Actor Hiroshi Fujioka Calls Film "Kamen Rider Is Immortal"

Hiroshi Fujioka the first Kamen Rider said that the masked hero who has been present for 50 years in Japan is an immortal hero, as he once asked the creator of Kamen Rider, comic artist Shotaro Ishinomori.

"I once asked if Kamen Rider would die? He said, 'No because he is immortal.' I think that's a commitment that continues today," Hiroshi said in a talk at the 2021 Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), quoted from TIFF's official YouTube, Monday.

The 75-year-old actor played the first Kamen Rider named Takeshi Hongo which aired in the 1970s.

This tokusatsu series still continues today and has graced the small screen in Indonesia with the famous name Ksatria Baja Hitam.

Hiroshi spoke of Takeshi Hongo's character in his eyes. As a young man who was kidnapped and turned into a superpowered cyborg, he felt a sadness within Takeshi at not being able to return to his human form. Therefore, he has a high sense of justice that allows him to face and defeat various enemies and evil.

As an actor, Hiroshi feels that he continues to grow with the development of Takeshi Hongo. He tries to be the best version of himself, just like the positive traits that the first Kamen Rider showed. As a character that children like, Hiroshi feels responsible to show the best side so that he can be an example.

When Kamen Rider first aired, Japan was still a developing country where adults were busy working to normalize the country's situation. Many children spend more time alone because their parents are busy working outside the home.

"I think Kamen Rider evolves over time," he said.

The first viewers of Kamen Rider in the 1970s can still talk to the generations below them today because the tokusatsu series is still ongoing. That's what makes these superheroes immortal.

During the conversation, a surprise video emerged from director James Cameron sending a message from New Zealand, where "Avatar" was filmed. In the video, James thanks Hiroshi Fujioka for his great contribution to the world of tokusatsu, which is an important part of Sakura Land cinema.

"May Kamen Rider prospers forever," concluded James, who had been friends with Hiroshi since before "Titanic" was released.

Age does not make Hiroshi lose his passion for work. The man who came to the chat with his son said there are still many dreams that he wants to fulfill, including conveying the spirit of family and the spirit of samurai bushido through visuals and films.

"When we have children, we set an example for them, and my children also want to see how I was in the past. This is a big responsibility for me," said Hiroshi.

To all the viewers who love Kamen Rider, he said the superhero will always be by everyone's side, like a hope that never fades. Kamen Rider, he believes, will continue to evolve and deliver messages of love, courage, and justice.

"I want to be able to see how Kamen Rider evolves," he said.

He advised the audience to always remember the spirit brought by Kamen Rider, namely the spirit to be able to overcome all difficulties. With high effort and motivation, even great difficulties will be overcome.

"That's the Kamen Rider for us, immortal heroes."

During the pandemic, watching movies is a favorite choice for many people to spend their time. If you are getting bored with the romantic genre and predictable storylines, you can watch the best films of this year.

Watching movies is sometimes an option for some people.

Of course, the reasons vary according to the needs of each person.

In this digital era, there are many conveniences, especially for big-screen movie lovers.

This convenience is proven by not having to come to the cinema to just watch your favorite movie, for example.

But you just have to sit back and open your gadget, then all the services according to your needs are available on it, including the movie site you want to search for.