Wakadaishō series

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The Wakadaishō series is a series of films starring Yūzō Kayama and Kunie Tanaka. The first film in the series was Daigaku no Wakadaishō from 1961.[1]

Masao Kusakari portrayed the role of Wakadaishō in two other films.[2][3]

All of the films star Kayama as Yuichi Tanuma, nicknamed the Wakadaishō (若大将) meaning "young ace" or "whizz kid" for his prowess in various sports. His perpetual antagonist is the lecherous Shinjiro Ishiyama, played by Kunie Tanaka, who is nicknamed "Aodaishō" (青大将), the Japanese name of the Japanese rat snake.[4][5]

Yuzo Kayama as Wakadaishō[edit]

Title Title translation Date of release (Japan) Featured sports
Daigaku no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace at university
  • July 8, 1961 (1961-07-08)
 Swimming
Ginza no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace in Ginza
  • February 10, 1962 (1962-02-10)
 Martial arts
Nihon-ichi no Wakadaishō[6] Japan's number one young ace
  • July 14, 1962 (1962-07-14)
 Running, water skiing
Hawai no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace in Hawaii
  • August 11, 1963 (1963-08-11)
 Yacht racing
Umi no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace at the sea
  • August 8, 1965 (1965-08-08)
 Swimming
Ereki no Wakadaishō[6] The young electric guitar master
  • December 19, 1965 (1965-12-19)
 American football, horse riding
Arupusu no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace in the Alps
  • May 28, 1966 (1966-05-28)
 Skiing
Rettsu Go! Wakadaishō[6] Let's go! Young ace
  • September 10, 1966 (1966-09-10)
 Soccer
Minami Taiheiyō no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace in the South Pacific
  • January 1, 1967 (1967-01-01)
 Judo, water skiing, scuba diving
Gō! Gō! Wakadaishō[6] Go! Go! Young ace
  • December 31, 1967 (1967-12-31)
 Rally driving, Ekiden
Rio no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace in Rio
  • July 13, 1968 (1968-07-13)
 Surfing, fencing
Freshman Wakadaishō[6] The young ace is a new employee
  • January 1, 1969 (1969-01-01)
 Ice skating
New Zealand no Wakadaishō[6] The young ace in New Zealand
  • July 12, 1969 (1969-07-12)
 Skiing
Bravo! Wakadaishō[6] Bravo, young ace!
  • January 1, 1970 (1970-01-01)
 Tennis
Ore no Sora da ze! Wakadaishō[6] Young ace: the sky's all mine!
  • August 14, 1970 (1970-08-14)
 Skydiving
Wakadaishō Tai Aodaishō[6] The young ace versus the snake
  • January 9, 1971 (1971-01-09)
 Motorcycling
Kaette Kita Wakadaishō[6] The return of the young ace
  • February 11, 1981 (1981-02-11)
 New York City Marathon

Masao Kusakari as Wakadaishō[edit]

Title Title translation Date of release (Japan) Featured sports
Gambare Wakadaishō[2]
  • July 12, 1975 (1975-07-12)
Gekitotsu Wakadaishō[3]
  • May 29, 1976 (1976-05-29)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Schilling, Mark (1997). The Encyclopedia of Japanese Pop Culture. Weatherhill. pp. 281–284. ISBN 0-8348-0380-1
  2. ^ a b "Gambare Wakadaishō". Kinenote. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Gekitotsu Wakadaishō". Kinenote. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "加山雄三の追憶「田中邦衛さんがいたから"若大将"は輝けた」". NEWSポストセブン. April 17, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  5. ^ "「田中邦衛さんがいなかったら、若大将シリーズは今のようにはなっていなかった」加山雄三が盟友との秘話を語る". FUJI TV. 20 April 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "加山雄三"伝説の青春喜劇"『若大将』シリーズがこの9月DVDで一挙発売". excitenews. September 12, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
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