A “really ordinary person from Australia” attempts to become famous in Japan and is making a film about it.
Ever wanted to be famous in Japan? Maybe this upcoming documentary will show you how. The sneak preview of Big In Japan: An Outrageous DIY Fame Journey was released online one week ago and it looks like a very interesting project – one that is likely to be the subject of a lot of conversation in the foreign community over the coming years.
You can check out the Big In Japan teaser here:
Appearing in the documentary teaser is “presenter” David Elliot-Jones, an Australian who describes himself as “really ordinary”. Elliot-Jones tells us that he has moved to Tokyo with two of his friends on an “open-ended mission” to try and make himself “famous”.
▼ Big In Japan documentary presenter David Elliot-Jones
In the trailer, Elliot-Jones can be seen sitting down in a Tokyo park wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks and an onigiri (rice ball) head mask. It will be interesting to find out what kind of other crazy stuff Elliot-Jones intends to do to become famous in Japan.
▼ Wearing an onigiri (rice ball) head mask to become famous
The documentary will also explore the idea of fame and what makes it so desirable:
“In an era of instant celebrity, fame is evolving fasting than ever. But what is it? Why do we want it? And what does it take for an ordinary person to get it?”
The documentary will also follow some foreigners who have already made it “big in Japan” including “feisty Aussie cross-dresser (Ladybeard), a starry-eyed Canadian J-pop wannabe (Kelsey Parnigoni) and veteran TV sweetheart, Bob ‘The Beast’ Sapp.”
▼ Richard Magarey aka “Ladybeard” filmed here as a “normal” guy
Richard Magarey aka “Ladybeard” is mainly famous for dressing up in women’s outfits but also has some talent as a heavy metal vocalist. You can check him out here doing a photo shoot with the also famous “Sailor suit old man”. Magarey’s even gone so far as wrestling with “Sailor suit old man” and joined forces with Japanese pop idols to create the Ladybaby band.
Big In Japan: An Outrageous DIY Fame Journey is currently in post-production and will be released independently by Melbourne-based production company Walking Fish Productions.
Sources: Big In Japan, Vimeo/Walking Fish Productions, Facebook/Big in Japan Documentary
Images: Vimeo/Walking Fish Productions
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
A Japanese toast sandwich remix: The toasted rice rice ball[SoraKitchen]
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Japanese high school closes its cafeteria, replaces it with a 7-Eleven convenience store
Lawson opens a new mini supermarket, and the lucky bags can essentially stock your kitchen
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
A Japanese toast sandwich remix: The toasted rice rice ball[SoraKitchen]
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Japanese high school closes its cafeteria, replaces it with a 7-Eleven convenience store
Lawson opens a new mini supermarket, and the lucky bags can essentially stock your kitchen
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
American college student missing in Kyoto, last seen by family one week ago
With hot sweaty Shibuya summer on the way, free sodium tablets to be given out in downtown Tokyo
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Body of missing foreign tourist in Japan found floating off coast of town he was last seen in
Japan Post’s mail carriers are getting some cool upgrades, but packages might be a little late
Studio Ghibli adds new range of neckties to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Video of man spraying liquid on conveyor belt sushi leads to arrest in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever muscat-flavoured chilled cup drink
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?