Lovely anime song

Theme songs and insert songs from Slam Dunk through the years, including the theme song from the 2022 film!

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

Slam Dunk, a nationally beloved manga by Takehiko Inoue, debuted in 1990.

It’s a masterpiece that stands as a landmark in basketball-themed manga and anime!

In this article, we’ll introduce the opening and insert songs from the Slam Dunk anime.

We’ve also highlighted the insert songs from the past theatrical releases and the theme song for THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, which premiered in 2022.

Be sure to listen to these wonderful tracks that bring the world of the series to life!

All-time Slam Dunk theme and insert songs, including the 2022 movie theme! (11–20)

Takenori Akagi’s Theme ~Gori Arrives~

Slam Dunk OST – Akagi Takenori’s Theme ~Gori Sanjou~

Takenori Akagi’s Theme ~Gori Arrives~

This is the theme of Takenori Akagi, the dependable senior to the protagonists, nicknamed “Gori.” The intro has a sinister vibe, but it gradually brightens toward the bridge, which really seems to capture Gori’s personality.

The technical guitar solo also adds a great atmosphere.

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Mitsui's pride

Slam Dunk OST – Mitsui’s Pride

Mitsui's pride

Mitsui is a genius shooter.

This song expresses his pride.

He’s very confident, but he’s also put in the work to back it up.

He’s had his ups and downs in the past, but for Shohoku he’s indispensable.

Precisely because of his strong pride, he’s someone you can believe in when it matters most.

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I absolutely can't afford to lose!

Slam Dunk OST – Whatever Happens, We Won’t Lose!

I absolutely can't afford to lose!

The song kicks off with a powerful guitar phrase, and the low-range bass stands out throughout.

There’s a sense of dynamism in the track, and it really feels like its title: “No matter what, I can’t afford to lose!” From the middle to the latter half, the electric guitar—the showy flower of the instrument world—takes the spotlight.

Its entrance heightens the drama, evoking a fierce, spark-flying showdown between two men.

It’s also a great track to listen to before a match if you play sports as a hobby or in a club.

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Super Top Showdown: Maki vs. Sendoh

Slam Dunk OST – Powerful Confrontation ~ Sendoh vs. Maki

Super Top Showdown: Maki vs. Sendoh

This is the music used in Episode 65 of SLAM DUNK, the landmark high school basketball manga.

It plays during the seesaw battle between Shinichi Maki, captain of Kainan University Affiliated High School’s basketball team, and Akira Sendoh, Ryonan High School’s genius all-around player.

The track is tense and striking, featuring electronic sounds and a pounding beat.

Although short, it’s perfect for events like school festivals—using it for someone’s entrance scene can be especially effective!

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TIP OFF!!

Slam Dunk OST – Tip Off!

TIP OFF!!

It’s a refreshing number that signals the start of the match.

Shimmering synth tones and a driving synth brass melody race forward.

It has the feeling of everyone dashing off at once, and it was used in many memorable scenes.

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Counterattack begins now!!

Slam Dunk BGM: Fast Break!! Counterattack Begins (Sokkou! Hangeki Kaishi)

Counterattack begins now!!

‘Swift Strike!! Counterattack Begins’ is a fast-paced track bursting with the sense of speed, as if the team is launching their counterattack right now.

It kicks off with tight, rapid-fire drumming, and the buoyant tone of the piano conveys the rising excitement during the match.

The electric guitar and synthesizer drive the overall sound, expressing the tension of battle.

From the midpoint, the main melody shifts to the synthesizer, and the bright tone suggests the protagonists’ exploits, while the conga boosts the sense of speed even further in this high-tempo piece.

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All-time Slam Dunk theme and insert songs, including the 2022 movie theme! (21–30)

an empty gymnasium

Slam Dunk OST – Empty Gym

an empty gymnasium

With its subtly mysterious sound, it first gives the impression of encountering something unknown—like you’re staring at it intently, captivated by curiosity.

From the middle, it shifts to a refreshing melody that feels like something awakening, and listening to it really puts you in a brighter mood.

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