Japan kicks off its academic year in April, with graduation ceremonies typically held in March. That makes March not just cherry blossom season, but also prime graduation season! Students everywhere are posting their graduation pics, ready to embark on their next big adventure.
Yesterday (March 14), manga legend Takehiko Inoue dropped a special congratulatory illustration for all the graduating students. He featured none other than Shinichi Maki from Slam Dunk's Kainan High School, sparking a huge buzz among fans who hilariously asked, "Did Kanagawa's Maki finally graduate?!"
Slam Dunk fans will instantly recognize the moniker "Kanagawa's Maki." Shinichi Maki was the formidable captain of Kainan High, the reigning champions of Kanagawa Prefecture.
His tanned skin, a result of his love for surfing, often made him look older. So much so that Hanamichi Sakuragi once mistook him for a Kainan alumnus! Maki, surprisingly sensitive about being called "old-fashioned," even retorted that Akagi looked older than him. Naturally, Sakuragi promptly dubbed him "the middle-aged man."
Given that Shinichi Maki was literally clowned as "the middle-aged man" in the series, seeing him as the star of a graduation illustration, decked out in a suit, really makes him look like a seasoned alumnus or even a school teacher. Maybe Sakuragi wasn't so wrong after all, right?
Netizens piled on the jokes, asking, "Is this really a student graduating on time?" and "He looks more like a 40-year-old boss working in the business world." It seems Maki's "mature" vibe truly leaves an impression!
Seriously, he looks like a successful entrepreneur running multiple gyms or sports management companies... or even a high school teacher. Is this Maki *really* fresh out of high school?!
Of course, this graduation illustration was still met with widespread praise from fans. After all, any chance to see Inoue-sensei draw a Slam Dunk character is a blessing! But having Maki be the one to congratulate the grads? It seems everyone, just like Sakuragi, still sees him as a seasoned alumnus!