It was in the summer of 2003 that I started organizing talk shows inviting actors, singers and creative staff members of tokusatsu sci-fi action TV shows and films because I love them so much. In recent years, I have held nearly 30 such events annually. However, I have had no choice but to cancel almost all of them in the first half of this year due to the coronavirus.
Nothing tops real, live events, I think. That said, having zero events feels humiliating because it looks like I lost to the virus. Therefore, I held my first online event without spectators on June 13.
It was the online version of Jiro Matsuri, or a talk show featuring Jiro Okamoto, which always sells out in less than a minute when tickets go on sale. Okamoto is a popular suit actor, or an actor who plays superheroes in a full-body suit after transforming from their human persona.
I was a bit concerned we might not be able to respond to the audience's needs online, yet I feel thankful because more people than I expected bought tickets.
The online event was shorter than usual, and there were fewer guests because there had to be social distancing between them. Despite the various restrictions, Jiro put a lot of effort into the event, saying, "If my doing this makes the audience feel better even a little bit, that'd be great." We used reverse thinking and tried out many ideas, such as figuring out what can usually not be viewed from the seats near the back of the auditorium. For example, Okamoto and the guests competed in drawing pictures, which the audience would have struggled to see in detail at a live event. We couldn't use music, but they mimed to show what a certain song is about.
The event was received favorably, overall. The audience was delighted to meet Jiro, albeit through a screen. Jiro and I were happy as well. Whatever the "new normal" in our lifestyle is, there is no wavering in my wish to hold the real Jiro Matsuri again. I believe I can do so in the near future. For the little while until that time, I will borrow online technology and hold shows that will boost the immunity of tokusatsu fans.
Suzuki is a Yomiuri Shimbun senior specialist and an expert on tokusatsu superhero films and dramas.
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