
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




Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Foreign travelers arrested in Japan following smash-and-grab robbery in Tokyo shopping mall
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Foreign travelers arrested in Japan following smash-and-grab robbery in Tokyo shopping mall
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport opens new Terminal 1 North Satellite next month
Pizza Hut Japan creates moon-viewing sukiyaki chrysanthemum pizza for tsukimi season
Anime and Hollywood movies cross over in new Universal Studios Japan merch collection
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport opens new Terminal 1 North Satellite next month
Pizza Hut Japan creates moon-viewing sukiyaki chrysanthemum pizza for tsukimi season
Anime and Hollywood movies cross over in new Universal Studios Japan merch collection
Starting this fall, you’ll be able to take a Pokémon Jet flight to Japan
Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Starbucks Japan adds a gooey sweet potato Frappuccino to its menu this autumn
Family Mart reveals new T-shirt uniforms, relaxes hair colour rules for staff… but is it all too casual?
Godiva Japan hops into tsukimi season with bunny and moon-themed chocolate assortments
McDonald’s Japan reveals exclusive new Tsukimi moon viewing collection for 2026
Tokaido Lumière Express: Stay overnight inside the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo
No, Japan’s prime minster did not make friends with a cockroach, despite what you may have heard
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
Starbucks Japan adds new Customisation Bar to stores, with free ways to hack your food and drink orders