Hanamichi Sakuragi

Red-haired delinquent basketball beginner

A first-year student at Shohoku High School who begins as a basketball novice but rapidly grows through extraordinary physical abilities and passion. A hot-blooded young man dedicating his youth to basketball.

Quotes

  • I joined the basketball team because it was love at first sight with Haruko-chan!
  • Gori is my nickname!
  • Rukawa, showdown with me!
  • The free throw goes in because of that form!
  • I'm a basketball beginner, but I work harder than anyone!

Trivia

  • Changed from pompadour to buzz cut due to responsibility in Kainan match.
  • Delinquent in middle school, confessed to 50 girls and rejected by all.
  • Free throw form resembles Rick Barry's unique underhand style.
  • Shohoku High School basketball team jersey number 10.
  • Voice actor changed from TV anime in theatrical version.

Alternate names

Hanamichi Gori Sakuragi Hanamichi

Tags

Basketball High school student Sports Hot-blooded Red hair Rival Friendship Growth Shohoku High School Chiba Prefecture

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male
Birthday
April 1

Appearance

Overall appearance
A sturdy first-year high school student characterized by red short hair. Tall with a muscular build. Starts with a pompadour hairstyle, shaves his head for the Kainan match, and sports a crew cut in the final epilogue.
Height
Approximately 189cm
Weight
83kg
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Red
Distinguishing features
  • Red hair
  • Buzz cut
  • Muscular build
  • Pompadour (initial)
Iconic items
  • NIKE AIR JORDAN VI (White × Red)
  • NIKE AIR JORDAN I (Black × Red)
  • Basketball uniform (back number 10)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Hot-blooded
Detailed personality
Fiery-tempered, rough, and overly confident. A show-off and attention-seeker, but hardworking and loyal to his friends. Devotes himself to basketball out of feelings for his crush Haruko and harbors strong rivalry toward his rival Rukawa.
Keywords
  • Hot-blooded
  • Overconfident
  • Competitive
  • Loyal in friendship
  • Attention-seeker
  • Competitive
  • Passionate
  • Flippant
Talents
  • Exceptional physical abilities
  • High jumping power
  • Superior rebounding
  • Stamina
  • Explosive power
Skills
  • Unique free throw
  • Rapid growth
  • Intuition in offense
  • Defense wall creation
  • High blocking ability
Motivation
Mastering basketball and leading Shohoku High School basketball team to national victory.
Habits
Gives nicknames to teammates and opponents. Calls Takenori 'Gori', Uozumi 'Boss Monkey', etc.
Favorite foods
Unknown
Hobbies
Basketball, Fighting
Favorite colors
Red

History

Backstory
During middle school at Wako, a delinquent constantly fighting and rejected by 50 girls. The trigger to encounter hated basketball was an invitation from his crush Haruko at Shohoku High School. Joins the basketball team initially due to his strong physique. Grows rapidly under strict guidance from Takenori and through rivalry and camaraderie with teammates.
Debut date
circa 1990
Work title
SLAM DUNK
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
Chapter 1 'Sakuragi-kun'

Buzz cut transformation in Kainan match

Significant event
Buzz cut transformation in Kainan match
Description
Feeling responsible for a pass error, changes to buzz cut hairstyle and renews resolve.

Injury in Sannoh match

Significant event
Injury in Sannoh match
Description
Plays until the end despite back injury, hospitalized afterward, and enters recovery.

Acquisition of unique free throw form

Significant event
Acquisition of unique free throw form
Description
Develops distinctive underarm free throw form, dramatically improving success rate.

Winning 1st place in popularity poll

Significant event
Winning 1st place in popularity poll
Description
Ranked 1st in both popularity polls during serialization.

Relationships

Takenori Akagi

Mentor

Strict coaching awakens Sakuragi to basketball.

Kaede Rukawa

Rival

Intense rivalry fueled by mutual crush on Haruko.

Ryota Miyagi

Teammate

Sweats and strives together as teammates.

Haruko

Love-at-first-sight crush and motivation for joining basketball team.

Shohoku High School Basketball Team

Shohoku High School Basketball Team: teammate

Media appearances

SLAM DUNK (TV Anime)

Anime / Protagonist

1993-1996

THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

Movie / Protagonist

2022 Theatrical Edition

SLAM DUNK Related Games

Game / Protagonist

Various

Voice cast and creators

Takeshi Kusao

Voice actor
Takeshi Kusao
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime Edition
Notes
Original voice actor

Subaru Kimura

Voice actor
Subaru Kimura
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Theatrical Anime 'THE FIRST SLAM DUNK'
Notes
New cast

Takehiko Inoue

Creator name
Takehiko Inoue
Role
Original author

Takehiko Inoue

Creator name
Takehiko Inoue
Role
Character designer

unknown

Creator name
unknown
Role
Animation studio

Shueisha

Creator name
Shueisha
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Hanamichi Sakuragi Figure

Item name
Hanamichi Sakuragi Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

SLAM DUNK Basketball Uniform Replica

Item name
SLAM DUNK Basketball Uniform Replica
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

Hanamichi Sakuragi Acrylic Stand

Item name
Hanamichi Sakuragi Acrylic Stand
Category
Accessory
Availability
Regular

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