Original subtitles

Thank you for consenting to this interview.

Thank you for having me.

Jun Mizunoe (Mitsuko) has quite a few fans in Hawaii.

That's right.

And | read somewhere that you had feelings for her.

Me?

Yes.

Well, | never read that anywhere.

Actually... well... how should I put it...

From what | heard, Shun Ueda, who played Hanpen...

In the book Kikaider Sanka,

commemorating the 25th anniversary of Kikaider...

| was interviewed with Ueda for that.

It was during the interview that Ueda told me...

that Jun had come to him once for advice

because she had a crush on me.

That's why | was surprised and asked him why he waited so long to tell me.

If he had told me at that time, | could've...

Well, | could've responded to it.

But it was so long afterwards, so what could | do?

Twenty... twenty-five years later?

Yes. So that's what | heard.

And we shared a few chuckles over it.

You know, maybe, Ueda carried a torch for Jun.

It's possible... And that's why he kept silent for so long.

Oh, really?

That's what I heard.

Why do you think Kikaider was such a big hit?

Well... my impressions now...

After thinking about it rationally...

| believe the story itself was written in a complete, unified style.

It was a very balanced work.

I mean...

The casting...

Each character was well cast... and so clearly defined.

That's what I mean by balanced.

For example, Professor Gill and Dr. Komyojji.

Dr. Komyoji looks very ordinary.

And Mizunoe was cute... very pretty.

And Masaru was a child, yet he had a maturity about him.

And Hanpen played the role of the comedian.

| called him Japan's Chaplin... he played that role extremely well.

Also, Kikaider... The discord he feels within himself.

Because of his incomplete conscience circuit.

And there's Saburo who's handsome, cool, and rational.

And that's just so...

Oh, and eventually, Saburo becomes Hakaider.

But the entire story has a great balance of characters.

Among the monsters, is there one that you particularly liked?

Hmm... the one that made the deepest impression on me

is the one | first encountered, Gray Rhino King.

| remember that so clearly.

And the reason is...

The fight scene coordinator, Mr. Mishima, said to me,

"It's a monster. So act really scared."

So | looked directly at Gray Rhino King.

And saw him as a real monster.

| remember that clearly.

And as we did more episodes, perhaps | got more lax.

That's why | remember Gray Rhino King so vividly.

Oh, really?

The writer, Ishinomori, was a man before his time.

He was able to read the future very clearly.

Absolutely. Take the recent movie, A./.

There are stories going around that Spielberg saw the Kikaider series in Hawaii.

Anyway, Ishinomori created the story 30... well, 20-some-odd years ago.

But the validity of the work still holds up.

He really thought out the story.

He imagined a robot able to express human emotions and feelings.

It was extremely close to his heart.

And he wrote a story about it.

A story that was years ahead of its time.

That he was able to create a story with artificial intelligence as its theme,

so long ago... he was amazing.

Your first trip to Hawaii was at the end of 1974,

and you stayed through the new year.

Do you remember anything about that visit?

Well... the children...

In children's eyes...

The character Kikaider and the various monsters...

How should | put it...?

Battling each other in action sequences...

Now that's something children everywhere revel in.

The battle between good and evil... rather, what's right and wrong.

For the children, the impact was great.

The monsters were scary, yes. But the good guys were good.

It's a universal reaction.

They cried and screamed when the monsters appeared.

And they cheered for the good- when justice prevailed.

So no matter where, whether it's Japan or Hawaii,

for the children, the story of Kikaider transcends boundaries.

That was my first impression when | came to Hawaii.

Were you surprised that Kikaider was so popular?

Hmm... | did wonder about it...

Whether it was me personally or the story of Kikaider.

There were other action stories out there...

So | really wondered about the popularity of Kikaider.

Regretfully, Gaylord Cambra passed away in September 2001.

Gaylord was the one who constantly called me

to bring Kikaider back on KIKU-TV.

And he was a great, great fan of yours.

He truly loved Kikaider, Kikaider 01— Ikeda-san and you.

If he could hear you now, what would you say to him?

Well... it's truly regrettable that he died.

But he had such a sincere love for Kikaider.

He passed away shortly after | saw him.

So the only thing I can say

is that he lived in a world of Kikaider and passed away.

What a wonderful thing

for a person to have died doing what he truly loved.

The work, Kikaider, was that great a story.

So... how should I put it...

I'm sorry.

I've come to understand the true power of the story of Kikaider.

| was able to meet Gaylord

and see the kind of person he had matured into.

It's astonishing, the impact that Kikaider had.

It is an amazing piece of work.

So to Gaylord, | just want to say...

May you rest in peace.

Finally, | have one more question before ending this interview.

What would you like to say to Hawaii's Generation Kikaider?

Well... Gaylord is gone.

However, Kikaider...

| just explained that Gaylord died embraced by something he loved.

I can say with confidence and pride that Kikaider is a beautiful piece of work.

So please watch Kikaider over and over again.

And as you watch, please ponder the questions:

"Who am I?" and "What is love?"

Keep in mind these questions, and your answers.

What you will do with the rest of your life, how you live,

what it means to love.

| hope that through Kikaider,

you find some sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Thank you for taking time to talk to us.

Thank you for having me.

Thanks for coming in again.

Thanks for having me.

The action scenes in Kikaider have a very choreographed look to them.

"Chanbara style" - Sword fighting/samurai films.

They're choreographed in the old “chanbara” style.

There's a beauty to them. Can you comment?

Actually, the fight scenes in Kikaider were arranged

in a more modern way rather than the old samurai action styles.

So trampolines were used... more like gymnastics.

But take the androids.

| don't want to use the word "well-behaved,"

but they waited their turn

and their pace was choreographed.

Like their movements were planned and practiced.

That's where I see the beauty of the choreography.

I see... well, it was Mishima...

Mishima-sensei was the instructor

and choreographer of the fighting scenes.

And he did the choreography in samurai movies.

Many of the fight scene coordinators started out in samurai movies,

"Tachimawari" - choreographed fighting.

and tachimawari originated from period dramas.

So Kikaider definitely has retained the old action styles, in that sense

How to put it...

The fight scenes sort of flow like a dance sequence.

I sense a touch of sadness in Kikaider and Jiro.

Perhaps because Jiro was "incomplete," we feel compassion for him.

We root for him.

The usual action heroes are always strong.

But in Jiro, we feel compassion for him.

| really didn't feel it too much when doing the role.

But the script itself...

Rather, | think the scriptwriter of the series tried to bring that out.

The theme focuses on

the incomplete conscience circuit and the devil circuit.

They're like the different planes of the human psyche.

And there's bound to be... some pathos... in that story.

In 1973, NET, currently known as TV Asahi,

first aired Kikaider, the children's series, in prime time at 8:00pm.

Were Kamen Rider and Ultraman also airing at that time?

Rider aired just before Kikaider at 7:30pm for 30 minutes,

but it was on a rival station.

So at that time, there was Kamen Rider and Ultraman...

Both very strong heroes.

“Shiro Kazami" - Main character and titular Rider in Kamen Rider V3.

Your Jiro and Hiroshi Miyauchi's Shiro Kazami were opposites.

- Sure. - Are you that way in real life?

Miyauchi and | spoke about that...

Well, we are complete opposites.

Miyauchi is very physical.

And | was the more... how shall | put it... cerebral.

Although it's not like | wasn't active.

But we were both aware of our differences.

So | thought it was fine that he was strong and physical.

| decided to concentrate on some other attributes.

Even when we did talk shows together, we worked it out between us.

There were many action scenes with explosions and so on.

Kikaider also had vivid scenes with monsters.

Did you feel any rivalry at that time?

Not too much... we weren't very competitive.

| was focused on my work on Kikaider, so | was proud of it.

And Kamen Rider... and other programs like Ultraman...

You really focus on your own world, your own program you're working on.

So we didn't really think of the others.

| believe | read in your book that

Masaru's real mother often stood in as an extra.

The other week, | was watching Kikaider episode three or four

and I'm sure I saw Toshiaki Kikuchi, who played Kikaider in the suit.

Did things like that happen often?

We worked together all the time

with the same people at the studio and on location.

So whenever we needed extras, we'd just look within the group.

We'd call out to Kikuchi,

"Hey, can you take off your mask and costume and help in this scene?"

And if Masaru's mother was on the set,

we'd ask her to walk through as a passerby.

Even Mishima-san appeared a few times.

I see. How interesting.

Let's go now to the popular Kikaider music,

the background music and the theme songs.

No matter when you listen to it,

then and now, thirty years later, it's great stuff.

l agree... the music was fabulous. Chumei Watanabe was the composer.

And he composed “Haru Kureba" for me.

Overall, the music was appropriate for the series.

All these years later, I'm in awe of it.

I've noticed that there were quite a few songs for Jiro.

Listening at the soundtracks and CDs... this is rather unusual.

To have the song for Jiro be the springboard

for other songs about him.

That means that Jiro made enough of an impact in music

that many songs were composed about him.

Now, what about Saburo's theme? Hakaider/Saburo was extremely popular.

And the underlying emotion in Saburo's theme is once again, sadness.

So to match all these different characters,

there are different types of music...

That shows the brilliance of Chumei-sensei,

who created music to match and enhance the images.

And | go back again to the character and story

of Kikaider which was so complete...

It all starts with the basic story.

You were Daisuke Ban, then changed your name to Naoya Ban.

But you changed your name back to Daisuke Ban.

Why is that?

Now you've put me on the spot.

Daisuke Ban is the name that Ishinomori-sensei gave me.

| completed the Kikaider series in one year.

And | began work on the next series right after that,

it was called Inazuman.

Since | had ended Kikaider as Daisuke Ban,

I thought it was a good idea

to start off Inazuman with a name that | chose.

That was my feeling.

I didn't want to continue into another series with the same name.

| thought it would be better to make a clean break

with Jiro for the new series.

To start afresh.

| think that was the overriding reason for it...

So I changed to Naoya.

Did you prefer Daisuke Ban?

Well, my mother... until the day she died,

kept insisting that Daisuke was better than Naoya.

And | didn't change back my name simply because of that,

but I guess, | knew deep inside what a great work Kikaider was.

And | went back to Ishinomori-sensei

and told him that | wanted to go with the name Daisuke, after all.

Of course, Ishinomori-sensei was very happy.

So it wasn't because my mother kept telling me

that Daisuke Ban was a good name...

but it stayed with me and became a part of me.

Kikaider has many stunt scenes.

Did you ever get injured?

Well, | did have a few... not very serious.

I did have about three stitches on my head once.

And that's on the light side.

So compared to other work I've done,

the injuries sustained on the Kikaider set were pretty light.

Many fans are asking...

Daisuke Ban, Shunsuke Ikeda, Jun Mizunoe,

Masahiro Kamiya, and Shun Ueda...

How were the other stars?

Off the set and out of character, what were they like?

I think you can picture them just as they were on the series.

They aren't much different.

Oh, really?

But what about Mitsuo Ando, Professor Gill?

I've heard that he really got into the role?

Well, in order to play such a role... to throw yourself into that role...

You have to be a very powerful type of person.

And that's how he is.

And he's the type to pay attention to details,

to the point of getting the role absolutely correct.

So it fit his personality.

Is Ueda-san like Hanpei Hattori, too?

Yes, he's just like that. Even out of that role, he's like that.

The guitar, the Sidemachine, and the Kikaider costume.

Did they need to be replaced or repaired often?

Yes... the guitar was required in many action scenes.

So... | believe during the one year in which | played the character,

| went through five guitars.

So | used to think, back then, why must we use the guitar?

Why not take it off and fight?

| remember asking the director about that.

I mean, you never had enough around, because they broke so easily.

Why do you think Kikaider was such a hit in Hawaii?

| believe that the people of Hawaii have strong feelings.

So they're very sentimental... they feel emotions very strongly.

Like Kikaider... he's portrayed as a very sensitive being.

So | think that the people of Hawaii were able to accept and understand that.

They didn't just absorb it with their heads,

they saw and accepted it with their hearts.

And that goes for the actors, too.

Thinking back about myself, Mizunoe-kun, Ue-chan, everyone...

We played the roles with our hearts.

I think that the people of Hawaii were able to understand and feel our efforts.

I think so...

When | mentioned to people in Japan

that Kikaider was a big hit in Hawaii, they laugh.

However, in Hawaii, when we mentioned that Kikaider was coming back,

they took it seriously.

So you're right about what you just said.

| agree.

There's one thing | dislike about grown-ups in Japan.

When it comes to children's programming or works,

they tend to look down on them.

They'll say, "Well, I'm an adult. I don't watch monster programs."

And from that point, there's a break in communications.

It makes me want to ask them, "Well then, what is an adult?"

Children and adults are alike... we're all humans- with hearts, feelings.

| want to tell them, try viewing the programs as adults.

But the Japanese aren't as accepting of that, not as open.

That's what it feels like.

In that sense, the people of Hawaii are so different.

They're so open and easy to approach.

That's where | see a difference.

Hello, Ban-san.

Thank you for consenting to the interview today.

Your visit to Hawaii makes this interview possible.

But I'd like to ask more questions for the Kikaider DVD.

Certainly.

About the Kikaider script... and how we perceive it.

It seems as though the actors were given the freedom

to develop and define the characters as the drama unfolded.

What do you think?

Well, now that's quite a difficult question.

We're getting into a deep topic.

Your point that the characters in the story

came alive one by one...

| think that's how the work itself came alive.

The character personalities developed

and various conflicts arose from that.

It gradually gave the story more and more depth.

Was that the screenwriter's intention?

Or Ishinomori-sensei's? Or the director's?

Whose idea was it?

Well...

The creator, Ishinomori-sensei, didn't have that much control.

Maybe the producer...

I think you had to be on the set to control such things.

But looking back...

There's one director whom | really remember.

He was Director Hatakeyama.

And we'd definitely... um...

After a day's shooting, we'd stop by a pub

and talk about what we'd just shot, over a few drinks.

And we'd talk about our interpretation of the story and characters,

and feel each other out about that.

| have memories of conversations like that.

So | think the director had a lot to do with that.

And myself included, and people like Hanpen...

| think we all contributed to creating the characters.

So Jiro's character...

After a day's shoot,

you'd further develop Jiro's character with Director Hatakeyama?

Yes. Things like that left a big impression on me.

As for what we discussed... well, how can I put it...

The android... the robot... having human qualities.

The, sort of, sadness of being a machine...

It put me on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Because | was a robot, | had to act even more "human."

| remember discussions along that line.

Masaru's mother, Mrs. Kamiya,

and at times, even the fight scene choreographer...

We see them in episodes from time to time.

Did that happen often?

Yes, well...

When we shot on location, it was difficult to get people to be extras.

So people who had come along on the shoot,

like Masaru's mother... were used as extras.

That did happen quite often.

In 2001, you had an autobiography published titled,

"A Pause in My Journey."

Was there anything in this journal

that made a great impact or surprised the Kikaider fans who read it?

Hmm... | think I'd have to read it over again to say.

Well... Rather than being about Kikaider in particular,

it's more a history of my life.

It is more a story of my life... my take on life.

My relationship with my father and my mother.

And about the days of my youth.

So it's really about my life and not so much about Kikaider.

It explains who Daisuke Ban is... that this is the life he's led.

So for Kikaider fans, it may not be very enlightening.

l also read the book.

It was written for Daisuke Ban fans, about Daisuke Ban.

And | think the fans probably enjoyed reading it most.

You think so? You're probably right about that.

About your fans and fan clubs in Japan...

You visit Hawaii quite often.

So the Generation Kikaider fans have quite a few opportunities

to see and meet you.

Are there any differences?

Well... | think they're exactly the same.

And | wonder why.

As far as "generation,"

the fans in Japan and Hawaii are no different at all.

The way they view Jiro and Kikaider...

To me, their perception of the characters is identical.

So | believe,

as far as Kikaider and Jiro are concerned,

the fans have the same feelings.

| agree.

However... | notice a cultural difference.

For instance, the Japanese fans are more reserved

than their Hawaiian counterparts.

And the fans here are, how can | put it...

They're a bit different when they're all together.

Do you also sense that when you view them

as someone on the outside looking in?

Of course, the way they perceive the series itself is identical.

| agree. So | think that's just...

Well, the Hawaiian...

..-even the American style.

A characteristic of being from here.

| think there's that slight difference.

For example, in Japan...

I'm sure there's a desire to get together

and have camaraderie.

But | think the reticence in expressing

that desire is part of Japanese nature.

Let's talk about the locations where Kikaider was shot.

Famous places, places of interest...

Are there any famous places or easily accessible places

that fans who go to Japan can visit?

Let's see...

There are quite a few famous places.

But as for an easily accessible place... maybe Yokohama Dreamland.

It's right in Yokohama, very close to Tokyo.

But Dreamland no longer exists...

Yes, it's gone. There are places that no longer exist.

What else?

The sand dunes in Tottori.

Although lately, you don't hear much talk about the dunes.

And | haven't been there in recent years either.

Other than that...

I guess there are hotels... the hot spring hotels.

Are there any that are still in business?

Quite a few, | believe. Like Dan Ko-en Hotel...

But Namekawa Island may be gone.

I think it is.

| understand that the Kikaider fans in Japan

do their own checking of location spots and

will visit places of interest close to Tokyo.

In Japan, a few fan clubs— some people that I'm acquainted with—

had a gathering at a place called Oizumi where we shot Kikaider.

On the Kikaider set...

On location, you were injured.

| believe it was during a diving scene.

That's right.

Was that the only time you sustained injuries?

Besides that, there was one other time. What was it?

| was riding the Sidemachine... the motorcycle.

| remember! And | rammed into the camera tripod.

With the Sidemachine?

Yes. The tripod broke, although the camera was undamaged.

And... | believe the assistant director was slightly hurt.

A few minor scrapes, | think.

| remember feeling relieved that that was all.

But you have so many action scenes.

What about the other actors?

The actors who are in the suits? Was anyone ever hurt?

Hmm... Nothing major.

Cuts and scrapes come with the job. But nothing serious.

I've been hurt, but | can't remember others being in accidents.

You're probably asked this often.

The summer of 2001 at the All Collectors Show,

the Kikaider Brothers returned to Hawaii.

Kikaider was also there in costume.

And on KIKU-TV,

Kikaider returned to the airwaves in the autumn of 2001.

This has led to a resurgence in Kikaider's popularity.

How do you feel about that?

Well...

I'm quite surprised that a project in which I was involved

has been so well received yet again.

I mean, really surprised.

So... how can | put it without sounding trite?

I'm glad | had the role... that | was the actor.

And at the same time,

I'm full of gratitude for the enthusiasm

with which Kikaider has been accepted.

Thank you for sitting down and talking to us today.

My pleasure.