Yes, people really fight between the ropes in Sumo-style elaborate monster costumes, employing all the grisliest dramatic pro-wrestling moves and sometimes throwing in a dance number. Yes, such a thing started here in Boston, and yes, you can see the outlandish spectacular in action this weekend.
The Kaiju Big Battel: Once Again, is set to go down Saturday, Nov 10, at the ONCE Ballroom in Somerville. To anyone who’s never seen or heard of such a thing, let Dr. Cube (an evil mastermind Kaiju character) describe it for you: “Awesome sights of leviathan monstrosities crushing their opponents like a Minecraft addiction crushes one’s hope of a social life…” That’s how he introduces a recent video of a Kaiju battle on the group’s website, where fans can read blow-by-blow synopses of the bouts. Saturday’s event also includes a preshow board game tournament and a postshow karaoke night.
Then on Sunday, Kaiju Big Battel is hosting a kids’ party, including a preshow meet-and-greet with some of the Kaiju characters, self-described as a “phantasmagoric population of crossbred animals, nomadic minerals, virtuous vegetables, aggravating extraterrestrials, and braggart beasts.” Sunday’s event also includes a number of interactive games and a musical performance by Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band.
DigBoston asked event coordinator Shiori Yamaki about the upcoming battle, the meaning of Kaiju, and the history of the troupe.
First, what does “Kaiju” mean?
Oh, you don’t know Kaiju?! Kaiju is now a universal word even kids know! Kaiju means monsters in Japanese. For example, Godzilla is kaiju.
Your website keeps fans in the know about past and upcoming Kaiju fights. Recently, a note from the Kaiju commissioner announced that Super Wrong lost his best friend Pink Bear in a recent battle against another monster, Hunninaught. Is Super Wrong doing OK? Will he be ready to fight on Saturday?
Let me correct one thing to understand us better—our fight is called “fighto,” not fight. Fighto means battle in Japanese. So, as for Super Wrong. Thanks for worrying about him. He’s been battling a fierce battle of loneliness since losing Hunninaught the Pink Bear. He’s been writing a lot of poetry and eating gallons of ice cream. So yes, although he’s desperate at this moment, he is ready for this weekend.
Kaiju has been through a lot—intergalactic sparring, violent monster rumbles, threats to destroy planet Earth—but how (really) did it all get started?
We are performing arts group. Founder, Rand, was an art students who was into Japanese tokusatsu—Japanese live-action film/drama with special effects. He had an idea to bring tokusatsu into live action with pro-wrestling influence. It all started from his passion.
Is coming to Somerville like coming home?
Of course! Somerville fans always give us a warm welcome. Oh, did you know the venue, ONCE, has good tacos always? But remind you, tacos are available only limited numbers so order it as soon as you get there.
In the “Kaiju-verse,” there are heroes and rogues, referees and villains, futuristic robots and radioactive sea creatures. What does the Kaiju-verse have to tell us about our own?
Monsters are REAL and danger can happen!
KAIJU ONCE AGAIN. SAT 11.10, 8-11PM. KAIJU TIME FOR KIDS. SUN 11.11, 1PM. ONCE BALLROOM, 156 HIGHLAND AVE., SOMERVILLE. KAIJU.COM
