Episode 97: The Light and Shadow of the "G1"
June 25, 2026
Every morning, I arrive at the office and check my emails. I also make it a point to read through every single fan message sent to our smartphone site. Right now, this has become a massive source of vitality for me.
Now, regarding the recent June 23rd Korakuen Hall event. The ferocious, tremendous heat from the fans was vibrating directly through me. Especially surrounding this G1 Entry Tournament, I’m sure the hearts of all the fans were heavily shaken.
Through the fan mail, I received a mountain of incredibly passionate, earnest voices saying things like, "I really wanted to see YOSHI-HASHI or Taichi make it into the G1," or "My heart was wrenched by the harsh reality of winning and losing."
The summer festival of the pro-wrestling world, the "G1 CLIMAX." If that glittering, glamorous stage of the main tournament represents the 【light】, then the tears and agonizing frustration of the wrestlers who didn't even get the chance to step onto that stage can truly be described as the 【shadow】.
Not everyone can get in. But it is precisely because of this restriction that an intense, premium value is born, and the wrestlers who are officially entered get fired up all the more.
I, too, know the bitter pain of being left out of the G1 all too well. That summer when I lost to Oleg Boltin and missed out on entry... even now, I can still vividly recall the hollow, empty hole left in my chest, and how incredibly lonely it felt.
However, as the man who leads New Japan Pro-Wrestling today, I must squarely face this harsh reality of "limited spots."
Yet, I personally believe that it is within this very "shadow" that the fundamental, intrinsic beauty of professional wrestling resides.
The earth-shattering, roaring cheers echoing for YOSHI-HASHI, and the sheer, unyielding pride put on display by Taichi.
The brighter the light of the G1 shines, the more the radiance of these men fighting in the shadows will be deeply and forcefully etched into the hearts of every fan.
The frustration of the wrestlers who missed out, and the immense love for pro-wrestling from all of you who feel that frustration as if it were your own—I find it incredibly precious. I have full faith that they will take even this bitter disappointment and forge it into their future energy.
Finally, this year's G1 is right around the corner. Just between you and me, when a wrestler absorbs the passionate cheers of the crowd, they become creatures capable of moving limitlessly, regardless of how much damage they’ve sustained or how blown up their lungs are.
At every single venue, please pour your absolute maximum support into the competing wrestlers! Thank you!