Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 3 The God of Special Effects Comes to Visit
In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon.

When the sun wasn't so strong, Gu Ming changed into his puppet costume and started going out to do somersaults.

Narita Toru appeared outside the convenience store again, and brought an unexpected person with him.

The man was already old, not tall, but with a very straight back. He wore a slightly old suit, a loose tie, and glasses, giving him the air of an old scholar.

Eiji Mangaya, the president of Mangaya Corporation, was once the mainstay of Toho Company. Toho Company even built two special studios specifically for Eiji Mangaya, which really made others envious.

To the extent that there are even two groups within Toho Company.

That is, the Kurosawa group headed by Kurosawa Akira, and the Mantani group headed by Mantani Eiji.

Eiji Mantani has work experience in "Godzilla" and "Ultra-Q", and is a top-notch figure in special effects dramas.

Later generations called him the God of Special Effects!
Now over 70 years old, Eiji Mantani left the former Toho Company and founded Mantani Co., Ltd.

Although Bankaya Corporation was still just a small workshop-style family business, its first work, "Ultra Q", achieved success, which led to the preparation of the second work, "Ultraman".

"President Wangu, please rest assured, he will definitely satisfy you!"

Narita Toru looked at Mantani Eiji beside him and repeatedly emphasized this matter.

In front of me is Gu Ming who is performing for the children.

Seeing Gu Ming doing a few smooth somersaults, Wan Gu Yingji's pupils suddenly narrowed a little.

That’s amazing!

this person!
Wearing such a puppet costume, you can also perform difficult movements.

Such physical fitness, such skills.

As a swordplay film, it is too exaggerated, but as a special effects film, it is just right!

In particular, seeing Gu Ming's attitude towards children, Wang Gu Eiji felt more and more satisfied.

Ultraman is a work that will be filmed for children. If you don’t have the heart to get along well with children, you are not qualified to film this work.

If he could invite this person to be the suit actor for Ultraman, Eiji Mantani believed that the art he pursued would be complete!

……

……

In the evening, Gu Ming walked out of the convenience store after get off work.

Before he had taken a few steps, Narita Heng stepped sideways and stood in front of Gu Ming.

"Mr. Narita!" Gu Ming almost collapsed when he saw Narita Heng: "Don't you need a job?"

"Oh, you're kidding! Of course I have to work too," Narita Toru explained. "But inviting you is my most important job right now!"

Gu Ming had a terrible headache and could only look at the people around Narita Heng.

Gu Ming still maintains a certain respect for older people.

At that moment, Gu Ming just maintained a basic attitude and looked at Wan Gu Eiji.

Toru Narita introduced the two parties.

"President, this is the person I introduced to you, Akira Furuya!"

"Aming, this is the president of our Wangu Corporation, Mr. Wangu Eiji!"

Gu Ming could only respond hesitantly.

President...you're quite amazing.

But even if the president came, it would be useless.

"I'm sorry, but I really can't be an actor."

Gu Ming refused again with a hypocritical attitude.

It's not that I don't want to, but I can't.

However, Wangu Eiji did not mention anything about the actors, but asked Gu Ming a question first.

"Gugu-kun, I will call you that. First, answer me a question."

"If you were asked to play a hero, would you be willing to play the role?"

Of course Gu Ming was willing, but he was still ready to refuse at the moment.

Gu Ming was about to shake his head, but Wan Gu Eiji raised his hand.

"Don't refuse yet. Let me tell you about this plan."

"That is the hero who descended from the distant starry sky, majestic and noble, full of divinity."

"Sacrifice, reflection, and reflection on human nature..."

Eiji Mantani talked a lot and gave a summary at the end.

"This is the story of Ultraman. Furuya-kun, I've heard Narita-kun talk about you, and I've seen it with my own eyes. I don't think anyone is more suitable to play the role of Ultraman than you."

Gu Ming didn't care at first, but later, when he heard the word Ultraman, he was slightly stunned.

Uluto Raman?
Ultraman!
Of course Gu Ming has watched Ultraman and was once a fan of this classic special effects drama.

but……

Ultraman was produced in 1966.

And now, it is 1976!
Ten years late!

Gu Ming couldn't help but wonder. No wonder, when he was looking up information in the reading room, he always felt that this world was different from the Japan he knew.

He hadn't paid much attention to the behind-the-scenes staff of special effects dramas, so he didn't know much about behind-the-scenes staff like Narita Toru.

But Ultraman's name is well-known.

Gu Ming pointed at himself.

"Ultraman, will I play the role?"

The two people in front of him were talking about Ultraman, not the male protagonist, which made Gu Ming think of a possibility.

Narita Heng nodded: "You are the absolute protagonist of this story."

Wangu Eiji added: "You are Ultraman."

Gu Ming couldn't help but slap his thigh.

Hayata Susumu, the male lead, appears and has lines.

Ultraman, in a leather suit, with no face and no lines!

Most people would definitely not accept this. After all, what actor doesn’t want to show their face and have lines?

But Gu Ming doesn’t care, he doesn’t care!
As long as you are paid enough, it is not impossible to be a suit actor.

Gu Ming’s only concern is that if he wants to become an artist, he has to sign a contract, and signing a contract requires an identity.

but……

Still the same problem.

He has no identity!
This isn't a job like a convenience store temporary worker that doesn't require an identity.

Actors, even if they are just costume actors, need to sign a contract.

Japan in particular attaches great importance to this issue. When it comes to contractual matters, more than just an ID card is needed.

——In fact, there are no ID cards in Japan.

When signing a contract, a series of identification documents are required, such as the address, water, electricity, gas payment records of the relevant address, call records, and even investigations with neighbors, visits to alma mater, etc., to ensure that the person really lives here.

Don't think this is an exaggeration. For a society like Japan where getting a job is almost equivalent to permanent employment, such an inspection is necessary.

This is exactly what Gu Ming lacks and what he is most concerned about.

Because he is a person who appeared out of thin air, he has none of these things.

Seeing that Gu Ming was interested, Wan Gu Yingji added a few chips.

"As for the pay, Furuya, don't worry. How about 40,000 yen per episode?"

Gu Ming almost couldn't help but agree.

Forty thousand yen per episode.

For a newcomer with no fame, this income is quite generous.

Even, too generous.

Seeing Gu Ming's excited look, Wan Gu Yingji added a few more chips.

"Eighty thousand yen is no problem. Furuya-kun, you're worth it!"

Narita Heng, without any regard for his status, bowed deeply to Gu Ming and said, "Aming, please reconsider. You are fully qualified to be a hero!"

……

……

Late at night, lying on the cramped makeshift bed in the warehouse, Gu Ming sighed deeply.

To be honest, he really wanted to agree.

He can star in works that he once liked, without having to show his face, without worrying about being exposed, and he can get paid a lot.

No matter how you look at it, it's a good thing.

Moreover, even though Tsuburaya Eiji became Mangaya Eiji and the time was delayed by ten years, the old man's attitude is beyond doubt.

——It’s not because of his stance. In fact, Eiji Tsuburaya’s stance is a bit right-leaning, and he has also filmed military propaganda films.

But after the war, he was able to realize the need to oppose war and injustice and to call for peace and equality. This shows that the old man's position was gradually changing and was no longer the same as it was at the beginning.

Plus, it was a work he once liked.

Gu Ming, I'm really moved.

However, his problem now is that it is not convenient for him to show up in public.

He was really tempted, it was 80,000 yen per episode!
Eighty thousand yen in the 1970s!

Ultraman was filmed for a total of forty episodes, including one compilation episode.

That's 3.2 million yen!
Moreover, Gu Ming, who does not have an office, can get the full 3.2 million yen in addition to paying taxes.

"If it's 80,000 yen, I might even sell my soul, but I might need some legal help!"

Gu Ming thought about it and gradually thought of the store manager Sako Otobe.

anyway.

It seems like Sachin Otobe is studying law recently?
　The price of 1971 yen is based on the "Ultraman Jack". The Ultraman Jack suit actor Eiichi Kikuchi said that one episode costs yen.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)