Thoughts on MIchael Jackson - Interviews in Tokyo (Part 1)

[CrimsonOkami]

Michael was such a beautiful person, so much more than an entertainer. He really was the sweetest guy in the world, so pure. It always seemed like other countries respected him more, especially Japan. I'm always looking for things that are Michael related from Japan, because I'm interested in the fans from other cultures as well as the reporters who talk about him.

[bloodyrage]

Hmmm... Interesting video. Hmmm... MJ.... I kind of felt how they al felt. I also felt like.... There was a void in the music industry and history when he passed away...

[LH075382]

10 Stars for this video man! I'd rate it as one of your best videos. The expression from those 2 was so real! You can truly feel how much Michael Jackson impacted them. You captured it all! The 2nd guy especially was deeply surprised and saddened. I was stunned by his reaction at 3:22. He really looked like he was holding back his emotions. I felt sad for their loss, it's a strange feeling.

[TheKB1959]

Thanks from A 'CRAZY ABOUT MJ FAN. I like hearing how his death affected others, I guess because i'm so devistated....

[Myrrania]

So, two things - 1. I've always loved Japanese culture and am currently learning Japanese. I love how you're able to converse with them in their type of humor and animated expressions - from what I know. Good Job :]

and 2. MJ's death also affected me a lot so I'm glad you've considered thinking about it more. You have your opinions, I have mine, but keeping an open mind is always good. You're lucky you can speak pretty fluently. I've only studied with a real teacher for 2 months x]

[seamonkeywater]

yea its a big difference the feelings outside of the USA. our media was so into bashing the poor man that many forgot about his true art and wanted to turn him into some type of spectical. in japan (before he died) they were selling tons of his 25th year special edition thriller cd. so yea, to me it hurt real bad because i always loved mj, i never listened to the negative news hype because only he knew what was what & the man upstairs. all i knew what that he was an awesome singer and performer

[scrappycoco246]

the differece is that ppl outside of the USA appreciated MJ. in Europe and Asia he got the respect he deserved. Every single song of his is a masterpiece, you'll find out when you watch his videos and listen to his music instaed of reading tabloid junk. I'm 21 btw and I always had big respect for him. to call him a freak is just superficial

[ToLokyo]

I did say that I don't know...just a limited impression based on random things heard through random grapevines.

You seem like a real ran - I'm sure he was glad to have hardcore fans like yourself. Based on your profile, it seems like MJ had a really positive influence on your life. That's awesome - I'm glad to hear it. :D

BTW, great screen name~ :P

Don't mess with the Zohan baby!

[bluesheeft]

Good Japanese skills dude.. impressive. Encourages me to keep studying :)

[ToLokyo]

Thanks man!

I'm looking forward to your interview vid when Justin Timberlake dies. :P

[bluesheeft]

I doubt that, I don't give a crap about JT. maybe.. umm..

no, I can't think of anyone famous I give a crap about that much. maybe the queen, or obama. not for a while though both of them, hopefully.

[xaveryx]

Very intresting what they are know and what they are think about Michael Jackson. I think every person know who was Michael Jackson. He was the most popular and most knowed men on the world. I think...

[ToLokyo]

Yeah - he was really popular.

I was really surprised how much he meant to random Japanese young hikers.

These days pop culture really reaches all sides of the world!

[saiyouken]

Great job on the interview.

[ToLokyo]

Thanks a lot man.

[atomicboyx]

but its also something you wanted to capture, the thoughts of the japanese and what they think, and you got a true reaction, sometimes hard to capture...

[ToLokyo]

It's a tough balance. Before you stick people on camera, you kinda wanna talk with them a little bit, but if you tell them what you're gonna ask them about, then it ruins the surprise, and you can't catch the emotion.

I guess in the end it's best to just ambush people and stick the camera in their face, but there's gotta be a polite way to go about doing it...

[sessoms11290]

Yea that guy did seem very surprised by that news. RIP MJ

[ToLokyo]

One thing I'm trying to understand is how the second guy seems like he's fighting back a smile while he answered...maybe it's just his usual face. But I think it was a bit of a ridiculous situation for him, and the natural reaction is to kinda laugh a little when you don't know how to react. Same reaction when I asked them to share their thoughts... Interesting~

[ElevenColors]

Excellent choice for a background. Damn.

Weird is totally okay. Weird is good. Molesting little boys, not so cool.

[ToLokyo]

Yeah...come to think of it, I guess it's a bad choice of words.  I'm not against weird at all. Weird can be awesome.

I guess basically I'm not against MJ at all, so maybe weird is fitting... but babies and little boys...that's just not cool.

[systemjap]

Wow that interview went really sad and cold right after you told them....

It's wierd, I was planning to interview Japanese people too.

RIP MJ

[ToLokyo]

Yeah...changed quickly, didn't it?

One thing that really strikes me is how famous Michael is here in Japan. They have a couple big US stars that have reached out to them over the years, and they really latch onto them like they're their own. Like Bra-Pi and Schwa-chan, etc...

[systemjap]

probably because they stopped becoming US stars after a while. Each of these people are considered world stars. Brad Pitt does a lot of work in Japan and so did Michael.

[HANAFUBUKI]

I've been a big fan of Michael since I was a junior high school student. You see my profile photo.... He has been a part of my life.

I'm so sad....

[ToLokyo]

Hmmm...maybe it's my ignorance, but what's the connection between your profile photo and Michael? Did he have a similar picture with a hat, etc...?

I'm sorry that you lost a big influence in your life. :(

[thatjapanesegirl]

MJ is the best performer! I grew up with his music. Well, he is a bit weird. But still I like him.

[ToLokyo]

I saw you mention that before...maybe on Twitter?

Yeah...it's a strange balance between liking his music and thinking he's doing crazy stuff. That's actually a bit covered in my second interview. If I ever find time to add subtitles to it, part 2 will cover that~

[TokyoBrando]

RIP MJ

[sach3]

He is the Elvis of our generation.

[ToLokyo]

I guess all Elvises are meant to pass before their time...

It can't be a very stable life. But the music legacy definitely remains for a long time~

[NonStoptoTokyo]

Yesterday, I had to explain to my brother that the 'girl who sings ABC' is actually Michael Jackson. He took it pretty hard... =P

[sessoms11290]

LOL xD wow are you serious?

[NonStoptoTokyo]

I am dead serious. He was pretty shocked to learn it wasn't a girl!

[ToLokyo]

Haha - that's pretty far. Had he ever heard of anything else MJ did? Thriller, etc?

[NonStoptoTokyo]

He pretty much only knew Thriller...man, kids these days...

[ManaStar]

Wow those flowers were pretty!

Yeah, it is sad, but then again everyone passes away eventually.

I can't feel too sad because I didn't know him personally, but it's always sad when anyone passes away.

[ToLokyo]

It's a beautiful time for Ajisai (hydrangea) here. :D

Yeah...I don't really feel sad personally. Like you said, I didn't really know him. I feel more curious maybe. He obviously is a big figure in American music history.

I think in the next few years, there will be a lot of critical analysis done about how his childhood as a star and family life influenced his career, etc... Should be interesting.

[TheDutchGaijin]

Wow, interesting. I wonder what they thought once you left. I'll check out part 2!

[ToLokyo]

I was kinda curious too. Actually I apologized a lot before I left. I felt kinda bad 'cause it's their fun time in the mountains and all, but they seemed to be grateful that I talked with them about it. They seemed glad that someone cared about their opinion.

[DavePerry2012]

Interesting interview. Thanks for uploading!

[ToLokyo]

My pleasure~ :D