Hello! This is Asai, who has been getting teased by the junior staff lately!
There are many forms of respect, aren't there...
I choose to believe this teasing is just a way of showing extra respect. I mean, I really hope so!
But enough about me, let's get down to business!
Regardless of whether or not you've actually seen it, "E.T." is a movie that people of all generations likely know.
Upon its release in 1982, it broke the record for the highest-grossing film in world history, surpassing Star Wars. In Japan, it held the record for the highest box office revenue for a long time until it was eventually surpassed by "Princess Mononoke." It is highly regarded by many film fans and is considered one of the greatest movies of all time.
It's been 40 years since that legendary sci-fi film was born. It's amazing that it is still so beloved, and it really makes you marvel at the power of the art of cinema.
Today, I would like to introduce a reissue model of the bicycle that flew through the sky in that very movie, "E.T."
Don't you think the bike in the photo looks like it's floating a little, too?
Don't you?
Why did a KUWAHARA BMX appear in the movie "E.T."?
Why would a Japanese-made Kuwahara bicycle appear in "E.T.," a film set in the American suburbs?
First, let's unravel the story behind that.
BMX was born in California and sparked a global boom in the late 1970s. At the time, KUWAHARA had established BMX teams in various countries. They also launched the KUWAHARA BMX Team in the U.S., and while traveling around in a caravan for a series of races, they achieved great results.
The BMX bikes produced by KUWAHARA were made in Japan and were of extremely high quality; they were expensive, but the brand was popular enough to be featured in magazines and elsewhere.
In other words, they were already a globally popular manufacturer before the movie "E.T." came out, which I think is quite an incredible feat to imagine in today's context.
The reason they were chosen for the film is that before shooting, director Spielberg asked children riding BMX bikes in front of his house which BMX brand they liked, and the answer he got was KUWAHARA, the object of their admiration at the time.
It isn't hard to imagine the whirlwind of activity for KUWAHARA after the movie became a massive hit and made them even more popular.
By the way, it is said that Director Spielberg himself specified the color scheme and the logo placement for this BMX, which is ridden by Elliott—E.T.'s partner—in this reissued model. Great sense, right?
Following the announcement of its release, we received numerous inquiries and the 40th-anniversary reissue model sold out in a flash. However, due to various circumstances, we actually have one left.
【KUWAHARA】 E.T.40
Size: One size (20-inch wheels)
Color: E.T.40 Reissue Color
Material: 4130 Cr-Mo
¥99,000- in tax
Respect is important
E.T., still beloved 40 years later.
The KUWAHARA E.T.40 that I introduced today is a bicycle filled with love and respect.
There may well be other bicycles in this universe filled with such respect.
Huh??
Whoa!!!!
What is that?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I suppose there really are many forms of respect.