SHE'S BACK! Tanaka-san Takes the Stage One More Time!

Yumiko Tanaka. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On Saturday evening, April 6, I immediately left work to attend a special performance with actress Yumiko Tanaka. The first half of the show was a comedic stage play, and the second half was made up of various vocal performances.

For the uninitiated, 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 (1984) in a scene with Ken Tanaka.

Eri Kanuma. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Also on hand as an attendee was actress Eri Kanuma. Kanuma-san plays 007/Yoko Kato in Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975-77), as well as appearing in episodes of Kaiketsu Lion Maru (1972-73), Inazuman Flash (1974), Spider-Man (1978-79), Battle Fever J (1979-80), and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (1981-82).

During the intermission, I had a pleasant chat with Kanuma-san. When I attended a similar event last year, Kanuma-san also attended as an attendee. She is quite supportive of her fellow actresses.

Naturally, I had to take a photo with Tanaka-san and the other performers. As you can see, their costumes and makeup were elaborate. The show was a lot of fun, and I look forward to attending the next one.

ANGEL GUTS! Viewing a Rather Unusual Nikkatsu Flick!

Eri Kanuma. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I went to a screening of Angel Guts: Nami (1979), a Nikkatsu flick with some controversial content (to say the least). The movie was well made, but suffice it to say, it's not for all audiences. This kind of movie isn't usually my bag, but I always find it interesting to check out and explore new things.

The event was headlined by the film's star, Eri Kanuma. In the tokusatsu world, Kanuma-san plays 007/Yoko Kato in Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975-77), as well as appearing in episodes of Kaiketsu Lion Maru (1972-73), Inazuman Flash (1974), Spider-Man (1978-79), Battle Fever J (1979-80), and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (1981-82). I'd met her before last April at an event and ran into her at Yumiko Tanaka's event last week. Speaking of...

Yumiko Tanaka. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Yumiko Tanaka was a surprise addition to the event. 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 (1984) in a scene with Ken Tanaka.

I had a chance to speak with Tanaka-san about Godzilla. Her scene was shot on Oshima Island, so I asked if all the Oshima Island scenes were shot at the same time. She confirmed that they were, and that they were all filmed in about a week. She also said that Koji Hashimoto was a very kind and easygoing director.

A great time was had by all. Even though I'd seen both ladies only a week before, it's great to see them any time.

Super Sentai Heroes Return in Style!

 From left to right: Hitomi Yoshii, Koji Unoki, Lisa Komaki, Hiroyuki Takano, and Sayoko Hagiwara. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On Sunday, April 1, I had the chance to do something I hadn't been able to do for a while. I was able to attend another live performance by luminaries of the Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series. This one had a bit more variety than usual and included singing and even guitar-playing!

One special guest was Ultraman himself, Bin Furuya. Furuya-san was only there as a signing guest (he did not participate in any of the performances), but in any case, it was great to see him again.

With Yumiko Tanaka (left) and Sayoko Hagiwara.

Sayoko Hagiwara essays the role of Ryoko Hoshi, Yullian's human form, on Ultraman 80 (1980-81) from episode 43, as well as Dyna Pink in Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (1983-84). She also appears in Choushinsei Flashman (1986-87) as the villainous Leh Nafel.

Yumiko Tanaka stars in Kamen Rider Super-1 (1980-81) as Harumi Kusanami and also appears in a small role in Godzilla (1984), one of my favorites.

With Eri Kanuma (left), Lisa Komaki, and Hitomi Yoshii (right).

Lisa Komaki plays Peggy Matsuyama on Himitsu Sentai Goranger (1975-77) and is the suit actor and voice for Miss America (as played by Diane Martin) on Battle Fever J (1979-80).

Hitomi Yoshii plays High Priestess Bishium on Kamen Rider Black (1987-88).

Eri Kanuma plays 007/Yoko Kato in Goranger, as well as appearing in episodes of Kaiketsu Lion Maru (1972-73), Inazuman Flash (1974), Spider-Man (1978-79), Battle Fever J, and Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (1981-82).

With Kihachiro Uemura (left) and Koji Unoki.

Kihachiro Uemura plays Green Flash on Flashman.

Koji Unoki portrays Dyna Blue on Dynaman.

And that's all she wrote. See you next time!