El aprendiz de sumo

I couldn't believe how fast this show crabbed my attention. It kept me guessing and questioning my thoughts on the different characters. I binge watched it with english dub. Now I'll watch it in its original language to get a much better feel for the show. .. .. I've been pulled in so fast, I can't wait to see what I missed first time around! I don't know why I enjoy foreign shows so much, especially japanese. I always watch first in englush to make sure I understand dully what I am watching- then in its original lingo so I get a better feel for what they are really saying from an emotional point.

GREAT SHOW! I hope I don't have to wait to long for the next season, omg, talk about leaving off in a cliff hanger!!

I've been to Tokyo and have seen sumo wrestling twice. Of course the show is dramatized and it's showing us an angle from someone that doesn't want to follow nor is interested in the etiquette that comes with sumo wrestling, thus giving people unfamiliar with the sport and culture more insight.

I loved the acting and the fights looked very real, like I've witnessed in Japan. There were some moments I could say: "Hey I've seen that!" which is always fun, but I love how I'm now able to see what happens in the training camps and close to the ring. The first season covers the start of a career in sumo, with some emotionally heavy themes. This show needs a second season, I'm hooked.

Who knew there were k.o's in sumo?

Who knew how prestigious sumo is in Japanese culture?

And who knew that a Sumo Sports Drama would be so good?

This drama has everything. Comedy, harsh reality, twisted truths, nail biting suspense. Everything.

I'm so invested in this story. Heck, even the characters in the story that just got into sumo are surprised how much there are into sumo.

What makes sumo so entertaining? Each bout is less than 30 seconds. As an MMA, boxing, wrestling fan, this is insane. No wonder the japanese watch it and gamble on it. It's complete tension and release in seconds!

Overall, the sport itself is great you'll love it. And you will definitely want to watch sumo live after this. It's so brutal. The knockouts, ringouts, tosses, strikes. Everything.

For those who can get past the violent, bloody, grimy scenes it's possible to forgive the sporting drama cliche of poorer/ outsider vs the establishment. It's possible to forgive the fact that many of the characters come across as unlikeable. It's also possible to forget you'll spend a good part of the show watching large, dirty, sweaty, sometimes bloody men slapping and throwing each other around.

The reason for this is that the show never forgets the basis that it is character driven. The characters have motivations (even simple ones for secondary characters) and the plot is driven around how they react to these. Many go on some form a journey and are changed by events.

This is ultimately what makes the show a compelling watch for me, though I suspect many people will not get past some of that.

The way the character and story elements were handled are borrowed heavily from Japanese manga and anime tropes, in that many of the premises and representations are larger than life and exaggerated. That can be good or bad depending on the viewer, and their familiarity with those storytelling devices and characterizations. In my opinion, it worked really well with Sanctuary in most instances to dramatize the story and embellish upon plot and character elements. This unique version of the anti-hero to hero origin story and progression hasn't been told in context of sumo before, and you'll be rooting for specific characters and empathizing with them as the season unfolds.