My Hero My Hiro
Japanside folks may be missing out on the celebrated show, Heroes, which has transfixed American audiences. The show stars two “Japanese” heroes (well, okay, a third if you count George Takei), speaking in Japanese with subtitles. I find this unprecedented and fascinating. And heartening that a major network show would actually feature subtitles in the first place, and that an enthusiastic audience would buy it.
Yeah. Okay. So the picky ears of native speakers will note that one guy doesn’t exactly sound Japanese. I know, I know. He sounds Korean. Well, that’s because he is. And I confess, there are times when his accent is so thick, I can’t understand him at all.
After the disaster that was Memoirs of a Geisha, I thought it’d be forever before we saw anything approximating ethnic casting, and yet here it is. I’m not surprised that the medium of expression is a somewhat sci-fi show; genre has consistently opened up new ways of telling stories that are eventually gobbled up by more mainstream entertainers.
Rumor has it that the show will be headed to Japan some time in the future. It will be interesting to see how networks will handle the subtitle issue in that case! (PS–This is the show for which Riyo Mori is reported to have auditioned.)
...
that in ancient china if you were REALLY fat that meant you were...
omg i feel so bad for a that monkey help it some one plzzzz
Rumor, shmumor…”Heroes” is being actively advertised by my cable company as an upcoming drama with a premiere event in Roppongi this weekend. I don’t know what channel it’ll be on, but then again, I’m still waiting for the cable company to deliver my box so I can actually watch something. >_
August 25th, 2007 at 9:58 amHiro’s sister was rather attractive (and was the only one who spoke with what was a native accent to my ears). And Lee did an admirable job learning the language in my opinion. (He apparently didn’t want to merely learn his lines phonetically.) With all the flurry of behind-the-scenes activities and casting announcements in the off-season, I hope season 2 won’t be a dud. (I too am curious as to how they will deal with the subtitling in Japan. Perhaps just like they use subtitles in variety shows?)
August 25th, 2007 at 10:07 amYes, Hiro’s sister sounded like a native speaker. Hiro himself has a slight accent and some awkwardness–though I understand he translates his own lines, so that could partly be why. Then again, he has a slight accent in English too! And how crazy was it hearing George Takei speak in Japanese !?
I’m curious about season 2 as well. Feudal Japan with subtitles! A grassy plain that looks nothing like Japan! An eclipse! I’m really curious and kind of excited to see how it all goes. I also hope that season 2 won’t be a dud. (I was really sick of Sylar by the end of season 1).
August 25th, 2007 at 10:09 amI’m just glad to see an Asian protagonist in mainstream dramas not in the mold of Jackie Chan / Jet Li.
He’s not shooting fireballs and supera novas from his hands either.
August 25th, 2007 at 2:51 pmNor is he mouthing of Zen koans! I know. They are really good characters and often the comic and emotional touchpoints on the show. It sounds like Ando is back as a series regular next year, which is great. The show needs some people who aren’t so “special.”
August 26th, 2007 at 12:11 amI think it starts either next month, or in October on Super Drama TV.
Because it’s SUPER and DRAMA-y or something.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:14 amThe thing that amazes me the most about Hiro is the fact that he was featured in Time magazine as a child genius some years ago. IQ of 180, I think. That’s not the kind of person I would normally expect to see pursuing an acting career.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:06 amYou know, I remember that Time issue. I remember reading it and thinking, “Well, okay. I’m Asian and not terribly remarkable.” I think it is wonderful that he has gone on to have such a varied career and interesting life.
August 26th, 2007 at 10:22 amI think I saw the actor playing Hiro in the last Austin Powers film. He was onscreen for about 10 seconds.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pmThis will kick off on TV here the end of the month. Thanks for the heads up. I didn’t get into Lost until the end of the first season, so it’ll be nice to watch from the start. I sure hope it’s not the sorry disappointment that Charlie Jade was, though I think Americans were spared that show.
August 26th, 2007 at 5:46 pm