#Haruko Akagi

[paunchsalazar]

sketches while watching/reading Slam Dunk

[slamdunkhcs]

Found some of my older essays in my google docs… you guys are very lucky. This may or may not be the last post until my winter break (depending on if i find more old essays)

love in slam dunk

Slam Dunk is best known for its intense basketball action and character-driven storytelling, but it also features some of the most pure and heartfelt depictions of love in shōnen manga. The relationships between Ryota Miyagi and Ayako, as well as Hanamichi Sakuragi and Haruko Akagi, provide a fresh perspective on romance, one that diverts from over-the-top romance tropes common in the Shonen genre, instead opting for moments of emotional authenticity among the series’s main two couples.

Ryota Miyagi’s feelings for Ayako are sometimes loud or obvious, but they are undeniably genuine. Ryota admires Ayako not just for her beauty but for her maturity, intelligence, and leadership as the team’s manager. One memorable example occurs when Ayako scolds Ryota for his brashness during practice, and instead of becoming defensive or aggressive, he listens attentively and takes her words to heart. He even scolds the others to listen to her words. This shows the respect Ryota holds for her, not as an idealized love interest but as someone who inspires him to be better.

What makes their dynamic so refreshing is Ayako’s independence and confidence. She acknowledges Ryota’s admiration without being dismissive or overly accommodating.

Throughout the series, Ayako’s support for Ryota goes beyond her role as the team manager. During games, she often singles him out with specific advice and encouragement, such as reminding him to stay calm under pressure or praising his quick decisions.

These moments may seem small, but they show Ayako’s awareness of Ryota’s struggles and it is her own way of reciprocating his feelings. Ayako doesn’t openly express romantic affection, but her actions—like cheering him on when he feels overwhelmed—speak volumes about her care for him.

Their dynamic, where love is expressed through small, caring acts rather than overt declarations/gestures, reflects a level of maturity rare in shonen manga. Their relationship thrives on mutual respect and understanding, and it shows that love doesn’t always need to be dramatic to be meaningful.

Hanamichi Sakuragi’s love for Haruko Akagi is one of the driving forces behind his decision to join the basketball team, but it is far from a typical romance. His feelings for Haruko are pure and earnest, fueled by admiration for her kindness and enthusiasm for the sport. What makes their dynamic unique is how Haruko inspires Hanamichi to grow—not by demanding it, but simply by believing in his potential.

Another thing sets their dynamic apart is how Hanamichi’s love is portrayed not as an obsessive or idealized fantasy, but as an innocent longing for connection. This innocence is most evident in Hanamichi’s fantasy of what it would mean to have a girlfriend. Unlike typical shonen protagonists, whose romantic aspirations might revolve around physical attraction or “weird” scenarios, Hanamichi’s dream is simply to walk a girl to and from school. This vision is strikingly pure and reflective of the awkward, genuine feelings of a teenager experiencing love for the first time. It is a big contrast to many shonen, which often sexualize their female characters or present romance in a way that feels transactional

Haruko, for her part, never mocks or diminishes Hanamichi’s feelings. While she is unaware of his crush, she consistently treats him with kindness and encourages his growth. A memorable example is when she praises Hanamichi for staying late to practice his shooting, showing that she values his effort and determination. Though Haruko’s heart belongs to Rukawa, her warmth and encouragement play a massive role in Hanamichi’s journey toward self discovery.

What makes Hanamichi and Haruko’s relationship so compelling is its emotional weight. Hanamichi’s crush is not rewarded with a confession or a dramatic romantic arc, but it serves as a catalyst for his personal growth. By channeling his love for Haruko into his newfound passion for basketball, Hanamichi discovers a sense of purpose and self-worth. Their relationship captures the awkwardness and uncertainty of teenage infatuation while showing how love, even unrequited, can push someone to be their best self.

In many shonen series, romantic subplots are rife with clichés. Female characters are often reduced to idealized figures or comic relief, while male protagonists are rewarded with their love interests after overcoming obstacles that have little to do with the relationship itself. In contrast, Slam Dunk grounds its romances in simple, yet authentic moments. Ryota’s admiration for Ayako and Hanamichi’s earnest crush on Haruko feel more like reflections of real human relationships than formulaic storylines.

For example, Ryota doesn’t win Ayako’s heart by performing some dramatic act; instead, his feelings are expressed through his consistent respect for her and the way he values her advice. Similarly, Hanamichi’s love for Haruko isn’t the reason he succeeds in basketball, but it serves as a gentle nudge toward discovering his own passion and discipline. These relationships are not about conquering or achieving love—they are about learning, growing, and connecting on a deeper level.

[dkirbyj]

Gettin’ into Slam Dunk lately.

[azzurro-due]

[sleepy-edits]

[leiandroid]

haruko chyannnn

[izane23]

My favorite scene!

[immloveanime]

Slam Dunk Settei

[conbiniclub]

made some slam dunk shohoku stickers!

[bungeegum28]

𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐞 Slam Dunk: OAD 1 • スラム ダンク (1994) 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 Takehiko Inoue 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 Toei Animation 𝐝𝐢𝐫. Nobutaka Nishizawa 𝐜𝐡𝐫. 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫 Masaki Satou

𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦: 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴

[metaldragoon]

[winternet-s]

MISUNDERSTOOD ( slam dunk )

summary : After moving to Japan over a year ago, [Name] faces the challenges of xenophobia, cultural barriers, and fitting into a society that sees her as an outsider. As she struggles with isolation, an unexpected encounter with Hanamichi Sakuragi, the school's notorious red-haired delinquent, throws her life into even more chaos. Between harsh whispers in the hallways and the surprising friendships she forms, [Name] is about to discover that fitting in means more than just blending into the background.

notes: writing long chapters is harder than what i thought 🧍🏿‍♀️

warnings: praying ? i mean ik many people who got religion trauma so .. skip that part if you're uncomfy !

wc: 2,8k

MASTERLIST

II. RUKAWA KAEDE

— A NEW DAY HAD SHOWN, [NAME] was sat, the rhythmic sway of the train's embrace, melodies weave through her mind as she had her earphones plugged in her ears minding her business, not fully noticing the elderly woman standing up right in front of her. Until she spotted a group of girls wearing the same uniform as her, lowering the music she took time to listen to their words. 

Their hushed words waltz in the air, "That old lady's standing right in front of her but she's just sitting there." a clandestine critique veiled in camaraderie,"Pretty girls are usually ugly inside." exchanged between conspiring lips. 

None of her actions escaped the sharp tongues of critics, each step weighed and found wanting, their eyes turning into a relentless microscope. [name] paid no mind to their words she simply stood up letting her place for the older woman. 

In the quiet train where the curious would glance at her figure, only to turn onto surprised one. With a swift unfeeling kick, tranquility is shattered for the man who was asleep, the dreamer is torn from his cocoon of rest. Abruptly waking up, blurry vision, once clear he spoke up to [name].

"W-What's gotten into you..?"Stammered the old man, slowly but surely waking up.

"Your leg was in my way!" Hearing this was enough for the stranger to apologize, cheeks faintly turning rose. However a stream of discontent pierces the air like a mournful wail.

". . tss foreigners are troublesome." Each word drips with dissatisfaction, hearing this [name] couldn't help but lean towards the woman. Her gentle breath brushing against the skin, leaning in with careful intent, she whispered into her ear.

"Stealing while he is asleep isn't brave of you, and am I really troublesome? That's rich coming from a thief." Her words are a secret troubling the gray haired woman, mocking yet honest. 

"I don't know what you're t-talking about." 

Caught in the web of deceit, words tangled like threads, she had the weight of the truth pressed against her lips. It was as if the cold stare that the teeanger was giving to her froze her on the seat, struggling to break free from her stare. She built a lie. A lame lie.

"You will reap what you sow one day."

[name] walked away, leaving behind a lingering silence that echoes the unresolved tension in the air. 

'How did she noticed?!' was the only thing pondering her thoughts.

—

AS THE TRAIN PULLED into the station, [Name] disembarked, her steps measured and purposeful, the muted music now a faint echo in her ears. She walked the familiar path to school, her gaze unwavering, her thoughts a fortress against the world's intrusions.

Entering the school gates, she found herself amidst the throng of students, their chatter a constant hum. Suddenly, a voice called out, clear and bright above the noise."[Name]!" Haruko's face lit up as she approached, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to the cool detachment of [Name].

"Morning," [Name] replied, her tone even, her expression unchanging.

"I'm so glad I caught you!" Haruko continued, undeterred. "Sakuragi was looking for me earlier. Do you know anything about it?"

[Name] raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "No. But knowing Sakuragi, it's probably something ridiculous."

Haruko awkwardly laughed, a sound as light as spring rain. "You're probably right. Anyway, there's something else. Are you okay? You look lost in your thoughts. "

[Name] sighed inwardly, "Just wondering when will I feel at home. Plus I might have acted before thinking..."

The brunette felt a pang of guilt and reached out to gently touch [Name]'s arm. "Hey, don't worry. It takes time to adjust. You're doing great, really. And everyone can see how strong you are."

[Name] gave a small smile, appreciating the comfort. "Thanks, Haruko. I guess I just need to give it more time." The bell rang, signaling the end of their break, and the two girls began walking toward their classroom. As they approached, a group of classmates, known for their hypocrite attitudes, called out to [Name].

"Hey, [Name]! We're going to karaoke after school. You should come with us," one of the girls said with a deceptively sweet smile.

[Name] intensely stared at them, sensing the invitation was more of a trap than a friendly gesture. Haruko noticed the exchange and gave [Name] a supportive nod. "It's okay, you don't have to go if you don't want to," she whispered.

[Name] mustered a polite decline. "No thanks."

The group shrugged and moved on, leaving [Name] feeling a bit relieved. As they entered the classroom, Haruko's eyes sparkled with a sudden thought. "Oh, I almost forgot! Hanamichi wants to talk to me, I'm a bit nervous and..I would love if you come with me."

Curious, and in need of a distraction, [Name] agreed. After the final bell rang, she made her way to the designated spot, finding Hanamichi's gang crouched behind a bush, clearly up to something.

—

"What's going on?" [Name] whispered, crouching down beside them. Startled by the new voice in his ears, the red head abruptly turned his face to the owner, a mischievous grin on his face. "We're spying on Haruko. I need to know what she thinks about Rukawa."

The girl crouched before him, her movements smooth and deliberate. Despite the so called serious situation, there was an air of quiet confidence about her, as if she had done this a thousand times before. Her posture was relaxed, her presence comforting, and the slight tilt of her lips made it clear she was fully aware of the chaos unfolding inside Hanamichi’s mind.

"Be honest with her," she said softly, her voice gentle but firm. She looked him straight in the eyes, as if daring him to actually listen for once. "And do not scare her. You can be quite aggressive sometimes."

Hanamichi blinked, taken aback. "Aggressive? Me? I’m the gentlest guy around!" His voice came out louder than intended, and she raised an eyebrow in response, clearly unconvinced.

She sighed, the kind of sigh you give a toddler who insists they're a superhero but keeps tripping over their cape. "Yeah, sure. Just don't... you know, get too excited. Try to keep it cool."

Hanamichi puffed out his chest. "Cool? I’m always cool." He raised a fist, dramatically flexing, clearly imagining himself as the picture of composure.

"Uh-huh." Her expression remained deadpan, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. She was already bracing herself for whatever disaster Hanamichi was about to cause. "Also, don’t make things weird. And the most important thing—"

Hanamichi leaned in closer, his face full of sudden intensity. "The most important thing? What is it?!"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, giving him a serious look that made him gulp. “Don’t—”

He leaned in closer, eyes wide.

“Do anything stupid.”

A beat passed. Hanamichi froze, blinking rapidly, his brain slowly processing the weight of the advice. "What? Me? Do something stupid?! I—"

But before he could finish, she gave him a light thump on the forehead with her knuckle. "Yes, you. Now go out there, don't overthink it, and try not to be a complete disaster."

Hanamichi rubbed his forehead, looking slightly hurt but still confused. "Oi, oi, what’s with the forehead flick? I got this! I’m not gonna mess it up!"

She stood up, her expression still calm but the teasing edge clear in her smile. "Let’s hope so. I have faith in you... sort of."

"Sort of?!" Hanamichi's voice shot up an octave, but she had already turned on her heel, giving him a quick wave as she walked away.

Hanamichi took a deep breath, straightening his back. "Just you wait! I’ll show her how brilliant I am!" He smirked, his confidence surging. “I’m a genius, after all!”

He let out a loud, boisterous laugh, throwing his head back as if the universe was about to recognize his unparalleled greatness. “Hahahaha! Who wouldn’t fall for a genius like me?!”

As the sound of his laughter echoed, the girl shook her head, a smile creeping onto her face. "If I recall correctly, I'm the second person who rejected you, anyways I gotta go!" she called back, leaving Hanamichi with a blend of determination and slight embarrassment.

Meanwhile, the four others that were present were amused by the scene instantly noticing the change in their friend. Moments ago, Hanamichi had radiated confidence—his usual boisterous self, the self-proclaimed genius. But now, his demeanor was entirely different.

Hanamichi stood there, blinking in a daze. The trademark swagger he wore so proudly seemed to crumble away with each passing second. His eyes darted from the path where [Name] had left him to his group of friends, a flush creeping steadily up his neck and into his cheeks. His fingers absentmindedly brushed over the spot where she'd lightly tapped his forehead, his mind replaying her words on a loop.

"I wasn’t too aggressive… was I?" he mumbled to himself, barely audible. He suddenly felt like a child caught in the act of something mischievous, rather than the towering presence he often tried to be.

"Come on, Hanamichi!" Nozomi nudged him with an elbow, his grin wide. "You really thought that’d work? The ol’ 'date me' approach?"

Mito chuckled, shaking his head. "It’s okay, man. It’s all part of the learning process. You’re two rejections in, but who's counting?"

"Shut up!" Hanamichi shot back, though his heart wasn’t in it. The teasing didn’t even faze him this time. Instead, his mind was fixated on the brief yet charged exchange with [Name]—the calm way she handled herself, how she wasn't swept up by his dramatic antics. And worse, how she had called him… aggressive.

"Did I come off too strong?" he asked, a rare hint of vulnerability seeping into his voice. "She wasn’t scared of me or something, right?"

His friends shared knowing glances, all too familiar with Hanamichi’s tendency to bulldoze through situations without fully realizing the consequences. But before they could offer any more insight, Hanamichi straightened up and puffed his chest out once more, as if trying to reclaim his lost confidence.

"Doesn't matter!" Hanamichi declared, forcing the usual bravado back into his tone. "I’m a genius! She’ll come around eventually!"

But the resolve in his voice didn’t quite match the uncertainty in his eyes.

—

As [Name] walked away from the scene, frustration bubbled inside her. The encounter in the train had left her uneasy. Feeling the weight of everything, she found herself drawn to the nearest bathroom. Once inside, she locked herself in one of the stalls, pressing her hands against her temples and breathing deeply. Her head was spinning from the whirlwind of emotions. Leaning back against the door, she whispered a quiet prayer under her breath.

"God, help me. I don’t know how to deal with this anymore." Her voice was soft, almost pleading. "I don’t want to be rude. I don’t want to push people away. But… I’m tired. Tired of always feeling like an outsider. Tired of fighting to belong. Forgive me if I’ve been harsh, if I’ve judged too quickly." She paused, swallowing hard as her hands clasped together. "Please give me strength… and patience. I’m trying, I really am."

The words hung in the air for a moment, her whispered prayer fading into the quiet of the bathroom. As she opened her eyes, she stared blankly at the tiled floor, wondering if any of it would get easier. Would the misunderstandings lessen? Would the constant feeling of being an outsider ever fade?

Before she could get too lost in her thoughts, the bathroom door creaked open, and familiar voices floated in, immediately pulling her back to reality. She stiffened, recognizing the sharp laughter—it was her bullies. She stayed silent, her breath caught in her throat, as she listened.

"Did you see the look on her face on the train earlier?" one of them sneered, her voice laced with venom. "The audacity to call out that old woman like she’s some kind of saint. Who does she think she is?"

"I know, right?" another voice chimed in, her tone equally cruel. "Just because she’s a foreigner doesn’t mean she gets to lecture people. She always acts like she’s above everyone. It’s pathetic."

"Honestly, I’m not surprised she rejected Hanamichi. She probably thinks no one's good enough for her." Their laughter grew louder, each comment more cutting than the last. "I bet she couldn't even understand what he was saying with that terrible accent of hers."

The laughter that followed was harsh and bitter, each word stinging like salt in a wound. [Name] could feel her pulse quicken, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to steady herself. They were talking about her as if she weren’t human—as if she were some sort of novelty, different because she wasn’t like them.

"You know, it’s only a matter of time before she messes up," one of the girls added, her tone dripping with malice. "She’ll make a fool of herself, and we’ll all be there to see it."

The door creaked again as the girls left, their mocking laughter fading down the hallway. Silence returned to the bathroom, but it felt heavy, suffocating. [Name] stared at her reflection in the mirror, her chest tight. She had known they talked about her, of course. The whispers, the sideways glances—it had all been there since day one. But hearing it so openly, so unapologetically cruel, made her stomach turn.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to push the bitterness away. She wasn’t going to let their words define her. She wasn’t going to let their opinions shape how she saw herself.

With one last look at her reflection, she straightened her posture and quietly left the bathroom. Her steps were firm, her head held high, even though inside, she still carried the weight of their cruelty.

‘Lord forgive me for the hatred I have against them and theirs against me.’ She thought.

She took a deep breath, smoothed her uniform, and exited the restroom. As she stepped into the hallway, she noticed Haruko standing nearby, glancing around as if looking for someone.

"[Name]-chan!" Haruko's voice echoed down the corridor as she caught sight of her friend. There was a touch of worry in her bright eyes as she hurried over. "[Name]-chan, where were you? You were supposed to be there when Sakuragi wanted to talk to me!"

[Name] offered a small, apologetic smile, her mind still clouded by the earlier encounter and her tense exchange in the restroom. "Sorry, Haruko-chan," she began, choosing her words carefully. "I just... needed a moment. I had to pray." She shrugged lightly, not wanting to dive into the specifics of what had just transpired.

Haruko’s brows furrowed with concern, her usual brightness dimmed slightly. "Are you okay? You looked... distracted earlier."

[Name] could feel Haruko's worry for her, but she wasn’t ready to burden her friend with the weight of her thoughts—not yet. "I’m fine," she reassured softly. "I just needed to clear my head, that’s all. I'm really sorry if I worried you."

Haruko smiled in understanding, though the concern didn't fully leave her gaze. "You don’t need to apologize. I’m just glad you’re okay."

As the two girls began walking down the hallway, [Name]'s eyes wandered upwards. She blinked in surprise as her gaze fell upon a familiar red-haired figure, standing by the edge of the rooftop, with what seemed to be his friends and another one �� and the way he was holding the black hair is far from being affectionate. Hanamichi Sakuragi. His tall frame, his unmistakable vibrant hair—it was hard to miss him, even from a distance.

"Is that... Sakuragi-kun?" [Name] muttered, half to herself, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Haruko followed her gaze and nodded. "Yeah, that’s him. And Mito-kun …And the other one is, Rukawa-kun!?” She exclaimed her voice laced with panic. Before even saying anything the brown hair grabbed her friend’s arm and started leading her towards the staircase.”We have to stop them!”

“No we don’t, but you decided that we had to when we could just tell a teacher.” 

[Name] rambled unsure why she was getting into this drama. But as she glanced at Haruko’s determined face, she gave up on the idea to stop her friend.

As they reached the rooftop entrance, the sound of the voices grew louder, revealing the full scene - Sakuragi with his fist ready to strike, Rukawa standing unbothered, his eyes locked onto Sakuragi’s.

“Stop Sakuragi-kun!” Haruko cried out, at the sound of her voice the boy immediately stopped in his actions - leaving the girl utterly speechless.

“Didn't I told you to not do anything stupid?”

winnie's talk : tumblr mobile is a pain if u wanna write 😮‍💨 like wdym i can't select my own text !? pisses me off ヽ(｀ω´)ﾉ anyways the updates will take more time as i try to make the chapters longer. and it's not easy ( ´△｀) edit : the chapter is boring i'm so sorry !

[slamdunkhcs]

hi omg this is my first time sending a request but um anyways can you please write something like rukawa being in love 😭😭😭😭😭😭 i know it’s not realistic at all but im so delulu rn help 💀💀 maybe just some hcs abt him being romantic or sth like that 😭😭 anyways tysm for reading loooloolllol

Heyy sorry for the late reply anon. I gave it some thought. I think rukawa could be solid in a relationship but itd have to be when hes older

rukawa in love

Ok, realistically I’d see Rukawa not getting into a relationship with anyone until he’s in the US

I think in a relationship, he would be more of an actions type of person rather than words. Rukawa isn’t the one to openly express his emotions or shower his partner with grand gestures of affection, but he’d show his affection in more subtle ways, like remembering small details about her or being there when she needs it or picking up something his partner mentioned needing without being asked OR staying up late to accompany them during a stressful time.

I definitely think he’d be a bit emotionally distant. I mean that mf is in LOVE with basketball 😂😂😂. His partner might feel secondary to his goals, but this wouldn’t stem from a lack of love—it’s just that Rukawa struggles to balance his ambitions with emotional intimacy.

He might miss a date due to practice or seem distracted during conversations, but when he does make time, it’s meaningful. Like he would make sure his focus is entirely on you in those moments.

Also I feel like he’d actually be communicative??? Like he’s gonna be dry asl over text but I can see him texting his girl about where he is or where he’s going like “At practice. Will be back at 8”

One thing about Rukawa is HES GONNA BE LOYAL ASL 😂😂😂. If he can barely talk to one girl, what makes you think he would talk to multiple 😂😂😂😂. His girlfriend would never feel insecure in the relationship and think he was speaking to other women. I don’t think he’d be out right disrespectful to other girls but he wouldn’t think of entertaining a girl flirting with him

I imagine him dating another introverted girl, and I feel like dates with him would be moreso silent and peaceful, like going for a walk with him along the beach, watching the sunset after basketball practice, hanging out at a cat cafe, etc. For Rukawa his priority is moreso just being with you, words are secondary.

I don’t see him as a major PDA person but imagine him falling asleep on a taxi ride and leaning on your shoulder 😭😭😭 or squeezing your hand when he’s anxious

HERE ARE JUST SOME THINGS I CAN IMAGINE HIM DOING IN A RELATIONSHIP:

If his partner likes coffee or lattests, he might bring them their favorite drink after practice, casually handing it over with a “Here” and no explanation 😭

Or if his partner enjoys reading, he might buy them a book by their favorite author. He’d leave it on their desk without a word, and let them discover it on their own. He wouldn’t even say he bought it 😭😭😭

If his partner forgets their umbrella, he might show up at their school or workplace with one, acting like it’s no big deal.

He would sit with his partner in silence when they’re upset, letting them vent or cry without pushing them to talk. If they needed space, he’d respect that but stay nearby to make sure they’re okay.

Omg I can see Rukawa taking a rare selfie with his girl because he knows it would make her happy, even though he dislikes photos

[chelseajackarmy]

[azzurro-due]

「おかえり花道‼️」

リハビリから帰ってきた花道を皆んなでお迎え🌸

[unmotivated-student]

his overly dramatic reaction always kills me