# Sanctuary (2023)

> A desperate, cocky kid rises through the sumo world and upsets its traditions.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/131873

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 8
- Episode runtime: 54 min
- Status: Returning Series
- Genres: drama, science fiction
- Created by: Kan Eguchi
- Network: Netflix
- Cast: Wataru Ichinose, Shota Sometani, Pierre Taki, Koyuki, Shioli Kutsuna, Rio Teramoto, Suzuki Matsuo, Tomorowo Taguchi
- TMDB rating: 8.0/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16970638/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: moderate
- Tone: gritty, sincere, intense, hopeful

## What critics say

Viewers broadly find it an enjoyable, beautifully shot sumo drama whose cartoonish touches pay off, with a positive audience reception.

## Synopsis

Sanctuary (2023) is a Japanese sports drama series created by Kan Eguchi for Netflix. Set in the contemporary Japanese sumo world, it follows a tough, desperate kid who becomes a sumo wrestler, played by Wataru Ichinose, whose cocky attitude captivates fans while upsetting an industry steeped in tradition. Shota Sometani plays Shimizu, and Pierre Taki plays the stable master Enshō-oyakata, while Koyuki plays Hana, giving the story its personal weight. The engine is hunger: a young fighter wants a place he has not been given, and every bout, training session and stable rivalry pushes against the rigid customs that govern who gets to climb. The single season of eight episodes runs in a steady, character-driven rhythm, with grounded training scenes and carefully composed bouts. The tone is gritty and sincere, mixing rough edges with moments of warmth, and the emotional center is the search for respect. Fans of Hoop Dreams, Rocky and Ping Pong will find resonance in its underdog spirit, its physical discipline and its coming of age ambition.

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