Tokyo Metropolis releases new project “Be The Hero” to promote disabled sports
The city of Tokyo has released “Be The Hero”, a video aiming to promote public awareness towards disabled sports. Globally famous and popular Japanese artists took part. Their works cover various sporting disciplines: Naoki Urasawa (representative works: YAWARA!) Wheelchair tennis × Player Shingo Kunieda, Yōichi Takahashi (representative works: Captain Tsubasa) Blind football × Japanese national team, Eisaku Kubonouchi (representative works: Tsurumoku Dokushin Ryō) Athletics × Player Saki Takakuwa, Hiro Mashima (representative works: FAIRY TAIL) Goalball × Japan national players and Tetsuya Chiba (representative works: Tomorrow’s Joe) Wheelchair rugby × 2015’s Japan national players.
The aim is to build a society where all the people who love sports can enjoy them, regardless whether they are disabled or not. Tashizan also included the message “not only the athletes, but all the supporters are heroes” in the movie, “Be The Hero”.
Just like we once… Were fraught with great emotions while watching athletes… Started competition after reading a manga comic… Or cheered ourselves up before a crucial match by listening to some music… We’d like to create TOKYO born heroes!
5 Japanese manga artists, a musician and a voice actor answered to this call, and sportsmen and women practicing either wheelchair tennis, blind football, athletics, goal ball or wheelchair rugby agreed to participate.
The athletes are: Ryo Kawamura (Blind soccer, Japan national Player, Captain). He began to lose his sight at 7 to become completely blind at 24. He made a striking debut by scoring a goal in his first match in the Japanese national team. He then led his team as its ace.
Shingo Kunieda (professional wheelchair tennis Player). He developed a spinal cord tumor at 9. Since then, he lives on a wheelchair. He was the first Japanese player to turn pro on 2009, and is now the player who completed the most men’s Grand Slam in history, namely 5 times! His motto: “I’m the best!”
Saki Takakuwa (track and field Athlete). She lost her left lower leg at 13 due to osteosarcoma. She participated in the London Paralympics at 20 and set the Japanese time record for the 100 meters in 2014 (Class T44).
The music is produced by KenKen, member of the band “RIZE、LIFE IS GROOVE”. He is active as the one of the rare “Bass Hero” in Japan thanks to his charisma and outstanding bass skills. After he joined RIZE in 2006, he formed the super funk band “LIFE IS GROOVE” along with Monsieur Kamayatsu and Ryunosuke Yamagishi.
The commentary is done by Akira Kamiya, Actor and Voice Actor. He performed the voices of several globally popular anime characters such as Kenshiro (Fist of the North Star), Ryo Saeba (City Hunter) or Mouri Kogoro (Case Closed). He’s a legendary voice actor in Japan!