Announcing the new Hattori Hanzo Ninja Team members
First public presentation also scheduled: May 5th at the Nagoya Castle!
A team of fresh, agile and athletic ninjas!
In ceremony and press conference held at the headquarters of the Sankosha Company on April 6th, the newly chosen seven members of Aichi Tourism Ninja reps, elected from a pool of 235 applicants and 24 auditions, were introduced to members of the press and related authorities.
This press conference follows the audition which took place at the Centrair Airport on the previous month’s 30th. It was attended by authorities from the Aichi Prefectural Government, the president and staff of the Sankosha Co., responsible for the ninja team’s management, several members of the press, and last but not least, Hero Tokugawa Ieyasu, from Aichi Omotenashi Busho-tai. Members of the Aichi SNS Ninjas, in charge of Aichi Prefectural Tourism Association’s efforts at social networks and media, were also present.
In addition to answering to the reporters’ questions, the new ninjas performed some acrobatics, each demonstrating his or her particular skill, and posed for photos.
The new ninjas are as follows:
Team Leader Hattori Hanzo’s role:
-Kazuya Saji (28, male) (leftmost)
Skills: Head Spin, Acrobatics
Hattori Hanzo’s Iga Ninja Team:
-Masumi Arima (27, male) (top left)
Skills: Break Dance, Acrobatics
-Ryuya Kawai (22, male) (top mid)
Skills: Break Dance, Acrobatics
-Emi Yamada (30, female) (top right)
Skill: Shorinji Kempo
-Toshiki Ikoma (22, male) (bottom left)
Skills: Backflip, Judo (Beginner)
-Seiki Fujita (20, male) (bottom mid)
Skills: Acting, Dance
-Chris O’Neil (29, male) (bottom right)
Skill: Free Running, Acrobatics, Entertainer
Besides Mr. O’Neil, who’s American, all members are from Aichi Prefecture. it must be especially noted that Mr. O’Neil has became the first non-Japanese in history to work as a ninja officially recognized by an agency of the Japanese government!
New Ninja Team 1st EventFirst public appearance of the 2016 Hattori Hanzo Ninja Team
May 5th, 2016, at the majestic Nagoya Castle
The new ninja team is scheduled to make its first public presentation on May 5th (Thu), at the premises of the Nagoya Castle. At the event, they are expected to be displaying their full costumes, make up and prop weapons. This will be an exciting event!
