To many Westerners, Manga is synonymous with fantasy -- its glossy lines, popping color palettes and fanciful scenarios are an escapist's delight. 

But one of the most celebrated makers of the wildly popular Japanese graphic novels says he draws on reality as much as possible. 

Takehiko Inoue was just 23 when his second Manga propelled him to fame in Japan. 

"Slam Dunk," published in 31 volumes of magazine "Weekly Shonen Jump" in the early 1990s, followed the fortunes of a loveless delinquent who joins a basketball team to impress a girl, and then discovers a natural ability for the game. 

Inoue's interest in Manga was piqued when, at nine years old, he read a popular baseball Manga called "Dokaben." It had "attractive characters," he recalls, "and how they play baseball and how their bodies were drawn -- all these things looked so cool." 

A keen basketball player at high school, Inoue says drawing a basketball Manga was a natural way for him to combine his two loves, and he believes "Slam Dunk" readers could see the obvious enjoyment he took from drawing basketball. 

"I really drew it in the way I liked, did whatever I wanted," he says. 

"Slam Dunk" has now sold almost 120 million copies, been licensed in 17 countries, and adapted into an anime TV series. An English version was released in North America in 2002. 

Its popularity endures: According to a 2012 survey by research group goo, it is still the second most popular Japanese Manga, and is responsible for the single most memorable piece of dialogue -- when a coach says, "If you give up, the game is already over!" 
How old is Takehiko Inoue?
How old was he when he became famous?
What sport did he play?
When did he play it?
What does he do for a living now?
What publication of his made him famous?
How many copies has it sold?
Is it sold in other countries?
How many has it been licensed in?
What was it about?
What was it published in?
In what year?
Is it available in any other forms of media?
What kind?
Was the manga still popular in 2012?
Is it the most popular?
What is manga synonymous with to Western people?
Why?
What made Inoue interested in Manga?
unknown
unknown
23
Takehiko Inoue was just 23
basketball
A keen basketball player at high school, Inoue
at high school
A keen basketball player at high school,
draws Manga
Inoue says drawing a basketball Manga 
"Slam Dunk"
"Slam Dunk," published in 31 volumes of magazine "Weekly Shonen Jump" in the early 1990s
120 million copies
"Slam Dunk" has now sold almost 120 million copies,
yes
been licensed in 17 countries, 
17 countries,
been licensed in 17 countries, 
it follows the fortunes of a loveless delinquent who joins a basketball team
 followed the fortunes of a loveless delinquent who joins a basketball team
in 31 volumes of magazine "Weekly Shonen Jump"
 in 31 volumes of magazine "Weekly Shonen Jump"
the early 1990s,
 "Weekly Shonen Jump" in the early 1990s,
yes
 and adapted into an anime TV series
into an anime TV series
into an anime TV series
yes
Its popularity endures: According to a 2012 survey by research group goo, it is still the second most popular Japanese Manga
no
it is still the second most popular Japanese Manga,
with fantasy
 is synonymous with fantasy 
its glossy lines, popping color palettes and fanciful scenarios are an escapist's delight.
 its glossy lines, popping color palettes and fanciful scenarios are an escapist's delight. 
he read a popular baseball Manga called "Dokaben."
was piqued when, at nine years old, he read a popular baseball Manga called "Dokaben."