Legendary Tokusatsu Composer Chumei Watanabe Passes Away at Age 96

Chumei Watanabe at his home in July 2018. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Maestro Chumei Watanabe, a tokusatsu composer whose work runs the gamut from Shintoho's Starman (a.k.a. Super Giant) series to the ground-breaking Super Sentai series Himitsu Sentai Gorenger (1975-77),  passed away at 4:00 a.m. on June 23 of heart failure at a hospital in Tokyo. He was 96. A private funeral has already been held, organized by his son, Toshiyuki, the composer of the Heisei Mothra trilogy.

Born Michiaki Watanabe in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on August 19, 1925, Mr. Watanabe would get his start in the film industry in the mid-1950s, working for Shintoho Studios. At Shintoho, Mr. Watanabe would compose the scores for the first four Starman films: Super Giant (1957), Super Giant Continues (1957), Super Giant: The Mysterious Spacemen's Demonic Castle (1957), and Super Giant: Earth on the Verge of Destruction (1957). The first two films would be edited together in the U.S. as Atomic Rulers of the World, and the third and fourth films would become Invaders from Space. 

Mr. Watanabe would also collaborate with celebrated horror director Nobuo Nakagawa on such films as The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959) and Hell (1960). In the late 1960s, he composed the scores to two of the three classic yokai films from Daiei, 100 Monsters (1968) and Along with Ghosts (1969). That said, he is much better known around the world for his various TV tokusatsu and anime scores, which began in the 1970s.

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Watanabe several times between 2017 and 2019. I was privileged to interview him in July 2018, which you can read here. Mr. Watanabe was eager to speak in depth about his early life in the interview, which you can read for yourself. My translator and I spent hours at Mr. Watanabe's home in Shibuya for the interview.

Afterward, he ordered dinner for us, which was delivered to his home. As my translator and I were leaving his home after the delicious eel dinner, my translator expressed concern about the cost of such a meal. Mr. Watanabe replied, "Don't worry, I'm rich!" 

Rest in peace, Watanabe-san.

'Along with Ghosts' at Kadokawa Cinema Yurakucho!

The tokusatsu and yokai film festival at Kadokawa Cinema Yurakucho continues, and today I took in a screening of Along with Ghosts (1969), the final entry in Daiei's celebrated yokai trilogy. 

I first saw Along with Ghosts almost exactly 20 years ago, and (to the best of my recollection) that was the only time I'd ever watched the whole thing before today. I thought it was pretty boring at the time and considered it easily the weakest of the trilogy.

Well, I have to say that my opinion really hasn't changed very much in the last 20 years. I still consider it the weakest of the three. There's great stuff in it, of course -- Kojiro Hongo is always good, the yokai are effectively spooky (even if they are less memorable this time around), and Chumei Watanabe's score is fabulous. So there's a lot to praise. But I just think the story drags when the yokai aren't onscreen. 

Overall, the other two yokai flicks are more entertaining. That said, I'd still recommend Along with Ghosts over any yokai movie that's come after it. I stopped watching the 2005 remake (or whatever it was) halfway through and never looked back, and the one in current release looks even shabbier (if that's even possible). Thanks, but no thanks, guys. I'll stick with the classics.

FLASHBACK! An Evening with Daimajin!

Riki Hashimoto in December 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick.

On December 9, 2016, Daimajin suit actor Riki Hashimoto took part in a Q&A session following a screening of one of the Daimajin films. Due to my work schedule, I missed the screening, but was able to attend the interview. After the interview, the audience was able to meet and shake hands with Hashimoto-san, even though he didn't sign autographs or pose for photos. Another attendee did snap a picture of my greeting Hashimoto-san, which you can see at the bottom of the post.

FLASHBACK! An Afternoon with Daimajin!

Riki Hashimoto in June 2016. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

On June 5, 2016, I was very fortunate to spend an afternoon in the company of Daimajin suit actor Riki Hashimoto. It wasn't part of any event; it was a private meeting that included a mutual friend. We first met a cafe and then went out for sushi. Here are a few photos from the occasion.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Chumei Watanabe!

Chumei Watanabe. Photo by Brett Homenick.

August 19 marks the 94th birthday of film and television composer Chumei Watanabe. If you're not familiar with Watanabe-san or his work, here is a good place to start.

Chumei Watanabe plays with a Daitetsujin 17 toy. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

I was privileged to attend a special celebration of Watanabe-san last night. I was pleased to see that Watanabe-san hadn't lost a step and is still going strong.

Most of all, I was just happy to see him again and personally wish him a happy birthday. I know that Watanabe-san is an inspiration to me, and I can only hope to be in such good health if and when I reach his age.

Happy birthday, Watanabe-san!

Interviewing Chumei Watanabe

Composer Chumei Watanabe during our July 4 interview. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I'm pleased to announce that on Wednesday, July 4, I had the privilege of interviewing legendary composer Chumei Watanabe at his home in Tokyo. Watananbe-san began his film-composing career at Shintoho in the late 1950s, working on several Nobuo Nakagawa films, most notably Ghost of Yotsuya (1959) and Hell (1960). Watanabe-san returned to tokusatsu in the late 1960s with his scores to 100 Monsters (1968) and Along with Ghosts (1969). Watanabe-san would later achieve international fame with his scores to various anime and live-action tokusatsu TV programs. The 92-year-old composer stays busy to this day.

The interview lasted several hours and focused a great deal on his early years. I certainly learned a lot, and once it's published, so will you! Stay tuned.

AN EVENING WITH CHUMEI WATANABE! The Great Film Composer Meets His Fans!

Chumei Watanabe. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Tonight, I had the privilege of spending the day with film and TV composer Chumei Watanabe (whose real name is Michiaki Watanabe) at a private gathering. Among Watanabe-san's film compsitions are: several entries of the Starman (a.k.a. Super Giant) series, Black Cat Mansion (1958), Ghost of Yotsuya (1959), Hell (1960), 100 Monsters (1968), and Along with Ghosts (1969). However, Watanabe-san is much more famous for his anime and TV tokusatsu scores, which are too numerous to list here. Film also composing runs in his family, as his son is Toshiyuki Watanabe, the composer for the '90s Mothra trilogy.

Watanabe-san began his film composing career at Shintoho in 1956, and at age 92 years old, he is still active writing music to this day. Watanabe-san was curious about American culture and how tokusatsu movies and TV programs are received in the West, and naturally I was happy to answer his questions.

Suffice it to say, it was a great evening!

MIWA TAKADA PHOTO! Meeting the Star of Daimajin!

Yours truly with Daiei star Miwa Takada (and several other fans). 

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I was part of a group photo taken with actress Miwa Takada (Daimajin, 100 Monsters) at an event last month. At the time I wrote the post, I hadn't received the photo.

Now that I have, I thought I'd share it on this blog. It certainly captures a rare moment. Enjoy!

MEETING ACTRESS MIWA TAKADA! The Daimajin Star Was Live and in Person!

A framed picture of Miwa Takada during her Daimajin days. Photo by Brett Homenick

On Sunday, August 21, I had the opportunity to take in a screening of Daimajin (1966) with the film's leading lady, Miwa Takada, in attendance. Miwa-san is also the star of the yokai classic 100 Monsters (1968), and public appearances by her are rather rare.

DVD sleeves for Daimajin and 100 Monsters, signed by Miwa Takada. Photo by Brett Homenick.

There was a major difference between this event and pretty much every other one I've attended. Absolutely no photos of Takada-san were allowed to be taken. At the end of her signing session, however, attendees were allowed to pose for photos with her in groups of five (!) while a staff member took the picture on his smartphone. (I'm still awaiting the picture that the staff member took.)

This was most unusual, but given the general difference in attitude between Toho stars and stars from other studios (especially Daiei and Toei), this was not too surprising. (There are exceptions, of course.) Still, it was a great experience to meet Takada-san, and I enjoyed seeing Daimajin in 35mm.

YUREI IZAKAYA! Kichijoji's Watering Hole for Yokai Lovers!

An outside view of Yurei Izakaya, located just a few minutes from Kichijoji Station. Photo by Brett Homenick.

In my recent visits to Kichijoji, I have been reminded of an intriguing Japanese eatery that revels in the traditional ghosts and spirits of Japan. It's called Yurei Izakaya, and if you've ever seen any of the yokai movies from Daiei Studios, then you already have a good idea of what to expect from this establishment.

As you walk by, a recording of ghostly sounds and creepy sound effects (much like what you'd find on one of those old Halloween audiotapes they used to make when we were kids) constantly plays, helping to draw the attention of curious passersby.

As you can see, the theme of the izakaya is the yurei and yokai that have been the stuff of legends for years. While these creatures may not mean a lot to Westerners, those who have seen these ghosts and goblins depicted in the movies ought to be more than a little interested in checking out this restaurant. I know I was.

Be a bit careful, though. To enter the restaurant, you have to descend some stairs, and at some point the lights go out. (Need I explain why?) Actually, you have to figure out how to enter in the dark, and suffice it to say, that's not entirely obvious. Still, I was able to enter after only a few seconds of total confusion.

The wait staff was very friendly, and one waitress in particular took me to my seat. She had a good command of English, and explained to me the details of how to order. It turns out you have to lightly strike the bowl at your table to make it ring, and then wave the disembodied hand around to get the attention of the wait staff.

If you're not exactly well versed in Japanese, don't worry! English menus are available for you curious gaijin who want to experience Yurei Izakaya in all its glory.

I must say that being in the restaurant feels like you've stepped onto the set of one of Daiei's yokai films from the Showa era. It's well decorated with lots of creepy props, ranging from goofy to gory. Some of the sights there were a little shocking to see in such a fun restaurant, but it is a celebration of the dead after all.

If you're in the Kichijoji area, be sure to give Yurei Izakaya a look. I can't say that I've ever been to another place in Japan quite like this. It has a unique feel, and while it's not officially associated with any film or film studio, the connections to the old Daiei yokai flicks are obvious.

Why, there's even an Onibaba (1964) reference! If you like to eat Japanese food, but you don't like to pay too much for it, and if you like the weird and macabre, Yurei Izakaya is most definitely a place you should check out!