A Japanese-Korean Movie Co-Production
Japanese and Korean kids come together in a heartfelt and hilarious comedy about a showdown in the world of Japan's latest children's sports craze, 'Dodgeball'!
Our heroine is Yukiko, a 7th-Grader and mainstay of the dodgeball team, "The Bayside Dodge Kids". Just as her team approaches a vital match against their arch-rivals, "The Yamanote Dodge Fighters", she must accompany her baseball-playing father in his transfer to a Korean team, the "Lotte Giants". In order to save the remaining Dodge Kids from certain annihilation, she ends up returning with reinforcements from Korea, just in time for their ultimate showdown.
A wacky cast of characters recruited in both Korea and Japan!
In Japan, a nationwide casting call in 12 different cities, found 20 kids out of a total of 11,675 candidates who were then joined by a further 17 Korean children selected from among 2,816 hopefuls. Yumika TAJIMA, discovered in Shizuoka, plays the lead role of Yukiko and is the same age as her fictional character. Yujiro KAZAMA was the lucky 14-year old who was chosen to play her deadly rival, the captain of the "Dodge Fighters". Supporting these two is a line-up of colorful characters selected in the two countries, including a young female Tae Kwon Do champion, an expert hip-hop dancer and a young strongman able to carry a massive urn of Kimchi with ease.
An insight into the passion behind today's kids' love of the sport!
Since the Dodgeball scenes are integral to the story, it was vital for the actors to get as close as possible to the commitment of real players. Before filming began, all cast members took part in a Dodgeball training camp under the rigorous routine of the Yoshida Brothers, the coaches responsible for the victory of the real-life children's all-Japan champions, "The All-Tysons". Behind the movie's authentic Dodgeball action, there lies an untold story of numerous scraped knees, many teary outbursts and much, much hard work.
A look at the world of Dodgeball mania!
Right now, Dodgeball is white-hot! The sport is catching on throughout Japan among everyone from grade-schoolers to grown-ups. As the All Japan Dodgeball Federation celebrates its 11th year, its
membership numbers are at record levels. With over 60,000 elementary school memberships alone, it's the latest craze that's sneaking up on Japan!
A unique co-production between Japan and Korea!
SAIDUS, the Korean production company partner is among the top three entertainment companies in Korea. From the first ever simultaneous Japan-Korea casting call to the final stages of production, they were involved every step of the way. On the Japan side of things, Amuse Inc. (home of 'The Southern All-Stars' and Masaharu FUKUYAMA) was the other partner ensuring this project was a complete collaboration and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Total co-operation from the Pusan Film Commission. A first in Japanese film!
Yukiko's father, Shinichiro, choses Pusan as the site for his baseball career come-back. With this story background, the filmmakers received total cooperation from the Lotte Giant's Pusan home ground and were able to film real games. Further help from the Pusan Film Commission, ensured that this movie allows us a peak into life in that lively city, its schools, its markets and its sports.
Sports comedies, a specialty of producing partner, Altamira Pictures!
Altamira Pictures, another partner in the enterprise, enjoys wide renown for movies that both entertain and inspire, such as "Sumo Do, Sumo Don't", "Shall We Dance?", "Give It All!" and the recent hit, "Waterboys".
