(C) 2008 SHAKARIKI! FILM PARTNERS

Another popular sports movie this past summer was Shakariki!, a story about bicycle road-racing. The protagonist of this story is Nonomura Teru, a boy who has loved climbing hills on his bicycle since he was a little child. Now in high school, Teru has joined the cycling club and participates in his first bicycle race. He has only ever ridden alone, however, and he feels uncomfortable with riding in a team, such as four racers riding in single file and taking turns to support each other by going to the front. In his first race at the inter-school championships, Teru rides up a hill—his specialty—too fast, leaving his teammates behind and causing his team to lose the match.

(C) 2008 SHAKARIKI! FILM PARTNERS

Because of the team’s poor performance, the club, which had few members and was not very good to start with, is closed down. Teru, however, has no wish to give up riding. His former teammates are so moved by his passion for cycling, that they decide to reform the team. Together again, they begin practicing and eventually face off in another road race against the high school they lost to previously. Will the team be able to knock off their stronger rivals and reach the finish line first?

With their stories of youngstars who practice hard every day, experience highs and lows together, form friendships, and learn how to overcome the bitterness of defeat, sports movies like these are able to capture the hearts of young moviegoers.

（Updated in November 2008）