THE FIRST SLAM DUNK Returns to Theaters in Spring 2027 With New Visual
The announcement arrives just days after a free outdoor screening at Meiji Park on August 29 and 30, and the new visual's focus on Ryota Miyagi, rather than the series' nominal protagonist Hanamichi Sakuragi, keeps attention on the film's point-of-view character as fans push for additional episodes.
Key Facts
- THE FIRST SLAM DUNK 2027 in cinema runs from March 20 to April 1, 2027, in theaters nationwide.
- The film was first released in December 2022 and has a cumulative box office revenue of 166.7 billion yen.
- The original SLAM DUNK manga sold over 185 million copies worldwide and is published in 30 countries and regions.
- The announcement was made on August 29 via the official website and later on the official X account.
- A free outdoor screening was held at Meiji Park on August 29 and 30, 2026.
Reporting from 2 sources: Magmix, Anime Anime.
The anime film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK will return to theaters nationwide from March 20 to April 1, 2027, under the title THE FIRST SLAM DUNK 2027 in cinema. The announcement came on August 29 via the official website and was later shared on the official X account, accompanied by a new visual showing Ryota Miyagi dribbling in profile. The film, written and directed by original manga creator Takehiko Inoue, was first released in December 2022 and ran in theaters until August 2023, followed by several revival screenings. Its cumulative box office revenue stands at 166.7 billion yen. The manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1990 to 1996 has sold over 185 million copies worldwide and is published in 30 countries and regions. Fan reactions to the new visual and screening announcement include praise for the artwork and requests for merchandise, as well as hopes for a sequel covering other episodes from the original manga. Theater locations and visitor bonuses have not yet been announced.
The new visual depicts Ryota Miyagi mid-dribble, captured from the side, a choice that continues the film's focus on the Shohoku point guard rather than the manga's central character Hanamichi Sakuragi. The official announcement used the phrase "Spring. The season of beginnings. That summer begins." to accompany the reveal.
Fan comments collected by Magmix include requests for Sakuragi's birthday on April 1 to fall within the screening window, which it does, and calls for figures of the Sakuragi gang. Other viewers expressed hope that the re-release could carry a trailer for a sequel, with specific suggestions including adapting the Toyotama match or telling the story from the perspectives of Akagi, Sakuragi, Rukawa, and Mitsui.
The film's cumulative box office of 166.7 billion yen and its multiple revival screenings since the initial run are noted by both Magmix and Anime Anime. The manga's worldwide circulation of over 185 million copies and publication in 30 countries and regions is also cited. Neither outlet reports any confirmation of a sequel, and details on participating theaters and audience bonuses remain pending.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.