WBSC Premier12 2024: Samurai Japan film 'Unity and Beyond' to premier on February 21

The movie Unity and Beyond-The Suffering and Hope of the Samurai, directed by Shintaro Miki, will premiere in theatres in Japan on Friday, February 21, 2025.

World No. 1 Samurai Japan started the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS as favourites and defending champions, and looked on course to defend their title, advancing to the final at the world famous Tokyo Dome on November 24 unbeaten before world No. 2 Chinese Taipei upset the record books to claim a dramatic 4-0 win.

Samurai Japan's story line has been captured on film. JSports, Express Sports and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Enterprises produced the movie in cooperation with NPB, the WBSC and Dentsu. Unity and Beyond will be distributed by Toei.

The movie is narrated by Tomoyuki Morikawa. The theme song Beyond Youth was composed by Yu Takahashi and Masaru Takahashi.

"I had mixed feelings when I first learned about the idea of making a movie," said Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata. "But I saw the athletes grow mentally stronger during the competition. I hope they are proud of making it to the finals and fighting through the end."

Introduction:

In October 2023, Hirokazu Ibata was appointed as the new head coach of Samurai Japan. From strengthening the development of under-age players to selecting the next generation of players for the top team, what kind of team was Coach Ibata building?

From the first tournament, the "CarNext Asia Professional Baseball Championship 2023" in November 2023, to the "3rd WBSC Premier12 presented by Raguzas" in November 2024, with "unity" in our hearts, we fight while facing suffering and hope, and looking ahead to the future.

A close-up documentary following the samurai.