Episode 35: Boosting Recognition

March 12, 2026

I went to bed early again yesterday. I set my alarm for 7:00 AM, but I woke up at 4:00 AM and couldn't get back to sleep. What a disaster! Well, not really—I just had to use the time effectively.

I thought about watching Netflix and my eyes immediately landed on Kingdom: Return of the Great General. I’ve always loved Records of the Three Kingdoms, so I can easily immerse myself in the world of Chinese historical epics. Plus, Togi Makabe-san is in this movie! He plays a very important role as "Hairou," a member of the Hi Shin Unit. Seeing a pro-wrestler appearing on TV or in a movie makes me so happy that I can’t help but get sucked in.

While you can’t say that "Recognition = Ticket Sales" with 100% certainty, increasing the number of wrestlers that "everyone knows" is one of the key challenges for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. To achieve that, media appearances are vital. Currently, NJPW has a business partnership with the talent agency Amuse. While we get direct offers at the NJPW office, the projects that come through Amuse tend to be much larger in scale, which is fantastic.

However, to appear on TV, you need a personality that sticks in the viewers' minds. For Makabe-san, it’s being a "sweets lover." For Honma-san, it’s that "raspy voice." As for me, I’m "fairly smart" (according to my own self-assessment), so I used to get invited to quiz shows quite often... though things didn't always go as planned.

In terms of my own career in entertainment, the most unforgettable experience was starring in the movie My Dad is a Heel Wrestler. Practicing my diction, acting rehearsals, and filming from early morning until late at night—everything was a first for me. It reminded me that "no matter how old you get, there is always something new to learn."

With our current roster being so stacked with talent, I want to strengthen our media strategy and further boost our athletes' recognition. Just as seeing Makabe-san in Kingdom made me happy, I hope the day comes when you can see pro-wrestlers on all sorts of programs outside of wrestling broadcasts. Alright! Time to go consult with the relevant departments!

And hey, I'm even open to being sold as a "set deal" alongside other wrestlers! (lol).