Episode 127: The Kingdom Connection
August 8, 2026
The other day, I went to the theater to watch the movie Kingdom, which features my senior Makabe-paisen!
Watching the young Shin grow alongside his comrades after Great General O Ki departs made me think, "Responsibility? Resolve? What is it that makes a person grow?" After the movie ended—without even knowing from whose perspective I was making this judgment—I found myself thinking, "Wouldn't it be so interesting to bring this exact worldview into New Japan Pro-Wrestling?"
There's so much to learn from Kingdom, but what I felt most strongly was the proposition of "How to fight after the Ace is gone." Heh heh heh. The self-praise here is getting out of hand (laughs).
The state of Qin, having lost its absolute pillar in Great General O Ki, temporarily falls into chaos. However, Shin and the others each discover their own roles and forge a new form of strength.
It seems Tanahashi wants to say... This is exactly the same as our ring right now.
From an era of relying on Great General O Ki to an era where each wrestler sharpens their own weapons and carries their own story into battle.
There's no need for any single person to be "O Ki." Shin, Ka Ryo Ten, Kyou Kai—they all carve out the battlefield with their own unique specialties.
In New Japan Pro-Wrestling as well, every single wrestler gathered for the G1 is fighting aiming for "their own unification of the realm." It is truly a warring states picture scroll.
And above all, Shin's charm lies in the fact that he is "not yet complete." I think his very craving to become stronger is what captures the hearts of the audience.
Rather than perfection in strength, it's the sight of someone growing that truly resonates.
From newly debuted young lions to veterans, everyone fights carrying their own "something that's still lacking."
Perhaps that very craving is what pulls the fans in...
Now then, who will be the next one to become the "Great General of the Heavens"? The answer should become clear in the battles ahead.
...Which is why you MUST watch G1 CLIMAX 36!
AND! Building on those results, New Japan Pro-Wrestling heads toward our big Dome show at the beginning of the year: Wrestle...
【KINGDOM】.