Sanctuary

I'm a huge fan of sumo and was thrilled to hear about a sumo-themed series (and Japanese-made too!). That said, I almost quit not long into the first episode because they chose to start it off with a series of gross-out farcical scenes (which I know some people love, but for me, they're a huge turn-off). But I kept watching and I'm very glad I did. There is some really good human drama underneath the over-the-top bits and that is the element that gets stronger as the episodes progress. It's also realistic enough to keep a sumo fan satisfied - of course you notice a few things that are off, many bouts are ovedramatized (which has to be forgiven in a film) and the behaviour of some characters (the main character especially but also some of the stablemasters) would never be tolerated in real life, but that aside it's stil a wonderful immersion into the sumo world. The gruelling training, the personal rivalries, the battle with injuries, the highly emotional retirement ceremony, etc. If you're not a sumo fan but like sports dramas in general, you will probably enjoy this one (and I highly reccommend getting into actual sumo - a dramatic sport if there ever was one!) Anyway, this series made me realize how much I would love a straight-up sumo drama, without any of the farcical, over-the-top elements, and I hope they make one someday - but until then, this is actually a pretty good watch. I'm looking forward to the next season.

First of all, I had no clue about Sumo as such... Secondly, if any episode can motivate as Rocky did, it it the seventh... What a feeling... For those, who do not know, Sumo originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally and where it is considered the national sport. It is considered a gendai budo, which refers to modern Japanese martial arts. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from Shinto.

The series has some slower pace and displays the lives of wrestler, highly regimented, with rules regulated by the Japan Sumo Association. As the series portrays well, most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal sumo training stables, known in Japanese as heya, where all aspects of their daily lives-from meals to their manner of dress-are dictated by strict tradition. Eugene Ko is just great, believe he had to do much to even come to form and create a body of a Sumo... Shota Sometani, Two face (do not know his name in cast) and others are cast very well! Loved to see Koyuki from the Last Samurai everybody loved... Ladies and Gentleman, you do not have to be a Sumo fan or addict to love this. Try it and see by yourself. It is worth... The camera and fighting shots are never seen before and awesome :)

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.

A masterpiece show about passion hardwork and will power . I didnt expect the show to be this raw and it didnt give a damm about my expectation. Its funny its raw its shameless and its powerful. Its an unadultrated show about sumo , sportmanship brotherhood and growing up . I absoultly love this show . The acting was top notch the cast was perfect the direction the screen play all was great . There have been other japanese shows like alice in borderland which was ok but this looks real the guy that ploay the lead just looked real in the part. If you are a fan of shows like hajime no ippo and other show like that this show is for you .

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.