25 minSeason 1 • Episode 124
LatestInokuma Yawara is just another young high school girl. Well, not quite - for Yawara is being raised by her grandfather, 7th dan Judo master Inokuma Jigorou, to be Japan's great hope for the women's Judo competition at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. All the same, Yawara just wants to live a normal life...
Writing
Urasawa's rare light comedy before psychological thrillers
Acting
Ichiro Nagai's Jigoro steals every scene he's in
Production
Authentic 1989 Barcelona Olympics buildup
Creator
Naoki Urasawa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yawara! predates women's judo becoming an official Olympic sport by three years; it essentially willed the 1992 Barcelona inclusion into existence through pure shonen sports optimism.
Creator Naoki Urasawa later called this his 'happy' period before Monster, Billy Bat, and 20th Century Boys consumed his soul with darkness.
JP
