Takehiko Inoue, the visionary creator of Slam Dunk, has been bestowed with a special award, reaffirming the profound impact of his basketball manga masterpiece.

Initiated in 1990 within the pages of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, Slam Dunk has since transcended its genre to become a seminal work in the world of sports manga and anime.

Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs recently unveiled the winners of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology Award for Fine Arts.

Among the distinguished recipients in the Media Arts category were Takehiko Inoue and Yumi Tamura, the creator of Don’t Call It Mystery. Additionally, animation artist Jun Wada clinched victory in the Rookie category. The formal award ceremony is scheduled for March 12th in Japan.

The accolade is a testament to Inoue’s significant contributions to the arts, recognizing outstanding achievements in the field.

Winners in the Media Arts category receive a certificate and a cash prize of 1.2 million yen (approximately $8,000 USD), while those in the Rookie category are awarded 800,000 yen ($5,330 USD).

Takehiko Inoue’s recognition stems from the global success of The First Slam Dunk, an anime movie released last year. The film, directed by Inoue himself, presented an original story that had never been visualized before.

Notably, the majority of the movie utilized 3DCG, with Inoue actively contributing to the animation process by drawing a substantial portion of the frames and providing meticulous instructions.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs highlighted Inoue’s role as an ‘animation film director’ and attributed the film’s domestic and international triumph to his significant involvement.

The statement further praised The First Slam Dunk for its portrayal of a family drama, showcasing the depth of Inoue’s artistic evolution from the original manga’s serialization to the present day.

The award not only acknowledges Inoue’s mastery in the creation of Slam Dunk but also celebrates his continued artistic growth and impact on the world of manga and animation.