Former Hello! Project idol Erina Mano appeared on Fuji TV’s “Keru to Meru” on August 31 and, for the first time on television, opened up about secret behind-the-scenes World Cup stories from married life with her husband, Japan national team midfielder Gaku Shibasaki. The show also featured a segment where Travis Japan’s Shimekake proposed nutrient-packed meals for a J-League player’s wife. On 5ch’s Hello! Project board, comments piled up nostalgically over her rare TV appearance (“She’s alive?!”, “Haven’t seen her in 10 years”), while the thread also buzzed over the reason behind Shibasaki’s tears and reminiscences tied to a national teammate’s reported relationship.
What people said
1AnonymousAug 31, 2026 22:37
You can try it yourself tomorrow! Travis Japan's Shimekake proposes nutrient-packed meals for a J-League player's wife!
Erina Mano, wife of Gaku Shibasaki — one of the finest midfielders in Japan national team history — reveals secret World Cup stories on TV for the first time
Keru to Meru ▼ Travis Japan's Shimekake proposes nutritious meals! Erina Mano reveals secret World Cup stories on TV for the first time 🈑
3AnonymousAug 31, 2026 22:47
The die-hard Mano fans ("Manofure") are probably already asleep by now
4AnonymousAug 31, 2026 22:56
Mano-eri, you're still alive?! (lol)
When was the last time she was even on TV??
6AnonymousAug 31, 2026 22:58
Gaku's finally hitting his stride too
7AnonymousAug 31, 2026 22:58
LMAOOOO the guy who actually bought Mano-brand work gloves
https://n.picvr.net/2608312257384473.jpg
8AnonymousAug 31, 2026 22:58
Can't believe Mano-chan actually cried
9AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:03
Isn't Aomori Yamada the high school with a ton of scandals?
10AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:03
First time seeing her in 10 years
11AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:03
Chicken breast, of course
12AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:04
Where else are you gonna find a 35-year-old this gorgeous
13AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:04
So cute cute~
14AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:05
He hasn't really been in top form since getting married, huh
15AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:05
Dating is at your own risk
16AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:06
So he's back home right now?
17AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:07
Doesn't look like she's expecting (no baby bump)
19AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:07
If Kashima Antlers lose, the supporters absolutely tear into them
21AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:10
If they lose, Ogata rips into them
24AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:12
Right, she's Shibasaki Erina now, obviously
26AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:13
She used to play for Gattas, so she actually knows her soccer (a women's team she once played for)
33AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:19
Uh ohhh
Ogi's getting all heart-eyes
35AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:20
Is Shibasaki playing for a team in Japan right now?
37AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:20
I could tell right away those were tears of frustration
Especially against Spain
And of all people, the guy who scored plays the same position as him — the boyfriend of Airi, who isn't even into soccer, ugh, worst timing lol
Of course you can't fully celebrate when the husband you live with doesn't get his due
39AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:21
The "Ant-losers" (mocking nickname for Kashima Antlers) only ever score off set pieces
40AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:22
I wonder if she already knew about Ao and Airi's relationship
45AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:23
Re: #40
It was after the dating rumors broke, during the 2022 World Cup
42AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:22
I always scream with joy at goals, but imagining how Mano-chan must've felt, I kept quiet on Twitter this time
44AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:23
She's starting to look like one of the Kamishiraishi sisters
46AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:24
Wonder if she'll make a comeback as a mom-talent now
48AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:28
Happened to catch it and Mano-chan was on, lol
Too cute, dying
49AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:29
She outshone the entire Hello! Project lineup put together
51AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:31
Seeing Mano-chan again makes you realize… current Hello! Project's visuals are kind of lacking
52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:33
Tanaka Ao was the one to blame for the Brazil match, so maybe God really does exist after all
54AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:35
No no, they haven't broken up, they haven't
Like I'd fall for that lol
55AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:37
Back in 2022, after the dating rumors with Airi went public and got confirmed,
Tanaka Ao scored off Mitoma Kaoru's miracle 1mm assist
2026 turned out to be the exact opposite
62AnonymousSep 1, 2026 00:38
Re: #55
They haven't broken up, so it's not really the exact opposite
60AnonymousAug 31, 2026 23:54
She was insanely cute
So jealous
61AnonymousSep 1, 2026 00:00
Don't really care about Airi or whatever
But I'm jealous of Mano-chan's husband
Background and Talking Points
Erina Mano is known as a former solo idol from Hello! Project who, since marrying, has largely stayed out of the spotlight — which is why the thread filled up with surprised reactions like “She’s alive?!” and “Haven’t seen her in 10 years.” The other major focus was the reason behind the tears her husband Gaku Shibasaki shed during the World Cup, tied to reminiscing about a national teammate’s reported relationship, with some posts even drawing comparisons between the 2022 and 2026 tournaments. That said, as exchanges like “they haven’t broken up” and “that’s just speculation” show, none of this was necessarily stated outright on the program itself — it’s largely built on fans’ memories and guesswork. Whether Mano will resume activity as a “mom talent” going forward also wasn’t explicitly announced on the show, and should be read as fans getting ahead of themselves.
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