Japanese Superheroes Sunday
Superhero fans will flock to Ala Moana Center Sunday to meet Jiro, Ban Daisuke of ‘Kikaida,’ and Ichiro, Ikeda Shunsuke of ‘Kikaida 01’. Ban Daisuke, Jiro in Kikaida, and Ikeda Shunsuke, Ichiro in Kikaida 01, will sign autographs, pose for pictures and talk story with fans at Ala Moana Center Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m
Calling all Kikaida fans! It’s that time of year again to meet the Japanese actors behind the masks of your favorite 1970s action show Kikaida and Kikaida 01. Also making his debut in the Hawaiian Islands is Inazuman, another spin-off from the series of shows.
Ban Daisuke, Jiro in Kikaida, and Ikeda Shunsuke, Ichiro in Kikaida 01, will sign autographs, pose for pictures and talk story with fans at Ala Moana Center Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. when Shirokiya presents the Japanese superheroes. The event also will feature Inazuman, played by Daisuke, for the first time, in anticipation of the DVD box set.
“Ever since coming to Hawaii for the first time in 1975, my family and I have fallen in love with the Islands,” says Shunsuke. “We have been back many times as visitors. It makes it even more special when I get to meet my fans again.”
The shows began airing in Japan in 1972 with Kikaida, which was so popular by the end of its 43-episode stint that a spin-off was created to pick up the story line - Kikaida 01. When watching it today, many in the younger generations will immediately liken the series to the Power Rangers franchise of the early ‘90s and the many shows that copied the genre thereafter (VR Troopers, Beetleborgs and so on). The action is high energy with lots of hand-to-hand combat and characters transforming into super characters - a process also known as Henshin.
Joanne Ninomiya of JN Productions is responsible for bringing these shows back to DVD sales after working out deals and copyright issues with the producers of the original materials in Japan. Ninomiya only recently received permission and the necessary materials to put the new DVD sets of Inazuman together for sale. “I started last October,” she says, “and finally got approval in January. But because the program is old, it’s hard to get the materials, the images - and there’s not much left.”
The cult fan base of the show ranges in the hundreds in Hawaii, which began when the show aired originally in the Islands in 1974. “The fan base runs three generations,” Ninomiya says. “It’s basically 40-year-old men and some women, and now their children.”
“The people of Hawaii are very warm and inviting. So I feel very comfortable here,” says Daisuke. “I love the unaffected nature of the people, and their sincerity. I’m amazed that even after 34 years, Kikaida fans are still into the series. The Hawaii fans will always have a special place in my heart.”
The show was popular in Hawaii because of its simple themes and fun characters, says Anna Mae Sakaki, advertising manager of Shirokiya Inc. - the company responsible for merchandise from the shows. “Because (the show) is a simple theme of good overcoming bad,” she adds, “it keeps it simple, with a lot of action in it, and the kids appreciate it.”
Since it originally ran, it won a place in the hearts of hundreds of youths now-turned-parents all over Hawaii who in turn pass it on to their kids.
“In Hawaii, every time it airs people get all excited,” says Ninomiya. “We know because, when we hold these events, three generations come out and buy the merchandise.”
Kikaida and Kikaida 01 are now available on DVD and can be purchased on the fan website (listed below) in box sets ranging from $150 to $185, or single disks, should you be missing any episodes. Inazuman will be for sale soon. Merchandise such as shirts, action figures and posters also can be found on the website made by JN Productions.
“JN Productions has done some great work in bringing all of these superheroes to us,” says Sakaki. “And now, after so many years, they’ve continued that.”
Some home-grown heroes also will be making appearances at the event. Characters from the locally made Ninja Ex, Dragonfly and Blood of the Samurai will take pictures and sign autographs.
“It’s very gratifying that, whenever we hold these events, there are fans out there who always come to visit,” says Ninomiya. “And then they’re all grown up now, so they bring their children. That is the happiest moment for us.”
For more information on the event and the show, visit www.generationkikaida.com
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