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25 Former Athletes Seek Redemption in Final Draft,' Japan's First Physical Survival Series, Premiering August 12
Entertainment
14 July 2025
GlobalJapan
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Netflix will premiere Final Draft, its first Japanese-produced physical survival series, on August 12. The show brings together 25 former athletes - some who had to walk away from their dreams, and others who retired on their own terms - as they compete in grueling physical and psychological challenges for a 30 million yen prize to jump-start a new career.
Combining brute strength, strategy, and mental resilience, Final Draft pushes participants to their limits in a high-stakes competition for redemption. The newly released trailer reveals a determined cast from a wide range of athletic backgrounds.
Standout competitors include baseball legend Yoshio Itoi, nicknamed Superhuman for his extraordinary athleticism; three-division boxing world champion Hozumi Hasegawa, who retired with a 36-5 record; and soccer icon Yoshito Okubo, the first J-League player to lead the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons.
The lineup also features younger athletes fighting for a second chance, including Yuya Shozui, a high school baseball phenom released after five years in the pros; Koji Tokuda, a comedian and former American football player; Atsushi Arai, a former water polo player and Offline Love cast member; and Olympic gold medalist Eri Tosaka, who stepped away from wrestling.
The show highlights the emotional and physical toll of reinvention, juxtaposing athletes who once soared at the peak of their sports with those whose careers ended before they began. Tensions mount as competitors clash in a quest fueled by pride, ambition, and unfinished dreams.
The trailer hints at dramatic moments: athletes pushed to their breaking points, emotional scenes with supportive yet anxious family members, and one shocking twist - a contestant walks away with 3 million yen, choosing to exit early.
Who will endure the trials, outlast the rest, and walk away with 30 million yen? Find out as these top athletes put everything on the line for another shot at success.
Time for the athletes to get off the bench and claim their prize. Final Draft begins streaming August 12, only on Netflix.
Contestants
Atsushi Arai, former member of the Japan national water polo team
Yoshio Itoi, former professional baseball player
Yoshito Okubo, former member of the Japan national soccer team
Ryudai Onikura, former amateur boxer
Akira Kaji, former member of the Japan national soccer team
Yosuke Kashiwagi, former member of the Japan national soccer team
Yu Kato, former professional womens baseball player
Yujo Kitagata, former professional baseball player
Takashi Kurihara, former member of the Japan national American football team
Kouzi, martial arts fighter
Kazuhiro Goya, former member of the Japan national rugby sevens team
Goson Sakai, former professional soccer player
Masayuki Shimokawa, former member of the Japan national kabaddi team
Yuya Shozui, former professional baseball player
Tomoe Tamura, former member of the Japan national ultimate frisbee team
Kenta Tsukamoto, former bodybuilder
Eri Tosaka, former member of the Japan national wrestling team
Koji Tokuda, former American football player, comedian
Hozumi Hasegawa, former boxing world champion
Sari Baba, former professional tennis player
Naoto Hayasaka, former member of the Japan national gymnastics team
Masato, former street workout athlete
Kaho Mita, former trampoline athlete, bodybuilding and fitness competitor
Ryosuke Miyaguni, former professional baseball player
Katsuma Yonemura, former judo athlete
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