The Lives of Eccentrics - Episode 4
Showman of the Century Who Launched Oliver: Yoshio Kou (オリバー君を仕掛けた世紀の興行師『康 芳夫』, Oribā-kun o Shikaketa Seiki no Kōgyōshi "Kō Yoshio"), simply titled Yoshio Kou (康 芳夫, Kō Yoshio) in its original serialization, is the fourth episode of The Lives of Eccentrics series, written by Hirohiko Araki and illustrated by Hirohisa Onikubo. It was originally published in Ultra Jump on February 19, 2003. In the volumization, this chapter serves as the second chapter of the series.
Summary
In 1976, a 39-year-old man named Yoshio Kou prepares to board a plane to Japan, bringing with him a human-like creature with 47 chromosomes from the Congo named Oliver. Despite looking like a shaved chimpanzee, Oliver carries several human-like traits; as humans have 46 chromosomes and chimpanzees have 48, Kou intends to promote Oliver as the missing link between the two species. Kou brought the creature to Japan intending to present it on live television (and also intending to avoid the scrutiny of animal rights groups). Nippon TV presents him in a special program, resulting in their ratings rising to 22.5%. Magazines and newspapers covering Oliver quickly sell out as well.
At the height of Oliver's fame, Kou notices him reading an erotic magazine and gets an idea. Kou proposes letting Oliver mate with a live human female live on camera. Though members of the media doubt that any woman would be willing to do so, Kou introduces a 19-year-old unknown talent who is more than willing to bear Oliver's child. As the woman makes a contract with the media, Kou watches on and savors the attention his bizarre idea will elicit.
Yoshio Kou was born in 1937 in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and a Chinese father. Despite being discriminated against due to his mixed blood, Kou's forcefulness and sinister gaze ensured that he was never bullied. Growing up during the war, Kou was conflicted about Japan's position in the conflict, and even more so regarding the shift in its culture after the war. In 1955, Kou struck a deal with a Korean yakuza to manage their finances and deliver food to local Chinese people. One day, Kou noticed a group of people fascinated by what was advertised to be a snake with the head of a woman. Fascinated by the audience's ability to wholeheartedly believe such a boldfaced lie, Kou went into show business.
Kou began his new career by partnering with Japanese businessman Akira Jin to bring Russian shows to Japan as a form of money laundering. Kou would go on to promote all types of events, including concerts, festivals, races, hunts for mythical creatures, and boxing matches. Later, in 1977, Kou would arrange a fight between a Bengal tiger and a karate master, only for the show to be cancelled at the last minute after animal rights groups contact the country's president. As a result, Kou would lose 180 million yen and leave Haiti in shame.
For the moment, Kou and Oliver arrive at a hotel and book a suite. Oliver's arms and legs are tied, and the broadcast begins. As cameras film her from behind, the woman takes off her clothes and prepares to mount Oliver. Suddenly, Kou bursts into the room and orders the event to be terminated, as tests have concluded that Oliver has 48 chromosomes and is thus a chimpanzee. Oliver breaks free of his arm restraints as the woman is dragged out of the room, despite her pleas to be allowed to continue.
The following day, July 23, 1976, saw the front pages of every newspaper in Japan filled with the revelation of Oliver's true identity. Of course, this had all been Kou's plan from the beginning. Though he would feign disgust at the bizarre experiment in public, Kou privately relished the spectacle of a mere chimpanzee being the single biggest story in the country. Kou continued producing public spectacles for some time after Oliver, but by 2002 his role has mostly been superseded by specialized advertising companies, to his irritation. When asked about the profit he has turned from his various ventures in an interview, Kou dismisses the question, stating that money is nothing compared to the thrills it can give birth to. Incidentally, Oliver is still alive as of the year 2003.
Appearances
Gallery
Ultra Jump March 2003
Page 1, colored
Page 4, colored
Trivia
- In reality, the idea of crossbreeding between Oliver and a human woman was not proposed with a specific individual in mind. A cash prize of 10 million yen was promised as a reward for bearing Oliver's child, reportedly leading many women to apply for the job. In the end, despite a press conference being held and the potential mate being selected by Kou himself, nothing became of the idea, much less any attempted broadcast.
- In real life, Oliver's DNA was not tested until 1996.
- The real Oliver died in his sleep on June 2, 2012 after spending the last years of his life in a Texas animal sanctuary.
References
- Oliver on Wikipedia
- Yoshio Kou on Wikipedia (JP)
