こそこそする人覗き見: 大介特別な面接を禁止してください。
Sneak Peek:
Ban Daisuke Special Interview
MAT #9
by Edward L. Holland
Special Thanks to: Ban Daisuke, Joanne Ninomiya, Tetsu
Shiota, MAT members: August Ragone, Brett Homenick, and David Chapple
artwork © 2010 Robert Jacob / MAT
Preview of special interview about Ban Daisuke, who played Jiro; Kikaida/Kikaida 01, Watari Goro; Inazuman/Inazuman Flash, Ninja Captor, Battle Fever Cossack; Battle Fever J, and Dr Ikuma in the Ring films.
On August 14th and 15th legend Ban Daisuke appeared at Los Angeles’ Nisei week celebration in Little Tokyo which ended with a festive parade and a car including him, a Kikaida cosplay suit actor, JN Productions/Generation Kikaida’s Joanne Ninomiya, riding shotgun and behind the wheel was Anime Jungle’s own Tetsu Shiota.
The vibrantly colorful Kikaida (Jinzo Ningen Kikaida) from Toei Productions debuted in 1972 competing with other tokusatsu programs but set itself apart in ratings when it aired on NET Television in Japan and explosively stateside in Hawaii in 1974 on KIKU Television. Kikaida is arguably the most popular Japanese live action hero in the United States second only maybe to Ultraman and Kamen Rider.
Who would have known that this program would be so enduring to our 50th state 40 years after it was brought to the islands in the 70’s by Joanne Ninomiya where it reigned supreme over the exports: Rainbowman, Kamen Rider V3, Denjin Zaboga and others. In 2010, Ban Daisuke forges proudly on honoring the infamous Kikaida Brothers without Shunsuke Ikeda (Ichiro; Kikaida 01) who unfortunately passed away last June. Ban san’s gracious pride in the series grows continuing to leave lasting impressions on fans worldwide.
This was the first time Mr. Ban had visited Los Angeles and he was kind enough to take time out of his busy day to be interviewed for MAT and Sci-Fi Japan’s Richard Pusateri, before attending an autograph session. Here are a few excerpts from the interview and special dinner event held Sat the 14th at the Miyako Grand Hotel and Salon de Cafe Focus in Los Angeles.
© 2010 MAT
MAT: Your signature henshin sequence is one of the best in the genre. What was
your motivation for that sequence?
BAN: My pose was a combination of the ideas of the cameramen, production staff,
the writers, and the director. Everyone got involved to come up with that
henshin pose.
MAT: It is a very good one, indeed.
_____________________________________________________________________
BAN: With regards to working with Ikeda san (on Kikaida 01) there was a
difference. Ichiro was outgoing and Jiro was brooding and sad and this was the
difference. I really liked 01’s henshin pose. Ikeda san’s pose impressed me and
I enjoyed seeing Ikeda san do that very much. Yes, I am saddened by the passing
of Ikeda san and it is such a pity.
_____________________________________________________________________
BAN: My main memory of Hawaii the first time I came in 1975 was that everyone
including Ninomiya san were shocked and in awe of the people that showed up (to
the festival) and it was entire families and moms and dads that got involved
with the kids. That really impressed me.
It is like a dejavu experience for me. No matter who the kids were back in the
70s they would all sing the Kikaida theme song and today it is the same thing.
Kids have such good memories so they learn the song easily.
_____________________________________________________________________
MAT: With regards to Kikaida’s ability to play guitar do you play guitar?
BAN: Hmm. No I don’t, I cannot.
MAT: Do you remember any physically demanding or dangerous scenes playing
superheroes in your career? Which one stands out?
BAN: During Kikaida on the first episode I was standing at the top of a dam
(Okouchi Dam also used in Kamen Rider episode 1) and playing guitar and I felt
fear. I was a little scared. Also, in Inazuman I was driving the Raijingo Car
near a cliff and that sort of frightened me as well.
MAT: But you are a superhero!
Laughs from Ban and Ninomiya
MAT: We want to thank you for taking time to meet with fans in Los Angeles and
allowing us to interview you for our magazine.
BAN: It’s nothing. I will be back.
From Left: August Ragone, Edward Holland, Brett Homenick, David Chapple © BanDaisuke.com
Whether it is the music, the storyline, characters, or action the emotion of
Kikaida the program and the dvd releases continue to draw fans young and old to
this day, 40 years after it was brought to paradise by a single fan. Nationwide
Kikaida continues to strike a chord with fans with no sign of losing its
sustaining popularity.
Full-length article to be published in MAT #9!
Images and likenesses of Kikaida © Ishinomori Productions Inc and Toei Co., Ltd.