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Naro TV 
Vice President of Content & Storytelling

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"Tokusatsu Filmmaking by Takeshi Yagi"

Working with ULTRAMAN director Takeshi Yagi was a dream come true. In order to help him teach "tokusatsu" (Japanese special effects) filmmaking in the tradition of Godzilla, we enlisted a team of industry veterans, including Akihiko Iguchi (designer of the original Mechagodzilla), Kamen Rider actress Kanon Miyahara, cinematographer Alexandre Bartholo (of John Wick 4), stunt actors and coordinators from Power Rangers, and many more, to create the original IP AKARI. Documenting the entire process, we went from  story and scenario creation to character design, worldbuilding, costume production, and the full shoot, all the way through editing, VFX, and audio. 

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I served as writer with Yagi and Naro CEO and co-founder Todd Silverstein (of HBO's Silicon Valley), producer, and co-director of what became an epic 4-hour long  course. 

Sumo by Konishiki

The first foreign sumo wrestler to reach Ozeki (Champion) status in Japan teaches the exercises to train and the moves to finish, right in the heart of the sumo dohyo.

Tempura by Shuji Niitome

Consummate tempura chef rocking 2-Michelin Stars for exclusive tempura omakase meals. Ranked #1 on Tabelog (premiere website in Japan for restaurant ratings), Chef Niitome detailed every trick for making tempura like you've never imagined. Roughly 90 minute course taught an entire spring Omakase menu, and included an extensive cooking guide.

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Other Courses

  • Anime Directing by Mamoru Oshii 

    • Woah. The reclusive legend himself, director of the original Ghost in the Shell, The Skycrawlers, Jin-Roh, and more, came out to create a 4.5-hour ​bonanza on his whole philosophy of anime directing.

  • Zen by Takafumi Zenryu Kawakami​

    • Head Priest of the Zen Temple Shunkoin ​in Kyoto got both deep and playful for what became a life-changing 2-hour course of highly condensed Zen philosophy and practice, including rokuro rock garden aesthetics and touching your borders on the pottery wheel.

  • Ramen by Tomoharu Shono

    • Creator of over 1000 original ramen recipes teaches ramen from soup to noodles​

  • Kimono by Nobuaki Tomita

    • Designer and coordinator with deep connections to the Nishiji traditions of Kimono and Obi weaving and dying​

  • Skateboarding with Hayakawa Daisuke

    • Olympic coach for Japan's world-dominating skateboarding team, assisted by team members including gold medalist Momiji​ Nishiya

  • Makanai Cooking with Zaiyu Hasegawa

    • Owner and head chef of legendary DEN, awarded #1 Restaurant in Asia​

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