Sumo Do, Sumo Don't (Shiko funjatta) (1992)

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Shusei has a problem. When he graduates from college, he has a fine job waiting for him. Family connections have made certain of that. However, in order to graduate, his thesis professor has to certify him. Since his professor, a former sumo wrestler, is the not-so-unofficial patron of the college's… More Shusei has a problem. When he graduates from college, he has a fine job waiting for him. Family connections have made certain of that. However, in order to graduate, his thesis professor has to certify him. Since his professor, a former sumo wrestler, is the not-so-unofficial patron of the college's almost nonexistent sumo squad, and Shusei looks like someone who could do the squad some good, a tradeoff is arranged: Shusei will join the college sumo squad and work hard for it, and the professor will let him graduate on schedule. After a few more "volunteers" are rounded up, theirs is a real underdog team, full of skinny kids and out-of-shape heavyweights -- even an English rugby player. They are embarrassed even to compete, much less to train hard. However, the enthusiasm of the school's alumni shames the group into doing their best, which (as things in teen movies usually turn out) is more than good enough. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi