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Underdog: Part One

Name: Underdog: Part One
Director: Masaharu Take
Released: 2020
Duration: 132 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

2020

Director

Masaharu Take

Runtime

132 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Underdog: Part One is a character-driven drama that emphasizes socioeconomic mobility over identity-based diversity. The film delves into the different social strata of its three main characters, ranging from foster care to celebrity lineage. However, the narrative adheres to traditional masculine clichés. The focus remains on individual perseverance within a male-dominated sporting environment, offering little disruption to conventional social or gender hierarchies. While the film offers a nuanced look at class-based struggles, it falls short in representing broader diversity across gender, race, and sexual orientation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Underdog: Part One have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not feature any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight relationships. The story revolves around the personal journeys of three male protagonists without any queer subtext.

How does Underdog: Part One portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on a hyper-masculine boxing environment where male characters dominate. Women are not included in positions of authority.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Underdog: Part One?

Fair

The cast is ethnically uniform, focusing on a Japanese social stratum. Diversity is shown through socioeconomic backgrounds rather than multi-ethnic representation.

How does Underdog: Part One represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film explores social stratification and the experiences of those at the bottom of the social ladder. It emphasizes individual effort and meritocracy over a critique of systemic institutions.

Does Underdog: Part One include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. No characters are identified as having specific disabilities.

Present on Screen

Explores diverse socioeconomic backgrounds through its three distinct protagonists.
Provides a nuanced look at different social strata and class-based struggles.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of female characters or gender-diverse perspectives.
Shows limited ethnic diversity, remaining focused on a homogeneous cast.
Provides no visible representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Tells the story of three bottom-dog boxers who gets used as punching bags. Pro boxer Suenaga Akira fell off the path to greatness but still tries to crawl his way to the top. Omura Ryuta is a youngster who grew up in foster care. Miyagi Shun, a TV celebrity with famous parents, takes a shot at boxing as part of a TV show. Three underdogs with very different back stories put their pride on the line as they exchange blows.

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