When my family first got cable, I remember watching NHK. Now, as a person who doesn’t speak Japanese at all, and being a Japanese wannabe… the only programs I could actually follow sans subtitles were kid shows. One of them is the long-lasting Okaasan to Issho, which apparently began showing on October 5h, 1959. I think the first time I saw the show was in 1999… or I could be wrong and be 1998. Anyway, if you don’t know about it… it’s like hmm, Menudo meets Sesame Street, but for really really small kids. I’m guessing 2-3 years old. The show has been inventing and re-inventing itself throughout the years. Changing life-size-puppets, and hosts in their many years.
Since I began watching in the late 90’s, I’ve seen 2 different sets of life-size-puppets. And I think I’ve seen my fare rotation of hosts… including the first set of 4 hosts, and 2 hosts in this last week. The first set I’m talking about is the Do Re Mi Fa Nattsu Do! puppets, which included 2 French poodles (I’m guessing siblings), a gorilla and what I think it was a badger.
By that time, there were what I supposed were the regular hosts, as I had no idea this show had been so long on the air. Two guys, and two girls… a pair did the gymnastics, and the other pair the songs.
Singing:
- Guy: Sugita Akihiro
- Girl: Tsunoda Ryoko
Gymnastics:
- Guy: Hiromichi Sato (who apparently became ubber famous, had even another show I recall. He was on the show for 10 years or so…)
- Girl:Tari Kiyoko (like for real, I don’t really remember her face much. But I do recall her crazy Indian workout.)
I remember Hiromichi Sato used to sing the “A I U E O” song, and all the little kids would run around. Ha! Then, the poodles would come after the song, and begin singing “Do Re Mi Fa Densha” (Do Re Mi Fa Train). Cute. Then, BAM! All of a sudden (for me), all the puppets were changed! Blasphemy, I said!!! They have changed the show!!! Then, of course, I realized that they have only changed the format… though these new puppets were WEIRD. My dad called the green one (her name is Zuzu, I think) a frog… but can’t be a frog because it has green fur! LOL’
Then my mom called the main puppet who happens to be yellow, a bee… but it’s a very weird bee, methinks. His name is Supu… and then one more weird boy animal being named Jacoby, and another girl named Anemu. The BIZARRE beings came along to create the skit of Gu~Chokorantan.
Then, next thing I know… Sugita Akihiro, and Tsunoda Ryoko are gone! And I am left with two new singing hosts. His name is Imai Yuzo, and her name is Haida Shoko… and actually, they were pretty fun. Kawaii~~~
And in year 2005, Hiromichi Sato and Tari Kiyoko leave the show, so we’ve got or brand new 4 hosts matching the puppets. LOL’
Singing Girl: Haida Shoko
Singing Guy: Imai Yuzo
- Gymnastics Girl: Itou Mayu (not sure about the name, aka Miho Itou) *EDIT* Just found a gymnastic segment online featuring Itou Mayu.
- Gymnastics Guy: Yoshi Hisa Kobayashi (not sure either, aka Takehisa Kobayashi)
In this version of the show, Yoshi (like Hiromichi Sato) begins singing for the kids to run around. The song called PAWAWAPUTAISOU… PAWA as in Power, power up! xD And then Supu, the weird furry bee comes up with his trumpet/hornet and all begin singing SUPURAPPI SUPURAPPA. (click here for a Special Supurappi version inlcuded at the end when Haida Shoko and Imai Yuzo say their goodbyes, and introduce new hosts)
Then, just at the beginning of the month (April’08), Haida Shoko and Imai Yuzo left the show, and I find myself with new hosts! – and the new girl host, Takumi Mitani, she looks like my friend Maca x’D Not so much on photos, but on video. LOL’ WORD. Anyway~~ so this is the current hosting:
- Singing Girl: Takumi Mitani
- Singing Guy: Daisuke Yokoyama
- Gymnastics Girl: Itou Mayu (aka, Miho Itou)
- Gymnastics Guy: Yoshi Hisa Kobayashi (aka, Takehisa Kobayashi)
For detailed information, I suggest going to the unofficial fanclub… though it’s all in Japanese. Google Translate works okay. Loads of information there.
