Blazing Fists is a trope-trapped YA sports story mismatched by the ultra-violent lens of Takashi Miike
Courtesy Well Go USA
With over 100 films to his name, Takashi Miike has created something to satisfy every film fan out there. He’s done J-Horror (Audition), Samurai movies (13 Assassins), Yakuza movies (Ichi the Killer), Manga adaptations (Blade of the Immortal, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure). video game adaptations (Ace Attorney, Like a Dragon), musicals (The Happiness of The Katakuris), and even films for kids (Ninja Kids!!!).
Miike’s latest feature, Blazing Fists, sees Japan’s prolific auteur exploring new territory: YA sports movies.
Our heroes are Ikuto Yagura (Danhi Kinoshita) and Ryoma Akai (Kaname Yoshizawa), who bond at a juvenile detention center. The future looks grim until MMA fighter and promoter Mikuru Asakura (a producer on the film, playing himself) makes an appearance to deliver a motivational lecture about his personal journey from juvenile detention to success.
Inspired, Ryoma and Ikuto vow that once released they’ll sign up to be part of Asakura’s “Breaking Down,” a reality fighting competition with one-minute, single-round fights. Ryoma sees it as a path to stardom and a better life, while Ikuto wants to use it to learn more from Asakura. After their release, however, the two teens struggle to keep out of trouble.
Miike has made films with teenage characters before, but Blazing Fists is a teen-centric movie. All the tropes are here: pop power ballads, teenage melodrama, crushes, and misunderstood bullies. These elements clash incongruously with others that feel like they belong to different movies entirely, whether it’s the hard-boiled voiceover, Ikuto’s oddly stoic characterization, or a surprise cameo from Japanese pop icon Gackt, who shows up for three scenes just so he can take part in a massive fight later on.
Much of the Blazing Fists‘ oddness arises from manga and TV writer Shin Kibayashi’s unwieldy script, which turns on a dime between contemplative and haphazard. Blazing Fists feels like a miniseries condensed to feature length. Dozens of subplots are introduced and just as quickly abandoned. Basing the movie on Asakura’s autobiography, with Asakura himself as a supporting character and producer, may have proven another questionable choice.
Does this sound like it’s not a recommendation? Let’s fix that.
Courtesy Well Go USA
Surprisingly, with Miike’s direction, these glaring issues transform into endearing quirks. Frequent collaborators—including long-time cinematographer Nobuyasu Kita, composer Koji Endo, and the recent addition, editor Naoichiro Sagara—turn Blazing Fists into a fun oddity.
Alongside winning performances from Kinoshita and Yoshizawa, the movie is worth cheering for despite its faults.
If you love all things YA and all things Takashi Miike, you may find Blazing Fists a bizarrely fun combination of both. Taken individually, it’s too light for Miike’s ardent fans, and too intense for anyone looking for a fun coming-of-age sports movie.
If you live at the odd, and very slim center of that Venn diagram, though, you’re in for a unique treat. Just check your expectations at the door and plaster a giant goofy grin on your face for a good time.
