SHOTTAN, THE MIRACLE (WT)

NAKIMUSHI SHOTTAN NO KISEKI

By Toshiaki TOYODA

WOWOW INC. - as SALES All rights, World / DISTR Theatrical, TV, DVD-video, VOD, Airline, World, JAPAN / BROAD

Biography - Completed 2018

For the first time ever! The incredible tale of a man who bucked the system to become a professional shogi player!

Festivals
& Awards

Montréal World FF 2018
FOCUS ON WORLD CINEMA
    • Year of production
    • 2018
    • Genres
    • Biography, Drama
    • Countries
    • JAPAN
    • Languages
    • JAPANESE
    • Director(s)
    • Toshiaki TOYODA
    • Synopsis
    • Ordinary and meek, Shoji “Shottan” Segawa was born with seemingly no discernible talents. It isn’t until he discovers the game of Shogi that he stands out from the crowd. Learning the joy of winning via rivals and coaches, Shoji’s skill increases to the point that he decides to join the “shorei-kai,” an organization that oversees the professional shogi world and trains members to become pro players. However, a cast-iron rule of the shorei-kai is that those who do not reach the fourth rank by the age of 26 are denied professional status for the rest of their lives.

      After a promising start, Shoji gradually finds himself on the losing end of the board due to frustrations over friends quitting the organization and the ever-present pressure of the age-limit. Finally, at the age of 26, he has no choice but to pull out of the shorei-kai.

      Distraught and directionless from the loss, Shoji’s life becomes awash with apathetic despair. Despite this, his friends and family stick by him, urging him not to abandon his dream of becoming a pro shogi player. Eventually, Shoji comes to the realization that deep down inside he truly loves the game.

      Feeling renewed vigor, Shoji ascends to the top ranks of amateur players. But will he be given an unprecedented second chance at going pro?