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sendouakira · 3 years

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A closer look at the interaction between Rukawa Kaede and Sakuragi Hanamichi

As discussed in my previous essay, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede truly share an undeniably unique bond. In fact, the natural progress of their relationship is one of the layers in their character development as well as one of the main themes of the story. Since my first essay focuses on the impact of Sakuragi on Rukawa, I decided to leave out some scenes that don't highlight the purpose of the essay. This time, I would like to analyze in detail some memorable scenes between these two which haven't been previously examined.

Being the protagonist of the manga, Sakuragi is always the center of almost all relationships which are essential to the plot. However, not all relationships revolving around him hold the same degree of importance to his growth as a character. The clearest example is the differences between the scenes in which he meets Haruko and Rukawa for the first time.

The first thing we need to establish is that Sakuragi's crush on Haruko is crucial to the plot of the story since he only joins the basketball team to impress her. However, their relationship mostly serves as the comedic relief for the series and the cause of Sakuragi's discontent towards Rukawa. For the most part, Haruko doesn't really leave much of an impact on Sakuragi like Rukawa does, and there are not many examples that demonstrate she understands Sakuragi on a personal level either.

Even their first meeting reflects this very fact.

Sakuragi gundan-the usual spectators/commentators

Sakuragi struck by "love at first sight" (with lightning in the background and his goofy expression) is a classic example of comedic relief in Japanese manga in the 90ss. His 180° change in attitude towards basketball right after his meeting with her in this scene is also a telltale sign of the nature of their relationship: not serious, a teenage crush.

Compared to the Sakuragi's first meeting with Haruko, the reader can really feel the weight of his first encounter with Rukawa. If I could choose one word to describe the moment Sakuragi and Rukawa first see each other, "dramatic" is the first word I'd use. There are a couple of techniques that are utilized here. Let's examine them in detail.

First panel: Sakuragi is standing behind his friends

Second panel: One whole page of Sakuragi and Rukawa acknowledging each other's presence

Third panel: Sakuragi’s now separated from the rest of his group

It's already established that Rukawa is an important character since the title of chapter 2 itself is his full name, and his back, his eyes are repeatedly shown to the reader. The scene above doesn't highlight the fact that Rukawa is one of the main characters of the series, but the relationship he is about to share with Sakuragi. Notice that in the first panel, Sakuragi is behind his friends. Here, he is only one of the spectators.

In the second panel, we have a full page of Sakuragi and Rukawa being aware of each other's presence (the frame zooms into their faces only). This is a common technique utilized in manga or even in movies/TV series when an interaction between 2 characters needs to be highlighted. In the third panel, notice that Sakuragi is suddenly not behind his friends anymore. Somehow, Sakuragi has separated from the rest of Hanamichi gundan even though we never see when he steps away from his friends. This implies that he is no longer a mere spectator like in the first and second panels. Sakuragi and Rukawa are now the only 2 active participants in the scene while his friends are spectators/commentators who fade away in the background.

The "camera lenses" also stay on the 2 characters a bit longer than usual (neither Sakuragi nor Rukawa initiates the conversation in the third panel although they already see each other in the second panel). This technique is usually deployed when the author wants to emphasize the tension between 2 characters or to foreshadow the future dynamic between them. In Sakuragi and Rukawa's case, it's both.

Of course, this is not the only time their interaction is highlighted. We see this technique once again in the final match with Sannoh, when Sakuragi and Rukawa have a breakthrough in their tacit communication.

There is no doubt that this moment is an important buildup to the climax of the whole manga. Just like how instrumental Sakuragi and Rukawa's first encounter is, the scene above is equally crucial to the plot because it calls attention to their very first successful attempt to cooperate with each other. Inoue sensei again chose to zoom into their faces to highlight this pivotal point of the characters' interaction. Sakuragi and Rukawa's relationship has just turned over a new page.

However, being the masterpiece that it is, Slam Dunk is full of scenes that are jam packed with details and layered with meaning. The scene above is no exception. It's not just about Sakuragi and Rukawa's relationship but also highlights two layers of Sakuragi's character development: 1. His trust in Rukawa and 2. His willingness to cooperate with Rukawa. It takes him 273 chapters to finally make a pass to his "archenemy" and the pass is utterly breathtaking because it underlines that this time, Sakuragi consciously recognizes Rukawa's ability to score for Shohoku at a critical moment. Even more importantly, this scene indicates that Sakuragi is willing to let Rukawa score, instead of trying to show off. We, as readers, once again can truly feel the importance of the moment when Sakuragi and Rukawa's faces and expressions are the center of focus in the same frame.

We know that in the initial phase of their bond, Rukawa is often forced to teach Sakuragi basic techniques on the spot. Although we can hardly say that Rukawa is Sakuragi's mentor, the one person Sakuragi always has his eye on is Rukawa himself. Over the course of the story, Sakuragi receives instructions and guidance from various players (the other 3 Shohoku regulars and even some other players from opponent teams help him in some ways), however, Rukawa is still the only player that Sakuragi personally watches and follows.

But Rukawa doesn't only teach Sakuragi basic techniques, he also points out certain things to Sakuragi in the harshest way possible. While Akagi, Miyagi and Kogure soften up their tone from time to time, Rukawa is always brutally honest to Sakuragi, there is never an instance he sugarcoats his words.

Even when he wants to help Sakuragi regain his composure, this is how he communicates with Sakuragi.

Rukawa kicking Sakuragi from behind and calling Sakuragi "Dou ahou" in the friendly match with Ryonan

Rukawa calling Sakuragi a chicken for being afraid of Shoyo's defence

Or when he "consoles" Sakuragi after the loss against Kainan. (I already analyzed this scene in my previous essay, I won't repeat myself again here).

Obviously, Rukawa doesn't behave like this towards Sakuragi only. He even shows his senpai the same attitude before he sees for himself how well they play. However, what I would like to focus here is the fact that it always works wonders on Sakuragi. Compared to the strict Akagi, the lenient Kogure and Sakuragi's pal Miyagi, Rukawa's words always seem to work better on Sakuragi in critical moments. Let's look at one example of how Miyagi talks to Sakuragi and how Rukawa communicates the same thing.

Notice that when Miyagi mentions, "Ryonan is focusing their attacks on Fukuda", Sakuragi is visbily confused (denoted by .....?). A newbie like him doesn't really know anything about defence strategies, so it's understandable that he cannot comprehend the point Miyagi is trying to get across, not to mention that he is too dense to understand what Miyagi is hinting at anyway. It takes Rukawa who is always mercilessly frank to help Sakuragi catch up with the situation.

There is another instance when Rukawa irks Sakuragi with his deliberate choice of words that I find interesting.

This scene is from chapter 260, when Rukawa accidentally crashes into Sakuragi when he's trying to break free from Sawakita's defence. What's interesting here is that the way he puts it ("everyone already knows a newbie like you will make mistakes. Like paying taxes, it's unavoidable") is very similar to when he "comforts" Sakuragi after their loss against Kainan ("your mistakes were calculated and expected from the beginning", chapter 133).

The scene from chapter 260 reveals that Rukawa's opinion about Sakuragi hasn't changed much. He still doesn't trust that Sakuragi can actually score even if he passes to him. Rukawa's lack of trust in Sakuragi isn't unreasonable. Sakuragi may be the Rebound King of the whole series, but when it comes to scoring, he is obviously not the best player on court. Not only that, Rukawa is absolutely right that Sakuragi is still a newbie. Therefore, it's no wonder Rukawa wouldn't pass to him.

While Rukawa's attitude towards Sakuragi hasn't changed in this scene, Sakuragi's attitude is actually slightly better. Seeing how Rukawa starts cooperating nicely with other teammates, Sakuragi immediately assumes that Rukawa would do the same with him. Here, he starts thinking about playing cohesively as a team, and not just about his own individual play. Although the assumption comes from his own delusion about his abilities and Rukawa's willingness to work with him, this is the very first time Sakuragi actually attempts to improve their tacit understanding (i.e: the ability to cooperate without having to discuss beforehand).

Even though Rukawa doesn't trust Sakuragi until the very last chapter of the series, we know that he does take Sakuragi seriously from time and time. Of all Slam Dunk characters, Rukawa can be said to have the toughest mentality. He's almost never affected by verbal provocations and is always able to keep his head cool on court. There's more than one instance that demonstrates instigation/intimidation tactics are completely useless against Rukawa, even if it's from Sawakita.

Rukawa shows no reactions to Nobunaga's intimidation

Minami: "Can't tell the distance, right?/You should've stayed on the bench" after he intentionally injures Rukawa. Yet, Rukawa pays him no mind

Rukawa completely ignoring Sawakita, and only focusing on the game

Rukawa unfazed by Sawakita’s intimidation, he shows no change in attitude whatsoever

Throughout the whole manga, there are only 2 characters that can provoke Rukawa. One is Sendoh Akira.

Rukawa letting Sendoh's provocation get into his head in his very first match in high school

Sendoh succeds in getting a reaction out of Rukawa in their official match

And the other is Sakuragi.

Sakuragi challenging Rukawa to an one-on-one match and Rukawa accepts the challenge

Rukawa ignoring Sawakita, but getting riled up by Sakuragi's remark

Rukawa claiming he will defeat Sendoh but clearly trying to provoke Sakuragi, not Sendoh

I tend to think that as time passes, Rukawa also improves his mentality on court, not just his technical skills. So it makes sense that when Shohoku enters national championship, coach Anzai doesn't even need to check up on Rukawa's mentality while he makes sure to do so for the other four Shohoku regulars. Thus, it's quite intriguing that Sakuragi can have such an effect on Rukawa that almost no star players can.

In summary, Sakuragi and Rukawa's relationship is indeed central to the plot of the story. As well, their interactions serve as a model testament to each character's growth and development as basketball players. Throughout the series, we can clearly see how they gradually grow to care about each other as teammates and eventually to acknowledge one another's abilities in order to successfully cooperate for their common goal. Their bond never feels forced, neglected or not developed enough since both characters show significant progress to overcome prejudice against each other. It's not an overstatement to claim that Sakuragi and Rukawa's relationship is truly the "gold standard" of shonen manga as their archetypes and dynamic surely stand the test of time.

#Slam Dunk #Slam Dunk anime #Slam Dunk manga #Sakuragi Hanamichi #Hanamichi Sakuragi #Rukawa Kaede #Kaede Rukawa #桜木花道 #流川楓 #Inoue Takehiko #sports manga #basketball #character interaction analysis #スラムダンク

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