Good morning Hero-Club faithful, today is a really interesting Sunday for us, since we have this special interview to present! Now, as the title states, our guest for this interview is none other than the incredible Kane Kosugi. For those unaware, Mr. Kosugi has appeared in the big three tokusatsu franchises, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Super Sentai. In addition, Kane Kosugi even starred in Godzilla: Final Wars, as well as some live-action video game adaptations. Furthermore, others may recognize Kane for his various action roles alongside his father Sho Kosugi, or participating in Sasuke. Although, we do not discuss Kane’s Sasuke appearances here, we suggest people check out the Sasuke Nerds interview with him.
Anyway, as for today’s interview with Mr. Kane Kosugi, we are choosing to heavily focus on his tokusatsu roles. So, fans can expect to learn more about Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero, Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, and Kamen Rider ReVice. Especially, since so many fans including ourselves want to know how Kakuranger Act Three came to exist. Also, without spoiling too much, we even learn how Kane’s cameo in Jet Li’s War occurred. Coincidentally, for my staff and I, we consider that an amazing win since we love that fight scene a lot. So, without further ado we hope readers enjoy our time with the legendary tokusatsu actor Kane Kosugi…
Question 1: Your first tokusatsu role was in Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero (aka Ultraman Powered). How did you become aware of the casting calls, and what was the audition like?
Kane: At the time I was working on a TV series in Japan. One day I went with my father to go meet Mr. Tsuburaya, and that was when I heard they were looking for someone to play Kenichi Kai. At that time I was still a beginner in Japanese, but they said it would be shot in the US and in English, so I was super relieved. I think I met with them one more time after that before I heard I got the part.
Question 2: From what fans know about the series, its production was rather hectic, like actors having to help move the suits from location to location. So, what was your experience like during the show’s production?
Kane: I have only great memories filming Ultraman. I remembered we shot on location then we spent a few months in the studio sets. After we finished all our scenes they went on to the Kaiju ones, so I didn’t really get to see them shoot those scenes, unfortunately.
Question 3: In your opinion what do you think hurt the show’s success, the fragility of the suits lessening the action or its overall distribution?
Kane: I really don’t know how it did outside of Japan. But I remember it was on TV here right when Kakuranger was airing. The kids here in Japan were confused as to why I could transform into Ultraman and a Super Sentai warrior. I would just tell them when I was in the US I was Ultraman, and when I was in Japan I was a Kakuranger.
Question 4: For the Japanese dub, your father voiced Ultraman in some episodes. However, in the character’s recent outings you returned to perform the role. Do you find it interesting that you both voiced the same character, especially since it is uncommon for a parent and child to share roles in tokusatsu productions?
Kane: I didn’t realize that until you just asked me. I always feel honored and happy to be a part of anything I do, and this was no exception. When the Director, Mr. Sakamoto asked me, I told him I would do it without hesitation.
Question 5: Furthermore, what was it like voicing Powered for Ultra Galaxy Fight, and do you want to reprise the role or return as Kenichi Kai in future productions?
Kane: Of course I would love to do anything if possible.
Question 6: Moving from TsuPro to Toei, since you were in their V-Cinema The Fighting King and its sequel, was that your backdoor casting into Kakuranger? Or was there another audition process you had to undergo to become Jiraiya?
Kane: Right after I had just finished those V Cinema films, the producer at the time asked me if I would be interested in doing either Blue Swat or Kakuranger. So, of course I wanted to do the Ninja one!
Question 7: Regarding the prior question, what was the audition process like for those productions?
Kane: Well, I only went to the final audition where they lined up 5 different people together, and switched people around to see the overall look and balance. But I heard from the other members that they had to read lines and show something they were good at (like action etc.) So it was similar to any other audition.
Question 8: How did it feel to be in the first ninja-themed Super Sentai series?
Kane: Growing up I was always doing Ninja movies, so it was fun of course. It was hard because I could barely speak Japanese at all. Thankfully, being able to do something I was used to (Ninja and Action), helped me adjust to the new environment.
Question 9: Also, do you have any opinions on how the later Ninja teams were produced when compared to Kakuranger?
Kane: I think they all had their own style and character, I enjoyed them!
Question 10: Many fans’ favorite Jiraiya episodes are when your father appeared as the assassin who killed Jiraiya’s father. How do you recall Toei pulling that off, and how early were you aware of his role? Additionally, can you recall your castmates’ reactions on getting to work with him?
Kane: I think once I was confirmed to play Jiraiya, the people at Toei asked my father if he would eventually be a guest. I think I found out a few weeks before he was shooting. Everyone was excited, but I think most of them didn’t have any scenes with him, so they were bummed out.
Question 11: Looking back on the original 53-episodes of Kakuranger, what are your favorite memories of the show? For example, either its production, or the overall story.
Kane: For me it was the total experience and everything I learned from that one year. The action, working with a Japanese production, everything was such a blessing. I will always cherish those memories and friends.
Question 12: Before we get to Kakuranger Act Three, what was it like returning for Ohranger vs Kakuranger, the first team-up since 1978?
Kane: The shoot for me wasn’t too long, so I don’t remember any details except that it was nice working with everyone, and of course the rest of the Kakurangers.
Question 13: Also, before Kakuranger Act Three you appeared in Kamen Rider ReVice: Battle Familia, becoming one of the few people to have been an Ultra, a Rider, and a Ranger. What is it like to have acquired this achievement, and what would you say are the differences between working in each franchise?
Kane: It was a dream come true for me, I had always wanted to be a Kamen Rider! I feel myself to be super lucky to be able to be a part of all these well known and admired series.
I would say they are all slightly different. Kamen Rider seems like it was made for a slightly older audience when compared to the Super Sentai. But the way they are all shot and their production is pretty much the same.
Question 14: Then as for Kakuranger Act Three, we heard this was a passion project for everyone involved. Can you tell us how everything came together from your perspective and your reaction that the production was greenlit?
Kane: Originally Teruaki Ogawa (Sasuke) and Satomi Hirose (Tsuruhime) came to everyone and proposed the idea. They did all the groundwork to get the project going. Of course once it was finalized we were all happy, but at the same time we didn’t want to let the fans down. The main reason we all wanted to do it was to thank all the fans, even after 30 years they still give us so much power and energy.
Question 15: Given the special’s runtime and exclusivity to TTFC, were you surprised it was not going to be a feature-length film? Also, was the runtime and release because of everyone else’s other commitments?
Kane: We had hoped for something bigger, like a feature-length movie, but unfortunately, they could only give us the streaming episode. For us we just wanted to do something to say thank you to the fans, so we were happy with just being able to do it.
Question 16: When production wrapped on Act Three did it feel similar to when filming on Kakuranger ended in 1995, or was doing this reunion a different experience?
Kane: During shooting I felt like it was just yesterday, when we ended the series. It was the weirdest feeling! Shooting felt exactly the same as well, and at the end we basically all cried again.
Question 17: Moving away from Kakuranger now, in 2004 you were part of Godzilla’s 50th anniversary with Final Wars. What was like to have a starring role in that production, and knowing the franchise was going into a hiatus following its release?
Kane: I was a big fan of the director Ryuhei Kitamura and always wanted to work with him. So, I was so excited to be able to work with him, and be in Godzilla at the same time. It was a huge production in regards to Japanese movies, so the shooting took a few months. Everything from the costumes to the equipment to the sets were just enormous and spectacular. I truly enjoyed the shoot.
Question 18: In Final Wars, you are a show stealer whenever your character is onscreen, and your fights with co-star Masahiro Matsuoka are incredible. Can you tell us what it was like when filming the opening battle and the motorcycle fight?
Kane: Thank you, you are too kind … Because of the scale of the movie, I remember that they used the newest camera equipment available. So each shot took time to shoot to get all the timing right. One in particular that I remember that took us a while was where they had a camera move around us at 360 degrees and we fought inside that.
The bike scene was fun! It was the first time for me to fight while riding motorcycles, so I remember training and practicing riding before the shoot.
Question 19: Would you be interested in appearing in another Godzilla movie whether it be made in Japan, or for the MonsterVerse?
Kane: Of course! All the things I have worked on, I have never had any regrets or wished I didn’t do it. I love my job, I feel so lucky whenever I get a chance to do it.
Question 20: A few years after Final Wars, you starred in the DOA adaptation as Ryu Hayabusa directed by the legendary Hong Kong director Corey Yuen. What was it like to work with him on that film, and were there ever talks for you to star in a Ninja Gaiden adaptation?
Kane: We shot that one in China for close to 4 months. Corey was so easy to work with even though he’s a legend. I was so nervous in the beginning because I just wanted to make him happy. Right after DOA I got a chance to fight Jet Li in the movie War. It was because of Corey, they had already casted everyone, but he had them make a scene so I could fight Jet Li a little. I had always hoped they would do a Ninja Gaiden movie, I am such a big fan of the game and the character.
Question 21: Besides DOA you also starred in Tekken 2, and since you are gamer/ streamer are there other video game adaptations you would want to star in?
Kane: It’s kind of the same answer, but my number one would definitely be Ninja Gaiden! Ryu Hayabusa is such a cool character.
Question 22: Additionally, are there any dream projects/ future goals that you still want to do, whether it be on camera or behind the scenes?
Kane: A John Wick movie is something I would love to do. Also, I would love to work with Donnie Yen one day.
Question 23: Have you considered attending tokusatsu conventions in America like G-Fest, Power Morphicon, Japan World Heroes, etc.?
Kane: I would love to!
Question 24: Finally, is there anything that you would like to say to the fans that have supported you throughout the years?
Kane: Yes! Thank you so much!! Your support means so much, and gives me so much energy. I hope I can return the favor and put out projects that make you guys happy!
Now, this concludes our interview with Mr. Kane Kosugi, which it was an honor for us to host him here at Hero-Club. Additionally, we would like to thank Mr. Kosugi and his agent again for giving us this opportunity. Whereas, for fans interested in staying up to date with Kane, they can follow him on Twitter. Also, we want to thank our friends, UkiyaSeed and Mr. Cooper for contributing questions alongside our staff. Nevertheless, readers please continue to support the site, and follow Hero-Club across social media using @HeroClub4Life!
