His performance is anything but impressive. Haruko takes him to the school gymnasium and, in an attempt to show off, he leaps for a slam dunk. He misses the hoop completely, instead smashing his head into the backboard in a hilarious, slapstick disaster. Despite his utter lack of skill, Haruko is amazed by his raw athleticism and explosive jumping power, and she brings him to the attention of the basketball team's intimidating captain.

Even from these early chapters, readers can see the spark of a genius. Inoue was a high school basketball player himself, and he infused the manga with his own real-life passion. This first volume is a showcase of his emerging style:

Why Volume 1 Works

It is the starting point for a manga that physically altered the sports landscape in Japan, inspiring a generation of real-life youths to pick up basketballs.

Haruko is the first girl to look past Sakuragi’s "scary" reputation. She asks him a simple question: "Do you like basketball?" To win her heart, Sakuragi lies through his teeth, claiming to be a "sportsman," and follows her to the gym. Key Highlights of Volume 1