Although Netflix is still working its way around the Asian movies in its catalog, in terms of series the quality is quite high, with a quality in terms of production values of many of them being comparable, if not better with feature films. “Sanctuary”, which takes a look at the world of sumo, is definitely one of those films.
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The protagonist of the series is Kiyoshi Oze, a young delinquent from a broken family, which was destroyed when his father's debts forced him to close the shop, sending him into a being a traffic light attendant, and his wife, who obviously underwent some sort of shock, into prostituting. Kiyoshi was a judo champion at a teenager, but now finds himself bullying his way around life, until a proposition from Ensho, the owner of a sumo stable and the promise for hefty amounts of money if he becomes a professional, makes him join the rather diverse group of fighters comprising the particular group. In the beginning, Kiyosho faces a number of problems: the almost constant hazing the older students treat the younger with does not go well with his short temper, while his fighting abilities in the particular sport, are beyond average.
Eventually, he manages to navigate the ring, achieving notable success in his first tournament despite his consistently disrespectful behavior. However, this behavior poses a significant challenge for Ensho as his arch-enemy, Inushima-oyakata, aims to seize the chairmanship of the Sumo Association in the upcoming elections. Inushima-oyakata relentlessly pursues both the protagonist and his stable, creating further complications. In the meantime, Kiyoshi's success, apart from getting on his head, also attracts a series of shady characters towards him, including a hostess, Nanami, who takes advantage of him, Murata who wants to be his patron only to parade him around, and even his mother who takes advantage of his love for his eventually hospitalized father. Lastly, a showdown with another wrestler who is considered a true monster, Shizuuchi, shakes Kiyoshi to his core.
Considering that Kan Eguchi and writer Kanazawa Tomoki had almost 8 hours to fill in their hands, the narrative of the series could easily extend to a number of peripheral characters, and it is in this aspect, that “Sanctuary” finds one of its apogees, both in number and quality. Ensho's story and the role Hana, his wife, plays in the administration and problem-solving of the stable is one. Pierre Taki as the strict but cool mentor and Koyuki as his calm but quite competent wife are among the highlights of the series. Asuka Kunishima, an American-educated journalist who has just been relegated to sumo reporting from political covering after a number of issues, and exhibits an almost identically disrespectful attitude as Kiyoshi is another one. Gorgeous Shioli Kutsuna is exceptional in the role, particularly due to the transformation she exhibits, and a nice breath of female air in a series that does show an intense amount of obese men's buttocks.
Shimizu, a young man who wants to become a sumo wrestler but lacks in every physical aspect is one more, with the way he becomes a catalyst from Ensho's career being one of the most impactful elements of the series. Constantly blinking Shota Sometani is another attraction here, through his desperate resolve. Shizuuchi's arc is also rather interesting, with the trauma he carries for a crime on his past, and his completely silent attitude along with his intensely burned face making a truly impactful entity. Former sumo wrestler Hiroki Sumi is a truly terrifying presence and one of the two participants in the most shocking scene in the movie. There is also Ryuki, a sekiwake of the prestigious Ryukoku stable who never succeeds in satisfying his father, a former yokozuna; Enya, an injured member of Ensho stable and former komusubi who seeks to regain his lost rank. Lastly, there is Yasui, who is searching to uncover scandals in the sumo world but soon finds himself dealing with Ito, a man who works behind the sumo scene.
The star of the show however is Kiyoshi, a young man who is as forceful and boorish as he is sad and immature. The way he bullies himself around life until he finds people who are actually stronger than him, the way his success gets to his head and his naiveness and obsession for money allows him to be exploited by a number of people around him make him a rather intriguing persona, that carries the series from beginning to end. Particularly the transformations he undergoes after episode 5 is a wonder to watch, with Wataru Ichinose, who has already shown his skills in “Miyamoto” giving an astonishing performance here. The fact that he exhibits so many different psychological statuses and sentiments, while training, fighting and even dancing is a testament to his caliber as an actor.
Check also this interview with the director
It is also worth mentioning that, in order to prepare for the roles, the entire cast playing wrestlers underwent more than a year of thorough physical transformation under the guidance of Hollywood experts and Olympic athlete trainers and nutritionists, and engaged in more than six months of sumo training under the supervision of former juryo wrestler Ishinriki Koji. The result is that the look on all aspects here, even if somewhat “pop,” is quite thorough, presenting the sport in all its glory, both in its fore and its background. The fights in the ring in particular are a true wonder to watch, with the one between Shizuuchi and Kiyoshi in particular being truly magnificent in its shocking presentation.
Yasushi Naoi's cinematography captures are all the aforementioned, as much as the ritualism involved in the sport with artistry and realism, with the presentation of the circumstances in the stable and the fights being astonishing, also benefiting by the coloring and the well-implemented (finally!) slow motion moments. Takeshi Wada's editing is also top notch, resulting in a relatively fast tempo that allows all characters and episodes to bloom.
Granted, the series takes a bit too long to “start” and the level decreases somewhat after episode 5, although retaining the quality and impact of 4 and 5 would be almost impossible. Apart from those issues, though, “Sanctuary” is a truly masterful series in all its aspects, and one of the best J-dramas ever to appear on the screen.
