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Here we are guys!

An in-depth Patreon exclusive feature on how the Ken Watanabe documentary was made.

From how we bribed him to come on Abroad in Japan, to why my initial meeting with Ken was fairly awkward and didn't go according to plan.


From the highs and lows of making the documentary, to the regrets I had along the way.

All in all, I'm incredibly happy (and mostly relieved) that the documentary is up and proved a huge hit on Abroad in Japan (1m views in the first week!).

What Meeting Ken Watanabe Was REALLY Like | Patreon Exclusive
🍿 https://youtu.be/u73nShQ3ILA

And there's every chance that this won't be the last we see of Ken, as his team and Ken himself were delighted and impressed by the documentary - thank god.

But for now, enjoy the story of how it was made and keep an eye out tomorrow for the next edition of Wacky Weekend with Connor, as well as an epic video on "Why Not to Teach in Japan" over on the Chris Abroad channel. (Don't worry, it sounds dark but it's a hilarious video).

And be sure to ask any questions if there's something I've missed! I'll try to answer as many of your questions as I can both on here and on the Youtube video itself.

Thanks again for making this project possible guys and here's wishing you a splendid weekend!
Chris

Files

What Meeting Ken Watanabe was REALLY Like | Patreon Exclusive

It may have taken 10 years. But it seems dreams do come true! IN this Patreon exclusive video I reveal how we got to meet Ken Watanabe and the many things that went wrong behind the scenes. Albeit, ultimately leading to a successful documentary watched by a million people!

Comments

Peter Varga

congrats Chris ^^ next interview: Takeshi Kitano ??

garrett1433

I'm happy for ya Chris! Hoping you can get some much needed chill time after finishing what sounded like a super stressful documentary! Maybe do another Gyoza challenge? 🤔

Anonymous

Hey Chris! Did you ask Pete for any general advice on interviewing celebrities before you met Ken?

Stefan

Happy you got to meet Ken after almost a decade! whats next? hopefully not a plane ticket out.

Anonymous

Nice one Chris. My next interview goal is you. 😄😉

Anonymous

I love "behind the scenes" videos :-) But to be open.. I felt like the original video was quite short, I was hoping for longer thing. Also.. you could have done the youtube and Patreon version. Just as a bonus. :-)

abroadinjapan

Haha, surprisingly no! A missed opportunity given he’s interviewed half the world’s celebrities 😅

abroadinjapan

I don’t deny it could have been longer! I was told during filming to save many of the more personal questions for a potential sequel as we wanted to keep it on point about his time in Kesennuma. So many of the questions I had planned were never asked. Still, I’m hopeful for a sequel!

Etienne Sharp

Cheers for the video, Chris. I had wondered why you hadn't spoken more in Japanese in the doc but I reckon speaking to a movie star, having no sleep, and feeling generally haggard would do it!

Anonymous

Did you learn anything from the experience? Something you'll be able to use for future documentary -like videos?

Anonymous

I really love outro/documentary song. Can I buy song somewhere? or download it please?

Anonymous

Can’t wait for the new Wacky Weekend feat. Ken videos ………

Argus9 (Jonathan)

I'm so glad everything worked out the way it did. The documentary was well worth the wait! Funny enough, I was going back and watching some older videos yesterday, and had a laugh at how many comments there were about you having to interview Ken "some day"...and now they have responses about how those comments aged like fine wine! Couldn't agree more. It would be awesome to see more Ken on the channel! Glad to hear that door might be open.

Anonymous

Congratulations on your tremendous accomplishment! Loved the documentary!

Anonymous

I don't remember when I saw you last this glowing-happy-and good looking<3 Very proud of you!

Anonymous

Congrats, loved the documentary and behind the scenes video! I think the length of the documentary was good, you accurately captured Ken's relationship with the town and it's people. I didn't event notice that you did not put clips from his most popular movies, because you interested me with these less known titles I never heard of before. Now waiting for "Abroad in Space", I think it would be a hit 😏

Anonymous

chris did you manage to get a pot of kens K-Port spice for your noodle bar?

Anonymous

I knew right from the start, with the sound of the intro music, that this would be a great documentary. I wonder, does Ken understand all your English questions or was it necessary to have them translated into Japanese?

Jonathan Talbot

You are rather hard on yourself at times chris. It was a fantastic documentary. Beautifully edited it’s far above the standard of most tv

Anonymous

I'm so glad to hear that you're happy with the documentary. I think it was phenomenal indeed. Very professionally put together, and you can definitely tell a lot of effort went into it. Honestly, I wish I had become a patron sooner.

Anonymous

I'm glad to be around to see this happen. Always knew ya was destined for greatness. I pledged to the right person. =D

Anonymous

can u give the full interview? would like to see the uncut version

The Vernes

That was great! I'm intrigued though, how many anecdotes are on the cutting room floor. And is there a reason we couldn't hear him sing. I'm guessing he's pretty good cos they let him do it on stage 🙂 🎵Shall..we..dance..da dum dum dum🎵

Anonymous

Agreed; you’re your own worst critic! Chris, we are all so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.

Anonymous

Glad that this is over and done with Chris. Please get back to making more videos about things to do and see in Japan!

Anonymous

I really enjoyed the documentary, Ken looks like a genuine good man, actions speak louder than words. Regarding the production companies who didn’t reply: so stupid, it’s literally free advertising! I actually looked for Tanpopo, next on my watching list!

Anonymous

I never would have known this stuff was happening when I watched the documentary like I never would have guessed you only had two hours of sleep in the footage lol you seemed calm and collected to me. As far as what’s next I always wondered.. your thoughts on Gaki no Tsukai. The new year event where Japanese comedians are punished for laughing that inspired the silent library concept. If you heard of them, watched it or have negative or positive views on it. I can’t recall if you ever spoken about it

Ivotron

is there any chance for an extended cut of the documentary for patreon?

Anonymous

Hi Chris -- love your work and the behind-the-scenes content! Just want to say good job doing the "right" thing regarding copyright despite Japan's lack of a fair-use provision. And the best thing is no one needs a photo to remind them of The Last Samurai or Inception anyway!

Anonymous

Chris congratz again on the documentary! You really came a long way in 10 years from filming yourself talking into a phone to something like this. Do you think this video truly solidifies you on the throne for being the best youtuber in Japan?:P And also, would you be dissapointed if the video doesn't do well in terms of views compared to some of your other popular videos?

Anonymous

Well, Patreon Community I decided to watch the Last Samurai since I have never watched it before. I cried the whole last 45 mins of the movie! Also, watched the Demon Slayer Movie this weekend and cried at the end of that too. I'm turning into a real sap in my old age! Chris, great documentary! Thanks for introducing me to a phenomenal actor. I just subscribed to HBO in preparation for Tokyo Vice. Hopefully I don't cry when I watch that too. 😂 I look for what the AiJ channel has in store for us. Also, glad you aren't leaving Japan.

garrett1433

Hey Chris what is the song you used for the ending part of this video? It's really soothing!

Vagabond Turtle

It is an absolute peak in your career that you met him. HIM! I was following you for years and years and it made my day to see you having that documentary with Watanabe Ken! Huge congratulations, Chris! So what’s next?:)

Anonymous

This was awesome! I loved the interview but it was also funny to hear how awkward things were, haha! You're doing a great job, as usual. How's the studio clean up going? Got that leak fixed yet?

Susan Ray

You are so funny. Japanese people don’t do sarcasm-didn’t you say that? I think you are hard on yourself. The documentary was great and if Ken liked then it’s perfect. I watched all the horrid videos of the tsunami damage in Kessenuma, so I was struck by the transformation. The port area is so beautiful. Thank you for the drone footage to showcase the rebirth. I want to take the Iwate train up the coast to see that area 11 years later. I hope I can pull it off.

Amilie Van Acker

Would it be an idea to put the interview with Ken in his restaurant online as a podcast? I’d love to hear what he had to say…