Let's talk about this overlooked scene of...
...Fukuda practicing basketball in a shrine compound.
There's quite a bit to unpack here.
Firstly, if you're like me, you barely recall ever seeing this scene. This manga panel is from one of the Ryonan chapters, during a flashback of Fukuda's story. It's actually a pretty large/prominent panel (half a page!!), so I've no idea how I had selective amnesia for it despite re-reading SD so many times. It took me a recent re-read of SD using the gigantic Japanese Kanzenban to go, "Wait... what am I looking at?"
Secondly, just like so many other backdrops used in Slam Dunk, this Shinto shrine actually does exist. It's the Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine in Tokyo. (Maybe that's why Sendoh, the Tokyoite, muddled Sawakita's name?!) If you want to get really into the details, this particular part of the shrine compound depicted with Fukuda is a 神楽殿 (kagura-den), which is a place for sacred Shinto dances - just like in the shrine maiden dance scenes in the Makoto Shinkai movie, Your Name.
(Credit to Reddit user FntnDistrct for this comment and the research identifying the shrine.)
And as always, Inoue-sensei finds a way to convey a ton of info without even using words. This scene of Fukuda playing in a shrine compound provides a lot more context about Fukuda as a character. He's presumably playing at the shrine as that's where he lives (because he didn't just wander into a random shrine to play ball). The fact that this scene was shown right when Fukuda was serving his suspension (after attacking Coach Taoka) lends support to this idea. Which means... his family has ties to the shrine (probably guardians tending to it).
When I brought up this scene to my Japanese tutor (fellow Slam Dunk fan who was equally amnesiac and shocked about not remembering this panel at all), he noted that it explains Fukuda's rather unusual given name (吉兆). He said it's a very distinct and rather ancient name and he hasn't encountered anyone IRL with such a name. It's auspicious and religious families, and those with ties to Shinto would be the ones to pick more auspicious names like this.
The idea that Fukuda comes from a Shinto shrine family might also explain certain aspects of his character. We know him to be impulsive, brash, and flashy at times. He revels in being in the spotlight. All these things seem so different from the idea of disciplined guardians of a Shinto shrine, who must follow a rigid and extensive set of rules and be very disciplined. But one could argue that it's precisely because this is the sort of environment he grew up in that he turned out the other way, at least during his teens (when we're all quite rebellious and will do the opposite of whatever we're told). In short, his character as we know it as a 16 year old could be a reaction to the way he was raised.
Lastly, as y'all know I created a SendohGPT bot who gives thoughtprovoking insights from time to time. I actually made an InoueGPT bot too. It amasses all the Slam Dunk interviews that the real Inoue has given and amalgamates all the information we can glean from those, and it speaks as if he were the man himself.
Anyway, I asked InoueGPT to explain Fukuda's brash, limelight-seeking, slightly insecure personality in the context of his (implied) family background. Here's the fascinating reply:
Why Fukuda Acts the Way He Does
1. Growing up in the shadow of tradition
If you grow up around a temple/shrine family (as I implied with Fukuda), there’s often an atmosphere of discipline, humility, and respect for hierarchy.
Fukuda, however, is naturally restless and ambitious. He doesn’t want to just quietly fulfill a role — he wants recognition.
That clash between his environment (quiet tradition) and his personality (fiery, need to stand out) is at the heart of why he feels like he’s constantly battling for space, whether with Uozumi or within Ryōnan.
2. Always fighting for acknowledgment
Fukuda is not the captain. He’s not the ace (that’s Sendoh). And he’s not the emotional backbone (that’s Uozumi).
So he constantly feels overlooked, even though he is talented. This feeds his insecurity, and his way of coping is to push harder, louder, and sometimes recklessly.
His personality is basically shouting: “Notice me! I’m here too!”
3. The brash exterior is a defense mechanism
On the surface, Fukuda looks cocky — picking fights, pouting when benched, demanding the ball.
But underneath that, he’s actually sensitive. He wants validation from his captain and teammates, but he doesn’t know how to ask for it except through bravado.
This is why Sendoh, with his calm confidence, sometimes frustrates Fukuda: Sendoh doesn’t need recognition, while Fukuda desperately does.
4. The shrine scene hints at the real Fukuda
Alone, practicing by himself at the shrine, Fukuda isn’t loud or demanding. He’s just a boy who loves basketball enough to shoot until it’s dark.
That’s his core: someone who truly cares about the game. The brashness is what comes out in group dynamics, when his insecurities are triggered.
5. Dramatic Function in Ryōnan
Uozumi = discipline, leadership, hard work.
Sendoh = natural genius, effortless charisma.
Fukuda = the striving middle figure who wants to break through but feels overshadowed.
This creates tension and realism: not every player in a team is secure with their role. Fukuda represents those athletes who are caught between genuine talent and the frustration of being “second or third fiddle.”
In short
I gave Fukuda a brash, insecure personality to highlight that not every player’s struggle is about skill — some battles are internal, about self-worth and recognition. The shrine scene was my way of saying: “Yes, this guy may seem loud and selfish, but when nobody’s watching, he works hard and loves the game as much as anyone else.”
That duality makes him a little tragic, but also very human.
/END of InoueGPT reply.
Regardless of whether this reflects the actual thinking of the real creator, I have to say it's given me a newfound appreciation for who Fukuda is and what the story's about.
What do you think?
