Japanorama

Japanorama

2002
★★★★☆ 7.0/10
📺 3 Seasons
🎬 18 Episodes
📅 Ended
🌐 EN
⏱️ 25 min/episode
DocumentaryNewsComedy
Japanorama was a series of documentaries presented by Jonathan Ross, exploring various facets of popular culture and trends of modern-day Japan. Each episode had a theme, around which he presented cultural phenomena, films, music, and art that exemplify facets of Japan. The series was colourful in both its creative use of subject matter, and its use of bright colours that helped accent the action on screen rather than distract from it. Subjects were separated by eye catches that often featured the artwork of Junko Mizuno. Ross hosted each episode in suits so bright and stylised they could have been stolen from an anime character. Fans have credited the series for the care that both Ross and the BBC have placed in its production. Time was given to delve into each subject, and he was able to interview various figureheads of culture and industry, including Mamoru Oshii, Hayao Miyazaki, Takeshi Kitano, Takashi Miike with Takashi Murakami and Sonny Chiba. The theme song of the show was Kiyoshi no zundoko bushi by Kiyoshi Hikawa.

Seasons

Season 1
2002 • 6 Episodes
This episode includes: "Ultraman", with interview with the director. "Tetsuo: The iron man" (1998). Interview with director. Games, interview with the CEO of UGA. Etiquette: How to enter a room. Astro boy (1963), and Akira. "Ghost in the shell" and "Avalon", interview with director (Mamoru Oshii) Robot pets, and robotpeople. I.K.U., a movie on hi-tech sex.
Season 2
2006 • 6 Episodes
This episode covers what’s cool in Japan, including cell phones, pop music videos, robots and even shoes.Nigo, the creator of Bathing Ape, gives a bit of an look into what makes his brand cool.Madame Shirota’s Customs and Sayings: How to laugh.Also explored are the weird videos of Nagi NodaThere is an interview with the star of many of Japans cult films, Tadanobu Asano, known as the Japanese Johnny Depp.The Magic Numbers make their debut on their sell out tour of Japan.
Season 3
2007 • 6 Episodes
Jonathan Ross steps outside the mainstream to explore Gaijin - outsiders, those who don't fit in conformist Japan. He meets the Bosozoku, boy biker gangs, and explores the world of Drifting; uncovers the dotty world of artist Yayoi Kusama; and looks at the latest take on the Samurai with an exclusive preview of Samuel L. Jackson's new animation series adapted from the manga, Afro Samurai.

Network

BBC Three