*Image from India Today
In line with the Indian online media Scroll's (scroll.in) request for voluntarily collecting the opinions from the Japanese Baahubali fans (Mahishmatians) over Twitter, there have been growing voices from Japan of conveying their direct messages to India.
But first, you may read here the article written by the journalist Devarshi Ghosh, which is the refined, polished and sophisticated result of them and officially published on Scroll.
When Katappa-san killed Baahubali-san: SS Rajamouli’s films are the latest fan favorite in Japan - Scroll
Today, I would like to introduce the so-called raw materials of the above article, which are the general opinions collected from Japanese Mahishmatians below. Each tweet is representative and the following English text is just for understanding purpose only.
As of 16th February 2018
@Twitter Hashtag #インドにバーフバリ叫ぶ [Shout out from Japan to India your love for Baahubali]
1.
(English summary, same applies below) Baahubali's divinity is much needed and sought by the modern Japanese people who are lacking self-confidence and in confusion of ever fast-changing life.
2.
So far, most of the imported fantasy entertainments in Japan have come from the Western countries those follow the Christianism and Greek mythology (the Western values.) Baahubali stories originated from the Hindu faiths, where Buddhism was born, which is the religion most of the Japanese are familiar with, so it is but natural people can accept smoothly.
3.
*Note: The tweet corrupts on the editor for an unknown reason thus inserting the screenshot with the link to it.
Modern Japanese people's "world standard" had been somewhat the Western-oriented, and we had taken it for granted. Baahubali positively broke such biased values.
4.
*Note: The tweet corrupts on the editor for an unknown reason thus inserting the screenshot with the link to it.
Japanese subtitles were good. For example, the Japanese translation of Shivagami's phrase "Consider my words as the law!" was so gratifying that people feel like to enjoy mimicking it.
5.
*Note: The tweet corrupts on the editor for an unknown reason thus inserting the screenshot with the link to it.
Baahubali shows a lot of scenes where the actor pauses for a second to maximize the effect, which is similar to "mie-wo-kiru" act seen in Japanese traditional theatre play kabuki. It makes for the audience, who are unfamiliar with Indian movies, easy to understand the crucial scenes.
8.
*Note: The tweet corrupts on the editor for an unknown reason thus inserting the screenshot with the link to it.
Since its release in Japan (29th December 2017,) Baahubali 2 is gradually increasing the theatre presence even after more than a month has passed, which is an extraordinary achievement in Japan. As of the mid-February 2018, tickets for weekend screenings are still hard to book. Especially, tickets for the special screenings of Baahubali (such as "Masala screening" and the screenings with special sound effects; some theatres are as big as having capacities of housing over 600 audiences) are selling out almost instantly after the release.
9.
Sound effects, music, and lyrics (Japanese translation) touch the heartstrings. Also, the Telugu language is relatively easy for Japanese people to capture; thus the prominent phrases in Baahubali mimicked by fans are spreading and gaining further empathy.
10.
Baahubali's universal storyline and the acts of its characters who strictly pursue their beliefs release and purify the hearts of the audiences, which I can call it a Catharsis effect.
11.
Japanese people are quite familiar with SFX squadron movies, and it is but natural that people feel somewhat comfortable with slightly an excessive production.
12.
Japanese people have a fundamental understanding and acceptance of the myriads of gods and deities ("yao-yorozu-no-kami" in Shinto religion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto.)
13.
Baahubali prompted me to have a keen interest in India, including the actors, the directors, Mahabharata, South Indian cuisines, the Indian languages, religions, culture, history, society; it opened my interest to the larger world.
14.
Baahubali is not merely a temporary boom, but a movement of making a change in the Japanese people.
15. Baahubali takes up the deep-rooted problems of sexual harassment in Japan (e.g., gropers on fully-packed trains in Tokyo and other big cities, male-dominating society where women are expected to keep silent even against the injustices, you may read this article for your reference: She Broke Japan’s Silence on Rape)
16.
Baahubali triggered my keen interest in learning Telugu. Eagerly waiting for the official soundtrack to be released. I would like to thank the team Baahubali for their great works in bringing such a great story into life from the bottom of my heart.
17. 仏教伝来の歴史を想起させる
Baahubali reminds us of the history of Buddhism introduction from India to China, and then to Japan.
18. 劇中歌の歌詞情報にも物語の進行を示唆する意味があり、画期的である
The lyrics of the songs played in Baahubali also suggest the essential meaning of the story's progression, which is an innovative method for us.
19. People take excitement in "Masala screening" (Reference / Example.) Some theatres in Japan open one of their screens for allowing people to shout out and sing along while screening (as people in Japan believe that that is the default scenes in Indian movie theatres, thus the term "Masala" comes from.) Here, people are asked to clean the theatre screen themselves after enjoying the event (people come with their brooms and dustpans.)
20. Initially, only a handful of movie fans were talking about Baahubali, but gradually the words of mouth spread and now even highly popular social influencers, including a celebrity copywriter and radio DJ, start admiring and praising it, demanding the full version of Baahubali release (including DVDs and Blu-rays) in Japan.
Other Baahubali related articles on ASKSiddhi -
11/02/2018 Finally Stepped In "Mahishmati Kingdom": Why Baahubali Is Super-hit In Japan!?
12/02/2018 ついに鑑賞「バーフバリ 伝説誕生／王の凱旋」、今の気持ちを記録
13/02/2018 Why Baahubali The Movies So Popular in Japan? My Temporary Conclusion
15/02/2018 まだまだ続く #バーフバリ旋風 は、もう止まらない
16/02/2018 バーフバリ世界の虜になり、ハイダラーバードへ関心を持ったあなたへ
24/02/2018 吹き荒れる #バーフバリ旋風：日本での熱狂がインドへ、そして世界へ
