Interview with Keiichi Takagi, a rickshaw hero gin rickshaw crowdfunder, whom we met during our TGS coverage.

Mr. Takagi: It's nice to meet you.

Takagi: My name is Keiichi Takagi. When I was a student, I worked as a suit actor on Sentai Hero TV shows. I got a job at a securities company, but I went back to being a professional suit actor and played a hero standing on a roller coaster in a hero show at Korakuen Amusement Park. After that, I worked for an advertising agency and other companies before entering the entertainment industry, including film and animation production and event planning. Currently, he works as a freelance producer, setting up programs and events.

Takagi: I was struggling with the loss of event work due to the new strain of coronavirus infection, when I had an experience pulling a rickshaw this past spring. That experience gave me the same thrill I used to get from performing in shows.

Takagi: I just try anything and everything. My current goal is to create a rickshaw-pulling hero named " Jinrikisha" and hold events all over Japan.

Takagi: I would like to purchase a rickshaw, but it is difficult to raise the money. First of all, we would like to create a new hero and rent a rickshaw to travel around Japan. We would like to raise awareness and funds through events.

Takagi: We asked our friends and acquaintances for their help, and we raised 250,000 yen, 50% of our goal, in about two weeks. Many people have told us, "We support the efforts of a 57-year-old Alaskan who is working hard. However, from this point on, we also need cooperation from other people who did not know about the project. We would like to promote fun projects that will bring joy to everyone in this world, so we ask for your support and cooperation.

Takagi: I think it would be interesting to create an app game where [Jinrikisha] visits all over Japan and holds events with local heroes in the regions. It would be like a tap to run a running race, and as you clear the course, you can go to the next region. I would like to introduce heroes from all over the country so that they can get excited about each other.

Takagi: In real life, we would like to hold events where we visit local heroes from all over Japan and give rickshaw rides to people in each area. The appeal of the Jinrikisha is that anyone can transform into anyone else, so it would be great if everyone could act out the role of the Jinrikisha and make it a memorable experience for everyone. On the other hand, I am also thinking of developing the application game I mentioned earlier, and also of a project like the "53 Stages of the Tokaido: A Journey in a Rickshaw" that would become a hot topic on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). There are so many things I want to do (laughs).

Takagi: Nice to meet you, my name is Takagi of the Jinrikisha Hero [Jinrikisha] Project. I would like to use my experience of having once appeared in Sentai and Kamen Rider to give birth to a new kind of hero. I am now on the verge of my 60th birthday, and I am once again inspired by the idea of creating a hero in which everyone plays the leading role !Jinrikisha Hero [Yumekanae-tai Jinrikisha] project in the form of crowdfunding. Please take a look at the page and if you are interested, please contact us. We would be very grateful if you could support us by spreading the word on social networking sites. In return for your support, we would like to hold an unveiling event in Tokyo in January and April 2024, where you can enjoy the rickshaw experience, take commemorative photos, and have fun.

Mr. Takagi: Thank you very much.