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67% Critic Match
The Champion
6.7 / 10• 1957• 1h 37m•NR• Japanese
ActionRomanceDramaMusic
Storyline
Eikichi Yamashiro, who is a former contender for the boxing title, works as a manager at a Club Champion owned by his fiancé Natsuko’s father. He lost a title match five years ago as he was besotted by Natsuko, but Eikichi actually cannot give up the dream of the championship. One day, he meets Shuntaro Fuma, who is a punk kid but a promising boxer, and realizes the dream that he himself could never fulfill. Then, they together start to train with the aim of the title. Mari Shiraki is an up-and-coming ballerina under the patronage of Eikichi as well. Eikichi forbids Shuntaro and Mari to be romantically involved with someone during their training, however, they start to go on a date.
Cast & Crew
Tatsuya Mihashi
Eikichi Yamashiro
Lead
Yōko Minamida
Natsuko Miyagawa
Yūjirō Ishihara
Shuntaro Fuma
Mie Kitahara
Mari Shiraki
Taiji Tonoyama
Pote-chan
JK
Jushiro Kobayashi
—
Tōru Abe
Shinzo Takaoka
Joe Shishido
Boxer Ishiyama
What People Are Saying
4.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Umetsugu Inoue's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. The Champion is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
