Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersIndependent Spirit AwardsWomen's History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball

  • 20062006
  • GG
  • 53m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
76
YOUR RATING
Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball (2006)
DocumentarySport
Chiben Academy is a private, powerhouse baseball academy led by Japan's most legendary tough-as-nails coach, Takashima-kantoku. Over 35 years, Takashima has led his teams to Koshien a record... Read allChiben Academy is a private, powerhouse baseball academy led by Japan's most legendary tough-as-nails coach, Takashima-kantoku. Over 35 years, Takashima has led his teams to Koshien a record 21 times, and won 3 National titles. Through extensive interviews we reveal the mindset o... Read allChiben Academy is a private, powerhouse baseball academy led by Japan's most legendary tough-as-nails coach, Takashima-kantoku. Over 35 years, Takashima has led his teams to Koshien a record 21 times, and won 3 National titles. Through extensive interviews we reveal the mindset of the man many Japanese consider a "living Samurai". His training regimen focuses not on t... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
76
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Kenneth Eng
  • Writer
    • Alexander H. Shear
  • Director
    • Kenneth Eng
  • Writer
    • Alexander H. Shear
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball (2006)
    Add photo

    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews2

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    This film just lets the people talk and makes no judgments---and that's one of the reasons I really liked it.
    I love documentaries and have reviewed many hundred. So, after seeing so many and reviewing them, I have come to realize that one of the best things you can find in such a film is a very neutral stance. In other words, instead of using a narrator, just let the people talk and let the audience decide the meaning and significance of the film. Now this sort of approach might sound easy but it takes real restraint to just let people talk and not try to loudly make whatever points you want to make. I loved that "Kokoyaku" had no narrator--it just let folks speak for themselves.

    The film follows two teams that are involved in a high school baseball tournament held each year called the Koshien. The Koshien consists of 49 (or was it 47?) teams who have won their region playing a tourney that is single elimination. The two teams are regional winners--which is pretty amazing because these are the best of the best--as thousands of high schools hope to make this cut. But it isn't that easy--these 40-some teams do NOT rest on their laurels and losing is an absolute horror (with coaches and players crying their eyes out when this occurs). How they prepare (with 10 hours practice a day--every day) and how equally hard the cheerleaders prepare is both inspiring and troubling to me. Some surely will be horrified and some will no doubt wish the kids in our country are THAT dedicated. And this brings me to one of MANY questions I had watching this--is this dedication that different from some schools in some parts of the US? Basketball is everything in the US Midwest--and the same can be said for football in the South. How do these kids in different cultures compare? I know the film cannot answer this but the fact it made me wonder is a good thing. Other questions that came to mind as I watched included wondering what the long-term effects are on the kids, whether suicide risk is increased by the tournament (they REALLY took it seriously!), the relationship of this team spirit and fascism or Japanese militarism of the 1930s-40s among others. As I said, I like films that get you to think and ask questions--and this one really set my mind to thinking. Well made and well worth your time--even if you hate baseball.
    helpful•1
    0
    • planktonrules
    • Aug 6, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 4, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • PBS (United States)
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Filming locations
      • Osaka, Japan
    • Production company
      • Projectile Arts Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $350,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball (2006)
    Top Gap
    What is the English language plot outline for Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball (2006)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.