This original trick, first performed by real magician RYOTA on NHK's "Superb Magic Battle Festival" at the end of 2025, caused a sensation.
You can control a balloon at will!
A single balloon, floating in the air with helium gas, begins to move according to the magician's commands: "Go down," "Go up."
The balloon moves up and down in response to the voice, then stops perfectly still in mid-air.
This movement is not due to the whims of the wind. The balloon is clearly being controlled.
As if the balloon understands the words, it moves freely in the space before your eyes, and finally, just one word:
"Burst!"
At that moment, the balloon pops with a brilliant sound.
An overwhelming phenomenon, clearly visible to everyone.
That is "Mind Control Balloon."
【Performance Features】
* A clean performance using no strings whatsoever.
* Analog structure, no electronic devices used.
* Can be performed even in front of an audience.
* The balloon can be burst at any time.
【Note】
To perform this act, you will need to provide your own helium gas cylinder. (A regular helium can is not powerful enough to inflate the rubber balloon.)
FISM Official Judge
Comment from Shinpei Katsuragawa:
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I first saw this performance on a television program and it left a strong impression on me.
A few months later, I had the opportunity to speak directly with RYOTA, and we talked about this piece. I tried to guess the principle and listed all the possibilities I could think of, but they were all wrong.
And the moment I heard the answer, I involuntarily cried out.
"That's it!! I've known this since I was a child!!"
The fundamental principle was right in front of me from the beginning.
An incredibly simple principle, one that everyone must have encountered at least once.
Nevertheless, the moment I realized this fact was truly shocking.
It's been years since I've been so pleasantly and beautifully captivated by a magic trick.
This was an experience that truly made me feel the essence of magic.
However, the value of this work lies not only in the beauty of its principle.
It incorporates layers upon layers of meticulous adjustments and practical ingenuity, the kind only a professional with intimate knowledge of real-world situations where failure is unacceptable could achieve.
"Isn't this already a classic?"
That's how perfectly the core methodology and practical improvements are fused together in this work. It's rare to encounter a work that still appears mysterious even after knowing the principle.
I recommend it with confidence.
FISM Official Judge
Vice President of FISM Asia
Shinpei Katsuragawa
