Being a child of the seventies, I was a huge fan of Monkey. With fantasy plots, dubbed voices, and a catchy theme song, how could I not like it?
And it is not just me. Ask many people of my generation, and they’ll tell you the same thing – Monkey was magic. But, alas, it has been 25 years since the show ended, and about 20 years since I last saw it.
Now, via Yobbo, I learn that a new version of Monkey is being filmed – in Australia!
From what I’ve heard this new version of Monkey is being filmed on location in Melbourne and Cairns. Those in the know might even be able to catch an episode being filmed.
A new version of the popular 70s series Saiyuki (Monkey) is to be broadcast from January 9 on Fuji TV, and will be the first Japanese drama to be shown at the same time in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. The show will feature SMAP star Katori Shingo in the lead role, supported by comedy duo Uchan Nanchan Uchimura Teruyoshi.
The show is sponsored by JAL and the PR event was held at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport yesterday. JAL unveiled a jet decorated with Katoris Songoku character from the drama, a historical first. the theme song, ‚Around The World is to be sung by the group Monkey Majik, made up of two Canadian brothers and two Japanese.
Were any of you fans of Monkey? If so, what are your fondest Monkey memories?
Update: Interesting Monkey fact: I always assumed that the actress who played the boy monk Tripitaka was really bald, probably due to cancer. As it turns out, she was wearing a “bald head wig”, but tragically did die of cancer in 1985, just over 6 years after finishing work on Monkey.
