Hawaii's favorite superhero!

Kikaida (Photo courtesy of JN Productions)

In Hawaii, even if you've never seen the show, you've probably heard his name or seen a picture of him somewhere.

Ask any person who was in Hawaii during the 1970's, "Have you ever heard of Kikaida?" And the answer will probably be a resounding, "Oooh yeah. He was HUGE in Hawaii... like American Idol huge. Maybe even bigger?"

Check out this picture of all the fans waiting to see Ban Daisuke, the main actor who played Kikaida, at the Pearlridge Shopping Center in the 1970's!

Crowd waiting to see actor Ban Daisuke/Kikaida at
The Pearlridge Shopping Mall. (Photo courtesy of
JN Productions)

Have you ever seen a mall THAT packed to the brim to see someone?

A better comparison might be the wild Pokemon craze in early 2000. Remember that one?

"I chose YOU Pikachu! PIKA PIKA-CHUU!"

The theme was, "Gotta catch 'um all! POKEMON!" Children just HAD to catch all things Pokemon.

Pikachu (Source: psppapers.com)

Like Pokemon, Kikaida was a hit television show imported from Japan, and you did not have to be Japanese to enjoy it.

The Hawaii kids just went bonkers for Kikaida. The mechanical superhero was seen everywhere on all the Hawaiian Islands. With both Pokemon and Kikaida, it was quite amazing to see how the children were so incredibly enamored with a television show. They clamored to collect all the toys, clothes, books, music, stationary and memorabilia. With both shows, kids could name all the characters and recite the dialog with wide-eyed excitement.

The big difference was that Pokemon was a Japanese cartoon dubbed in English, while Kikaida was a Japanese live-action show with English subtitles.

Children posing with Kikaida at the Hawaii State Capitol
(Photo Courtesy of JN Productions)

Even though Kikaida was subtitled, similar to the Harry Potter books, parents were keen to the fact that it encouraged many young children to read. It also introduced kids to the Japanese language.

Whenever a character pointed and sternly said, "Matte!" The subtitle below would read, "Stop!"

Another popular saying was the word, "Toh!" Which was basically just a word that our hero would yell while jumping high up into the air when he battled a villain.

To the dismay of many teachers, you would have karate chopping kids running around the playground yelling, "Matte" and jumping with both arms extended in the air yelling, "Toh!"

But unlike Pokemon, Kikaida had way more adult fans.

Not only because it wasn't a cartoon, but of the fact that the actors and story took themselves very seriously. The monsters may seem extremely "cartoony" when compared to our present day computer graphics filled special effects, but if you look past that, the actual story was quite dramatic and was highly entertaining to an older audience.

Check out this cool photo of Hawaii's former Governor Ariyoshi meeting Kikaida!

Governor Ariyoshi meeting Kikaida (Photo Courtesy of
JN Productions)

To viewers in the 1970's, the action was just as thrilling as watching The Matrix, Jet Li, Jackie Chan or any other cool sci-fi/fantasy martial arts movie playing today. People will always enjoy the classic story of good versus evil.

What was the story about you may be asking? In a nutshell...

• The evil Professor Gil, kidnaps the brilliant robotics scientist Dr. Komyoji and forces him to work for the criminal organization named DARK.
• Together they create an army of evil android monsters programmed to take over the world.
• One of these "evil" androids created, is the human looking Jiro.
• The kind Dr. Komyoji installs an incomplete "conscious" circuit into Jiro and programs him to fight for justice. 
• Jiro can also transform into the powerful android Kikiada.
• Dr. Komyoji and Jiro escape the evil Professor Gil's lair.
• The army of evil androids are sent out to destroy Kikaida.
• Jiro must find Dr. Komyoji (who gets amnesia) and battle the DARK army's minions in order to get to their leader, Professor Gil.
• Dr. Komyoji's daughter and son join in Jiro's quest.
• A silly detective named Hatori Hampei also helps out our good characters. His bumbling and silly antics add much humor to each episode.
• Like Superman's Kryptonite rocks, Jiro/Kikaida also had a weakness. Professor Gil's flute, which when played, tortured and called Kikaida back to his "evil" roots.

Hakaida (Photo Courtesy of JN Productions)

Towards the end of the series, the powerful Hakaida, a black clad, pistol packin', dark version of Kikaida was introduced. His mission: Hunt down and destroy Kikaida. Hakaida also had a dark secret that made things even more difficult for Kikaida.

Like every good show, we anticipated to see what would happen next with the charming and cool characters we all grew to love.

Will Kikaida take down the DARK organization and its evil army? Can Kikaida defeat the powerful Hakaida? Will the kind hearted, handsome and strong Jiro find his maker Dr. Komyoji? What type of monster would the evil Professor Gil unleash in the next episode? Why were Professor Gil's evil henchmen wearing Converse High Top Sneakers? FUN STUFF!

Professor Gil, Jiro (middle), Kikaida (Courtesy of JN
Productions)

The wonderful mix of action, martial arts, humor and drama all lent itself to its immense popularity. Oh yes, I forgot to add that it had an incredibly catchy theme song, which played throughout every episode!

Those who watched the show loved (and could even sing!) the popular theme song.

"Swiiitcheee On! One! Two! Three!"

"Jiroooo... changeee! Kikaa-ii-daaah-aaaah!"

"Changeeee! Changeeee! Go! Go! Go!"

Trust me, you'll be singing or humming along too if you heard it more than once.

If you know of someone who might know it, try requesting for he or she to sing it! You'll probably grin when you hear something pretty darn close to the real thing. It's also really fun to try and sing (or yell?) at Karaoke. Guaranteed smiles, cheers and laughter from any old school Hawaii folks in the room!

Click here to hear the popular Kikaida theme song!

Another factor that contributed to making the show such a huge hit in Hawaii was that back in the 1970's, it was a smaller community with only around 13 television channels available to watch. A show wouldn't get lost in world with over 900 television channels. Plus there were no DVDs, DVRs, VCRs or Internet. So we HAD to tune in at the time or else we would miss it forever! Or so we thought.

Kikaida DVD Volume 1 (Courtesy of JN Productions)

Also:
Kikaida DVD Volume 1 from generationkikaida.com

Kikaida is BACK! Thanks to the advent of DVDs and JN Productions!

JN Productions was the company responsible for making the new Kikaida DVDs. They brought the show back for all the fans... and to also introduce new fans to this Hawaii phenomenon!

For the first time ever, Kikaida was available to own on DVD! Digitally Re-Mastered (super clear) picture and sound! English Subtitles! New Interviews! Promo videos! Trivia games! Karaoke Music Videos! And lots of other cool stuff!

The new DVD set also includes the incredibly coveted and elusive Kikaida fan item... the Kikaida 3-D featurette movie! (Complete with two cardboard, red and blue, 3-D glasses!) You'll be ready when the words on the screen flash "GLASSES ON! GLASSES ON!"

It was a dream come true for all Kikaida fans to see.

In the 1980s and 90s, the only way you could watch it, was to visit Japan and join a video rental store that carried it.

While living in Japan in the early 90's, I went "gaga" when I discovered that Tsutaya, Japan's version of Blockbuster, had it available for rental!

When I popped in and played the old VHS tape, all the wonderful memories of childhood fun came back to me. Laughing with delight, pointing to the screen and saying, "WOW! I remember that! I haven't seen or heard that in ages! I loved that show!"

Aah... the good ol' Hanabata Days (innocent childhood nostalgia) returned!

Yes, I too was one of those Hawaii kids crazy for Kikaida. I just couldn't get enough! And yes, I am STILL a huge Kikaida fan.

Even now as an adult, I have a hard time trying to resist buying any Kikaida stuff that I see. In fact, I recently bought two small Jiro and Kikaida action figures in Japan. It was something that you could buy in those toy machines placed in front of stores.

New Jiro and Kikaida action figures from Japan

When I see something Kikaida, that kid inside me is still saying, "COOOOOL! I wish I had that!"

As a huge Kikaida fan, I was excited to hear that Ban Daisuke, the actor who played Jiro/Kikaida, was doing a DVD autograph signing at the Ala Moana Shopping Center Shirokiya Store. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and shake hands with my childhood hero!

So you can imagine the shock and amazement when I later heard that he (actor Ban Daisuke/Jiro/Kikaida) was interested to star in the sequel to my Blood of the Samurai action movie. It was a lifelong Kikaida fan/filmmaker's dream come true!

Blood of the Samurai: The Series.  Ban Daisuke
as Sensei

Also:
Blood of the Samurai: The Series DVD from Mountain Apple Company Store

Amazing... simply AMAZING!

I discovered, that not only did Ban-san play heroes and nice guys on television and in the movies... he actually was a hero and nice guy in REAL LIFE!

It was such a pleasure and honor to have worked with such an established, professional actor. He was such an honestly kind and supportive person to be around on set. This was someone who, for three decades, starred in countless films and television shows in Japan.

Also, as a hard core horror fan, I was aware that he played Dr. Ikuma in the immensely popular Ringu movies.

Dreamworks Pictures would later remake them to become "The Ring" starring Naomi Watts (the girl from King Kong).

Remember Samara the creepy ghost girl with the long black hair who climbs out of the well?

In the original Japanese version, Ban Daisuke plays her father Dr. Ikuma. The character that pushes her down the well! Ooh... scary yeah? Talk about being an incredibly versatile actor who can play both heroes AND villains!

Source: Amazon.com

To learn the disturbing Japanese origins of the creepy girl from the well, rent Ringu 0: Anthology of Terror.

To have someone who I have admired so much, star in a project of mine...I still have to pinch myself and wonder, "Did it all really happen?"

I was given the chance to direct and become friends with Ban Daisuke, my childhood hero... Jiro/Kikaida.

Hopefully I don't seem too corny or boastful, but I just wished to talk about a true Hawaii phenomenon... and that dreams really can come true!

Kamen Rider V3 (Photo Courtesy of JN Productions)

The "Kamen Rider V3" series first aired in Japan from 1973 - 1974. The show was the second installment of Tokyo-based Toei Company's hit "Kamen Rider" live-action superhero series. "V3" debuted in Hawaii in 1975 on the original KIKU-TV. With the success of "Kikaida," then KIKU TV general manager, Joanne Ninomiya decided to ride the wave of popularity with Japanese super heroes, and placed her bets on "Kamen Rider V3" to be another hit series. "V3" is geared toward hardcore live-action enthusiasts, while "Kikaida" is a gentler hero for a mainstream audience. The V3 DVD Boxset produced by JN Productions was released in fall, 2005, and has garnered rave reviews from major publications and tokusatsu/anime websites in the U.S.

Kikaida and Kamen Rider V3 (Photo Courtesy of JN
Productions)

Another 'first' for Hawaii audiences was the appearance of Japan's two top tokusatsu (Japanese Superheroes) stars of the 70's, Miyauchi Hiroshi and Ban Daisuke, in 2004, when Generation Kikaida celebrated 30 years of Japanese Superheroes in Hawaii. It rarely happens, even in Japan when these two icons are seen on the same stage. Miyauchi has starred in "Kamen Rider V3" and "Kaiketsu Zubatto," while Ban had leading roles in "Kikaida," "Inazuman," and "Ninja Captor."

Wanna see the whole Hawaii Kikaida craze, past and present? Watch Generation Kikaida TV on Oceanic Time Warner Cable's OC16 On Demand (Oceanic Digital Channel 15). It's FREE!

So until next time... Enjoy Life and Enjoy a Movie!

Thanks and Aloha!

PS. Your feedback and comments below will be greatly appreciated!

Comments

ggrobins — Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Great site. That photo at the Pearlridge Shopping Mall was taken in August of 1974. I was there. I was also the MC of the Kikaida show at the 1974 50th State Fair. I was on KGU at the time when PR man Ken Wilson tapped me to do the show. It was an experience I'll always treasure. The cast spoke almost no english. I spoke very little Japanese. But for all ten sell-out performances (over 3,000 in the tent per show), with me working against a running tape of the English dialogue, we always knew exactly what the other guy needed. To this day, an original poster signed by all the cast members hangs on the wall in my office. As do two photos of me on stage with monsters and a couple of newspaper clippings. Your site brought back some great memories. Thank you. Glenn Robins www.ggrobins.com

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