Original artwork, not a still
If you give up, the game is already over.
— Slam Dunk · 1993
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Anzai is a mild, round-faced old man, and this is the sentence he is remembered for: effort is only wasted if you stop, and the game is not lost until you quit. Wikipedia calls it the most famous quote of the series, and it travels well beyond basketball. In the story it is why a bitter dropout walks back into the gym.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Slam DunkShow the scene
The line is Coach Anzai's trademark saying, in Japanese "Akirametara soko de shiai shūryō", and it belongs to Hisashi Mitsui's past. At Takeishi Junior High, where Mitsui was the MVP, Anzai encouraged him not to give up until the last second of the final, and that is why he later chose Shohoku High over stronger schools. After a knee injury he quits and becomes a delinquent, then sets out to wreck the basketball team. In the anime's "I Want to Play Basketball!" (episode 27, 21 May 1994, adapting manga chapters 70 and 71), Anzai asks to be let into the gym, Mitsui remembers his words and breaks down, saying he wants to play basketball.
Sources (4)
- Wikipedia: List of Slam Dunk charactersentry for AnzaiReference checked
- Slam Dunk Wiki: Hisashi MitsuiHistoryReference checked
- Slam Dunk Wiki: Basketball (chapter 71)summaryReference checked
- Slam Dunk Wiki: Episode 27infoboxReference checked
Context reviewed
