I became a fan the moment after I saw the trailer for Nico at the movie theater...
My friend and I took one look at him, and then we looked at eachother and were 'like wow, who is that???'
He was totally stunning and magentic...I didn't know his real name until I saw the film though, but I do remember that after seeing the dojo scenes in the film, I knew he was totally amazing and unique...
I thought he looked brilliant in the hakama, and still does...
And I had never, ever seen such a powerul and graceful man, and never seen anyone flip anyone like that, and also had never heard of Aikido...I think I was also very tickled at the way he did the demo, maybe I felt much like he did when he saw his first demo, only a lot more romantically attracted...
I also became very curious at the way spoke Japanese so well, I thought he was at least partially asian, and oh, I remember noting those yummy sideburns that he wore, they were so charmingly handsome, and kissable, plus those devestatingly dark, and brooding eyes, just as they are in that pic up there in the header, I have to admit it was all a very powerful and totally intoxicating combination, and I am guessing now, that I was very deeply enamored at that time, maybe more than I realize, however I did feel that he was way too thin, and I have always much preferred the ponytail and the extra pounds..But that spirit, charisma and charm was always there, he's just got even more now, and he's even more dignified and wise...I am thinking this movie came to egypt in 1989, but it could have been late 1988, we got things much later than in the states...