Rookies the Movie: Graduation (2009)
A band of high school delinquents and their passionate teacher chase an impossible dream at Japan's legendary Koshien baseball championship.
Rookies the Movie: Graduation - Movie Information
- Original Title: ROOKIES -卒業-
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Yuichiro Hirakawa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 17m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 30, 2009 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: 菜鸟总动员：电影版 (CN), Rookies Le Film (FR), Rookies: Sotsugyô (JP)
- Production Companies: TBS, TOHO, Shueisha, Stardust Pictures, K-Factory, MBS, AMUSE, Horipro, Watanabe Entertainment, CBC, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting Corporation, Hokkaido Broadcasting, Yahoo! Japan
- Production Countries: Japan
Rookies the Movie: Graduation - Plot
Futakotamagawa High School had a Baseball Club, but because of a fight during one of their games, they were suspended for a year from all games. Composed of student delinquents, Futakotamagawa High's new Literature teacher Kawato Koichi inspires the Baseball Club to believe in a dream goal once again. For them, it is to play at the Koshien - Japan's National High School Baseball Championship. But, Kawato Koichi and the newly reformed baseball team run into plenty of obstacles along the way...
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Rookies the Movie: Graduation - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yuichiro Hirakawa
Main Cast
- Ryuta Sato
- Hayato Ichihara
- Keisuke Koide
- Yu Shirota
- Akiyoshi Nakao
- Sousuke Takaoka
- Kenta Kiritani
- Takeru Satoh
- Shunji Igarashi
- Yôsuke Kawamura
Writers
- Yoshihiro Izumi
Producers
- Masato Akiyama
- Nobuhiro Azuma
- Yoshihiro Sato
- Tsuru Masaaki
Rookies the Movie: Graduation - FAQs
Is Rookies the Movie: Graduation based on a manga?
Yes! Rookies the Movie: Graduation is based on the manga series ROOKIES by Masanori Morita, which ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1998 to 2003. The story was first adapted into a popular TBS television drama before making its way to the big screen as this theatrical finale.
Who are the main actors in Rookies the Movie: Graduation?
The film features a strong ensemble cast led by Ryuta Sato as teacher Koichi Kawato, alongside Hayato Ichihara, Keisuke Koide, Yu Shirota, Akiyoshi Nakao, Sousuke Takaoka, Kenta Kiritani, Takeru Satoh, Shunji Igarashi, and Yôsuke Kawamura as the baseball team members.
What is Rookies the Movie: Graduation about?
The film follows a group of delinquent students at Futakotamagawa High School whose baseball club was suspended after a brawl. Their passionate literature teacher, Kawato Koichi, reignites their belief in a seemingly impossible dream: competing at Koshien, Japan's prestigious national high school baseball championship.
Is Rookies the Movie: Graduation a sequel to the TV drama?
Yes, it serves as the theatrical conclusion to the 2008 TBS television drama series ROOKIES. The film picks up where the drama left off, following the same cast and characters as they make their final push toward the Koshien championship, giving fans a satisfying big-screen send-off.
When was Rookies the Movie: Graduation released?
Rookies the Movie: Graduation was released in Japan on May 30, 2009. The film was a major box office success, earning over 88 million yen and becoming one of the standout Japanese theatrical releases of that year.
How long is Rookies the Movie: Graduation?
Rookies the Movie: Graduation has a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes (137 minutes). That gives the film plenty of room to develop its characters and build toward an emotionally charged climax on the baseball diamond.
Who directed Rookies the Movie: Graduation?
Rookies the Movie: Graduation was directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa, who also helmed the original TBS television drama series. His familiarity with the characters and story gave the film a strong sense of continuity and emotional depth that resonated deeply with fans of the franchise.
What are some movies similar to Rookies the Movie: Graduation?
If you enjoyed Rookies the Movie: Graduation, you might also love The First Slam Dunk (2022), Crows Zero (2007), The Kirishima Thing (2012), Kids Return (1996), and Cool Runnings (1993). These films share themes of youth, underdogs chasing dreams, and the transformative power of sport and teamwork.
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