The 52-episode animation blockbuster "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" co-produced by China and Japan was completed on March 17, 2009, and launched on CCTV on August 1, 2009.
The animated version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" discussed broadcast matters with more than 30 TV organizations from 13 countries including the United States, Britain, France, Italy, and Russia, and launched it on mainstream Western animation channels such as Japan, Europe, and the United States. In Japan, the film's first edition of the manga book is expected to print and publish 1 million copies for the first time.
The intricate and tense struggle among the three strongest political forces in the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei, embodies the endless emergence of outstanding figures of that era, as well as their heroic behavior and high-strength strategies.
After losing the titanic match against Kainan High, Team Shohoku and a newly shaven Hanamichi Sakuragi are challenged to an exhibition match by virtual basketball unknowns Ryoukufu High. Coach Anzai sees this as an opportunity for Shohoku to regain their confidence, but Ryoukufu are revealed to have a newly assembled championship calibre lineup and may give Sakuragi & Co their toughest test yet.
Set during the Inter High Championships, Shohoku take on Tsukubu, one of this year's dark horses. It's a clash of acquaintances as Anzai will face his former student which is now the coach of Tsukubu, while Akagi & Kogure meet Godai their former classmate and Tsukubu's captain. Finally Sakuragi is irked by the presence of Nango, Tsukubu's center, who vies for Haruko's attention