Sakuragi is Back

It’s been a long while since I drew Slam Dunk again. I’ve been real busy with a lot of things, writing, talk commitments, regular work, a lot! There are times I upload artworks in my IG for my new comics and other stuff — and some followers tell me they want Slam Dunk. It’s kind of a mixed emotion for me.

Hi, guys, I missed drawing SD too

and I know that most people follow me for this. But I’m an artist —and a fictionist, a writer too– I believe I can draw anything or write anything I want as long as I don’t harm anything. Make that anything.

There are actually many times that when I draw SD, I get more followers—flooding the numbers up. And when I post NBA illustrations, some unfollow me. It’s funny, really. I got nothing to say about that, but I just want to thank those who stayed with me even at times I don’t post anything.

Truth is I gained friends—a lot of them—since having my artist IG account. And these “friends” aren’t just regular followers who comment every now and then, we connect. We chat when we have time. We share thoughts. We wish each other good things. We ARE friends, despite not seeing each other, despite miles apart.

Posting this image of a simple Hanamichi Sakuragi in casual clothing got me a lot of “welcome back” greetings. It may just be words, but I truly appreciate it. It was very warm and welcoming, reassuring I might add. Making me want to make more —not just SD of course. I draw what I want. I know my friends will always be here.

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Slam (Dunk) Covers 2

More (fanfic) Slam covers for Slam Dunk ballers!

Fan favorite Akira Sendoh on Slam by Erik Pingol

Believed as the GOAT of Japanese High School Basketball—Eiji Sawakita on Slam by Erik Pingol

Main man Hanamichi Sakuragi on Slam by Erik Pingol

Another Eiji Sawakita on the special Kobe issue by Erik Pingol

Slam (Dunk) Magazine Covers

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Well if they went pro, this is something that’s just really gonna happen. 😂

Printables for Sale!

Many were asking if I was selling my NBA and Slam Dunk artworks, even like for printable images. Finally, here they are! It took me so long to figure out how to make a store here at my website but I really have no time to learn it. So, the solution is third-party e-commerce site.

I have uploaded some and still about to upload some more. Please, visit these links, my listings are really affordable. Thank you! If you’re not buying, you can just hit the ❤️ or like button—it’s much appreciated.

🤩🤩🤩

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These are just mock ups. But you can also do this (on your own) when you have printed the purchased digital images.

NBA x SlamDunk: Sakuragi

Sakuragi in Spurs for a dunk. Illustration by Erik Pingol

I’m planning on creating an artbook for all these 🙂 Maybe a hundred page of illustrations is enough?

Sakuragi x San Antonio Spurs by Erik Pingol

Sakuragi x San Antonio Spurs by Erik Pingol

A lot of guys emailed me asking how can they buy my artworks. The truth is I still don’t know how. Whether to create a “store” in this site or sell the artworks somewhere—I really don’t know how those things work. If you guys have suggestions or ideas, you can email me. I just need all the help I can get. Thanks 😭

Nintendo Jump Rope Challenge x Slam Dunk

Your classic default jumpin’ bunny

I recently came across Nintendo’s Jump Rope Challenge game on Switch. It’s weird. And undeniably fun. It’s just simple, you jump rope everyday and see your daily stats. But its cuteness really carried the appeal, in my opinion.

So what does a Slam Dunk fan artist like me do?

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I hope Nintendo does new skins like these!

NBA x Slam Dunk on Youtube

My Japanese buddy Yu Bamba is the creator of the Youtube channel Ballin’ with Bamba (formerly known as Timeout). Sharing our interest in basketball, the NBA and Slam Dunk, we’ve been supporting each other for a while now. His channel is about NBA and he has done many NBA documentaries in Japanese. All previous videos have English subs, while the Larry Bird and Michael Jordan feature have a separate English version.

Please check his channel out, it’s a great and fresh take on NBA stories!

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NBA X SLAM DUNK 3

The past posts, I illustrated Slam Dunk characters in NBA uniforms as how Takehiko Inoue must have imagined them. Shohoku representing Bulls, Kainan for Lakers, Sannoh for Magic. Here, I’m back with my own fictional universe of NBA X Slam Dunk, as my original post.

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NBA X SLAM DUNK 2

The first set I did was my personal fiction. What would happen if the Slam Dunk characters went pro—or more specifically were drafted in the NBA? What team would best suit them? That was my take.

This time, me, my friends and some great guys who supported the first run of the NBA X SLAM DUNK, collaborated in thoughts about how the great Takehiko Inoue—Slam Dunk author—imagined the creation of the players and teams and what they really represented.

These came up:

Our great idol Takehiko Inoue must have imagined Shohoku as Bulls, Kainan as Lakers, Sannoh as Magic… well, we’ll never know until he told us personally. Illustrations by Erik Pingol

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Maki, Sakuragi, Sawakita and Rukawa in alternate NBA jerseys. Illustrations by Erik Pingol

Guys, I regularly upload artworks like these and mostly they premiere on Instagram. Please check out and follow my Instagram, it’s a lot of fun! See you there.

Mobile Wallpaper: Sakuragi X Chicago Bulls

The NBA X SLAM DUNK posts I had for my Facebook page and Instagram were ultra-successful. And the most popular request was Sakuragi Hanamichi on Chicago Bulls uniform. Yes, I did it for all you guys who liked, shared and made comments! You are all awesome!

The said artwork was at the previous post in this website, go check it out!

I’m posting here right now some goodies—mobile wallpapers for you to download. It’s not much but I took the time and effort required because you gave me much love. I appreciate it, guys.

The promo image I used on FB and IG

The other promo image I used on FB and IG

You can save or download this image for free and use it on your phone. Because I love you.

You can save or download this image for free and use it on your phone. And please don’t complain about my signature—it’s my signature! 🤩

Please do follow my Facebook page Art of Erik Pingol, Sports Illustrator and my Instagram account Erik Pingol for more cool artworks. Thanks, all. You are cool.