R.I.P. Sonny Chiba

Discussion in 'Whatever' started by ultrakaiju, Aug 20, 2021.

  1. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    R.I.P. Sonny Chiba
    Man, just learned of this. :( A legend of the screen, and right up there with Mr. Lee for incredible influence, though actually I would be one to argue he was so much more than a 'martial artist' actor. In fact, one of my favourite roles was in the epic second part of Kinji Fukasaku's Battles Without Honor and Humanity. It's almost impossible to go through the titles of someone with Chiba's filmography, and I am sure most people reading this know his work well (or hopefully at least recognise the name). Born Sadaho Maeda (前田 禎穂) in Fukuoka 22 January 1939, he went on to have such a rich career in Japan and also through to Western audiences. I think it was really these stellar performances which allowed him to break out and achieve the wider international fame he did. Closer I guess to the particular genres of this board, people might recognise him in Invasion of the Neptune Men, Terror Beneath the Sea, or the live action Ōgon Bat film, and appearing in such television toku classics as Seven Color Mask (the precursor series to Rainbowman), Robot Detective, and Space Sheriff Gavan. And obviously things like the Street Fighter series are a whole level of achievement that solidified him as a skilled fighter, actor, and entertainer.

    Really sad to learn of his death yesterday due to complications from pneumonia which he had been hospitalized for as a result of contracting Covid-19. He led a full life, but still a loss for everyone. Beyond his roles, it may interest people to know Chiba-san was actually a very skilled martial artist, and was a bid advocate for 'real' martial arts (as opposed to choreographed fantasy fighting), and actually held a great number of accomplishments in the field, including black belts in:

    Kyokushin Karate: 4th Dan[14]
    Ninjutsu: 4th Dan
    Goju-ryu karate: 2nd Dan
    Shorinji Kempo: 2nd Dan
    Judo: 2nd Dan
    Kendo: 1st Dan


    Which is pretty damn impressive. Anyhow an icon of large and small screens, he will not soon be forgotten.




     
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  2. gatiio

    gatiio Post Pimp

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    R.I.P. Sonny Chiba
    Too soon. The legacy he has left is a bit of solace for this loss
     

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