 Japanorama is a series of documentaries presented by Jonathan Ross, exploring various facets of popular culture and trends of modern-day Japan.Each episode of Japanorama has a theme, around which Jonathan Ross presents cultural phenomena, films, music, and art that exemplify facets of Japan. The series is colorful in both its creative use of subject matter, and its use of bright colors that helps accent the action on screen rather than distract from it. Subjects were separated by eye catches that often featured the artwork of Junko Mizuno. Ross hosts each episode in suits so bright and stylized they could have been stolen from an anime character. Fans have credited the series for the care that both Ross and the BBC have placed in its production.Time was given to delve into each subject, and Ross was able to interview various figureheads of culture and industry, including Hayao Miyazaki, Takashi Miike, and Takeshi Kitano.
View the Japanorama series. Videos hosted on Guba Japanorama - Episode 1: kakkoii (Cool)
Jonathan explores the meaning of Kakkoii or 'cool'. As the international trendies will tell you: it's Cool Japania. The cool looks and sounds of tomorrow are in Japan today. Cool robots, cool pop videos, cool phones, cool tunes... and definitely cool shoes. Jonathan meets up with one of the coolest men in Japan, Nigo, the 33-year-old DJ, designer, entrepreneur and billionaire creator of the Bathing Ape fashion empire. He discovers the weird world of international video artist Nagi Noda, meets our robot friends of the future, and tracks down the actor dubbed the 'Japanese Johnny Depp' and star of most of Japan's major cult films, Tadanobu Asano. We also have our first instalment on the road with the Magic Numbers on their sell out debut Japanese tour.
Did you know?
DoCoMo's "Yubi wa" finger phone allows you to make and end phone calls by touching your forefinger and thumb.
Bathing Ape's creator Nigo's name means number two as he is widely known as the second coolest man in Japan.
Nigo collaborated with Pharrell Williams to create the clothing label Billionaire Boys Club.
Honda's Asimo robot can serve tea.
Cool actor Tadanobu Asano holds a black belt in karate.
Japanorama - Episode 2: Otaku (Nerds)
Jonathan investigates the rise of the Otaku or Japanese nerds. Long scorned worldwide, the nerd has in recent years become the toast of Japan, with women queuing up for his geeky charms. Jonathan immerses himself in Otaku culture and discovers why so many young Japanese men can only feel love for manga, anime and model collecting. He investigates the phenomena of Cosplay, or mass fancy dress, and why it is such a hit with the nerds. Jonathan discovers why the nerds like a lady in a Victorian maid costume as he visits one of the many 'maid cafes' currently taking over Tokyo. Plus The Magic Numbers sample a local delicacy after a show on their debut tour of Japan.
Did you know?
Akihabara, also known as 'Electric Town', is home to the Otaku.
The idea for hit Otaku film 'Train Man' came from an internet blog.
An estimated 30,000 Otaku queued for three days to attend the Winter WonderFest in Tokyo.
Otaku visit maid cafes to have massages and play video games.
AKB48 is an all girl idol group that appeals to Otaku.
Japanorama - Episode 3: Zoku (tribes)
Jonathan shares his fascination with the Zoku or urban tribes that characterize Japan. The Japanese may not be divided by race or religion, but thanks to some amazing uniforms, they neatly divide themselves into tribes such as Girl Bikers, Lolita Goths, and of course the Yakuza, Japanese gangsters. Jonathan explores his interest in these fashions and uniforms, meeting the gangs, trying out the exotic work wear and discussing it all with Japan's best loved British designer Paul Smith at his new shop in Tokyo. He uncovers the secret world of school girl crossdressing and discovers why Japanese gangsters dress to stand out and how their fashions are changing as new laws attempt to quash their power. We also catch up with the Magic Numbers who discover the Japanese love of dressing up like cartoon characters.
Did you know?
Harajuku is home to Tokyo's youth tribes.
Top designers Comme des Garcons and Issey Miyake have designed uniforms for Japanese airline ANA.
Japanese schoolgirls wear loose socks, held in place by special sock glue.
The Yakuza (Japanese mafia) have been around since the 18th Century.
Paul Smith is so big in Japan he once had to jump over a wall to avoid being mobbed by fans.
Japanorama - Episode 4: Owarai (Comedy)
Jonathan investigates what makes the world's hardest working nation laugh. Japanese comedy is not all slapstick and screams - it is actually home of some very strange and very funny comedy. Jonathan uncovers the original Jackass comedy extremists and meets the ultimate in high tech humour, a fully functioning comedy robot. Jonathan explores the very weird world of comedy art and discovers what really has the Japanese rocking in the aisles when he enjoys the annual cherry blossom with Japan's biggest current comedy sensation, a pro wrestler turned comedian called Razor Ramon Hard Gay. We also catch up with the Magic Numbers playing a practical joke in the home of Japanese comedy.
Did you know?
Japanese comedy double acts are called Manzai.
Tsukomi means "straight man" in double acts.
A comedy robot has been invented in Japan.
The home of Japanese comedy is Osaka, Japan's second largest city.
The word "warai" means laugh or smile.
Japanorama - Episode 5: Bushido (Samurai spirit)
Jonathan investigates Samurai Spirit. Swords and shoguns are now out but the spirit can still be found in battling beetles, lethal schoolgirls and a goalkeeping crustacean that can stop 9 out of 10 penalty kicks. We look at the unlikely warriors who are behind Japan's strangest new sport, Beetle Sumo. Having started as a video arcade game, battling live beetles is big in Japan. Jonathan meets Japan's deadliest schoolgirl, 'Kill Bill' star Chiaki Kuriyama, and tests out the latest mobile phone controlled robotic warriors. He also meets film director Minoru Kawasaki, whose giant sporting seafood films like Calamari Wrestler and Crab Goalkeeper champion some of the most unlikely heroes imaginable. Jonathan displays his own Bushido when he sits down to sample Japan's deadliest dish, the samurai slaying blowfish. Plus we catch up with The Magic Numbers who discover the singing never stops with karaoke around.
Did you know?
The Samurai policed Japan for three centuries.
The Japanese stag beetle is the most popular beetle for Beetle Sumo.
Chiaki Kuriyama found international fame playing Gogo Yubari in Kill Bill.
An estimated three people die a year from Blowfish poisoning.
Shoichi Okada has invented robots that can be controlled by bluetooth on mobile phones.
Japanorama - Episode 6: Kawaii (Cute)
Jonathan embraces the passion that underpins most aspects of Japanese popular culture, the concept of Kawaii, which means cute. Jonathan salutes the fat cat of cute, Hello Kitty, and visits the global mecca of all things cute, Hello Kitty Land. He discovers the ultimate 21st century accessory when he meets the Hello Kitty robot. We look at the latest and cutest Japanese animation and examine the weird trend for Kawaii Noir, dark cute. Jonathan meets Gloomy Bear, a giant pink teddy bear turned bloodthirsty killer who is all the rage in Japan. The Japanese love of dolls is also examined and Jonathan looks into the cult of the Super Dollfie, outsize £500 dolls, and their strange hold over Japanese adults. And we catch up for the last time with the Magic Numbers as they hit Japan's most famous concert venue, the legendary Budokan.
Did you know?
Hello Kitty was created in 1974 and hails from a London suburb.
Gwen Stefani mentions Kawaii in her video for Harajuku Girls.
The character Gloomy Bear was designed to be the complete antithesis of cute fluffy toys.
A doll festival is held in Japan every year on 3 March.
Japanese Super Dollfie is a fully customisable doll - you can choose hands, eyes, and skin.
From: BBC.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
