If anyone, like me, loves the Olympics, and was super excited about it being in Tokyo this summer, is feeling pretty bummed that it has been postponed due to COVID-19. Japan and the Olympics committee did a good call on making that decision to remain safe. While the rest of the world is trying to tackle this pandemic and in search for a possible vaccine, we can only reflect and still predict what the opening ceremony will look like.

Rewind four years ago, when the closing ceremony occurred in Brazil, and it was revealed that Japan was to be in charge of the 2020 Olympics, I was screaming with excitement. To everyone who’s into Anime, Nintendo, the whole Japanese culture in its entirety, they too were probably joyful as well. Already we were talking about how the opening ceremony would look like. I mean, that part when Mario grabbed the ball, went through the pipe, traveled back to Japan, and the Prime Minister appeared out…WHO WOULDN’T GET EXCITED ABOUT THAT!

There were then talks how 2020 Tokyo Olympics were a parallel to the 2019 Neo Tokyo as the film “Akira” predicted. Would Mario be in the opening ceremony and all his pals? Will there be any anime characters revealed? The Japanese history and culture would be painted right in front of our very own eyes. I was already geared up for front row seat in my living to watch it all unfold in 2020.

Now, fast forward to four years later, a new reality has set in. The summer is still uncertain for travel or any kind of activity since the Coronavirus have become widespread. We can still remain hopeful for the Tokyo Olympics for 2021, while still debating on how the ceremony will pan out. Either way, they now have extra time to prepare and produce something super awesome that will wow us.

Countdown restarts.