Slam Dunk Chapter 72 Discussion
- Thread starter domdomll
- Start date
- #4
On another note, I think this was a really good character arc.
Although the fighting bit was dragged out a bit too much and compared to the usual tone of the series, the "evil" side of Mitsui was a little too dramatic at times; I felt like the ending with Anzai - sensei arriving at the gym was really well delivered.
And the emotional impact that his presence had on Mitsui was perfectly conveyed.
I just wish Mitsui could've been introduced prior to Miyagi, as a consant side character from the very beginning. Getting to know him as someone who hates Basketball or rather the team in the first few chapters would've been a better build up to the later events in my opinion. The transition from a seemingly unjust evil stranger to a former star athlete who loves Basketball just as much as Gori and the rest, would've been much smoother and I would've cared more about Mitsui as a character.
It's also unfortunate that Sakuragi's gang didn't receive some thanks from the team, Mitsui and Sakuragi.
His gang is constantly supporting him since they've realized that Sakuragi's so much happier and becoming a more respectable person after discovering his love for basketball and yet Sakuragi hasn't really thanked them for that.
At least some non verbal affirmation like a silent exchange of "warm stares" between them or some sort of nod or touch on the shoulder would've been enough for me.
Similarly to Sakuragi's friends, I've had the same issue with Mitsui's friends:
As much as I loved how Mitsui's gang is also taking the blame for them; I would've appreciated some more insight on their part. What I mean by that, are some flashbacks or stronger indications from beforehand that they knew that Mitsui was unhappy and actually wanted to go back to being a member of the team.
I was also expecting a little more on Kogure's part.
I would've liked for him to stress how much better Mitsui was and how large the gap between Mitsui and him was and how disappointed they were for him to just leave. Seeing the weak Kogure who felt inferior to Mitsui in every regard, stand up to the person he admired and reminding him about the supporting the team plan to talk some sense into him, would've been some stronger character development for Kogure, too.
I think the actual reunion of Anzai sensei and Mitsui was handled well like I said above, yet I expected a few lines coming from the old man.
For example to have to have him express that he's glad that Mitsui has returned just so that the later could break into crying after having a confirmation that his pillar of strength, Anzai sensei, actually valued him in return.
I'm looking forward to see the ' problematic teenager ' basketball team build up interesting group dynamiques!
