I held an event in August called "Akamatsuri" that featured actors who have played the red-clad leaders of the Super Sentai tokusatsu TV series. It was done without an audience, and we streamed it online. Some of the "Red" actors who couldn't make it because they were busy, or for other reasons, agreed to appear at the event remotely.
Ryosuke Kaizu, who starred in "Hikari Sentai Maskman," logged in from a ramen restaurant he now runs. He said Kazuo Niibori, who appeared at the event on stage, was like the absolute epitome of a man to him when he was still a newcomer in acting at the time when "Maskman" was broadcast. Niibori is a legendary suit actor who played a series of "Red" heroes after their transformations to superhero personae and performed all the action scenes. Kaizu told us he remembers being shaken when Niibori whispered threatening words in his ears.
Yuta Mochizuki, the Red hero in "Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger," showed up online from a bar run by Kei Shindachiya, who played FiveBlue in "Chikyu Sentai Fiveman." Mochizuki also talked about Niibori, who was the action director of "Zyuranger." As Mochizuki tells it, Niibori had suddenly asked him to do an action sequence at the highest point of the rails of a roller coaster. When Mochizuki moaned how it had been so hard and how scared he had been, Niibori said, "You looked like you could do it," with an embarrassed smile.
Ryosuke Sakamoto, the star of "Chodenshi Bioman," took part in Akamatsuri from Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, where he now lives. He underwent a major surgery for esophageal cancer four years ago, and fans were worried for him. He looked a little thinner but vibrantly smiled.
"Both the film and the concert were postponed, but I'm in good shape," he said with a beaming smile. "I will definitely come next year."
Because the event was streamed, we missed out on many Red actors actually getting together, which was a pity. But it was nice that the participants talked in a different way than any of the previous Akamatsuri events. I vowed to myself that I would absolutely hold Akamatsuri with all the Red actors when we have overcome the virus.
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