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Itoi the Educational Show Host

April 16th, 2009 | Itoi, Uncommon Knowledge, Videos

I know I still need to write up my huge article about Shigesato Itoi, but for now, here’s something most people probably don’t know about him. In the 80s, among his many other projects and jobs, Itoi hosted a weekly educational show by the NHK (Japan’s national TV station, a lot like our PBS) called “You”.

Here is a video of the opening, plus a tiny bit of young Itoi being the host.

Japanese people now in their 20s and 30s seem to have fond memories of this show, and apparently this show helped introduce him to that new generation, which made him even more well-known. I’ll explain everything in more detail someday, I swear

I should also mention briefly that the song for “You” was done by Ryuichi Sakamoto. He and Itoi are really good friends and they’ve done tons and tons of music together over the years, where Sakamoto would write the music and Itoi would write the lyrics. I’ll probably start showing some of the songs that Itoi’s written lyrics to in the future, so it’s probably a good idea to remember Ryuichi Sakamoto’s name, since it’ll be appearing more often I’m sure.

23 Comments to Itoi the Educational Show Host

Jeeves said on Apr. 16, 2009

Hair!

Deiphobus said on Apr. 17, 2009

i can only say… wth?!?!?

Ms Saturn said on Apr. 17, 2009

That whole video was just priceless. XD

zedrein said on Apr. 17, 2009

Wow, he really is human.

TBird said on Apr. 17, 2009

Was that the Vulcan hand greeting or something from Japanese culture?

Mato said on Apr. 17, 2009

I honestly have no idea either, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was a special hand sign they made for the show since it looks kind of like the letter U, and the show is called You.

Or Itoi is Spock.

santiagoff said on Apr. 17, 2009

Itoi talks so fast @_____@

Mato said on Apr. 17, 2009

I dunno, it seems average speed to me. He says ano~ and etto~ a lot less than normal though, like a good host should

metroidman said on Apr. 17, 2009

Look at how young he looks!!

santiagoff said on Apr. 17, 2009

WTF. I think I actually did understand that he was saying hello to everyone and that it was sunday o_o

santiagoff said on Apr. 17, 2009

Wait… doyoubi is saturday , not sunday =_=

Poe said on Apr. 17, 2009

Sorta reminds me of Yusuke back when he had a better haircut.

CapBlackard said on Apr. 17, 2009

Incredible graphics! Absolutely love it. Anyone know what the rest of the show was like? Is there a decent quality version of the song floating around somewhere?

Fredrik said on Apr. 17, 2009

Live long and prosper! :3

Belasted said on Apr. 17, 2009

Would UK’s BBC be a better comparison for the TV network?

eme said on Apr. 18, 2009

well, it’s hard to find a japanese (or even international) artist who hasn’t collaborated with ryuichi sakamoto, he was everywhere.

you know that ‘six degrees of kevin bacon’ game? with sakamoto it’s probably four or less.

eme said on Apr. 18, 2009

btw, here’s another video of the program with a short YMO (the band that made sakamoto famous) performance and interview. ryuichi sakamoto is the one with the flamboyant red shirt.

eme said on Apr. 18, 2009

oops, forgot the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHTSn4npFgM

Kirby Phelps (PK) said on May. 1, 2009

Is there anything Itoi CAN’T do!!? XD

SBlaster said on May. 4, 2009

Itoi can’t make bad games.

Mister Crosser said on Nov. 28, 2009

Translation of the katakana in the title of the video: opunisogu

motherman said on Jul. 20, 2010

what the heck was that?!

motherman said on Aug. 8, 2010

what did i just watch?

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