Watanabe Daisuke ～ FC Birthday Event 2018, Fan Report Part 2
And here is part 2 of the report. Enjoy the read!
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The doors for the second event opened at 16:00 PM and together with my friends we made our ways to the lobby where we received another bottle of “Watanabe Water” with a different picture on the label which caused us to soon and giggle excitedly, just like the crazy fangirls we are. Until the start of the talk show we mingled with the crowd, had casual chats with some of the other fans and finally took our seats in the audience, which was once again a front row seat for me and made very happy to say the least.
The talk show started in the same fashion as the previous one with the MC introducing herself and welcoming us to the event. Just like she had done in the first talk show she asked us how we wanted to call the birthday boy out onto the stage and naturally we opted once again for “Dai-chan”. After the obligatory countdown by the MC we shouted “Dai-chan” from the top of our lungs and after a few seconds of waiting the birthday boy appeared in the back of the auditorium, this time entering the venue from the door on the right side in the back of the room.
As usual he had changed his outfit for the second show and was wearing a nice gray suit with an elegant black dress shirt, an outfit which I thought suited him really well…but then again Dai-chan looks good in anything he wears. I mean that guy could wear a potato sack and would still look dashing and handsome…but I’m getting off topic again. Smiling happily into the crowd Dai-chan strolled to the front and walked onto the stage where he welcomed us warmly to the second talk show. Of course, he asked who had attended the previous show and his eyes grew wide when almost all the hands in the room went up. Grinning from ear to ear he thanked us for our support and with that the second talk session of the day began.
Like in the previous talk show Dai-chan was first presented with another birthday cake, a fruit tart this time and once again we sang Happy Birthday to Dai-chan before he was asked to have a bite of the cake and like in the previous event Dai-chan posed for a few photos before he could finally eat and once again we said “aaaaahhhh” as he was about to let the piece of cake disappear into his mouth. Dai-chan said that it was a strawberry fruit cake and that it was very delicious.
With that the talk show began and the MC began by talking about Dai-chan’s photobook “La Scène” which was released in September 2018 and features a collection of Dai-chan in various roles he had played in musical productions since 2016, namely in “1789”, “South Pacific”, “Biohazard” and “Romeo & Juliette”. The book also features interviews with Dai-chan’s colleagues.
Dai-chan said that he had been very excited about this project because this photobook is a little different from the usual style photobook where an actor or actress travels to some locations and simply poses for the camera. He also mentioned that he likes the photobook because it allows him to go back in time and in his mind relive some of the scenes shown in the book.
The MC mentioned 1789 once more because the book features photos of Dai-chan in the 2016 version of the musical as well as pictures of him in the 2018 version and asked about two of Dai-chan’s co-stars, Ryusuke-kun who had replaced Yuta Furukawa as Robespierre in the 2018 version and Hiro-kun who played the role of Hans Axel von Fersen in both versions. Dai-chan mentioned that, even though he had become good friends with Ryusuke throughout the 2018 production and has been close friends with Hiro ever since the early days of his career, he had hardly seen them at all since their return from the final performance of 1789 in Hakata because they had been just as busy and occupied with work as he himself had been and that they hadn’t talked much directly after the final curtain of 1789 either.
The MC asked why they hadn’t talked since there certainly must have been some time after the final performance to do so. Dai-chan replied that after the final performance everybody had been pretty much too occupied with their own feelings to really chat much. He explained that the overwhelming applause he and the other actors and actresses received during the final curtain call had been the best reward and it was when the curtain had finally come down for good on that day that the realization that the production had ended and of what they had achieved and accomplished began to sink in. Therefore, everyone had been lost in their own thoughts on their way to the airport and during the flight home to Tokyo.
I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I listened because I could understand Dai-chan’s feelings quite well since I still remember very clearly how I felt that day when my friends and I went to the airport after the final performance…sad because the production of a musical that has a special place in my heart had ended, relieved because Dai-chan had made it through 111 performances without any injuries and proud of what he had achieved during those four months of performances, so incredibly proud…
Anyway…
Dai-chan went on saying that he would see them both again after “On Your Feet” because they would all play in “Romeo & Juliette” with Dai-chan and Hirose reprising their role as Tybalt and Ryusuke playing the part of Benvolio. Dai-chan added chuckling that it would certainly be very interesting since with Hirose, Ryusuke, Oka-san, Yuta and himself half of the 1789 cast would be coming together.
He also revealed that while they were performing in Osaka, Bessho-san who had played with Dai-chan in “South Pacific” was there as well performing in “My Fair Lady” in the main hall of Umeda Drama City, and that he had come to see Dai-chan and to say ‘Hello’ even though it had been the day of the final performance of “My Fair Lady”. Dai-chan said that Bessho-san is not only a great senior and mentor, but that he thinks of him a bit like an older brother because he can talk with him about almost everything and get some good advice if he needs any.
The MC then wanted to know a bit more about Hiro. Dai-chan explained that he and Hiro go back a long way and that they had been together in several productions in a row since 2016, namely “1789”, “South Pacific”, “Romeo & Juliette” and then “1789” again. He mentioned that during all of these productions they had shared the same dressing room too which prompted the MC to ask “So, are you two dating now?” and we burst out laughing. Dai-chan kept a straight face and replied “we aren’t” and the MC couldn’t help but tease him by saying “well, since you have been practically together all the time I though I might as well ask.”
Dai-chan chuckled and replied “With him it’s not like that” and I couldn’t help but hold my breath for a moment at those words because it was almost as if he was saying “with Hiro it’s not like that, but with another guy it is”, at least that is how I perceived it and I obviously wasn’t the only one. I looked at my neighbor and she looked at me and we both started giggling because we were obviously thinking the same thing and about the same person at that moment.
Dai-chan then started playing along saying, “well, if we were, let’s see how this would play out.” He then explained that it would probably be no problem for them to date as von Fersen and Desmoulins in 1789, but that it would be rather awkward in “Romeo & Juliette”, especially if they wear costumes because it would be Tybalt dating Tybalt, thought which made me and many others giggle. Dai-chan went on saying that Hiro is a real dork, a great mood maker and always up to some mischief in the greenroom, which made me think ‘in other words just as big a kid as yourself my dear Dai-chan’. Dai-chan said that they had a great time in the greenroom.
Next, the MC moved on to talk about the launch of ‘Channel B’ and ‘quests’ Dai-chan had completed so far, in particular the one at the Noh Theatre. Dai-chan explained that his father introduced him to Noh Theater when he was a boy and that it really is a very interesting and very difficult form of traditional theater. He explained that every single move follows a special pattern and he gave us a visual example of how a Noh actor is supposed to walk on stage.
Then Dai-chan briefly talked about the upcoming ‘quest’ which is ‘ikebana’, traditional Japanese flower arrangement. He said that it isn’t as easy as it looks and that it’s extremely difficult to get it right since there are strict rules to follow. He ended by saying that the ‘quests’ are challenging, but fun and that he enjoys the cultural experience.
Finally, the MC asked Dai-chan a few questions about the musical project he had just completed a few weeks prior which was “Titanic” and in which Dai-chan, much to my delight, played an Irish man named Jim Farrell. Dai-chan explained in this version the focus is on the people who were really on board of the Titanic and the personal stories of those passengers as well as those some of the workers, their reasons of going to the United States and the dreams they hope to be able to fulfil there rather than on fictional characters as most of the Titanic-related movies do.
He went on saying that the character he played, Jim Farrell, is a very strong character, full of passion and willing to fight for his dreams as well as to help others. He explained that in the musical Jim Farrell and his fiancée Rose McGowan are amongst the very few lucky 3rd class passengers who managed to get into one of the life boats and survive the tragedy, but revealed the sad truth that in reality both James ‘Jim’ Farrell and Kate McGowen were reported amongst the victims of the disaster who had lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean.
Dai-chan looked briefly at me and while everyone in the audience seemed quite surprised at the fact he had just revealed, I simply returned his gaze, giving him a look that I hope made him understand that what he had just said had not been news to me. (If you are curious, Jim Farrell, aged 25, was body #68 to be recovered and he was buried at sea on April 24th 1912. The body of Kate McGowan, aged 20, was amongst the many that were never found.) Dai-chan went on saying that in the final scene of the final performance, when all the survivors appear on stage to mourn the victims, he felt extremely sad knowing what had really happened to Jim Farrell and Kate McGowan instead of the happy ending they had been given in the musical (He actually cried during that last scene…as I sat very close to the stage during that final performance and had my opera glasses with me in addition I could see it very well).
Dai-chan finished by saying that “Titanic” was a great, but very tough musical that really got to him in various ways and he said that it had been very much the same for the other cast members and that the mood in the greenroom after the final performance was a little more subdued compared to the usual atmosphere after the successful completion of the final performance of a musical production.
To lighten things up the MC changed the topic at this point and began to talk a little about the upcoming musical “On Your Feet” and Emilio and Gloria Estefan and Dai-chan happily revealed some of the background information related to the characters. He explained that Gloria and Emilio met when she was 19 years old and that Gloria’s life had been quite tough because since she was a girl of only twelve, she had been obliged to help her mother taking care of her family due to the fact that Gloria’s father was severely ill.
He went on saying that, even though Gloria had a beautiful singing voice and loved music and dance and really wanted to become a musician and songwriter, her mother was very strict and didn’t allow her to go down that path and made her go to university instead in order to prepare her for a conventional career. The only person supporting Gloria’s dream of making a living from music was her grandmother Consuelo and things began to change rapidly for Gloria after she met Emilio Estefan.
He said that Emilio is also a very interesting and powerful character and that he is really looking forward to playing him. He revealed that there is also a comedic touch to the character because, even though Emilio speaks both Spanish and English, his English is far from perfect and he sometimes makes mistakes which result in the meaning of what he actually says being, in a funny way, different compared to what he really wants to say.
He also said that the music is really great, predicting that it will definitely make everyone tap their feet. He also said that the curtain call would be more like a concert and that the audience would get pen lights in order to party together with the cast. Dai-chan added chuckling that squealing during the curtain calls and shouting things like ‘bravo’ in addition to applauding would also be perfectly okay because “On Your Feet” is that kind of musical.
The MC remarked that the musical seems to be something we all could really look forward to and then announced that it was time for the lottery,
the procedure being exactly the same as it had been in the first show. The lucky winners went up to the stage in order to receive their prizes and once they had all taken their seats again it was time for Dai-chan to say goodbye to us.
Dai-chan said that he had enjoyed a great time and that he wished those talk events were longer than just one hour, so that he could talk some more with us about various things. He also said that he would continue to work hard to keep growing as an actor and performer and promised that he would do his best to show us an improved version of Tybalt in 2019 and I couldn’t help feel excited at that remark because I had already been blown away by his portrayal of Tybalt in 2017.
He finished by saying that he hoped we would continue to support him and the MC took that opportunity to quickly list Dai-chan’s upcoming musical projects once more. Dai-chan said that he hoped we will enjoy watching “On Your Feet” many times and get lots of energy from the lively music and thus be able to end 2018 on a high note. About Romeo & Juliette he said that he is really looking forward to reprising his role as Tybalt, that it will be a great production again with both old and new cast members and that he hopes to see us at the theater.
Finally, Dai-chan thanked us all for coming before he went off the stage at last, and under our applause he left the auditorium to get ready for the personal sendoff. While Dai-chan was preparing in the lobby, we all began to gather our belongings and waited excitedly for the staff to announce the start of our meet & greet. The announcement came only a couple of minutes later and just like in the previous event I didn’t have to wait long for my meeting with Dai-chan since the fans sitting in the front row were the first ones to leave the auditorium.
Dai-chan welcomed me once more with a bright smile and kept holding my hand firmly into his own while we talked. I told Dai-chan how much I had enjoyed the event and that I was looking forward to meeting him again the following day upon which Dai-chan’s eyes went wide with surprise for a moment. “Tomorrow,” he asked slightly confused and I gave him a bemused smile, enjoying the moment. A few seconds passed and then it finally dawned on him.
“Oh yes, the calendar event tomorrow,” he exclaimed grinning sheepishly and blushed a little. It seemed that he had really forgotten about it. Dai-chan then asked me if I would attend all three events and offered me a bright smile when I told him that I would. “I see you tomorrow then,” he said smiling and once I had returned his greeting it was time for us to part.
At the entrance to the lobby I thanked Dai-chan’s staff for the enjoyable time and with that I exited the building to wait for my friends, yet again a very happy fangirl. My friends joined me only a short time later and we decided to head to a pub to finish the day off in style with a few drinks… well, actually much more than just a few… and even more Daisucation.
Part 1: GO HERE
-------------------------------------------
The doors for the second event opened at 16:00 PM and together with my friends we made our ways to the lobby where we received another bottle of “Watanabe Water” with a different picture on the label which caused us to soon and giggle excitedly, just like the crazy fangirls we are. Until the start of the talk show we mingled with the crowd, had casual chats with some of the other fans and finally took our seats in the audience, which was once again a front row seat for me and made very happy to say the least.
The talk show started in the same fashion as the previous one with the MC introducing herself and welcoming us to the event. Just like she had done in the first talk show she asked us how we wanted to call the birthday boy out onto the stage and naturally we opted once again for “Dai-chan”. After the obligatory countdown by the MC we shouted “Dai-chan” from the top of our lungs and after a few seconds of waiting the birthday boy appeared in the back of the auditorium, this time entering the venue from the door on the right side in the back of the room.
As usual he had changed his outfit for the second show and was wearing a nice gray suit with an elegant black dress shirt, an outfit which I thought suited him really well…but then again Dai-chan looks good in anything he wears. I mean that guy could wear a potato sack and would still look dashing and handsome…but I’m getting off topic again. Smiling happily into the crowd Dai-chan strolled to the front and walked onto the stage where he welcomed us warmly to the second talk show. Of course, he asked who had attended the previous show and his eyes grew wide when almost all the hands in the room went up. Grinning from ear to ear he thanked us for our support and with that the second talk session of the day began.
Like in the previous talk show Dai-chan was first presented with another birthday cake, a fruit tart this time and once again we sang Happy Birthday to Dai-chan before he was asked to have a bite of the cake and like in the previous event Dai-chan posed for a few photos before he could finally eat and once again we said “aaaaahhhh” as he was about to let the piece of cake disappear into his mouth. Dai-chan said that it was a strawberry fruit cake and that it was very delicious.
With that the talk show began and the MC began by talking about Dai-chan’s photobook “La Scène” which was released in September 2018 and features a collection of Dai-chan in various roles he had played in musical productions since 2016, namely in “1789”, “South Pacific”, “Biohazard” and “Romeo & Juliette”. The book also features interviews with Dai-chan’s colleagues.
Dai-chan said that he had been very excited about this project because this photobook is a little different from the usual style photobook where an actor or actress travels to some locations and simply poses for the camera. He also mentioned that he likes the photobook because it allows him to go back in time and in his mind relive some of the scenes shown in the book.
The MC mentioned 1789 once more because the book features photos of Dai-chan in the 2016 version of the musical as well as pictures of him in the 2018 version and asked about two of Dai-chan’s co-stars, Ryusuke-kun who had replaced Yuta Furukawa as Robespierre in the 2018 version and Hiro-kun who played the role of Hans Axel von Fersen in both versions. Dai-chan mentioned that, even though he had become good friends with Ryusuke throughout the 2018 production and has been close friends with Hiro ever since the early days of his career, he had hardly seen them at all since their return from the final performance of 1789 in Hakata because they had been just as busy and occupied with work as he himself had been and that they hadn’t talked much directly after the final curtain of 1789 either.
The MC asked why they hadn’t talked since there certainly must have been some time after the final performance to do so. Dai-chan replied that after the final performance everybody had been pretty much too occupied with their own feelings to really chat much. He explained that the overwhelming applause he and the other actors and actresses received during the final curtain call had been the best reward and it was when the curtain had finally come down for good on that day that the realization that the production had ended and of what they had achieved and accomplished began to sink in. Therefore, everyone had been lost in their own thoughts on their way to the airport and during the flight home to Tokyo.
I couldn’t help but smile to myself as I listened because I could understand Dai-chan’s feelings quite well since I still remember very clearly how I felt that day when my friends and I went to the airport after the final performance…sad because the production of a musical that has a special place in my heart had ended, relieved because Dai-chan had made it through 111 performances without any injuries and proud of what he had achieved during those four months of performances, so incredibly proud…
Anyway…
Dai-chan went on saying that he would see them both again after “On Your Feet” because they would all play in “Romeo & Juliette” with Dai-chan and Hirose reprising their role as Tybalt and Ryusuke playing the part of Benvolio. Dai-chan added chuckling that it would certainly be very interesting since with Hirose, Ryusuke, Oka-san, Yuta and himself half of the 1789 cast would be coming together.
He also revealed that while they were performing in Osaka, Bessho-san who had played with Dai-chan in “South Pacific” was there as well performing in “My Fair Lady” in the main hall of Umeda Drama City, and that he had come to see Dai-chan and to say ‘Hello’ even though it had been the day of the final performance of “My Fair Lady”. Dai-chan said that Bessho-san is not only a great senior and mentor, but that he thinks of him a bit like an older brother because he can talk with him about almost everything and get some good advice if he needs any.
The MC then wanted to know a bit more about Hiro. Dai-chan explained that he and Hiro go back a long way and that they had been together in several productions in a row since 2016, namely “1789”, “South Pacific”, “Romeo & Juliette” and then “1789” again. He mentioned that during all of these productions they had shared the same dressing room too which prompted the MC to ask “So, are you two dating now?” and we burst out laughing. Dai-chan kept a straight face and replied “we aren’t” and the MC couldn’t help but tease him by saying “well, since you have been practically together all the time I though I might as well ask.”
Dai-chan chuckled and replied “With him it’s not like that” and I couldn’t help but hold my breath for a moment at those words because it was almost as if he was saying “with Hiro it’s not like that, but with another guy it is”, at least that is how I perceived it and I obviously wasn’t the only one. I looked at my neighbor and she looked at me and we both started giggling because we were obviously thinking the same thing and about the same person at that moment.
Dai-chan then started playing along saying, “well, if we were, let’s see how this would play out.” He then explained that it would probably be no problem for them to date as von Fersen and Desmoulins in 1789, but that it would be rather awkward in “Romeo & Juliette”, especially if they wear costumes because it would be Tybalt dating Tybalt, thought which made me and many others giggle. Dai-chan went on saying that Hiro is a real dork, a great mood maker and always up to some mischief in the greenroom, which made me think ‘in other words just as big a kid as yourself my dear Dai-chan’. Dai-chan said that they had a great time in the greenroom.
Next, the MC moved on to talk about the launch of ‘Channel B’ and ‘quests’ Dai-chan had completed so far, in particular the one at the Noh Theatre. Dai-chan explained that his father introduced him to Noh Theater when he was a boy and that it really is a very interesting and very difficult form of traditional theater. He explained that every single move follows a special pattern and he gave us a visual example of how a Noh actor is supposed to walk on stage.
Then Dai-chan briefly talked about the upcoming ‘quest’ which is ‘ikebana’, traditional Japanese flower arrangement. He said that it isn’t as easy as it looks and that it’s extremely difficult to get it right since there are strict rules to follow. He ended by saying that the ‘quests’ are challenging, but fun and that he enjoys the cultural experience.
Finally, the MC asked Dai-chan a few questions about the musical project he had just completed a few weeks prior which was “Titanic” and in which Dai-chan, much to my delight, played an Irish man named Jim Farrell. Dai-chan explained in this version the focus is on the people who were really on board of the Titanic and the personal stories of those passengers as well as those some of the workers, their reasons of going to the United States and the dreams they hope to be able to fulfil there rather than on fictional characters as most of the Titanic-related movies do.
He went on saying that the character he played, Jim Farrell, is a very strong character, full of passion and willing to fight for his dreams as well as to help others. He explained that in the musical Jim Farrell and his fiancée Rose McGowan are amongst the very few lucky 3rd class passengers who managed to get into one of the life boats and survive the tragedy, but revealed the sad truth that in reality both James ‘Jim’ Farrell and Kate McGowen were reported amongst the victims of the disaster who had lost their lives in the Atlantic Ocean.
Dai-chan looked briefly at me and while everyone in the audience seemed quite surprised at the fact he had just revealed, I simply returned his gaze, giving him a look that I hope made him understand that what he had just said had not been news to me. (If you are curious, Jim Farrell, aged 25, was body #68 to be recovered and he was buried at sea on April 24th 1912. The body of Kate McGowan, aged 20, was amongst the many that were never found.) Dai-chan went on saying that in the final scene of the final performance, when all the survivors appear on stage to mourn the victims, he felt extremely sad knowing what had really happened to Jim Farrell and Kate McGowan instead of the happy ending they had been given in the musical (He actually cried during that last scene…as I sat very close to the stage during that final performance and had my opera glasses with me in addition I could see it very well).
Dai-chan finished by saying that “Titanic” was a great, but very tough musical that really got to him in various ways and he said that it had been very much the same for the other cast members and that the mood in the greenroom after the final performance was a little more subdued compared to the usual atmosphere after the successful completion of the final performance of a musical production.
To lighten things up the MC changed the topic at this point and began to talk a little about the upcoming musical “On Your Feet” and Emilio and Gloria Estefan and Dai-chan happily revealed some of the background information related to the characters. He explained that Gloria and Emilio met when she was 19 years old and that Gloria’s life had been quite tough because since she was a girl of only twelve, she had been obliged to help her mother taking care of her family due to the fact that Gloria’s father was severely ill.
He went on saying that, even though Gloria had a beautiful singing voice and loved music and dance and really wanted to become a musician and songwriter, her mother was very strict and didn’t allow her to go down that path and made her go to university instead in order to prepare her for a conventional career. The only person supporting Gloria’s dream of making a living from music was her grandmother Consuelo and things began to change rapidly for Gloria after she met Emilio Estefan.
He said that Emilio is also a very interesting and powerful character and that he is really looking forward to playing him. He revealed that there is also a comedic touch to the character because, even though Emilio speaks both Spanish and English, his English is far from perfect and he sometimes makes mistakes which result in the meaning of what he actually says being, in a funny way, different compared to what he really wants to say.
He also said that the music is really great, predicting that it will definitely make everyone tap their feet. He also said that the curtain call would be more like a concert and that the audience would get pen lights in order to party together with the cast. Dai-chan added chuckling that squealing during the curtain calls and shouting things like ‘bravo’ in addition to applauding would also be perfectly okay because “On Your Feet” is that kind of musical.
The MC remarked that the musical seems to be something we all could really look forward to and then announced that it was time for the lottery,
the procedure being exactly the same as it had been in the first show. The lucky winners went up to the stage in order to receive their prizes and once they had all taken their seats again it was time for Dai-chan to say goodbye to us.
Dai-chan said that he had enjoyed a great time and that he wished those talk events were longer than just one hour, so that he could talk some more with us about various things. He also said that he would continue to work hard to keep growing as an actor and performer and promised that he would do his best to show us an improved version of Tybalt in 2019 and I couldn’t help feel excited at that remark because I had already been blown away by his portrayal of Tybalt in 2017.
He finished by saying that he hoped we would continue to support him and the MC took that opportunity to quickly list Dai-chan’s upcoming musical projects once more. Dai-chan said that he hoped we will enjoy watching “On Your Feet” many times and get lots of energy from the lively music and thus be able to end 2018 on a high note. About Romeo & Juliette he said that he is really looking forward to reprising his role as Tybalt, that it will be a great production again with both old and new cast members and that he hopes to see us at the theater.
Finally, Dai-chan thanked us all for coming before he went off the stage at last, and under our applause he left the auditorium to get ready for the personal sendoff. While Dai-chan was preparing in the lobby, we all began to gather our belongings and waited excitedly for the staff to announce the start of our meet & greet. The announcement came only a couple of minutes later and just like in the previous event I didn’t have to wait long for my meeting with Dai-chan since the fans sitting in the front row were the first ones to leave the auditorium.
Dai-chan welcomed me once more with a bright smile and kept holding my hand firmly into his own while we talked. I told Dai-chan how much I had enjoyed the event and that I was looking forward to meeting him again the following day upon which Dai-chan’s eyes went wide with surprise for a moment. “Tomorrow,” he asked slightly confused and I gave him a bemused smile, enjoying the moment. A few seconds passed and then it finally dawned on him.
“Oh yes, the calendar event tomorrow,” he exclaimed grinning sheepishly and blushed a little. It seemed that he had really forgotten about it. Dai-chan then asked me if I would attend all three events and offered me a bright smile when I told him that I would. “I see you tomorrow then,” he said smiling and once I had returned his greeting it was time for us to part.
At the entrance to the lobby I thanked Dai-chan’s staff for the enjoyable time and with that I exited the building to wait for my friends, yet again a very happy fangirl. My friends joined me only a short time later and we decided to head to a pub to finish the day off in style with a few drinks… well, actually much more than just a few… and even more Daisucation.
Part 1: GO HERE