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The story
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
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 🈑
When was the last time she was even on TV??
https://n.picvr.net/2608312257384473.jpg
Ogi's getting all heart-eyes
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
It was after the dating rumors broke, during the 2022 World Cup
Too cute, dying
Like I'd fall for that lol
Tanaka Ao scored off Mitoma Kaoru's miracle 1mm assist
2026 turned out to be the exact opposite
They haven't broken up, so it's not really the exact opposite
So jealous
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.
※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hello! Project) thread “■ Erina Mano ■ Fuji TV 『Keru to Meru ▼ Shimekake proposes nutritious meals! Erina Mano reveals secret World Cup stories on TV for the first time』 ■ 23:00–23:30 ■“.
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