Slam Dunk anime rights and licensing: who controls what
The manga is Inoue's, the anime is Toei's, and territory-specific distributors license from there. Here is what public sources confirm about each layer.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The Slam Dunk manga copyright rests with creator Takehiko Inoue and original publisher Shueisha. Toei Animation holds the anime adaptation rights: it produced the 101-episode TV series that aired from 1993 to 1996 and the 2022 feature The First Slam Dunk in partnership with Dandelion Animation Studio. For North America, GKIDS acquired theatrical and physical home video distribution rights to The First Slam Dunk from Toei Animation in May 2023. The original TV anime has been available on Crunchyroll under a Toei Animation streaming partnership dating back to 2008.
Who owns the underlying intellectual property
Slam Dunk began as a manga written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from issue 42 in 1990 to issue 27 in 1996. That makes Inoue the creator and Shueisha the original publisher of the manga. The manga's copyright, including the characters and story, is therefore separate from the anime adaptation rights.
Public sources do not show the exact contractual split between Inoue and Shueisha, or whether Inoue controls sequel, spin-off, or merchandise rights directly. What is clear is that the anime adaptation rights were licensed to Toei Animation, which produced both the television series and the recent film.
Who holds the anime production and film rights
Toei Animation produced the original Slam Dunk TV anime, which ran for 101 episodes from October 1993 to March 1996. It also produced The First Slam Dunk, the 2022 theatrical film directed and written by Takehiko Inoue himself, with animation production shared by Toei Animation and Dandelion Animation Studio. The film's copyright notice reads (C) I.T.PLANNING,INC. (C) 2022 THE FIRST SLAM DUNK Film Partners, indicating a production-committee style rights structure typical of Japanese theatrical anime.
This means Toei Animation controls or co-controls the anime master prints, character designs created for animation, and licensing of the animated works. It does not necessarily mean Toei owns the manga or can greenlight new manga chapters, which would sit with Inoue and Shueisha.
Ownership uncertainty note: The exact division between Inoue's personal rights, Shueisha's publishing rights, and Toei Animation's animation-specific rights has not been published in full. This guide reports only what rights holders and distributors have publicly disclosed.
Territory-specific distributors and streaming
In May 2023, GKIDS announced that it had acquired North American distribution rights for The First Slam Dunk from Toei Animation. GKIDS released the film theatrically in the United States and Canada in both Japanese with subtitles and a new English dub. The deal covered theatrical and physical home video rights, negotiated directly between GKIDS and Toei Animation.
For streaming, the original Slam Dunk TV series has been available on Crunchyroll. A 2008 partnership between Toei Animation and Crunchyroll listed Slam Dunk among the Toei titles available for streaming, subscription, and download-to-own on the platform. As of 2024, the series remained listed in Crunchyroll's catalog.
Publicly announced Slam Dunk anime distribution arrangements. Source: GKIDS press release, Toei Animation-Crunchyroll press release, Oricon.| Territory / window | Rights holder or distributor | What is licensed |
|---|
| Japan (theatrical) | Toei Animation / Film Partners | The First Slam Dunk film |
| North America (theatrical, home video) | GKIDS (from Toei Animation) | The First Slam Dunk film |
| Streaming (multiple territories) | Crunchyroll (via Toei Animation) | Original Slam Dunk TV anime |
What this means for licensing and merchandise
Because the rights are layered, any Slam Dunk product must clear multiple parties. Apparel, figures, or games based on Inoue's manga art typically need approval from Shueisha and Inoue's representatives. Products using the anime character designs or footage need Toei Animation's sign-off. Products tied specifically to The First Slam Dunk film need approval from the film partners.
This structure is common for long-running Jump franchises. It also explains why The First Slam Dunk could be produced decades after the TV series ended: Toei retained the anime adaptation rights and partnered with Inoue to revisit the property as a film.
Where public evidence stops
No public filing breaks down the revenue split between Inoue, Shueisha, Toei Animation, and the film partners. Toei Animation reports franchise-level revenue but does not disclose per-title licensing terms. Similarly, the exact streaming agreement between Toei and Crunchyroll, including territory scope and expiration dates, has not been published.
For licensors and researchers, the practical starting point is to contact Toei Animation for anime-related uses and Shueisha or Inoue's management for manga-related uses.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the anime rights to Slam Dunk?
Toei Animation holds the anime adaptation rights. It produced the 1993-1996 TV series and the 2022 film The First Slam Dunk in partnership with Dandelion Animation Studio. The manga rights remain with creator Takehiko Inoue and publisher Shueisha.
Who licenses Slam Dunk in North America?
GKIDS acquired North American theatrical and physical home video distribution rights to The First Slam Dunk from Toei Animation in May 2023. The original TV anime is available on Crunchyroll.
Where can I stream Slam Dunk?
The original Slam Dunk TV anime has been available on Crunchyroll under a Toei Animation streaming partnership. Availability can vary by territory and over time.
Did Takehiko Inoue direct The First Slam Dunk?
Yes. The First Slam Dunk was written and directed by Takehiko Inoue, the original manga creator, with animation production by Toei Animation and Dandelion Animation Studio.