Billy's Bootcamp is an exercise program developed by Billy Blanks. It created a pop culture phenomenon in Japan in 2007, much like Tae Bo did in the U.S. earlier, selling more than 200,000 copies in May of the same year alone.[1]
Billy Blanks visited Japan on June 21, 2007 to promote Bootcamp.[2] Upon arrival Blanks was greeted by 200 Japanese fans who affectionately call him "Taicho" (Japanese: 隊長, chief) at Narita International Airport.[3] Blanks appeared on many Japanese TV shows during his ten-day stay in Japan such as SMAP×SMAP where Shingo Katori, a member of popular Japanese boy band SMAP, impersonated Blanks.[4]
References
- ^ "ビリーの減量ＤＶＤ大人気 メタボ対策の通販商品". Kyodo News. Archived from the original on 2007-06-20. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
- ^ "ビリーズブートキャンプがやってきた！". Nikkan Sports. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
- ^ "ビリー隊長来日、成田空港でファン200人歓迎". Sports Nippon. Archived from the original on 2007-06-25. Retrieved 2007-06-21.
- ^ "ビリー、２０日来日…ダイエットＤＶＤ「ブートキャンプ」ブレーク". Sports Hochi. Archived from the original on 2007-06-20. Retrieved 2007-06-18.