For the tens of millions of Slam Dunk fans in Dragon Country, this was a day they would never forget.
Slam Dunk had been airing for quite some time now, and its long run had built up a truly terrifying fanbase.
Starting at noon, those countless fans had been so shaken by this week's episode that they aimlessly flooded the internet with posts. That morning, Zhao Qinyin's fans and Shui Xin's fans had still been at each other's throats, but by the afternoon, that was no longer happening.
The entire Dragon Country Animation Industry was singing Slam Dunk's praises!
Everyone had only hoped that the All-Island Tournament would maintain the same standard as the protagonist team's games in Kanagawa Prefecture. After all, though it hadn't sparked a huge fan backlash, the first All-Island Tournament game against Toyotama simply hadn't been as good as the matches against Kainan and Ryonan.
But in this game against Sannoh, the series' pacing and plot had improved by leaps and bounds. And today...
No one had expected Zhao Qinyin to portray Sakuragi Hanamichi, the character fans knew best, in such a deeply moving way.
One line, one view of his back, and fans were covered in goosebumps.
It was just an animated basketball game, yet after watching this week's episode, countless dispirited office workers felt their hearts and bodies fill with strength. That feeling might fade quickly, but for one brief moment, a work had moved someone enough to make them reflect on their life. There was no question: that was a tremendous success.
As fans celebrated online, the news outlets, media, animation reviewers, and industry figures all sprang into action.
Just like the fans, they all found different ways to sing Slam Dunk's praises.
Of course, a few people looking for attention tried to