So what exactly did happen to our man Minami Kôtarô? As far as I know, Kurata doesn't have an official web site yet, unlike, say, Fujioka Hiroshi, but he does have, at the least, the following:
His Official Fanclub (Japanese)
His Wiki Entry (English, also see the Japanese one which is a little more up-to-date)
His page on the Kamen Rider Actor/Actress Directory (a fantastic site, albeit, also in Japanese)
That's great and all you say, but what has he actually been up to? And more importantly, what has he been up to Kamen Rider-wise, and will he ever be coming back to say, guest star or some such?
Like many former Rider alumni, Kurata has gone on to have a reasonably successful career in television, film, and the like, and in more recent years has returned to his Rider roots, including voicing Minami Kôtarô/Kamen Rider BLACK in the Kamen Rider: Genealogy of Justice PS2 game (something you will see me bring up and rave about A LOT in the future, so brace yourselves), giving magazine interviews, and making public appearances, such as at the World Character Convention in Tokyo back on 12/4/2005, to sign autographs.
Some of his more recent activities, archived on Youtube:
A 2006 interview (in three parts):
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
5-part Cook-off battle with Tsubaki Takayuki, aka Kamen Rider Blade!:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
So what's next? More interviews? A guest spot on the new Kamen Rider series? Another video game voiceover? Will Kurata challenge other former Riders to culinary battles (Tsugami, Tendô- watch your backs), or something even greater? With Kamen Rider BLACK hitting the big 20 next year, hopefully we'll be finding out soon!
Day two and it's Kurata Tetsuo goodness!
ReplyDeleteI've seen those interviews before on my DVDs, but thanks for the cook-off links! Always wanted to see that episode, and now I can :)
I hope that he does something for the 20 year anniversary. KRB has been making a pseudo-comeback with all the new merchandise available.
I read that the Minami Kotaro character was going to be used for one more season before RX proved a commercial failure. What a shame (though a series that even further alienates itself from Black would be ridiculous).
I am a kamen Rider spanish fan (sorry for my very poor english), and i am very glad for find your website and this blog, Igadevil!
ReplyDeleteHere, in spain is only aired the er.. (i am so ashamed) suckiest show ever: masked rider from saban. And thanks to you i was able to find and watch the only and original shows (well, at least, a few of the shows).
One more thing... When you upload more episodes og Kamen rider Sigma? Is awesome!
Well, for all this, i say thaks you very much!
Guillermo (a.k.a. Kamen Rider Ghost)
Pal, I've read something along those lines before too. Hopefully, we'll still see more Minami some day, somehow.
ReplyDeleteAnd KR Ghost, thanks for stopping by! Sigma will be seeing a lot of updates & new episodes soon, thanks for checking it out!