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.
All of the films star Kayama as Yuichi Tanuma, nicknamed the 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, the Japanese name of the Japanese rat snake.[2] [3]
| Title | Title translation | Date of release (Japan) | Featured sports | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daigaku no Wakadaishō[4] | The young ace at university | Swimming | |||
| Ginza no Wakadaishō | The young ace in Ginza | Martial arts | |||
| Nihon-ichi no Wakadaishō | Japan's number one young ace | Running, water skiing | |||
| Hawai no Wakadaishō | The young ace in Hawaii | Yacht racing | |||
| Umi no Wakadaishō | The young ace at the sea | Swimming | |||
| Ereki no Wakadaishō | The young electric guitar master | American football, horse riding | |||
| Arupusu no Wakadaishō | The young ace in the Alps | Skiing | |||
| Rettsu Go! Wakadaishō | Let's go! Young ace | Soccer | |||
| Minami Taiheiyō no Wakadaishō | The young ace in the South Pacific | Judo, water skiing, scuba diving | |||
| Gō! Gō | Wakadaishō | Go! Go | Young ace | Rally driving, Ekiden | |
| Rio no Wakadaishō | The young ace in Rio | Surfing, fencing | |||
| Freshman Wakadaishō | The young ace is a new employee | Ice skating | |||
| New Zealand no Wakadaishō | The young ace in New Zealand | Skiing | |||
| Bravo! Wakadaishō | Bravo, young ace! | Tennis | |||
| Ore no Sora da ze! Wakadaishō | Young ace: the sky's all mine! | Skydiving | |||
| Wakadaishō Tai Aodaishō | The young ace versus the snake | Motorcycling | |||
| Kaette Kita Wakadaishō | The return of the young ace | New York City Marathon |
| Title | Title translation | Date of release (Japan) | Featured sports | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gambare Wakadaishō[5] | ||||
| Gekitotsu Wakadaishō[6] |