The anime was produced by Toei Animation and stands as a perfect example of the traditional cel animation era, when every movement on screen was created through hand-painted layers photographed frame by frame.

The character designs were handled by renowned animator Masayoshi Tanaka, whose clean line work and expressive faces captured both the comedic exaggeration of Sakuragi and the athletic intensity of the games. The series was directed by Nobutaka Nishizawa, who carefully balanced fast-paced basketball action with character-driven storytelling.

Among anime fans, Slam Dunk is famous not only for its story but also for its real-world impact. The manga triggered a massive basketball boom in Japan during the 1990s, inspiring thousands of teenagers to join school teams. Author Takehiko Inoue was himself deeply influenced by NBA basketball, particularly the Chicago Bulls era, and many fans have noted visual nods to players like Michael Jordan in the dynamic poses and game choreography.

Another beloved detail among collectors is that the anime often used unusually detailed background paintings of gym interiors and crowds, making original production cels from key game scenes especially striking artifacts of traditional animation craftsmanship.