A TAC ATTACK! Returning to Okita-san's Restaurant!

Actor Shunichi Okita. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Last night, I went to the bar owned and operated by actor Shunichi Okita, best known as TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka from Ultraman Ace (1972-73). Before that, he got his start at Nikkatsu Studios and even appeared in a couple of Kihachi Okamoto movies at Toho. 

It has been a while since I last visited the restaurant, and I had a wonderful time. Hopefully, I won't wait so long to return!

TAC IS BACK! With Actor Shunichi Okita!

With actor Shunichi Okita.

On March 10, I paid another visit to the bar owned by actor Shunichi Okita. Okita-san portrayed TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka in Ultraman Ace (1972-73), but prior to his signature role, Okita-san began as a Nikkatsu actor. He appears in the highly acclaimed crime thriller Tokyo Drifter (1966) and later appeared in a couple of Kihachi Okamoto films at Toho: Red Lion (1969) and Battle of Okinawa (1971).

It was, naturally, great to spend the evening with Okita-san. I look forward to stopping by his establishment again soon.

A RETURN TO ULTRAMAN ACE! A Pleasant Evening with a TAC Member!

Yours truly poses with actor Shunichi Okita.

Last night, I met a couple of Japanese friends at the bar/restaurant owned by Ultraman Ace actor Shunichi Okita (who played TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka). Okita-san played some of his TV appearances from the 1970s while my friends and I discussed some upcoming plans. 

Although I couldn't stay very long, it was a great evening spent in great company. Many thanks to everyone who made last night so cool!

SHUNICHI OKITA IS BACK! The Ultraman Ace Hero Keeps an Eye on Tokyo!

Yours truly with actor Shunichi Okita at his restaurant-bar in Tokyo.

As I hinted at in my previous blog post, there was more to come today! I stopped by actor Shunichi Okita's restaurant-bar in Tokyo and spent some time there. Okita-san played TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka in Ultraman Ace (1972-73), but he was also a Nikkatsu actor prior to that, having appeared in the critically celebrated film Tokyo Drifter (1966), among others. He went on to act in movies produced by Toho, such as Red Lion (1969) and Battle of Okinawa (1971).

It was wonderful to spend some time again with Okita-san, as I hadn't seen him all year. Hopefully, my next visit won't take so long. What a day it was!

ULTRAMAN ACE REUNION! TAC Members Share a Grand Evening Together!

Actors Keiko Nishi (left) and Shunichi Okita (right) pose for the cameras at La Shion. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

I've just gotten back home from a small Ultraman Ace (1972-73) reunion at La Shion, a small restaurant in Tokyo. The reunion involved two actors who played TAC members on the show: Shunichi Okita (who played Ichiro Yamanaka) and Keiko Nishi (who portrayed Noriko Mikawa).

When I arrived, I had no idea that Nishi-san would be in attendance, too. It was a very small gathering with very few fans in attendance. In fact, there was really just one other fan there. Nishi-san was there with her son and his wife, as well as a friend of theirs. It was great to be part of such a small and intimate gathering.

While there, Okita-san invited me to attend a very special event next month. Suffice it to say, I'm very excited. Stay tuned for a full report!

TAC DESTROYS ALL KAIJU! Hanging Out with Ultra-Series Star Shunichi Okita!

The artwork just outside the restaurant-bar La Shion tells you all you need to know! Photo by Brett Homenick.

I've just returned home from another fun and friendly evening at La Shion, and I enjoyed spending time with actor Shunichi Okita. Okita-san is best known for playing TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka in Ultraman Ace (1972-73), but (like fellow Ace cast member Keiko Nishi), he got his start at Nikkatsu Studios, acting in such movies as Tokyo Drifter (1966).

Striking a pose with Shunichi Okita, one of Tokyo's coolest residents!

Okita-san eventually began appearing in Toho movies, such as Red Lion (1969), which stars Toshiro Mifune. He also is in Kihachi Okamoto's Battle of Okinawa (1971).  But it is his co-starring role in Ultraman Ace that his fans hold in the highest regard.

At the bar this evening was a friendly fellow who certainly knew his stuff when it came to Toho movies. We swapped stories and memories. He was amazed by how much I knew, and I was just as surprised that he knew as much as he did. (He didn't seem to be that much older than I am.)

October is shaping up to be a huge month for me (I know, I say that every month!), but it is especially true this time out. Watch this space for all the latest!

AN EVENING AT LA SHION! A Great Time with Actor Shunichi Okita!

Actor Shunichi Okita and yours truly strike a familiar pose in Tokyo's La Shion.

I just returned home from an enjoyable evening at the La Shion bar in Tokyo. As readers of this blog will recall, it's owned and operated by actor Shunichi Okita and his wife. Okita-san starred as TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka in Ultraman Ace (1972-73) and has appeared in several films, such as Tokyo Drifter (1966), Red Lion (1969), and Battle of Okinawa (1971).

After checking out the incredible Genesis of Ultraman 1966-1980 exhibit in Yokosuka, I bought the commemorative book that was on sale at the gift shop, which includes photos of the props on display as well as copies of the production designs, among other cool photographs.

I showed the book to Okita-san and his wife, who were both impressed. Naturally, I asked Okita-san to add his signature to the book. I'm sure it is the first of many to come.

Thank you very much for a great evening, Okita-san!

IT'S ULTRA-GOOD! Hanging Out with Ultraman Ace Stars!

Spending time with retired actress Keiko Nishi, one of the stars of Ultraman Ace.

Today I got a few autographs for a friend of mine who's a big fan of the Showa Ultra-series. Specifically, I got him the signatures of two Ultraman Ace (1972-73) stars. The first was Keiko Nishi, who played TAC member Noriko Mikawa. It was great to see Nishi-san again after the event with Koji Moritsugu. We talked about that and several other topics in her cafe.

With Ultraman Ace regular Shunichi Okita at his bar in Futako-Tamagawa. 

After that, I got the signature of Shunichi Okita, who portrayed TAC member Ichiro Yamanaka on the show. It had been a few months since I last saw Okita-san, but I was happy to catch up with him. I'm sure my friend will be quite excited to receive his Japanese-style shikishi board with the signatures in the mail!

THAT'S A WRAP! La Shion Hosts an End of the Year Party!

The street view of La Shion, located in Futako-Tamagawa. Photo by Brett Homenick.

November 29 saw an end-of-the-year party take place at La Shion in Futako-Tamagawa. Readers of this blog will no doubt recall that this bar and restaurant is owned and operated by actor Shunichi Okita and his wife. Okita-san played Ichiro Yamanaka in Ultraman Ace (1972-73), and he also appeared in numerous films for studios like Toho and Nikkatsu throughout the 1960s and '70s.

In fact, during the party, Okita-san played an old TV show in which he appeared as a gun-toting criminal, holding terrified restaurant patrons hostage. Everyone in attendance got a kick out of seeing Okita-san work his magic 40 years ago!

Overall, it was a lively party with many new and old friends. A couple of English speakers were among the party-goers, and we all hung out together well past midnight. (Thankfully, I was able to catch the last train home!) I'd really like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Okita (pictured above) for their generosity and hospitality!

A RETURN TO LA SHION! Setagaya's Ultra-Bar Sets the Bar!

Earlier this week, I paid another visit to La Shion, an eating and drinking establishment owned and operated by actor Shunichi Okita, who portrayed Ichiro Yamanaka in Ultraman Ace (1972-73) for Tsuburaya Productions.

During my visit, Okita-san signed my Ultraman Ace DVD, which was previously signed by actress Keiko Nishi. I was very pleased to add another member of the Terrible Monster Attacking Crew (TAC) to my DVD sleeve!

The restaurant is a great place for tokusatsu fans to visit. Not only does it have plenty of cool Ultra-memorabilia for watchers of Tsuburaya Productions, but you can also meet one of the stars of a Showa-era Ultraman program! How cool is that?

To read a bit more about La Shion and Okita-san, please follow this link. Okita-san is always a warm and friendly host, and I hope I have a chance to return in the near future!