For some reason, I recently remembered my days in the United States, a time when I was always yearning for tokusatsu sci-fi action heroes. I was studying in the country at the time.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a single tokusatsu program on TV. But I don't think the lack of these Japanese dramas or films -- easily searchable on the internet today -- was the only reason for my feelings. It had to do, I think, with not being able to see their "live" shows.
These are called "hero shows." If you're in Japan, you can see them on most weekends: They take place in amusement parks, department stores, supermarkets, and sites where model houses are exhibited. Most are free of charge, except for some held in amusement parks.
The best part is you can actually meet the superheroes, whom you usually only see on TV. So it really hit me hard when I realized that something so familiar to me wasn't available.
These shows might be uniquely Japanese. They started off as experimental events, with the actors wearing costumes that were temporarilly unneeded for the TV programs. It became a type of regular performance in the early 1970s when Kamen Rider shows were held in what used to be the Korakuen amusement park. These shows became a great hit, drawing 4,000 spectators to each performance in their heyday -- it was easier to make a show out of Kamen Rider, a human-sized character, compared to Ultraman, who's supposed to be as tall as a skyscraper.
Today, similar entertainment featuring the Super Sentai series shown in those years are held every week at the Tokyo Dome City amusement complex. There are Kamen Rider events regularly presented at the Yomiuriland amusement park, among other venues.
There's an interesting format in these presentations. The heroes will be knocked down during their battle with the villains, and an emcee -- called Oneesan (big sister) if the person is a woman, or Oniisan (big brother) if a man -- will come on stage and ask the audience to encourage them.
"Let's cheer them on!" the emcee will say. If the spectators' voices are not loud enough, he or she will ask for more, saying: "They can't hear you! Say it louder!" Eventually the audience will be shouting "Come on!" to the heroes, and with this cue, they are back on their feet again.
Not impressive?
Well, if you're actually there, you'll be moved to the point of tears welling up, seeing the children genuinely trying to encourage them, even though you're aware of the whole plot.
The superheroes are the stars, and the highlight of the shows is their dynamic action sequences, but I also want to talk about the emcees, who appear on stage in flashy costumes. They too are essential to the performance.
I serve as one myself, at in-house events at the company I work for. I'm starting to feel awkward, as Oneesan is a friendly honorific for a relatively "young woman," but I feel elated, even rejuvenated, performing with the tokusatsu heroes onstage.
If you happen to be enjoying a long holiday, or spending a weekend in Japan, I sincerely hope you have the chance to go to a hero show. I'm eager to promote this wonderful aspect of Japanese culture to the world.
Suzuki is a Yomiuri Shimbun senior specialist and an expert on tokusatsu superhero films and dramas.
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