Slam Dunk is a basketball manga serialized by Japanese author Takehiko Inoue, gaining tremendous popularity in Japan. It has surpassed 170 million cumulative views in Japan, earning a spot in the Boy Jump 100 Million Club and setting records as the top-selling sports manga, both overall and per volume, as well as ranking third in overall Japanese manga sales.
This manga also became a sensation in South Korea, familiarizing audiences with characters like Kang Baek-ho, Seo Tae-woong, Chae Chi-soo, Jung Dae-man, and Song Tae-sub. Even long after Slam Dunk concluded, many people still remember it, and it has retained a significant fanbase.
Slam Dunk Utilizing Real Japanese Locations
One intriguing aspect of Slam Dunk is its use of actual Japanese locations as backgrounds in the manga. The Kamakura Beach Train, featured as the backdrop for Kang Baek-ho’s route to school, has become a popular tourist attraction. Kamakura High School, the model for Nangnam High School in the manga, used to allow public access. However, due to the overwhelming number of Slam Dunk pilgrims, it is now restricted.
In addition to these, various locations across Japan have served as backgrounds in Slam Dunk, including places in Tokyo’s Shinjuku.
Shinjuku ADHOC Building: A Slam Dunk Background Location
One of the Slam Dunk background locations in Shinjuku is the street with the “ADHOC” sign. Despite being a work that concluded over two decades ago, it’s fascinating and appreciative to still find the “ADHOC” sign in Tokyo’s Shinjuku.
This location appeared in Slam Dunk when the protagonist, Kang Baek-ho, delves into basketball, depicting a poignant scene where his close friends Yang Ho-yeol and Kim Dae-nam walk together.
Shopping Street Nearby
Moreover, in the vicinity, you can find the shopping street where Kang Baek-ho and Cha So-yeon appeared in the manga, shopping for basketball shoes after school.
ADHOC in Tokyo Shinjuku:
- Address: 3 Chome-15-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tōkyō-to 160-0022, Japan