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Movie Info & Details
Release Year1997
Runtime1h 34m
LanguageJapanese
CertificationNR
GenresComedy, Romance
Votes1
DirectorMasako Matsuura
WritersKazuhiko Ban
TypeFeature Film
Rating9.0 out of 10
Cast4 credited
Also Known AsDeborah, the Rival
About Deborah, the Rival
A college girl, Asayo, falls for the star of her school’s football team, Igarashi. Her main rival in winning him is Deborah, a flamboyant drag-performing football player (okama) who shares her dorm. Despite their rivalry, Asayo and Deborah become friends, and he helps her pursue Igarashi. Complications arise when Asayo realizes Deborah secretly loves Igarashi. His feelings are eventually revealed, but Igarashi does not reciprocate. In the end, Asayo, Igarashi, and Deborah navigate romance, rivalry, and dorm life together, with friendships and loyalties intact.
Directed by Masako Matsuura, Deborah, the Rival leans on a strong ensemble — Hinano Yoshikawa, Shosuke Tanihara, Shunsuke Matsuoka — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1997.
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