Demon Kogure, vocalist of the rock band Seikima-II, appeared as a guest on TOKYO MX’s “5-ji ni Muchu!” (“Crazy at 5”) on the 9th. While breaking down this month’s overhaul of grand sumo’s rules — the first change in 71 years — he weighed in on who gets picked for the broadcasts. “Lately it’s all just promo tie-ins, isn’t it?” he said, calling out NHK’s choice of guests and noting that about 70% of the shows on the lineup bring on drama cast members as guests. He then griped that despite being a well-known sumo enthusiast himself, he’s never once been invited onto the sumo broadcast in all these years. On 5ch, posts piled up venting about NHK’s programming choices and reminiscing about the reputations of celebrities who’ve guested on the broadcast in the past.
Demon Kogure Weighs In on Sumo Broadcast: “Isn’t It All Just Promo Tie-Ins?” — Never Invited Himself, He Grumbles
“Demon Kogure of the rock band Seikima II appeared as a guest on TOKYO MX’s “5-ji ni Muchu!” (weekdays, 5:00 p.m.) on the 9th and shared his opinion on NHK’s choice of program guests.
He picked up on the topic of grand sumo’s rules being revised this month for the first time in 71 years, with Demon Kogure — well known as a sumo enthusiast — offering his analysis.
NHK's awful, man.
They make segments on their own shows promoting their other shows.
It's basically a scheme to build an echo chamber among NHK viewers.
7AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:28
Matsushige Yutaka's on constantly — is that a promo thing too?
8AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:28
Is he the one who paints his face white like Baka-Dono?" (a slapstick "foolish lord" character known for white face paint)
10AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:30
More than that, what's really annoying is those puff-piece web articles like "So-and-so was spotted in the box seats! The internet goes wild!" The morning dramas get the same treatment.
Honestly the license fee should just be like 100 yen a month.
11AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:31
I do think it was good that his calm commentary during the sumo broadcasts boosted his reputation, but I don't think it helped that he kept showing up all over NHK's sports news doing that old "Wahahaha! I am Demon Kogure!" bit every single time.
He gave level-headed commentary after that, but my grandparents were still yelling "who on earth is this guy?!"
12AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:31
Was Sisonne on for some promo too?" (a comedy duo)
13AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:32
Terrestrial sumo broadcasts run that "Sign up for NHK ONE! Pay your license fee!" segment twice a day, and it sets off the live-commentary crowd every single time.
14AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:32
Kotokaze's commentary isn't that fun, so I kind of want him to show up again already." (Kotokaze, a former wrestler turned commentator)
16AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:32
This isn't just a sumo thing, but it's like they want to invite someone with zero interest in the sport — not one micron's worth — just to cause an on-air disaster.
17AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:32
I think it was when Hakuho retired, but for some reason His Excellency showed up on "Viewpoint, Discussion Point" lol" (an NHK current-affairs commentary show)
18AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:33
Kuninaka Ryoko is apparently a sumo fan, but her commentary was hopelessly boring. Still, nothing changes the fact that Kobuhei remains the undisputed worst guest ever.
19AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:33
It's because he keeps saying he wants to see Kotonomiya soon, right, Your Excellency? lol
Of course it gets awkward to put him on air once he starts bringing up the whole exiled Kotomitsuki business lol
Just wait a little longer and you'll get to see Kotonomiya, so hang in there for now.
20AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:35
It was kind of funny when he said his fever hit 100,039 degrees when he caught COVID." (a riff on his "I've lived 100,000 years" demon shtick)
51AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:58
Re: #20
Hotter than the sun lol
21AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:35
Go, go, go, go, Daitetsu, you got this!
24AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:36
Re: #21
You got this, Daitetsu
22AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:35
So would he show up if ABEMA made him an offer? ABEMA's sumo broadcast brings on guests sometimes too.
23AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:35
If Dosukoi-ken is fine having Noumachi Mineko on, there's no reason they couldn't put Demon Kogure on too." (Dosukoi-ken, an NHK sumo segment)
25AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:36
What's five years when you've lived 100,000 years? That's basically a rounding error, right?
65AnonymousOct 9, 2026 19:33
Re: #25
So it's "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End" but with Demon Kogure?" (riffing on the anime about a centuries-old elf)
27AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:36
When asked who his favorite wrestler is, he answered "Raiden Tameemon" and it totally fell flat." (a legendary sumo wrestler from centuries ago)
30AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:38
Even after living 100,000 years, this is the best he's got.
Really shows that "older means wiser and more insightful" is a complete myth.
31AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:39
He should just come out and say "Invite me already!" instead of whining "It's all promo tie-ins!" — that's just embarrassing.
33AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:41
Re: #24
Why not just invite him together with Minamino Yoko?
35AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:43
Demon Kogure didn't hold back: "Lately it's all just promo tie-ins, isn't it?"
He pointed out, "Every single guest is from an NHK drama. Sumo, other sports, same deal. Even the sports specials are all drama cast guests."
He went on, "Something like 70% of the shows on the lineup have drama cast members as guests, right?" and griped, "And on top of not inviting me, they keep making shows like that."
Facts don't care about feelings lmaooooo
38AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:45
Even after the court case was settled, he kept stubbornly insisting "Kotomitsuki should be reinstated," and people got sick of it, didn't they?
52AnonymousOct 9, 2026 18:59
He called out an announcer's wording live on air, after all.
That probably didn't win him any fans.
54AnonymousOct 9, 2026 19:00
Re: #52
The announcer said "grandma," so he just gently suggested it'd be better to say "the lady" instead.
76AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:04
Isn't it because he rebranded himself as "His Excellency"? Rather than Kogure, I'd rather see Matsushige Yutaka, Dondenn, or Ichikawa Saya on again.
81AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:15
Re: #76
Kogure is "Shake" — he's Sugisaki Hana's dad.
78AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:11
I'd like them to invite Commissioner Konno Misako on, just once.
84AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:19
Re: #78
Nah, bring on Nagamine Yuki instead.
82AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:18
Wait, aren't most of the sumo broadcast guests athletes? Was there even a promo angle?
91AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:31
Re: #82
Kuninaka Ryoko, the other day.
98AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:53
These days when it comes to sumo, I see Noumachi Mineko more than Demon Kogure.
99AnonymousOct 9, 2026 20:58
Re: #98
I want to see a bout between Demon and Noumachi.
Background and Key Points of This Topic
NHK’s grand sumo broadcasts have settled into a format where celebrity guests are invited alongside the regular commentators, and Demon Kogure himself has appeared multiple times in the past, including around Hakuho’s retirement. At the same time, there’s a growing perception in recent years that many such appearances double as promotion for a drama or film, and the thread split between those agreeing with his “it’s all just promo tie-ins” take and those who coolly viewed the complaint itself as unbecoming, saying “if he’s not getting invited, he should just say so.” It’s also been noted that one reason NHK may be keeping its distance from him is his continued public defense of former sekiwake Kotomitsuki, who was dismissed over the 2010 baseball-gambling scandal — a wrinkle the main story alone doesn’t fully convey, since this isn’t simply a matter of popularity or skill.
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