When the arena becomes a Sanctuary. The Japanese series about sumo gives all what the audience is looking for in 8 episodes, premiered on Netflix.
Entering the dohyo
There are not many fighting series around and that is fine if the quality is so high as this last one. To label Sanctuary as a sports drama series is limiting, because demonstrate its variance of topics and styles continuously in a balanced way. Cinematic martial art material about sumo can be counted on one hand, so Sanctuary is maybe the best way to approach this Japanese martial art for a newbie.
A respectless rikishi
Sanctuary shows the insights of the Japanese national sport through the eyes of Kiyoshi Oze, a young violent man who join the professional sumo world for the sake of money and fame. Oze, actually lives in a broken family and his goal is to save money in order to help his father reopen their sushi restaurant.
If the story is all about Oze and his path to become a professional sumo wrestler, the supporting characters are so particular, that often steal the show to the protagonist. Starting from Shioli Kutsuna in the role of Asuka Kunishima, a journalist who has been moved from the political department to the sport department, becoming the greatest supporter of Oze and his stable. Pierre Taki in the role of Ensho-oyakata, who run and teaches to sumo wrestlers in his Ensho stable, he is responsible to scout Oze, seeing him compete in a judo tournament. And of course, all Oze’s comrades, who one by one turn to be very special for the show.
Honor
The show has all what you can imagine: it has very funny moments, specially thanks to Wataru Ichinose performance. Sometimes is very touching and not only for Oze misadventures but also for some background stories, like Enya injury or Shizuuchi’s past, this character is played by the real sumo wrestler Hishofuji Hiroki. There are romantic comedy scenes thanks to lounge girl Nanami and sometimes the sumo training and fights are depicted as very violent way.
Overall the show is a masterpiece and I enjoyed every minutes of the 8 episodes of the first season, the season finale is open to another season, although in my opinion the series is perfect as it is.
When the arena becomes a Sanctuary, the tradition and the Japanese culture are proudly portrayed by this series. What are you waiting for? Enjoy sumo!