Ten-thousand Kumamons doing an elaborate Busby Berkeley-style dance routine to Kyu Sakamoto's international 1963 hit "Sukiyaki"? A 100-meter Hatsune Miku towering over the stadium while 80,000 spectators crane their necks for a glimpse up her skirt? Newly elected Prime Minister Pamyu Pamyu speeding up a ramp and jumping into the stadium on Kaneda's bike from "Akira" to deliver the "Idolympic" Torch?
The announcement that Tokyo had been chosen as the host for the 2020 Olympics set off a frenzy of speculation as to what the opening ceremony could look like, with ideas ranging from the fearful (any involvement of Johnny & Associates artists) to the wishful (fully functional Gundam Mobile Suits). One thing that's for certain is that Japanese culture will be thrust into the full glare of the world's spotlight, and the resulting event will say a lot about how the country wishes to be seen.
Both Beijing (2008) and London (2012) placed their opening ceremonies in the hands of internationally acclaimed, award-winning filmmakers with strong groundings in theatre, but Zhang Yimou and Danny Boyle took different approaches to the music. China focused on classical music and elaborate, tightly drilled performances. London wisely avoided mimicking that spectacle and instead emphasized a sense of looseness and diversity, with a soundtrack that winked at the classics but accentuated pop.