![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH3ROj8O3ak4Ot0R6ulwnuVTCz08w09NdmN2CNGU_gxCyhq3oQuwEtx1iimRUsFeTapF-zfadvBzLDFRPIk4UmEQ2W_942CirgqAZfY-H0M-gph-n6wkwKtUqSkB0pf5TB4_McbEDflPd_7dnuoNH6oDgTvQdTeDwC_7YEtdfo_MEejYpYEig0GLNjBk/s320/PXL_20230715_125217620.MP.jpg) |
Mitsuhiro Sano, Yumiko Tanaka, and Keiko Nishi pose for pictures. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
On Saturday, July 15, I attended a special event with some surprise guests. The main event was the variety show in which actress Yumiko Tanaka performed onstage with a number of other actors. After the show, I was invited to a dinner with Tanaka-san's friends and supporters. That, for me, was the real attraction.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CuwdmwI7z3o8XJr-nJipRX32XaDmoAg4hHDvleZz_jBlS4jKyttCQfbYIwWGCKKSh75FK5OlIY7KkzpMmCdNXnPKJoXg0Q13TD85FyFWq5VQht8ros5_OLYvGqvkw11iGzkuxcgQolyUQhNV_T8CurFXJ-z3R574YiDid2jmhQMWbZRiy2BQaqSJQ4I/s320/PXL_20230715_114013224.jpg) |
Yumiko Tanaka. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
If you don't know by now, Tanaka-san stars in Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81) as Harumi Kusanami and also appears in a small role toward the beginning of Godzilla 1985 (1984) in a scene with Ken Tanaka (which was edited out of the American release).
At the end of the show, Tanaka-san and her co-stars sang and danced to the Japanese version of the Village People classic "YMCA." I thought that was quite amusing. After the show, our group gathered in front of the venue, which was in Tsukiji, before heading off to dinner. Before I knew it, actress Keiko Nishi joined our group and greeted me by touching my arm. (It's always a plus when the most beautiful woman in the history of the Ultra-series makes contact!)
Actor Mitsuhiro San wasn't too far behind Nishi-san. He and I talked about the song "YMCA," but he's a much bigger fan of the song "Massachusetts" by the Bee Gees, which he can do a pretty good job of singing in English. After that, we headed to the restaurant.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9e0n7pxlW1oI6yctteZPkIem9Ffzf4VdAu3hGmNgx1h3devJlYFiLnUHDXGaaPUhsQypLkXUREUJMLoUA_mJoHQ3bVlR5D-PvIawhWjng9bPBHJY_c31P394taiD7mZVdXnNyxFK-Cdn9JsbiO_CLN-EO666mY4jxng_Ijz_LxLPMU2C80rBF5HrehQA/s320/PXL_20230715_115112694.MP~2.jpg) |
Mitsuhiro Sano. Photo by Brett Homenick. |
Of course, Sano-san TAC member Kozo Yoshimura in Ultraman Ace (1972-73). I sat across from Sano-san at the table and close to Nishi-san. Naturally, it was a great experience to be in the presence of such Ultra-series royalty!
Sano-san commented that he was good at signing in English but not good at English conversation. Well, I hope one day he can master English conversation, too. But, in any case, it's always a blast hanging out with him.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl6dZP6jK37aL9Wwh3ITPONpYEyRLC5kuir6lySZBRfUntLp1XghZNW77kQK_UqFSOBVsV6g_aBtq61jecW6uyDJ5du0S7zWZXJbzMULLCn1RMD0NJiCiwrdaWvzTMAJktE_uOPQhnGYbiqW1D51VBinPjLJsPxQG3g_dQ2FVixbOBYazJWGFdEV1mrk/s320/PXL_20230715_121051107.MP~2.jpg) |
With Keiko Nishi. |
Nishi-san appears in Ultraman Ace as TAC member Noriko Mikawa. Even though her cafe closed a while back, it's a joy to see Nishi-san attend events like these.
And that's a wrap! It was a much more fun evening than I expected, but I'm definitely not complaining! Hope we can do it again soon.