: While sidelined, he watched from the bleachers as Akagi, who was less skilled at the time, began to improve and receive the attention Mitsui craved. The combination of physical pain and the feeling of being replaced eventually led him to quit basketball and fall in with a delinquent crowd. Current Events
: During a freshman practice session, Mitsui pushed himself too hard and suffered a severe knee injury. Slam Dunk (Dub) Episode 26
: Coach Anzai approached him and delivered the series' most iconic line: "If you give up, the game is already over." . Inspired, Mitsui led his team to a victory and earned the tournament MVP award. : While sidelined, he watched from the bleachers
: During his middle school years at Takeishi Junior High, Mitsui was a star basketball player. During a high-stakes championship game where his team trailed by one point with only nine seconds left, he nearly gave up. : Coach Anzai approached him and delivered the
: Because of his profound respect for Coach Anzai, Mitsui chose to attend Shohoku High School to play for him, turning down offers from prestigious basketball powerhouses. The Turning Point
In the present day, the episode context is set during Mitsui's violent invasion of the Shohoku gym. As the gym fight continues, the revelations about his past begin to explain his deep-seated resentment toward the basketball team—it is rooted in his own lost passion and regret.
The episode primarily features a lengthy flashback sequence that reveals Mitsui's history before he became a delinquent.