S. Koreans buy over 1 million copies of Japanese comic series ‘Slam Dunk’

Manga basketball comic book series “Slam Dunk” has sold over 1 million copies in South Korea, after a resurgence in sales since Jan. 4, when the animated film adaptation “The First Slam Dunk” hit local screens.

The local publisher Daiwon C.I. vowed to continue printing the repackaged version of the book series by Takehiko Inoue up to over 1.4 million by April in anticipation of robust sales in the short term due to strong demand from fans.

The 20-book series was published in 2018 after a previous edition with 31 volumes was condensed.

The 1990–1996 comic book series was written by Takehiko Inoue.

A special edition of "Slamdunk Re: Source," which includes behind-the-scenes accounts of the animation development, an interview with Takehiko, character designs, and sketches, is presently available for pre-order via the publisher.

About 50,000 copies of the special edition are currently in press, and they are set to hit bookshelves next week.

With 2.9 million moviegoers in South Korea, "The First Slam Dunk" has dominated the country's box office for the past three weeks.