Netflix and Chill with Ultraman!

Seen in Shibuya Station on Tuesday, April 26.

Japanese Film Producer Shiro Sasaki Passes Away at Age 83

Shiro Sasaki in January 2019. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Japanese film producer Shiro Sasaki, who produced films for directors Kazuki Omori, Nobuhiko Obayashi, and Nobuo Nakagawa, passed away on April 18 of lung cancer. He was 83. A private funeral has already been held.

Mr. Sasaki was born on January 22, 1939, in Dalian, China, as Masamichi Sasaki. After working extensively in television during the 1960s and '70s (mostly for TBS), Mr. Sasaki entered the film industry as a producer in 1978.

Taking the helm in 1979, he served as the second president of Art Theatre Guild (ATG), the production company responsible for arthouse films directed by the likes of Akio Jissoji, Nagisa Oshima, and Shohei Imamura. During his tenure as president of ATG, he focused on recruiting younger, lesser-known directors to make films that would appeal to a wider audience.

Shiro Sasaki (left) and Kazuki Omori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Mr. Sasaki produced the Kazuki Omori films Disciples of Hippocrates (1980), Hear the Wind Sing (1981), Sukanpin Walk (1984), You Gotta Chance (1985), and The Reason Why I Became Ill (1990). For genre fans, his biggest credit is producing the final film of director Nobuo Nakagawa, a ghost story called The Living Koheji (1982).

His other notable credits include Kihachi Okamoto's At This Late Date, the Charleston (1981), Nobuhiko Obayashi's all-star fantasy I Are You, You Am Me (1982), and the critically praised comedy-drama The Family Game (1983). In 2004, he received a Japan Academy Prize Association Special Award.

Shiro Sasaki with his daughter Sonoko Mikami. Photo by Brett Homenick.

His daughter Sonoko Mikami (pictured above) is a poet and dancer.

With Shiro Sasaki.

I met Mr. Sasaki in January 2019 at a screening of Sukanpin Walk, which was also attended by Kazuki Omori. While I wasn't very familiar with Mr. Sasaki's work, it was still great to meet him. I also became acquainted with Mr. Sasaki's daughter at the event, whose dance performance I attended later that year.

In between Shiro Sasaki and Kazuki Omori.

I didn't realize the extent of his involvement in the film industry, or the impact he'd had on it, when I met him. I wish I had, but I'll certainly remember my brief encounter with him very fondly.

RIP, Mr. Sasaki.

'Shin Ultraman' Train Advertisement!

Here's a fun advertisement for Shin Ultraman (2022), spotted in a Japanese train the other night in Yokohama.

Reliving 'The Battle of Port Arthur'!

Eiichi Asada with the script (and posters) for The Battle of Port Arthur (1980). Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Saturday, April 23, I attended a special event with a former special effects director, Eiichi Asada. The theme of this event was the 1980 war epic The Battle of Port Arthur. The event was made even more special with the presence of a shooting script from the film.

Asada-san would, of course, go on to helm the special effects for Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) and Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), but this night was all about the Toei flick directed by Toshio Masuda.

A Battle of Port Arthur shooting script. Photo by Brett Homenick.

It was quite cool to thumb through this shooting script. I remember that Ulf Otsuki showed me his scene in the movie when I went to visit him at his house. I mentioned that to Asada-san, who was quick to point out that Otsuki-san also played a Seatopian in Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973).

Eiichi Asada. Photo by Brett Homenick.

As always, it was great to hang out with Asada-san, who is one of the coolest guys around. I always have a blast when he's around.

And that's all for now! See you next time!

An Evening of Chanson in Shinjuku!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night, I attended a chanson performance in Shinjuku with former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, as well as two female singers. I first met Uchida-san less than a month ago, so I was surprised that I'd get another chance to see him so quickly.

The whole show lasted about two and a half hours, but it flew by. I spoke with an older Japanese lady there who lived in several U.S. cities back in the 1970s. It was great to make her acquaintance, too!

After the show, we took some obligatory photos. Overall, I had a lot of fun, and I think Uchida-san was a bit surprised to hear that I did. But it was a great time. I hope to get another chance in the future!

Shin Ultraman Meets Godzilla!

A Shin Ultraman poster underneath the Godzilla head in Shinjuku. Photo by Brett Homenick,

Shin Ultraman comes to Japanese theaters next month, and the advertising campaign is currently in full swing. A stop by the Toho Cinemas in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, is certainly proof of that. Here's the view from earlier today.

Spring Comes to the Godzilla Store Tokyo!

I paid a visit to the Godzilla Store Tokyo today, and spring was certainly in the air (despite the lousy weather). Here are some of the fun displays that I saw. Enjoy!

It's Doraemon!

When he wasn't too busy explaining the new normal at movie theaters, I saw Doraemon while transferring between train lines at Noborito Station!

Experiencing the Musical Side of Takahashi-san!

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Tuesday evening, April 5, I attended a musical performance by actress Yoko Takahashi. Takahashi-san was a prolific actress in the 1970s, with her best-known work in the West being the Oscar-nominated Sandakan 8 (1974). She also can be seen in Kon Ichikawa's The Devil's Ballad (1977).

Rie Yokoyama (left) onstage with Yoko Takahashi.

The event was held in Daikanyama, Tokyo. Takahashi-san sang and played the guitar with a couple of other back-up musicians. Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with most of the songs she played, but there were a couple of familiar pieces.

Rie Yokoyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

There was an intermission of sorts, during which fellow actress Rie Yokoyama went onstage and discussed her acting career with Takahashi-san. Afterward, Takahashi-san continued playing music.

Yoko Takahashi. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Of particular note, Takahashi-san sang the (Japanese) theme to Popeye, which I thought was quite entertaining. I mentioned that to her after the show as my favorite song that she performed.

 All in all, it was a fun evening, and I got to see a different side of Takahashi-san. If there is another such performance in the near future, I hope I have a chance to attend!

Meeting an Expert Tokusatsu Cinematographer!

Keiichi Sakurai. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Wednesday, April 6, I was privileged to spend a fun afternoon with tokusatsu cameraman Keiichi Sakurai. Sakurai-san's career in special effects photography goes back to the 1970s, but he's best known for his tokusatsu cinematography on Shin Godzilla (2016).

It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. It was my first time to meet Sakurai-san, and, given how friendly he is, I'm surprised it took this long. Hopefully, there will be many more chances in the future.

Kaiju Key Chains in Tokyo!

Acrylic kaiju key chains on offer! Photo by Brett Homenick.

While visiting a local Tsutaya rental shop, I found this fun key chain dispenser, featuring a bevy of familiar Toho kaiju. And look who's front and center! I passed on picking one up, but I'm starting to have second thoughts. Gotta go back there and give it a try!

Meeting a Gamera Series Legend!

Yoshiro Uchida. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On March 30, I had the distinct privilege of meeting former child actor Yoshiro Uchida, who is best known for playing Toshio in the Daiei classic Gammera the Invincible (1966). Of course, the original Japanese version was released domestically in 1965. 

One topic of conversation was traditional tokusatsu techniques. Uchida-san mentioned that he felt the hand-made special effects in The Poseidon Adventure (1972) were preferable to the CGI used in Titanic (1997). I asked if he'd ever seen Gandhi (1982), whose amazing crowd scenes would probably be done by computer graphics today. He said he hadn't, but I strongly recommended the film.

I had a wonderful time meeting Uchida-san. Hopefully, it won't be the last!