In Japan, the Power Rangers are called "Super Sentai". For decades, they have entertained kids, especially young boys. But young boys grow up and become interested in other things. Like booze.
Never fear! Former Power Ranger actor Masaru Shishido is here to save the day with cheesy memorabilia and alcohol. Phew!
In Tokyo's Tachikawa, Shishido is opening a "tokusatsu bar". Literally meaning "special filming", "tokusatsu" are television shows and movies that deal with superheroes and monsters, like Power Rangers, Ultraman, or Kamen Rider, as well as kaiju (monster) movies like Godzilla. In short, they're man-in-suit productions.
Shishido played OhRed, the leader of Chouriki Sentai Ohranger. The show's footage was used in Power Rangers Zeo. "There are lots of regular bars," Shishido told Tachikawa Keizai Shimbun. "I wanted to do a bar done up after my color."
The bar is covered with posters and signatures. It's also packed with Power Ranger artifacts and goods, some of which are rare. But sadly, everything looks so tacked on, and the bar itself looks so incredibly pedestrian.
Drink prices on are on the expensive side, but not outrageous by Tokyo standards. There's a table charge (¥1,500 or US$18), and an exta ¥1,000 ($12) if you stay longer than an hour.
The bartenders do refer to each other in Super Sentai style, using names like "taichou" (commander) and "captain".
There are apparently various events planned. If you are really into tokusatsu, it might be worth checking out.
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(Top photo: 電光石火の申し子のホビーダイアリー | Tachikawa Keizai Shimbun)