Gachi Boy: Wrestling With a Memory (2008)

Gachi Boy: Wrestling With a Memory is a 2008 Japanese movie directed by Norihiro Koizumi.

The term “gachi” means to clash, and is short for “gachinko” (serious competition or challenge).

The film stars Ryuta Sato as a genius college student with a brain injury that keeps him from retaining any new information for more than a day.

Movie info

Original title: ガチ☆ボーイ
Transliterated title: Gachi Boy
Release date: March 1, 2008
Directed by: Norihiro Koizumi
Written by: Masafumi Nishida (screenplay)
Distributed by: Toho

Region 2 NTSC DVD (English subtitles)
Label: Pony Canyon (Japan)
Out: Sep 17, 2008
Buy: YesAsia US, YesAsia Global, CDJapan

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Plot

A genius college student in Hokkaido named Ryoichi Igarashi joins professional wrestling school. During his training, he carries around a little notebook in which he takes copious notes of every little thing he learns. Still, he seems to have problems remembering important details. When he completely forgets that his debut match at a local shopping mall is rigged he treats it like a real life or death challenge. Surprisingly, his enthusiasm gets the crowd on his side and he becomes a popular character with the fans. His little sister witnesses the match and clues his fellow wrestlers in on the real reason he acted the way he did: he suffered a severe head injury the year before and now has a higher brain function disorder that renders him incapable of retaining new information for more than one day. That’s why he takes so many notes.

Igarashi wanted to take up wrestling because even if he wakes up every morning with no memory of what happened the day before, his bruises, muscle soreness, and a collection of polaroids let him know that he’s lived. Igarashi slowly gains more popularity with fans, forms close friendships, and eventually gets picked to face the champion in the final tournament of the school festival—a once in a lifetime chance.