Year: 2013
Runtime: 13 mins
Language: Japanese
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
A love story between two people that each have a secret to hide. One a pro-wrestler, the other a Nun. Losing never felt so good.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Kick-Heart (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
A twist-filled tale unfolds where ringside drama bleeds into a quiet, troubled world. In the ring, a flamboyant masked wrestler, Masked Man M, engages in a dramatic bout against an extremely obese female wrestler who traps him in her folds. He manages a risky escape, and the match pivots when a tag-out throws him into a charged exchange with his partner, Devil Chicken. Chicken lunges at the seasoned opponent, only to be overwhelmed by Lady S, a formidable fighter who delivers a brutal chest kick that seems to thrill Masked Man M.
The momentum shifts as a string of swaps unfolds: Chicken attempts a bold strike, but Lady S counters, forcing an awkward dance of swap-outs that keeps the crowd guessing. The crowd pleaser becomes a point of contention for The Boss, a stern figure who looms over the dressing room with a sharp, almost personal investment in how the match should unfold. The tension between fantasy and reality thickens as Masked Man M and Chicken evade capture, retreating backstage with a share of the blame and a stash of Lady S dolls in tow—an image that feels almost like a prize in itself.
Away from the arena, the story pulls back to Romeo Maki, the man beneath the mask. He slips into a bathroom to change, then heads to a vending machine that dispenses a BDSM-themed magazine. The machine loudly declares the purchase, drawing attention from nearby residents and setting off a comic yet uneasy chain of events. Romeo grabs the magazine and flees to a run-down orphanage he runs. There, the children, still buzzing from the night’s wrestling, greet him with warmth. He meets a novice nun, Sister Juliet, whose calm presence contrasts with the chaotic world outside. The staff celebrate Sister Juliet’s academic achievements in psychology, and Romeo finds himself drawn to her.
Meanwhile, an elderly nun brings in the dolls Romeo bought, along with the BDSM magazine. The children play with the dolls, and a boy discovers the magazine. Sister Juliet quickly confiscates it, only to hand a different, wrestling-themed magazine back to the boy moments later. The elderly nun takes it away again, prompting Romeo to panic. Yet Sister Juliet has swapped the offending item for a regular wrestling magazine featuring Masked Man M on the cover, preserving the fantasy while hinting at a deeper connection between the masked performer and the orphanage.
In a surprising turn, Sister Juliet appears, revealing a personal concern for the deteriorating home. Later that night, Romeo receives a call from The Boss, who reveals that Lady S specifically wants to face Masked Man M for a prize of $500,000. Compelled by the chance to impact the orphanage, Romeo agrees and returns to the ring the following night, again donning the mask and stepping into the familiar arena.
The anticipated showdown between Masked Man M and Lady S unfolds with the same electric energy as before, and the crowd roars as the two adversaries clash. Lady S traps Masked Man M in a choking headlock, pressing him toward a near-death brink and asking, “This is what you want, right?” Her words cut through the roar, pushing him toward surrender. Yet the loyal children who fill the night—watching from the stands—plead with him not to give up, their cheers becoming a lifeline. In a decisive moment, he uses the ring rope under his foot to break free, weakening Lady S just long enough to stay alive in the fight. The exchange intensifies until an unplanned misstep by Lady S leaves her momentarily stunned, allowing Masked Man M to pin her down.
As the match heads toward its end, a prompt signals him to throw the victory, and he complies, allowing Lady S to claim the win. The outcome, however, triggers an unexpected surge in popularity for Masked Man M, who rides the wave back to the orphanage. There, the reveal lands with a quiet, satisfying shock: Sister Juliet is Lady S, and with the prize money, she has used the funds to repair and restore the neglected home. The revelation threads together the worlds of wrestling fantasy and real-world need, painting a portrait of redemption that the children respond to with renewed hope.
Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:33
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Don't stop at just watching — explore Kick-Heart in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Kick-Heart is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Kick-Heart with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Kick-Heart. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Kick-Heart that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kick-Heart: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.