"Channel 3" saved my summer vacation
Our TV at home only had four channels. The town where I was born and raised didn't have a signal from Tokyo. There were only two local commercial channels. So on our remote control, only the numbers 1, 3, 4, and 6 were faded. For me as a boy, NHK (especially Educational TV) was a lifeline.
During the summer holidays when I was in the lower grades of elementary school, as soon as my working parents left for work, I would immediately switch the channel to "3." I remember watching NHK Educational TV all the time, starting with "Pitagoras Switch" or "Stretchman," followed by "Nyakki!" from "Puchi Puchi Anime," "Ganko-chan of the Buzzing Forest," "Quintet," and "Ojarumaru," until my mother came home around 6 p.m. (To be precise, there are probably some programs that weren't on at the same time, but my memories are a bit jumbled).
The end of "Dramatic Earth" was the cue to eat dinner. It had a good balance of natural science and history, and although it was only 45 minutes long, it aired interesting documentaries from around the world selected for children. The stories of mysterious phenomena and ancient creatures I learned about from there still remain in the back of my mind.
When I was in sixth grade, the historical drama "Fuurinkazan" started airing. I started watching it because it was set in my hometown, but I quickly became addicted. I visited the filming locations in the city and the famous sites introduced in the travelogue section at the end of the series, and I bought all the related books that were lined up at the local bookstore and read them all.
I enjoyed compiling the information I gathered in my notebook, and I remember spending all my free time holed up in my room. Looking back, I think it was this experience that led to my current job.
I never imagined that someone like me would be making a feature for NHK. I would especially like to tell my younger self how much I enjoyed interviewing "Pitagoras Switch," Ganko-chan, and Nyanchoo, who were such a big part of my childhood.
What I felt while covering the show was that adults are making children's programs with serious intent. In today's world, where everything is driven by capitalism and aimed at adults, this kind of content is truly valuable.
That's why I chose Channel 3 back then. I feel like I was able to find the answer to that question through this special feature.
