Yuma Ishigaki Remarks on Japanese-Indonesian Relations Through Tokusatsu

Space Sheriff Gavan actor, Yuma Ishigaki, commented on Japanese and Indonesian relations through the mutual love for tokusatsu at Popcon Asia 2017. 

Popcon Asia is the premier pop culture event in Indonesia, dedicated to showcasing popular art forms and celebrate the latest content from comics, games, TV, film, music and technology, located in the capital city of Jakarta. The 2017 event took place this past weekend from August 4-6 and Yuma Ishigaki was in attendance.

The Gavan actor took to his blog to briefly recap his experiences and highlights at the event:

Last day at PopconASIA.
Starting with an autograph session from 10:30! In Japan, usually these autographs are all written at once. But here, it’s done by lining up in individual booths. Since it was morning, and I had some spare time, I played with the Power Rangers members. I received an autograph of Mr.Ohba and Fujisawa Sensei and Chris and Walter and Yoshua and Peter and Ms. Ayano’s on a Popcon Gavan T Shirt which is only sold here (lol)
After that, Indonesia’s Kamen Rider, Bima came! Of course we’ll take a photo (lol) ! A rare 3 shot with original Power Ranger Walter.
Also after that, Azazel himself came too, and we did a fighting pose for some reason. Yuma vs Adhitya Gavan vs Azazel.
He also learned some fighting and made his role. It’s like a World Boxing Match. I still remember he never blinked when he looked into my eyes during our fighting pose. He sure is a hot man.
Next a talk show!
The MC was Mr. Mico and Mr. Lini and we talked about movies and tokusatsu heroes in Indonesia together with a Indonesian creator and the director of Bima, Mr. Arnandha.

Ishigaki went on to talk about Japan and Indonesia’s connection through tokusatsu and ending his blog post giving his final thoughts on the convention:

On the first day, I talked about how I came to communicate about tokusatsu which is a Japanese culture, and on the second day I talked about how it would be interesting to make a goodwill production by combining Indonesian and Japanese culture together.  Japan’s tokusatsu is popular in Indonesia. So I said to everyone that I’ll be happy if Gavan had a collaboration in Indonesia.
I was questioned about the differences in cultures, but it’s about being considerate of each other’s countries. Gavan’s theme is about love.
It will be possible, if the Japanese loves Indonesia, and the people of Indonesia has a considerate heart towards Japan. I told them that a Hero can do it!

It was very good with heaps and heaps of excitement!
Oh, by the way at the beginning of the talk show, Gavan’s combat suit appeared and there was great excitement!

Yuma Ishigaki is known for his role as Geki Jumonji/Space Sheriff Gavan Type G, the successor of the Gavan role to Retsu Ichijouji. Ishigaki first appeared in the role in episode 31 of Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, “Space Sheriff Gavan Arrives!”, part of a two episode team up with the Go-Busters before his official introduction in Space Sheriff Gavan: The Movie. Ishigaki would go on to reprise the role in Kamen Rider x Super Sentai x Space Sheriff: Super Hero Taisen Z, the Space Sheriff NEXT GENERATION films, Uchu Sentai Kyuranger, and recently appearing in Space Squad: Space Sheriff Gavan vs Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger.

BIMA Satria Garuda, premiering in 2013, is an Indonesian tokusatsu series produced by MNC Media and Ishimori Productions, known for producing Kamen Rider and other Shoutaro Ishinomori works.  The series follows Ray Bramasakti as he’s given the Power Stone Merah by the mysterious Mihail, allowing him to transform into the Garuda Knight, BIMA to stop Rasputin and the VUDO Empire from taking over Earth. The series gained a second season in 2014 titled Satria Garuda BIMA-X, in which Kamen Rider Black and Black RX‘s Tetsuo Kurata guest starred as Satria Naga.

The other tokusatsu related guests who attended Popcon Asia 2017 were Kenji Ohba (Space Sheriff Gavan), Walter Jones (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Yoshi Sudarso (Power Rangers Dino Charge), Peter Sudarso (Power Rangers Ninja Steel), Tōru Fujisawa (Kamen Teacher), Ayano Fujisawa (Kamen Rider Ryuki), and Youtuber/Cosplayer Chris Cantada.

Source: Yuma Ishigaki’s blog Popcon Asia