The Cro-Magnons -- Inochi no March（イノチノマーチ）

 

Of all the colourful characters that I've seen in the wonderful world of Japanese variety television, one particular fellow is Masayuki Miyazawa（宮澤正之）, ichthyologist and illustrator. To the world at large though, he is known as Sakana-kun（さかなクン...Mr. Fish）. The lad is probably one of the Earth's most enthusiastic supporters of fish while sporting a fish-shaped hat and appearing like a really happy (bordering on deranged) bespectacled Don Knotts. If the Japanese TV or movie industry ever decides to do their version of "The Incredible Mr. Limpet", then I know who to recommend.

Along with his appearances on other variety shows, Sakana-kun has hosted his own programs including NHK's "Gyo Gyo to Sakana Star"（ギョギョッとサカナ★スター）. With a majority of the programming on TV Japan being NHK-based, we have been seeing this particular show with Sakana-kun and his assistant Kanon（香音）who's a fashion model and actress. Each episode features a particular fish from the deep blue seas and when applicable, there is a segment near the end on how the fish can be handled and served.

Along with the topic material and Sakana-kun's effervescent personality, another reason that our family has been sticking to "Gyo Gyo to Sakana Star" like remoras under a shark is the theme song, "Inochi no March" (The March of Life) which was also the December 2022 14th single of rock band The Cro-Magnons（ザ・クロマニヨンズ）. Never would have thought that a punk rock tune would front a light-hearted variety show about fish but hey, that's Japan for you.

The Cro-Magnons is the third band fronted by colourful personality himself Hiroto Komoto（甲本ヒロト）, also of The Blue Hearts and The High-Lows. Along with Komoto, he's joined by former fellow Blue Hearts bandmate, guitarist Masatoshi Mashima（真島昌利）, bassist Masaru Kobayashi（小林勝）of The Black Comet Club Band and drummer Katsuji Kirita（桐田勝治）, formerly from the thrash metal band Gargoyle. Since their beginnings in 2006, they've released 26 singles and 16 albums.