly, pouring all my abilities into the project. The team's dedication was remarkable too," Inoue stated. Being his directorial debut, the film carried special significance for Inoue. Ryūta Koike, a film and music producer, mentioned to Anime News Network that the team's goal was to exceed the original material, largely due to Inoue's foundational role. However, Inoue regarded the actual screening as just one part of the overall story. "In spite of finishing the movie, its true value is only realized when the audience experiences it. A film attains true completion when it reaches the audience—when it has effectively connected with each individual viewer. The same principle applies to manga. Thus, I hope that connection was established," he articulated. The movie garnered substantial attendance in Japanese theaters, securing the top spot upon its release on December 3. During its opening weekend, it sold 847,000 tickets and generated 1,295,808,780 yen (approximately US$9.50 million). As of July 23, the cumulative ticket sales reached 10.33 million, amassing 14,900,403,870 yen (around US$105.3 million). This accomplishment positioned the film as Japan's 14th highest-grossing film of all time and the eighth highest-grossing anime film. Earning the prestigious Animation of the Year award at the 46th Japan Academy Film Prizes, the film also led to accolades for producer Toshiyuki Matsui, who received the general award at the 42nd Fujimoto Awards hosted by Eiga Engeki Bunka Kyōkai (Film Theater Culture Association). GKIDS released the film across the United States and Canada, offering both English-dubbed and Japanese audio versions with English subtitles starting July 28. In its initial North American weekend, the film accrued US$662,211. As of Sunday, its global earnings reached a cumulative total of US$152,355,179. The film's Japanese theater run is set to conclude on August 31.

My Hero Academia 398: Everything You Need To Know

In the realm of My Hero Academia, the anticipation among enthusiasts is at its peak for chapter 398. This excitement has been kindled by the preceding chapter, which, despite its brevity, adeptly stoked the flames of anticipation for the forthcoming events. The manga currently resides within the Final War Saga, wherein the ultimate clash between All Might and All For One is transpiring. This engagement marks the culmination of their long-standing rivalry. All For One's prime abilities have waned, while All Might is bereft of his Quirk. Nevertheless, All Might's unexpected emergence in Armored form has taken both All For One and the fan base by surprise. With the climax of this battle nearing, fans are brimming with eagerness to unveil the next developments. It's likely that My Hero Academia chapter 398 will witness All Might resorting to his tried-and-true strategy of provoking All For One. In the preceding chapter, he skillfully conveyed an appearance of invincibility against All For One's onslaught, despite his Quirkless state. All Might's facade of effortlessly contending with All For One's assaults managed to incense the latter, particularly due to his inability to seize the One For All Quirk from him. Moreover, All For One's history is marred by defeats at All Might's hands, making him a perennial nemesis and a source of profound frustration. Were it not for All Might, All For One could have potentially dominated Japan and beyond, establishing his dominion. These circumstances have contributed to All For One's present state of intense fury. It's plausible that All Might will persist with this strategy in My Hero Academia chapter 398, and All For One will likely continue to fall for the ruse. Consequently, fans can anticipate a barrage of assaults from All For One, driven by his mounting anger. In the preceding chapter, readers witnessed his experimentation with a fresh amalgamation of Quirks, and it's conceivable that this endeavor will persist into the forthcoming chapter. All For One undoubtedly possesses the tools to dismantle All Might in this confrontation, provided he plays his cards astutely. Despite his reluctance to concede, he inadvertently squanders valuable time contending with All Might, with the latter presently holding the upper hand in their psychological duel.

Yagi Toshinori, bolstered by the might of Armored All Might, experienced a significant power surge. However, this newfound strength has been gradually diminishing since its introduction in the very first chapter. The integrity of his cape suffered considerable damage following the initial assault, and in the preceding chapter, his left arm endured substantial harm. While All Might adopted a supportive stance, it's evident that his armored protection is facing a dwindling lifespan. To secure victory in this battle, careful and calculated actions are imperative, ruling out any reckless maneuvers. His current strategy revolves around goading All For One into a state of heightened agitation, compelling him to squander his time until his own strength wanes. Simultaneously, All Might is resolute in his determination not to succumb in this confrontation, a fact he made clear earlier. This resolve implies a more proactive stance, potentially revealing more facets of his capabilities in the upcoming chapter. Conversely, this offensive approach exposes vulnerabilities for All For One to exploit, potentially inflicting further harm to his armor. It's probable that Armored All Might will incur additional damage in My Hero Academia chapter 398. Despite the armor's resilience, it remains susceptible to the onslaught of All For One. Individual strikes have demonstrated their capacity to dismantle substantial portions of the armor, and a well-placed blow from All For One could drastically compromise its integrity. Conceivably, My Hero Academia chapter 398 will deliver this anticipated development, escalating the intensity of the battle. Amidst the gradual erosion of Armored All Might's defenses, it's important for fans to recognize that he has yet to unveil the full extent of his capabilities. The inspiration for Armored All Might draws heavily from his students, with incorporated mechanics reminiscent of their respective Quirks. Readers have already witnessed the utilization of several of these capabilities. In the preceding chapter, Tokoyami's Dark Shadow manifested within the battle suit, leaving fans astounded by its capacity to mimic various Quirks. However, it's pertinent to note that many of his trained students' Quirks remain untapped, including formidable combatants like Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki Bakugo. Fans are well aware of the incredible prowess possessed by these two combatants, and the prospect of witnessing All Might harness their abilities is undeniably thrilling. Simultaneously, there exist additional capabilities at his disposal, encompassing Quirks like Acid and potentially even Zero Gravity. Above all, the fervor among fans is directed towards the prospect of All Might replicating his original One For All Quirk, thereby rekindling techniques such as the Detroit Smash. While readers have already observed him employ techniques like Shoot Style Smash, the anticipation for him to execute his iconic maneuvers against All For One is palpable. My Hero Academia chapter 398 holds the promise of potentially fulfilling these expectations, and if it does, fan satisfaction is all but assured. Over the span of the last two chapters, it has become evident that this confrontation is poised to conclude swiftly. The circumstances dictate that All For One cannot afford protracted engagements, and the rate at which All Might is sustaining damage is notably rapid. Consequently, All Might's tenure within this battle is inevitably limited, and the impending climax of their conflict looms on the horizon. It's plausible that My Hero Academia chapter 398 could serve as the precipice of this climax. With All Might's condition already significantly compromised, the upcoming chapter is likely to accentuate his vulnerabilities further, heralding the decisive phase of their encounter. The recent pattern of battles unfolding across the past several months generally spans only three to four chapters, at most. This precedent hints that the confrontation between these formidable opponents is likely to follow a comparable trajectory. While the significance of this duel suggests that creator Horikoshi may allocate additional attention to its portrayal, it's essential to acknowledge his current health challenges, evident through intermittent breaks and abbreviated chapters. Horikoshi's well-being warrants consideration, and this may influence the pacing of the ongoing fight. Irrespective of the pacing, readers are certain to wholeheartedly embrace the developments unveiled in My Hero Academia chapter 398.

One Piece 1091: Everything You Need To Know

In the previous chapter of One Piece, the Egghead Incident finally unfolded, igniting a surge of excitement among fans. The spotlight now rests on chapter 1091, anticipated to be one of the most captivating installments in recent weeks. With the war now officially underway, the impending intensity has fans brimming with anticipation. The present focus centers on the Straw Hat Pirates, encircled and facing the formidable Navy Fleet, a force that rivals even the formidable Buster Call. The preceding chapter concluded with the anticipation of a showdown on the horizon: the clash between Kizaru and Sentomaru. These two characters share a rich history hinted at in recent chapters. Kizaru's consideration of Sentomaru as a friend, while maintaining respect for his unwavering determination, was a subtle and appreciated element crafted by Oda. Simultaneously, Sentomaru remains resolute in his loyalty to Vegapunk, steadfastly pursuing his course, even if it means confronting a respected adversary. As the last chapter concluded, Kizaru made his entrance onto Egghead Island and immediately engaged Sentomaru in combat. Chapter 1091 of One Piece is likely to delve deeply into this pivotal confrontation. Sentomaru's stalwart defense proved effective in thwarting Kizaru's formidable kick, yet the prospect of sustaining this defense appears tenuous. The status of Borsalino as an Admiral and one of the world's mightiest figures leaves Sentomaru in a precarious position, his ability to withstand Kizaru's assault limited. Although Oda may afford Sentomaru some acknowledgement for his initial resilience, the inevitable outcome seems to be his eventual subjugation under Kizaru's might. This confrontation not only sets the stage for a grand clash between these titanic forces but also invites the exploration of their bond, a narrative aspect that fans fervently desire. The convergence of these characters in battle not only signifies a conflict of immense power but also of two comrades-in-arms.

It is vital to recognize that the conflict on Egghead Island has blossomed into a full-fledged war. Following Kizaru's maneuver in the preceding chapter, Sentomaru promptly commanded the Mark 3s to unleash their assault, obliterating everything within their purview. This action propels the Vice Admirals and the Navy's formidable 100-ship fleet into immediate action, signaling a looming upheaval in One Piece chapter 1091. The activation of the Pacifistas heralds the Navy's forthcoming response. For reference, the Navy boasts 100 ships, 20 of which are imposing battleships. Of these 20 vessels, nine house Vice Admirals, with Kizaru already en route to Egghead Island. Furthermore, one of the Five Elders remains incognito aboard one of the battleships, an enigmatic presence yet to be revealed. Anticipate a spectacle of cannonades erupting towards Egghead Island, as the Mark 3s retaliate, exacting their own punitive strikes upon the Navy's vessels, yielding significant casualties. Kizaru's swift action hinges upon neutralizing this threat, necessitating his victory over Sentomaru. The forthcoming confrontation bears the promise of profound intrigue, and fans can only aspire that it meets their towering expectations. The collective might of the nine Vice Admirals augments the impending spectacle, and characters like Vice Admiral Doll and Vice Admiral Doberman rouse eager anticipation for their forthcoming displays of prowess. Concurrently, the distinction between the Mark 3 Pacifistas and their conventional counterparts beckons exploration. While their augmented potency is evident, the full extent of their capabilities remains untested. This uncharted terrain promises engrossing revelations in the upcoming One Piece chapter 1091. In the preceding chapter, Kizaru successfully breached Egghead Island's Fabriophase and is currently embroiled in a confrontation with Sentomaru. Swiftly, he will dispatch his adversary and ascend to a higher level. One Piece chapter 1091 may witness Kizaru's progression toward the labophase. Fans are privy to his Devil Fruit power, enabling him to circumvent the Frontier Dome entirely. This dynamic impels a war to unfold within the dome's confines, necessitating the Straw Hat Pirates to engage Kizaru from within. Their scheme for a secure Egghead escape has crumbled, prompting Luffy and the crew to demonstrate their mettle by confronting a Marine Admiral. Simultaneously, Vegapunk labors fervently to decipher the code imposed by York upon the Frontier Dome. Once the encryption is unraveled, the island's gates will swing open, presenting the Straw Hats an opportunity for escape. Naturally, this endeavor is far from facile, particularly given the revolutionary nature of the ongoing Egghead Incident. One Piece chapter 1091 is poised to underscore the imperative of engaging and prevailing in this burgeoning war. Should Kizaru promptly overcome Sentomaru, anticipation looms for Luffy's intervention, initiating a clash with the Admiral. This chapter may mark the inaugural exchange of blows between Luffy and Kizaru, aligning with a distinct milestone in Luffy's journey—his confrontation with an Admiral on equitable grounds. Intrigue abounds regarding Saturn's role within the Egghead Island arc. The preceding chapter unveiled Saturn's intention to shroud his presence from the public eye. Evidently, he intends to monitor unfolding events from the confines of his vessel, though his involvement likely extends beyond mere observation. In due course, Saturn is poised to take action, potentially casting a shadow over Kizaru and the Navy. The forthcoming One Piece 1091 could witness the Mark 3 Pacifistas inflicting substantial harm upon the Navy Fleet, necessitating Saturn's direct intervention. Even if Saturn remains uninvolved in the forthcoming One Piece chapter 1091, his participation is an inevitability. Kizaru's solitary efforts stand inadequate to subdue the entire Straw Hat crew, especially when Luffy wields the potential to triumph over him. Furthermore, the presence of formidable fighters like Zoro and Sanji, the entire crew, and a member of the Worst Generation in Bonney amplifies the challenge faced by the World Government. To vie against these formidable adversaries, an unthinkable proposition might arise: leveraging Saturn's might. Thus, Luffy could conceivably find himself backed into a corner during the course of the Egghead Island arc.