Kikaida and actor Ban Daisuke aka Jiro/Kikaida
(Photo Courtesy of JN Productions)
Question: What are some of your favorite movies?
Answer: I have so many favorite movies, so can I answer by telling you about my favorite directors. Among them, Jean-Luc Godard, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Michelangelo Antonioni, Roman Polanski...I tend to look at the whole picture. However, I always return to Rurumyu's "Man and a Woman." It's a simple production, but when you combine the images, sound...you can see what a splendid job the director did in editing the production. I grew up with foreign movies, and sensed the delicate nature of the story. I'm glad I had this experience at a young age. As a child, I admired Alan Ladd, Marilyn Monroe, King Kong. When I was little, I wanted to marry a foreigner. As for Japanese movies, I like the old style Jidaigeki from Shintoho such as the Kaidan Series.
Ban Daisuke
Q: What are some of your favorite TV shows?
A: I watch the news, and news related programs, nature shows on TV.
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
A: American pops, modern jazz, the Beatles.
Q: What are your favorite foods?
A: Papaya.
Q: What do you enjoy about Hawaii?
A: The old and new blend so well here because you're surrounded by nature, the ocean, and mild climate. This is escalated by people's love and caring for each other. I hope that this is never lost.
Q: What would you recommend for people to do if they visit your hometown?
A: I come to Hawaii often. I love to walk around in Hawaii's natural surroundings. Where I live in Japan, I'm surrounded by high-rise condos, far from nature. So I would recommend walking in Hawaii's natural surroundings.
Q: What would be a dream project of yours?
A: I'm hoping to release a new song, for which I will do the vocals. I wish to do an English version.
Q: What is an experience that you will always cherish?
A: All that I experienced in life are now just memories, and things that happened in the past. I really don't have much memories. Maybe I'm losing out on life?
Q: What are some things that irritate or upset you?
A: Unkind and uncaring people who have no regard for the environment.
Ban Daisuke as Sensei in Blood of the Samural: The Series
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
A: Believe in yourself. Have confidence and face the future courageously. Take your responsibilities seriously. Then, you will know what you have to do.
Kikaida DVD Volume 1 (Courtesy of JN Productions)
INFORMATION ON ACTOR BAN DAISUKE
The man Hawaii fans know as "Jiro" was born Kiyonari Saito on May 5, 1947 in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo.
During his college years, Saito was a member of a theater group that performed the works of French writers. Saito worked part-time at a teahouse, where he earned a modest wage of 580 yen a day. During his lean years, Saito considered getting a regular job as a salary man (Japanese white collar worker), but ultimately decided to persevere in his pursuit of acting.
Saito got his first big break when he was cast in the role of "Jiro" for the "Kikaida" series (Jinzo ningen kikaidaa in Japanese) on the NET-TV network (now TV Asahi). Rather than auditioning for the part, he was tabbed for the role when the wife of the program's producer chose his photo from a lineup of finalists, exclaiming, "He's the one!" Before the series debuted, Saito officially changed his name to Ban Daisuke. Ban starred in all 43 episodes of "Kikaida" (1972-73) and appeared in many episodes of the spin-off "Kikaida-01" series (1973-74).
Ban went on to star in other superhero series like "Inazuman" and "Ninja Captor." His filmography also includes roles in TV series and movies including: "Aguri"; "Suzuran"; and "Hanshichi Torimonocho" on Japan's NHK network; "Choshichiro Edo Nikki" (NTV); "Gridman" (TBS); "Zenigata Heiji"; "Gift"; and Yo nimo Kimyou na Monogatari" (Fuji); "Abarenbo Shogun" and "Sasurai Keiji" (TV Asahi); and "Tokugawa Buraicho" and Oedo Sosamo" (TV Tokyo).
He has made commercial appearances for food product company Ajinomoto and the Marui Department store among others.
Scary True Stories - Ten Haunting Tales From the Japanese Underground
Ban also starred in a number of movies, like the Japanese horror series True Scary Stories: Ten Haunting Tales From the Japanese Underground, and most recently the J-Horror hit series Ringu ("The Ring"); Rasen ("The Spiral"); Ringu 2 ("The Ring 2"); and Ringu 0: Basudei ("The Ring 0: Birthday"). The Dreamworks Pictures American remake of "The Ring" and its sequel "The Ring 2" became huge box office big hits worldwide.
Ban Daisuke in Speed Phantom (Source: west-power.co.jp)
In Japan, he can be seen in new Tokusatsu (Japanese Superhero) shows like Speed Phantom and Gynoids: Sad Story.
Ban Daisuke's New Stage Performance (Hitori Shibai)
Ban Daisuke on Stage in Tokyo (Source: www.bandaisuke.com)
Ban was recently busy acting in a new, one-man, one-act stage performance at Isolde, a 'live house' in Tokyo, for two days in April 2006. Both performances were sold out, and very well received.
His autobiography Jinzo Ningen Kikaidaa, Jiro Tabi no Tochu de ("Super Android Kikaida: In the Midst of Jiro's Journey") was published by Kadokawa Shoten in 2001. He also did voice recordings for the new Kikaida Pachinko game machines now available for play in Japan.
For more information, you can visit Ban Daisuke's official website at www.bandaisuke.com.
And until next time...
ENJOY LIFE AND ENJOY A MOVIE!
PS. Your feedback and comments below will be greatly appreciated!
THANKS and ALOHA!
