Heading to Netflix imminently is the Japanese drama series, Sanctuary. The series stars Wataru Ichinose, Pierre Taki, Shota Sometani, and Koyuki, and tells the story of “a juvenile delinquent who becomes a sumo apprentice, and finds himself on a collision course with a voiceless wrestler carrying a secret.”
According to Netflix, Sanctuary offers “a gritty look into the underbelly of professional sumo, a world full of young men with ambitions for money, women, fame, and power.
“This is the story in a sumo ring where there is a sanctuary with a history of more than 1,500 years in Japan’s traditional culture and as a religious ceremony.”
Wataru Ichinose takes on the lead role in Sanctuary, playing the part of Saruzakura. In the series, Saruzakura joins a sumo stable as a young disciple, although his motives are purely altruistic, joining for money, rather than his passion for the sport.
Appearing alongside Ichinose in supporting roles are Pierre Taki, who plays a sumo stable master; Koyuki, who plays the stable master’s wife; and Shota Sometani, who plays Shimizu, a young wrestler and Saruzakura’s only friend. But unlike Saruzakura, Shimizu struggles with the sport because he lacks the physique for it, despite his love and passion for sumo wrestling.
Other cast members in the series include Shioli Kutsuna, Tomorowo Taguchi, Katsuya Maiguma, So Kaku, Akito Inui, and Hiroki Sumi.
All of the actors cast to play sumo wrestlers in the new series had to undergo intense physical training before filming began. This training included a year under the instruction of Hollywood experts, and a coach and nutritionist for Olympic athletes, as well as more than six months of sumo wrestling practice.
According to Netflix, when it came to lead star Wataru Ichinose, he won his role following an impressive audition, as well as his past experience as a professional martial artist. This combination should make it clear to viewers why he is the right person to steer this series forward, and make him a compelling lead.
With Sanctuary, Netflix hopes to highlight the joy and beauty of sumo wrestling, while showcasing the ambition, determination, and fighting spirit of those who compete. The series also looks to break down any taboos which exist with this ancient sport.
Kan Eguchi (Riding Uphill, The Fable, etc) is on director duties for the new series, while the screenplay for Sanctuary is written by Tomoki Kanazawa – the head of Gekidan K-Suke. Kanazawa previously wrote the screenplay for the hit television drama series, Hanzawa Naoki.
Should you wish to check out Sanctuary, the new series will be available for all Netflix subscribers to stream from May 4th 2023. An existing knowledge of sumo wrestling is not required.
—
Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Sanctuary on Netflix – I hope it has proved useful. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a Reply