Japan Reacts

Category: Entertainment

  • Two Hello! Project Members Break Down in Tears at Rehearsal — 5ch Pleads: ‘Please Stop Making Fuku-chan Cry Like This’

    A thread on 5ch dedicated to Hello! Project blew up after an Instagram reel surfaced showing Morning Musume.’s Fukumura Seira and another member tearing up while pushing through a grueling rehearsal. The post also led to fans sharing second-round advance ticket details (accepted 9/17–9/23) for the “M-line Special 2026 Autumn – NOCTURNE –” autumn tour, which hits Shinjuku ReNY on October 11 and November 7, and Kashiwa PALOOZA on November 1. In the thread, opinions clashed over why the tears happened — some dismissed it as “she’s just out of shape from doing solo work for so long,” while others countered that “of course it’s rough once you’re working outside your usual group.” Fans were also split over the venues being livehouse-style.

    Just how brutal was this rehearsal…

    For these two to end up like this is no small thing…

    Source: instagram.com / Original post here

    2AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:49
    Come on out! It'll definitely be fun!
    17AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:03
    Re: #2
    Hey!
    She was giving it everything for our autumn tour, but
    seeing Fuku-chan like this is rough…
    I really do need to make it to at least one show
    4AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:54
    For those of you feeling that way

    🌟Second-round advance tickets now on sale🌟

    M-line Special 2026 Autumn ～NOCTURNE～

    Oct 11 (Sun) & Nov 7 (Sat) — Shinjuku ReNY
    Nov 1 (Sun) — Kashiwa PALOOZA

    🗓Application window: Thu 9/17 18:00 – Wed (holiday) 9/23 23:59

    🔽Full details on the official site
    https://ody-inc.com/

    #MSpeNOCTURNE
    25AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:09
    Re: #4
    𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮
    Shinjuku ReNY, huh — haven't been there since before the pandemic.
    Ooooh, Kashiwa PALOOZA is Matsuzaki-san's livehouse, right? Didn't realize Hello! Project stuff happened at a place like that.
    14AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:59
    She was protected back in Tsubaki Factory.
    Out on her own, this is just how it is.
    16AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:01
    Is it tough enough to make you collapse into an "M-shaped leg spread" (a meme pose for total exhaustion)?
    19AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:06
    Haven't seen Fuku-chan like this since back when she joined Morning Musume. and was struggling every single day.
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:13
    If it's at ReNY, even a crap spot should still have decent sightlines.
    Or so I hear, I dunno.
    34AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:16
    Re: #29
    Yeah, it's easy to see.
    Watching from the back wall at ReNY with your penlight pumped up full blast is pretty fun too.
    31AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:14
    Shh, you're not allowed to point out that Manakan is actually the one stumbling here.
    32AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:15
    It's the same as following Morning Musume.'s auditions over the years, or shows like Gachinko or BreakingDown.
    If you don't do stuff like this, entertainment won't pull in new or casual fans. Longtime otaku enjoy it too.
    36AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:17
    Let Mitsui Aika have the final word on this one:
    "Did you even practice?" (her infamous catchphrase)
    38AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:18
    This overlaps hard with the Morning Musume. road trips I'm already planning around, so it's tricky…

    Personally, maybe Sendai darwin — haven't been in a while —
    or Shinjuku ReNY that same weekend.
    One of those two might be doable.
    42AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:18
    Fuku-chan's family is loaded, so
    if she brought home some random few-thousand-yen mirror, she'd probably get scolded for it
    clashing with the house or whatever.
    43AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:19
    Re: #41
    Don't be soft.
    It's a standing show.
    47AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:19
    Re: #43
    I'm not going into the pit.
    Let me know if they ever do a seated hall show.
    49AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:20
    Putting Morito back to guest status, huh…
    Is that Fukumura's call too?
    56AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:26
    Re: #49
    She's a guest, but "Tii" said she's got a ton of stage time.
    50AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:21
    The star students of Morning Musume. and Tsubaki Factory, the two with the most outstanding skills, reduced to this state…
    51AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:21
    Okay, decision made.
    I'm taking Kiki-chan home with me.
    52AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:22
    Please stop making Fuku-chan cry like this
    53AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:23
    Fukumura asked fans for input on how to get people out to livehouse shows, then never actually did anything with it.
    Guess she caved to all those harsh comments.
    72AnonymousSep 17, 2026 21:02
    Even the ones who aren't singing are probably on stage the whole time as backup dancers, right?
    That's probably why there's a mountain of choreography to memorize.
    77AnonymousSep 17, 2026 21:09
    Re: #72
    As a fan that makes me thrilled, but
    that sounds brutal for the members.
    73AnonymousSep 17, 2026 21:03
    Not trying to be weird here, but
    I always pictured Fuku-chan's place as basically a whole floor of some ultra-luxury condo, like the Johnny's Harajuku dorm (the talent agency's shared trainee housing).
    Even if it's not her own room, you'd think there'd be plenty of full-length mirrors around…
    don't tell me she's started living alone?
    75AnonymousSep 17, 2026 21:04
    Re: #73
    Never mind that, just go buy your tickets already.
    Three shows minimum.
    79AnonymousSep 17, 2026 21:12
    Once the first show wraps and everyone reads the reports, fans will scramble for tickets and it'll be too late.
    82AnonymousSep 17, 2026 21:15
    Re: #79
    𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮
    It's that competitive, huh… I'd better hurry for real.

    Background and key points of the debate

    “M-line Special” is a Hello! Project unit project spanning multiple groups. As mentioned in reply #4, the autumn tour is indeed scheduled for October 11 and November 7 at Shinjuku ReNY and November 1 at Kashiwa PALOOZA, with second-round advance ticket sales opening at 18:00 on September 17. What divided the thread was how to interpret the reason Fukumura Seira and the other member were shown in tears. Some took the cynical view that she was “just out of shape from a long stretch of solo work,” while others defended her, arguing that “life outside Tsubaki Factory, where she was more sheltered, is simply tougher” — and some posters even floated the idea that the video was edited for documentary-style effect. The other sticking point was the venue format: some fans said they’d skip the shows since livehouses are mostly standing-room, while others welcomed the chance to get up close and wave their penlights. Worth noting: the video itself never explains the reason for the tears, so specifics like poor physical condition or brutal choreography remain speculation within the thread.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hello! Project) thread “Look at this, ace performers Fuku-chan and Kiki-chan are rehearsing in tears 🥲 Now I really want to go to the M-line autumn tour…“.

  • BOOWY to Release “Album Cover” T-Shirts — 5ch: “Paying ¥6,600? Too Embarrassing, No Way”

    BOOWY, the rock band that broke up in 1988, remains popular enough that CD and DVD sales still haven’t slowed down 38 years later. On July 2 this year, a remastered recording of their legendary 1986 Budokan concert premiered on YouTube at the exact same start time as the original show. The next development to make waves was the release of T-shirts featuring the album cover art. The topic drew over 40 replies on 5ch’s Geinou/Sports Express+ board — alongside nostalgic comments, plenty of cool reactions showed up too, like “T-shirts, now?” and “¥6,600 is way too much,” and the discussion eventually drifted into the relationship between Kyosuke Himuro and Tomoyasu Hotei and the prospects of a reunion.

    9/17 (Thu) 11:00

    “Welcome to the live house, Budokan.”

    BOOWY, the rock band that disbanded in 1988. Their legendary Budokan concert — famous in part for that opening MC line — took place on July 2, 1986. Now, 40 years later, at 6:30 PM on July 2 this year, the same time the original show began, a newly remastered recording of that concert premiered on YouTube.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    12AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:04
    Crack us up again, like you did with the slot machine (referring to a BOOWY-themed pachislot game)
    13AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:05
    They just slapped on a photo we've already seen
    Nothing new here
    15AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:07
    I remember I started keeping a sugar glider the day Himuro appeared on HEY!x3
    18AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:13
    Even 15 years after breaking up, their legend hasn't faded one bit as popular as ever.
    If anything, sales of the DVDs and such released recently are amazing too.
    That kind of staying power has something in common with pro wrestling. Let's talk it to death!
    By the way, here's my personal top 5:
    1. Kagami no Naka no Marionette (Marionette in the Mirror)
    2. B・BLUE
    3. DREAMIN'
    4. ONLY YOU
    5. Wagamama Juliet (Selfish Juliet) (maybe a bit too deep-cut lol)
    21AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:15
    Re: #18
    That's probably already forgotten by now
    52AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:41
    Re: #18
    Over 20 years since this was first posted and it's still got flavor lol
    85AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:19
    Re: #18
    It's been 38 years since BOOWY broke up, you idiot!
    Come back when you've got your facts straight
    20AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:15
    You're always so cool
    selling off your heart and body piece by piece!
    Racking up numbers and actually being popular
    aren't the same thing, you easy teenage girl
    Even if you're good at juggling love and romance
    there's no future and no substance to it
    if all you've got is an easy reputation

    I absolutely love these lyrics
    22AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:17
    They've already squeezed out every last bit of footage and audio,
    and now it's finally come down to T-shirts.
    26AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:20
    I love the band, but
    actually wearing that shirt now is kind of
    embarrassing.
    27AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:21
    Is the ultimate goal a reunion of the three members, minus the drummer?
    28AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:22
    Recommend me a good album
    38AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:32
    Re: #28
    PSYCHOPATH
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:23
    A white shirt with the Beat Emotion cover art would be great
    I'd been thinking of making one myself for ages
    31AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:25
    Merch like this gets sold regardless of what the members themselves actually want
    34AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:26
    "Beat Emotion" isn't a BOØWY song (it's an album title, not a track name)
    37AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:31
    My bad… but PSYCHOPATH is the one I might actually want
    40AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:34
    Back in the day they used to sell tons of these on Takeshita Street in Harajuku
    I remember buying a few myself
    41AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:34
    Himuro probably wasn't the most musically trained, but he kept up the cool-guy act to the very end — gotta respect that
    42AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:35
    It's BØOWY, right?
    Writing it "BOOWY" is such a newbie move

    (a post I saw on X)
    43AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:36
    The fans are all getting up there in age now
    You can't really wear a shirt like this except at a live show
    44AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:36
    Don't need this stuff —
    just hurry up and release the footage from day two of "Honky," the Last Gigs show
    45AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:36
    They used to sell these in Harajuku, Ueno, and Osu
    There were these odd specialty shops for T-shirts and rock "black clothes" gear
    47AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:38
    Abdullah Kobayashi is a Himurock fan too (Himurock = nickname for Himuro)
    64AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:05
    Re: #47
    Someone said Tanaka from the comedy duo Bakushou Mondai shows up in Himurock's live video "ONE NIGHT STANDS"
    53AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:41
    I finally get why Himuro won't do a reunion

    It's Hotei and Takahashi
    61AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:56
    Re: #53
    Not doing a reunion is fine and all, but
    then don't go and do solo shows that are all BOOWY songs
    His retirement show even opened and closed with BOOWY songs
    What he says and what he does just don't add up, Himuro
    55AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:43
    I'd buy it if it looked like this

    67AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:05
    Hotei openly said things like "I want to invite Himurock but I can't get in touch with him" — he seemed pretty into the idea of a reunion
    68AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:05
    Well, they just keep squeezing out more and more merch, huh
    69AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:07
    Re: #68
    Apparently not a single yen of it actually goes to the members themselves though.
    83AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:18
    Honestly none of their album covers really do it for me
    If I had to pick one it'd be "Instant Love," but that one's not on Toshiba so it doesn't really count
    86AnonymousSep 17, 2026 20:21
    Re: #83
    The songs on "Instant Love" are the best too, honestly

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    It’s been 38 years since BOOWY disbanded in 1988, but projects riding on their enduring popularity keep coming — this July, a remastered recording of their legendary 1986 Budokan concert premiered on YouTube at the same start time as the original show. The T-shirt release is part of that same trend, and opinions in the thread split mainly along two lines: the price and practicality question of “would you really pay ¥6,600 for an album-cover T-shirt these days,” and a gap in expectations over “will this actually build momentum toward a reunion, or is it just more merchandising.” On the relationship between Kyosuke Himuro and Tomoyasu Hotei, some posts mentioned things like “Hotei wants to invite Himuro but can’t reach him,” reflecting both a desire for a reunion and a sense of realistic distance between the two. As for how much of the merchandise revenue actually reaches the members themselves, the thread only contains unverified rumors like “apparently none of it goes to them” — no official statement has been confirmed.

    *This article is compiled as an excerpt and summary of the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Express+) thread “BOOWY: After the Budokan Concert Stream, Fans’ Hearts Race Over New “Album Cover T-Shirt” Release — More Developments Fuel Hopes for the “Ultimate Goal”.”

  • Junior comedians worry about Tetsuro Degawa’s picky eating: “He won’t live long” — can’t drink water, hooked on juice instead

    Tetsuro Degawa appeared on TV Tokyo’s “Zubora ni Kenko! Karada ni Iiwake” (roughly, “Lazy but Healthy: Excuses for Your Body”) on the 16th, where his eating habits came under the spotlight in a segment about managing blood sugar. His close friend Kazuki Iio of the comedy duo Zun revealed in a video message that Degawa “can’t drink water” and “loves carbonated drinks and fresh juice,” prompting fellow comedians to voice concern about his life expectancy. This sparked a debate on 5ch between users who consider excess sugar intake more dangerous than alcohol and those who countered that it isn’t carcinogenic. The thread went on to bring up an anecdote about Warren Buffett, a debate over zero-sugar cola, and even whether talent on food shows should be required to submit health checkup results.

    Sep 17 (Thu) 17:06

    Comedian Tetsuro Degawa appeared on TV Tokyo’s “Zubora ni Kenko! Karada ni Iiwake” (Wednesdays at 6:25 PM) on the 16th, where junior comedians expressed concern over his diet.

    The show brought in a renowned doctor to cover blood sugar management. During the segment, a video message was shown from Kazuki Iio of the comedy duo Zun, a close personal friend of Degawa’s. Iio said, “(Degawa) basically can’t drink water. He says it’s because ‘it has no flavor.’ So it’s carbonated drinks for him — like sparkling water, which America gave the world. And juice has to be fresh juice, 100 percent. I guess he likes things with a strong, distinct taste.”

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / original article here

    2AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:51
    Because watching Peace-kun at Omiya Park in person is more fun than watching Peace-kun at Omiya Park on YouTube, y'know.
    3AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:51
    Nainai (the comedy duo) used to say he'd be dead by 60, and yet here he is, still going strong.
    6AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:54
    Juice is the worst offender.
    Dunno for sure, but you probably shouldn't drink it more than alcohol.
    108AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:35
    Re: #6
    No way.
    It's not carcinogenic anyway.
    7AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:54
    People who say they only eat one meal a day worry me way more.
    8AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:55
    Degawa's got the stamina too — he's basically like a guy in his 40s.
    9AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:55
    Sugar and carbs are the real danger.
    Juice is basically poison.
    Strong Zero (canned chu-hi) is the only way to go.
    97AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:30
    Re: #9
    Can't believe people are still saying this.
    14AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:58
    I never crave sweet drinks except when I'm worn down by heat or fatigue.
    Tea goes best with meals — I've felt that way since my teens.
    And he's the son of a seaweed-shop owner, yet his taste buds are like a kid's.
    100AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:32
    Re: #14
    Well, if he had normal taste he'd have taken over the family seaweed shop.
    15AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:58
    Coca-Cola is the way to go when you're traveling.
    Consistent quality, and the acidity means you won't get an upset stomach lol
    16AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:59
    People really don't change their ways until they actually get sick.

    That's what everyone says, no matter who you ask.
    17AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:59
    Well, there's the Dr Pepper granny, after all.
    18AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:59
    If it's between zero-sugar cola and regular cola, regular's still the lesser evil.
    Well, in Degawa's case, just look at his build — it's probably not an exaggeration, he really does eat like that.
    The fact that he's still pulling off grueling location shoots is honestly impressive.
    87AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:26
    Re: #63 Re: #18
    Honestly, before all that, I just think zero-sugar cola tastes better lol
    Regular cola's too sweet for me.
    21AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:00
    But he's actually outlasted Date-chan (a fellow comedian). Hernia and all.
    22AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:00
    He doesn't have kids, so just let the guy live how he wants.
    24AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:01
    I've been overeating and overdrinking my whole life, I'm 45 now and my stomach's a wreck.
    I get diarrhea right after eating.
    My liver numbers are bad too…
    Somebody help me.
    30AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:04
    Re: #24
    If your numbers are bad, go to a hospital and get medication to bring them down.
    Keep taking it and clean up your lifestyle too, and it'll mostly get better.
    It's foolish not to use the healthcare system to improve when medical costs and drug prices are this cheap in this country.
    48AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:11
    Re: #24
    As long as you're not obese, you're still fine.
    25AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:01
    He's not really doing that well though — he nearly died a few years back.
    26AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:02
    Degawa's gotta be pushing 60 by now, right?
    And he's still doing physical, body-on-the-line comedy at the top level — nothing to worry about.
    Whenever he goes, he'll probably go happy.
    27AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:02
    He's probably already outlived the typical lifespan for men in the Degawa family.
    His older brother's still alive too, I think.
    28AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:02
    Ai Iijima once said, "The tap water at my place tasted so bad, afterward I could only stomach Mamy."
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:03
    Guess there really are people out there who can't drink plain water.
    Though honestly, even sparkling water barely has any taste unless you mix it with something.
    56AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:14
    Re: #29
    Degawa doesn't even drink sparkling water though.
    31AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:05
    Buffett's been drinking 5 cans of Coke a day and he's 96.
    33AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:05
    Coca-Cola uses inorganic acid, Pepsi uses organic acid —
    lately I've been leaning toward the latter. Guess that's a sign of age.
    34AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:06
    If they're going to make talent eat on camera, maybe they should require them to submit health checkup results.
    36AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:07
    That character is literally how he makes his living —
    if he changed it, the guy wouldn't be able to survive in showbiz.
    53AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:13
    Didn't he say he's mindful of his health and usually drinks black bean tea?
    The "I only ever drink cola" thing might just be shtick for the cameras.
    57AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:15
    Re: #53
    Apparently he drinks black soybean tea for throat care.
    I started drinking it too after hearing that, and it's actually pretty good, so I've kept it up.
    63AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:16
    Zero-sugar cola is the only option.
    Regular cola's got like 13 sugar cubes in it.
    91AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:26
    Is his belly from drinking too much juice, I wonder?
    96AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:29
    Re: #91
    I did that too for a while — drank only cola and juice instead of water or tea,
    and I just kept gaining weight, ended up about 20kg heavier.
    Once I quit juice, I gradually slimmed back down to normal.

    Background and Key Points of the Discussion

    The show “Zubora ni Kenko! Karada ni Iiwake” brings in renowned doctors to cover blood sugar management, and Degawa’s inability to drink water along with his preference for carbonated drinks and fresh juice was introduced as one example. On the thread, the view that “excess sugar is more dangerous than alcohol” clashed with the counter-view that “it isn’t carcinogenic,” and the discussion took the shape of a classic online health debate, complete with the anecdote of Warren Buffett drinking cola daily while living to a ripe old age. Another point of debate was whether talent appearing on food shows should be required to submit health checkup results. Company employees in Japan are legally required, under the Industrial Safety and Health Act, to undergo an annual health checkup, but freelance entertainers face no such requirement — a gap that feeds the perception that “TV has lax compliance standards.” While the link between sugar intake and blood sugar levels is medically well established, opinions within the thread remained divided on the comparison with alcohol and on whether it’s carcinogenic, so it’s worth noting that no definitive conclusion was reached.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Breaking News+) thread “Junior comedian Soichi Nakaoka worries about Tetsuro Degawa’s diet: “There’s no way he’ll live long” — picky eating exposed: “fish roe, mayonnaise, juice”.”

  • Morning Musume ’26 Newcomer Suzuki Moa’s First Signing Event Has 5ch Saying ‘She Sounds Like She’s Reading a Textbook’

    To commemorate the release of Morning Musume ’26’s 77th single “Lonely…But not Alone/Yes ka No ka Watashi ka,” a YouTube “Rimosta” online signing event kicked off at 6:00 PM on September 17. The lineup opened with the pair Okamura Homare and Suzuki Moa, followed by Yamazaki Airi and Ishikawa Karin, then Sakurai Rio and Inoue Haruka — three pairs, six members total, each appearing in their own time slot. Thread discussion centered on comparisons of concurrent viewer counts with other groups, plus reactions to newcomer Suzuki Moa — who only joined this year — reading her message somewhat nervously, drawing a mix of warm and harsh comments.

    Morning Musume ’26 77th Single “Lonely…But not Alone/Yes ka No ka Watashi ka” Release Commemoration — Announcement

    [Date/Time & Lineup]

    6:00 PM~ Okamura Homare (autograph board A), Suzuki Moa (autograph board A)

    Source: helloproject.com / Original article here

    2AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:04
    6:00 PM~ Okamura Homare (Autograph Board A), Suzuki Moa (Autograph Board A)
    tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGye6Z_luDk
    4AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:05
    7:30 PM~ Yamazaki Airi (Autograph Board A), Ishikawa Karin (Autograph Board A)
    tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rniOt21YWDk
    5AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:05
    9:00 PM~ Sakurai Rio (Autograph Board A), Inoue Haruka (Autograph Board A)
    tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U2yfW8knqc
    7AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:34
    So Homatan goes first in the 6pm slot?
    Guess the senpai shows how it's done first, then the newbie follows suit.
    8AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:48
    Chat's gonna get flooded with people teasing her about the bath thing (お風呂ネタ)
    9AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:49
    Going by the Okamura-first lineup, is Okamura Homare next in line for leader?
    10AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:53
    I never got the email from Rimosta though
    13AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:54
    The Yamazaki/Ishikawa slot's gonna run way behind schedule, both of them are so laid-back lol
    26AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:04
    With Morning Musume you only get the autograph itself, so it really stings if you lose the drawing
    28AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:05
    If it were Juice=Juice, they'd break 2,000 viewers even in this time slot
    31AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:06
    Re: #28
    Don't be ridiculous! Juice clears TEN THOUSAND easy, ten THOUSAND
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:06
    Reading it out like a little kid
    total 'reading aloud in Japanese class back in elementary school' vibes lol
    34AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:07
    Give it a year and she'll be rattling it off mechanically like everyone else
    37AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:11
    [BREAKING] Juice=Juice's less-popular members Matsunaga Ria & Irie Risa pull 1,857 concurrent viewers on Rimosta, while Angerme's popular members Kawana Rin & Goto Hana only get 700
    https://kizuna.5ch.io/test/read.cgi/morningcoffee/1784157639/
    38AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:11
    Morning Musume '26
    @MorningMusumeMg

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HSaFCEfbAAAc1Ht.jpg:orig#.jpg
    Morning Musume '26 77th Single "Lonely…But not Alone/Yes ka No ka Watashi ka" Release Commemoration
    <#Rimosta Online Signing Event>

    Today's kicking off with these two!✨
    The hashtag is…
    #HomaMoa
    Looking forward to all your comments! 🙌

    Link is here⬇
    🔗 https:///youtu.be/P_RyugZDgHFdIE0C

    Be sure to check it out ◝✩

    #OkamuraHomare #SuzukiMoa
    #HomaMoa
    #MorningMusume26
    #morningmusume26
    40AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:13
    Suumo-chan (Moa's nickname) can't read the word 'Central'
    44AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:17
    But seriously, it's kind of wild that members over 20
    and a middle schooler are active in the same group
    46AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:17
    With new ace Suzuki Moa on the roster, the viewer numbers are probably gonna be huge
    47AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:17
    Haven't seen Homare in a while — she's turned into a real beauty
    49AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:20
    _ 　∩
    (　ﾟ∀ﾟ)彡　
    　⊂彡　　　Homare! Homare!
    50AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:21
    Suzuki's delivery is rough to watch
    51AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:22
    Re: #50
    Your face is way rougher
    60AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:27
    Doesn't seem like Homa's gonna break out her 'anosaa' ('hey, so…') catchphrase?
    63AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:27
    Guess Moa's the type who was bad at reading aloud in Japanese class
    65AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:28
    If Suzuki's already like this, what's gonna happen with Ishikawa
    66AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:29
    Did Homatan's turn wrap up within 30 minutes?
    71AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:30
    How close is Suzuki's face to the desk while signing lol
    72AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:31
    If you've got presbyopia you literally can't focus that close anymore
    73AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:31
    This Suzuki's clearly the type who'd bomb at a talk event lol
    77AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:32
    She's probably pressing down hard on the pen
    stop with the squeak-squeak sound, seriously
    78AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:32
    That writing posture isn't good
    isn't she gonna ruin her eyesight
    95AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:39
    Why are there so many people watching
    97AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:40
    Re: #95
    The Homatan-plus-new-member power combo
    111AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:46
    Guess this is normal for a 1st-year middle schooler — or are Sugihara and Hayashi just more mature?
    115AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:47
    Re: #111
    Sugihara and Hayashi are pretty exceptional even for 3rd-year middle schoolers
    112AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:46
    09/08 Makino Yuzuki (Fri 8/2, 18:00)
    120AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:48
    Re: #112
    The Rimosta bottom (lowest viewer count) was Makino Yuzuki
    https://kizuna.5ch.io/test/read.cgi/morningcoffee/1722642921/

    Background and Key Points of This Topic

    “Rimosta” is the name of the official online signing events run by Hello! Project, generally known for granting participation via a lottery or first-come-first-served system open to those who buy the CD. This time, to mark the 77th single’s release, three pairs of six members appeared in staggered slots from 6 PM to 9 PM. What stood out in the thread was the comparison of concurrent viewer counts with other groups — some posts cited Juice=Juice’s numbers, but this kind of comparison is a recurring staple in Hello! Project threads, and since the figures swing by day, time slot, and lineup, drawing firm conclusions about group popularity from a single number is premature. The other recurring thread was reaction to newly-joined member Suzuki Moa’s freshness, with comments split between those warmly embracing her nervous, halting delivery and those judging it harshly. Because idols early in their careers are often called out for inexperience, the line between supportively watching them grow and simply mocking them tends to blur — a nuance that may not come through clearly to readers outside the fandom.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hello! Project) thread “■ Okamura/Suzuki, Yamazaki/Ishikawa, Sakurai/Inoue ■ YouTube ‘Morning Musume ’26 77th Single Release Commemoration Rimosta Signing Event’ ■ 18:00- ■“.

  • Yokohama’s Shoki Oda Declares for Pro Draft — 5ch: ‘He’s Reportedly Already Set on the Dodgers’

    On the 17th, the Japan High School Baseball Federation announced that Yokohama High School’s ace right-hander Shoki Oda (3rd year) has been newly added to the list of players declaring their intent to turn pro. He’s the top right-handed pitching prospect at the high school level, having hit a personal-best 157 km/h (about 97.5 mph) at this summer’s Kanagawa tournament, and has appeared at Koshien four tournaments running since the spring of his sophomore year. On the thread, rumors flew about a bidding war among MLB teams led by the Dodgers, while cooler heads argued that going through NPB first pays better in signing bonus and salary, and that a direct jump before age 25 — like Roki Sasaki’s — is the exception rather than the rule.

    Sponichi [September 17, 2026, 17:11]

    On the 17th, the Japan High School Baseball Federation released a new list of players declaring their intent to go pro, adding Yokohama High School’s (Kanagawa) 157 km/h right-hander Shoki Oda (3rd year), a projected first-round pick in this fall’s draft.

    Born in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. He’s led Yokohama to four straight Koshien appearances since the spring of his sophomore year, when the team won the title, and set a personal best of 157 km/h at this summer’s Kanagawa tournament — making him the country’s top right-handed pitching prospect at the high school level.

    Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

    3AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:18
    Go sign with the Hiroshima Carp.
    5AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:19
    Re: #3
    Wait, you're making him join the Zombies? lol
    82AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:00
    Re: #3
    I burst out laughing at that
    4AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:19
    As long as he blacklists SoftBank and Chunichi, NPB wouldn't be a bad option.
    10AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:22
    Re: #4
    Oda's actually a SoftBank Hawks fan though lol
    11AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:22
    Word is the Dodgers have the inside track on the MLB side.
    If the Dodgers are already eyeing him, he's the real deal.
    But his body's still that of a high schooler, so he'll probably be stashed in the minors for 3-5 years.
    17AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:25
    I hope Hiroshima or Rakuten drafts him.
    19AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:27
    Re: #17
    Those are the deadweight teams of the Central and Pacific Leagues though
    22AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:28
    > Submitted his pro-intent declaration

    Did Masumi Kuwata actually file this properly back in his day?
    59AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:46
    Re: #22
    That system didn't exist back then
    28AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:31
    This guy has no corner work — he only varies high and low — so it'll take him a while.
    No fine control to speak of.
    31AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:33
    I've almost never seen him hit both low corners with precise control.
    He gets strikeouts by leaving pitches up in the zone.
    I think he'll get hit hard once he's in pro ball.
    33AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:34
    How must it feel for his coach, watching a former student haul in hundreds of millions of yen?
    47AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:40
    Re: #33
    When a former student breaks out big, the coach gets treated as the 'mentor,' gets interview requests, and money rolls in too,
    so of course he's hoping the kid succeeds.
    85AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:03
    Re: #33
    Doesn't the player usually slip the coach a few million yen as a thank-you gift when he gets drafted?
    39AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:37
    If he can make the majors, why not go for it
    and claw his way up from the minors.

    Going to SoftBank would probably suck though,
    since it'd take forever to reach free agency.
    45AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:40
    Re: #39
    I doubt he really gets what the minors are like. Kids these days would probably fall apart just from not having a Washlet (heated bidet toilet seat).
    49AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:42
    Re: #1
    Going through the Fighters on the way to the majors would be fine, right?
    60AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:46
    Re: #49
    He's actually a SoftBank fan though lol
    69AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:50
    Re: #49,60
    Yokohama High → Nippon-Ham → SoftBank —
    same route as Kensuke Kondoh, huh
    52AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:44
    If he gets an offer from the US, he should just go for it, and if it doesn't pan out he can come home before turning 25 — some team will still draft him then.
    55AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:45
    Re: #52
    He'd get drafted, but the salary might be tough to swallow
    53AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:44
    Whether he can hack it or not aside, it's good he wasn't scooped up by MLB this time.
    Once a precedent is set, the majors will start taking all the top prospects and NPB will be left hollowed out.
    62AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:47
    Re: #53
    Huh? You need to file a pro-intent declaration even to sign with MLB, you know.
    That's why even Shohei Ohtani, who never intended to join NPB, still submitted one.
    71AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:52
    It's not going to turn into a bidding war among all 12 NPB teams.
    Some clubs will go after Taisei Suzuki instead.
    76AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:56
    Re: #71
    He's not Taro Yamada from Dokaben — you're not going to see something like 10 teams competing over one guy.
    Even in Dokaben, which is pure fiction, Ganki's lottery — separate from Yamada's own — still ended up split between Manager Oh and Manager Nagashima.
    72AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:53
    So it's the Dodgers, huh


    Front-office executives and scouts from all 18 MLB teams reportedly watched Oda pitch intently from behind the backstop in Taiwan, but
    'His mind is already pretty much made up — he's headed for the Dodgers,' one Central League scout went on to say.

    'In Taiwan, besides several Dodgers scouts including front-office executives, there was also an ad-agency figure known to be close with Dodgers management.
    That's the same person who worked behind the scenes when Roki Sasaki (24) chose the Dodgers. There's even a rumor the Dodgers have lined up a signing bonus north of 500 million yen, plus an interpreter.
    I hear the Yankees, who were keen at one point, are now in retreat mode.'
    77AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:56
    Re: #72
    With a big enough signing bonus, you can actually afford to cover your own meals and hire personal staff.
    Roki Sasaki's signing bonus was 1 billion yen, with a salary of 120 million yen since he's under 25.
    86AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:05
    Re: #72
    That '500 million yen' figure is just within the usual range of Nikkan Gendai's speculation.
    What Gendai's article is really getting at is: 'What if an international draft were introduced?
    If he ended up subject to that kind of waiver system, he might not get anywhere near 500 million yen.'
    75AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:56
    Even if the Dodgers do sign Oda, would they actually get support from the fanbase back home?
    Feels like it could turn into 'okay, we've had enough Japanese players already.'
    80AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:58
    Re: #75
    Before any of that, the real question is whether he can even make it to the majors, so it won't even get that far.
    That kind of talk only starts mattering once he's put up good numbers in Triple-A at the very least.
    78AnonymousSep 17, 2026 18:57
    This year's draft class is weak, so teams absolutely need to go after Oda.
    83AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:01
    Re: #78
    Ohtani and Sasaki already set the precedent of posting after just a few years.
    This guy's bound to bring it up too.
    If he's no use for the first two years and really only has three good years in him, it'd be smarter to pass.
    87AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:08
    Re: #83
    That's not right.
    For a player, there's a world of difference between signing before turning 25 and after.
    Under-25 Roki Sasaki could only land a max salary of 120 million yen, yet he chose MLB anyway.
    Had he waited until 25, he could've gotten a multi-year deal worth 3 billion yen or more.

    Well, that just shows how badly he wanted out of the Lotte Marines.
    If the relationship hadn't soured, it wouldn't have played out that way.
    Sasaki's case was the exception.
    88AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:10
    Re: #83
    ✕ 'too close a contract'
    ✓ 'too different a contract' [correcting a typo from the post above]

    Under the rules, you simply can't land a big-money contract before turning 25.
    Demanding a posting before 25, like Sasaki did, isn't normally a thing.
    84AnonymousSep 17, 2026 19:03
    Kids these days are great — posing for friendly photos with a rival right after competing against each other.
    Standing next to that Korean pitcher, Oda doesn't even look much shorter.


    Background and Key Points

    The “pro-intent declaration” is a document required under Japan’s Student Baseball Charter: high school and university players must file it with the Japan High School Baseball Federation before they can have any contact with a professional club — not just NPB teams, but MLB teams as well. The “no big-money contract before age 25” rule discussed on the thread comes from MLB’s current international signing regulations; Roki Sasaki’s posting from the Chiba Lotte Marines under that cap is widely cited as the exceptional case that it is. It’s also worth noting that specific figures like a “500-million-yen signing bonus” come from speculative reporting in the sports tabloids, not information the clubs have confirmed officially. Staying in NPB tends to mean an easier path to money and fame, while jumping straight to the majors means facing minor-league competition at a young age — which is why the thread was split over which route actually pays off.

    *This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5channel (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “MLB Also Watching: Yokohama’s 157 km/h Righty Shoki Oda Files Pro-Intent Declaration, Clearing Him to Meet with Teams in Japan and the US.”

  • Former Miss Tokyo University Akane Kamiya’s bikini fishing photos spark controversy — 5ch: ‘No different than climbing Mt. Fuji in sandals’

    Former Miss Tokyo University and TV personality Akane Kamiya reported on her official X account on September 16 that she’d tried fishing for the first time in her life. She wrote happily that she caught a sailfin sandfish (hatahata) just two minutes in and turned it into sashimi on the spot — but since she also posted photos of herself holding a fishing rod in a swimsuit, commenters on 5channel’s entertainment/sports board raised questions about her “dress code,” citing the lack of a life jacket and the danger of fishing hooks. Others pushed back, arguing “she’s not bothering anyone” and “this isn’t worth making a fuss over,” turning the thread into a clash between safety-minded opinions and those valuing personal freedom.

    Akane Kamiya, winner of the 2020 Miss Tokyo University pageant and now a TV personality, updated her official X account on the 16th to report that she’d experienced fishing for the first time in her life.

    However, the “dress code” she wore has drawn questions from fishing enthusiasts, stirring up controversy and ripples online.

    Kamiya reported, “My first-ever fishing trip. Caught a sailfin sandfish two minutes in. Caught more too, and turned them into sashimi on the spot.” She revealed she’d enjoyed her first fishing experience, adding, “It was fun. Fishing’s now one of my hobbies. I want a boat.”

    Source: sirabee.com / Original article here

    4AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:44
    Either she lacks imagination, or she's willing to take on a bit of risk just to satisfy her need for validation.
    62AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:43
    Re: #4
    Then again, the people criticizing her aren't much different.
    9AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:46
    Before any of that, just wear a life jacket. Being in a swimsuit doesn't make it safe to fall overboard.
    46AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:16
    Re: #9
    It's just for the photo, right? Gets the porn-brains excited.
    10AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:46
    If staff already reeled it in and she's just holding the rod for the shot, who cares?
    11AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:47
    Even if she gets hurt, it only affects herself, so what's the problem?
    12AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:49
    This isn't a 'manners' issue. It's the same as saying 'climbing Mt. Fuji underdressed is dangerous, so don't do it.'
    13AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:49
    Lol. It's fine, isn't it? There's always someone who has to nitpick everything.
    89AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:13
    Re: #13
    What she's doing isn't much different from climbing Mt. Fuji in sandals.
    15AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:52
    You know how you always see someone at the orthopedic clinic with a fishing lure hooked in them?
    19AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:54
    It's obviously just a pose to show off her swimsuit — read between the lines.
    22AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:58
    Guys who leave these unsolicited 'well actually' replies get hated by women so much, and it's pathetic they have zero self-awareness about it.
    76AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:04
    Re: #22
    Who cares what some woman I only interact with online thinks of me? If calling out a woman actually doing something dangerous gets that reaction, then who cares if a woman like that hates me?
    23AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:59
    Everyone overseas does this kind of thing, so she's probably just copying it. Zero originality, but this much should be fine. It's not even your business — everyone's way too worked up over it.
    24AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:00
    Hiroki Matsukata used to catch tuna in swim trunks too, you know. (a famous Japanese actor known for his fishing TV specials)
    25AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:00
    It's just for the shot, come on. Old farts really are exhausting.
    26AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:01
    What she actually needs isn't clothing — it's polarized sunglasses to protect her eyes.
    28AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:03
    Thought this was a thread about some big-name voice actress. Nope.
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:03
    This woman's gone viral for controversy before too, right? This is definitely on purpose.
    32AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:05
    Honestly it does seem dangerous, but if she gets hooked by accident, that's on her.
    34AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:06
    Same as throwing a ceremonial first pitch in a bikini.
    36AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:07
    Let's just say she only took the life jacket off for the photo.
    37AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:08
    Lol, she caught something that looks like a sailfin pleco. (an aquarium catfish, not exactly prime sashimi material)
    39AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:12
    Maybe they should just ban fishing altogether. If something that dangerous ends up hurting a passerby, it'll be a huge deal.
    55AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:34
    She's probably just borrowing someone else's rod and catch for the photo. Nobody actually fishes dressed like this.
    61AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:42
    Re: #55
    Well, she said herself that she did it, so…
    106AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:29
    Re: #55
    Plenty of Westerners do exactly that lol
    79AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:07
    Guess this fishing boat lets you ride without a life jacket. Surely they didn't make an exception just because she's an influencer, right? Come on, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, do your job.
    85AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:11
    Re: #79
    The life jacket requirement applies to 'vessels under 20 gross tons' or 'pleasure boats under 24 meters in length' (small craft). (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
    90AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:14
    She's not bothering anyone and she's doing it because she wants to, so just leave her alone.
    92AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:16
    Re: #90
    If nobody calls this out, more people will skip the life jacket, and that'll end up causing problems for everyone.
    93AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:18
    The captain didn't say anything, so isn't it fine? Guys who play concerned while butting in where they're not wanted are seriously creepy.
    100AnonymousSep 17, 2026 17:21
    Re: #93
    It's not her who's liable if something happens — it's the captain.

    Background and Points of Contention

    Wearing a life jacket on small vessels is mandated under a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ordinance, but the requirement applies to the passengers themselves — there’s no law directly regulating clothing or poses struck for photos. That’s why the thread split along parallel lines: safety-minded users arguing ‘of course she’d get called out, it’s dangerous,’ versus others countering ‘the captain didn’t stop her, so it’s her own business.’ The debate was further fueled by uncertainty over whether the photo was taken during actual fishing or was simply a shot of her holding someone else’s rod after the fish had already been caught — with opinions spreading on both sides even though the facts were never pinned down. The thread ultimately reached no clear resolution, leaving open the broader question of how to reconcile talent work built around social media exposure with the safety norms expected of an outdoor activity like fishing.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5channel (Entertainment/Sports News+) thread ‘Former Miss Tokyo University Akane Kamiya draws questions over ‘dress code’ after posting swimsuit fishing photos — ‘This is really not okay,’ ‘That’s dangerous!’.’

  • Liking Fried Horse Mackerel Makes You an Old Man? Some on 5ch Say It Beats Fried Chicken

    On the ABC TV late-night show “Kore Yodan Nan Desu Kedo…” (“This Is a Bit of a Tangent, But…”), comedians in their 40s and 50s discussed “things that make you feel like an old man,” and a preference for fried horse mackerel (aji fry) came up as a prime example. The segment was sparked by a survey showing a gap between the “image of an old man” held by people in their 40s and 50s and the one held by younger generations. Picking up on this, 5ch lit up with users sharing their own experiences — whether they’re drawn to fried chicken or to aji/iwashi fry, tartar sauce versus ponzu, no longer being able to stomach fried food at all, or conversely finally being able to appreciate the taste of fish — turning into a lively discussion about how taste and physical condition change with age.

    Thu, Sep 17, 14:34

    Ken Hayashi (48) of the comedy duo Gallop, along with comedians Shinji Mizuta (46) and Oidayasu Oda (48), appeared on ABC TV’s “Kore Yodan Nan Desu Kedo…” (airing Wednesdays at 11:16 PM) on the 16th. The show got lively discussing “relatable moments that make you feel like an old man.”

    The topic of “things that make me feel like an old man” came up after the show featured a survey highlighting a gap between the real “old man generation” in their 40s and 50s and the “image of an old man” held by the younger generation.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

    3AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:49
    Been Team Aji Fry (fried horse mackerel) forever
    Tartar sauce or grated daikon with ponzu
    4AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:51
    Went to a place famous for its aji fry during the Obon holiday, but they were out — got iwashi fry (fried sardine) instead, and it turned out to be the right call
    5AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:51
    Nah, old men don't eat stuff fried in panko
    51AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:17
    Re: #5
    Yeah, when it's fried nice and crispy the panko makes you choke, lol
    6AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:52
    You're only a real adult once you switch your aji fry from Worcestershire sauce to soy sauce
    8AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:53
    I like fried white fish where you can't even tell what kind of fish it is
    10AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:54
    When you can't handle any fried food at all anymore, that's when you're elderly
    Past 50, I've fully retired from fried food — eat it and I'm 100% guaranteed to feel awful the next day
    13AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:55
    The cheap aji fry bento from the supermarket is delicious
    Comes with ponzu and grated daikon on top
    14AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:55
    Aji fry is too oily
    Iwashi fry (fried sardine) is more bearable
    16AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:56
    Once you start slathering your aji fry in mustard, you're an old man
    17AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:56
    Pointless article
    Likes and dislikes are up to the individual
    19AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:57
    I don't eat fried food made with cheap oil
    I only put olive oil or MCT oil in my body
    Anything else makes me feel queasy
    20AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:58
    Fried sillago (kisu) is the best, hands down (´・ω・｀)
    22AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:58
    The only fried fish I can eat is the white fish fillet on top of a nori bento
    26AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:01
    Re: #22
    I can eat that one since it's not fishy
    with tartar sauce
    23AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:59
    I got food poisoning from aji fry once, so I'm careful with it now
    24AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:59
    Fried fish is usually great fresh out of the fryer
    But when you make it at home, the frying oil gets smelly after just one use
    27AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:02
    Aji fry has even become a popular item at Petco Park in San Diego
    Somehow Americans who normally wouldn't touch oily fish like aji are eating it now, lol
    49AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:15
    So what does that make me — I've loved fried fish since I was a kid?

    Re: #27
    That area had canneries built early on by Japanese immigrants who settled there, and there's even a theory it's the birthplace of canned tuna in America (though another theory says it was inspired by imports from Canada and Scandinavia) — so people there have never been averse to fish dishes
    55AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:19
    Re: #49
    From where I stand — still only having eyes for fried chicken — that sounds crazy to me ⎛´･ω･`⎞
    Eating rice or vegetables just means less room for meat, so I skip both
    86AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:36
    Re: #49
    Kids do like fried white fish, huh
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:02
    I like sillago (kisu) fried in a thin batter. Thick batter is a no-go
    30AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:04
    Aji fry still tastes too fishy to me
    Guess that's probably what makes it good, though
    31AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:05
    Couldn't relate to a single example listed in Re: #1
    With so many kinds of fried food out there, fried fish isn't even on my list of options
    32AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:05
    When I was young I used to slather my aji fry with Kewpie mustard mayo. Now I don't need to put anything on it at all — the salt it's seasoned with is plenty.
    33AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:05
    These days it's not fried food anymore
    Sardines simmered in miso is the best side for rice
    And pairing that with pickled plum (umeboshi) is unbeatable
    34AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:06
    Pike conger, sea eel, and sillago, right
    Eating them piping hot with tentsuyu dipping sauce — so good
    35AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:07
    I've liked aji since I was a kid, but I'm liking sardines, salmon, and chicken less and less every year
    36AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:07
    I'll admit a great aji fry is the best
    But the gap between a hit and a miss is huge 😗
    38AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:09
    Fried chicken wins, easily
    Aji fry maybe, but iwashi fry (fried sardine)? Never picking that
    41AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:10
    Re: #1
    Whether it's aji or chicken, if you're still eating fried food at all, you're not an old man
    44AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:11
    Can't help but think of that famous scene from the manga "Saikyo Densetsu Kurosawa" (The Legend of Kurosawa)
    45AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:11
    I think aji fry these days has stepped up its game compared to a while back
    46AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:13
    The taste of fish has improved massively
    48AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:14
    Ahh, I get this, lol
    Guess I've gotten older too.
    50AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:15
    Aji fry is good even cold
    Iwashi fry is amazing fresh out of the fryer
    Though honestly both taste bad when you buy them out, so I don't eat either, lol
    62AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:24
    Grilled, mackerel (saba) is definitely tastier, but I don't think I've heard of "saba fry" (fried mackerel) much
    68AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:26
    Re: #62
    For some reason mackerel becomes "saba katsu" (mackerel cutlet) instead
    80AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:31
    Re: #62
    When I made it at home, the oil content was high and the breading kept falling off

    Background and key points of this discussion

    This topic originated from an ABC TV late-night show: after a survey revealed a gap between the “image of an old man” held by people in their 40s-50s and the one held by younger generations, comedians began sharing their own experiences, and that’s how it started. Note that aji fry (fried horse mackerel) is by no means a cheap fish dish — it’s actually discussed as a set-meal staple on par with fried chicken, so it’s easy to misread this as a simple “fried fish = lowly food” equation. The thread split roughly into two camps: one about how fried food itself has started to take a toll on the body — age-related indigestion and lower tolerance for oil — and the other about a shift in taste, with people saying they can now appreciate fish flavors they disliked as kids. These aren’t necessarily the same underlying reason. There were also comments noting that “the quality of frozen aji fry has improved lately,” adding another factor — rising quality in restaurant and prepared-food offerings — into the mix.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “Does liking aji fry make you an old man? ‘It’s better than fried chicken,’ ‘Torn between aji fry and iwashi fry’ — comedians in their 40s get fired up over relatable moments.”

  • Panther’s Satoshi Mukai and TBS Announcer Yuko Wakabayashi Reported to Be Living Together — 5ch Asks: ‘Wait, Did She Break Up With the Mario Guy?’

    FRIDAY magazine has scooped a “secret cohabitation romance” between comedy trio Panther’s Satoshi Mukai (40) and TBS announcer Yuko Wakabayashi. This is Wakabayashi’s second romance scoop, following a 2022 report that she was semi-cohabiting with an elite IT company employee. The 5ch thread kicked off with people asking which shows Wakabayashi even appears on, then spiraled into discussion of Mukai’s education, career history, rumored thinning hair, and comedian earnings — with posters showing more interest in picking apart Mukai’s character than in the romance itself.

    After riding together in the car and enjoying dinner at a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) spot favored by celebrities, the pair headed back to the “love nest” they share—

    Before anyone quite noticed, these two TV favorites had leveled up from “co-stars” to “couple”—

    On a weekday night in mid-September, around 9 p.m., Satoshi Mukai (40) of comedy trio Panther emerged from a no-frills yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo. He’s plugged this particular spot as one of his regular haunts on TBS shows like “Besukon Gourmet” and “Sakurai & Aritoshi THE Yakai,” and it’s known as a favorite among other comedians too, including Sisonne’s Shinobu Hasegawa (48) and Kirin’s Akira Kawashima (47). Mukai kept it ultra-casual — a purple-blue check shirt, black pants, and a cap, with nothing in hand but his wallet and phone. Just a guy treating himself to a solo meal at his favorite place after work, perhaps?

    Source: friday.gold / Read the original article here

    6AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:38
    So what's this Wakabayashi announcer even on?
    29AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:48
    Re: #6
    Stuff like Hiru Obi and Sunday Japon
    44AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:54
    Re: #6
    She's co-starred with Mukai on a late-night show
    11AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:39
    Satoshi Mukai
    Was named an outstanding student in Nagoya City back in elementary school.
    Served as elementary school student council president and soccer team captain, then middle school student council president.

    Graduated from Meiji University's School of Political Science and Economics.
    79AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:06
    Re: #11
    His high school was Zuiryo in Aichi too — deviation score of 69 (elite tier)
    16AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:42
    Announcer Wakabayashi heading to boyfriend "Mr. A's" (right) place, holding a birthday present for senior colleague announcer Rina Yamamoto (28)
    https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2022/08/ff0a462bf269a7870dc331840ce77dc3.jpg


    TBS Announcer Yuko Wakabayashi Lovey-Dovey and Semi-Cohabiting with "IT Company Elite," Shares a Spare Key
    August 5, 2022

    Exclusive romance scoop!
    First romance reported for the network's star announcer, who handles "Hiru Obi," "N Sta," and "Kin-Suma"
    On high alert: sneaking in through the back door of his place, keeping 2-3 steps of distance while walking together
    52AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:56
    Re: #16
    So did she break up with the Mario guy?
    43AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:53
    I've never understood why guys like Mukai Shoji get treated as good-looking
    89AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:08
    Re: #43
    Kirin's Kawashima counts as the "handsome comedian"
    That's the level of expectation we're working with here
    48AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:54
    He admitted to being bald on "Ame Talk" — showed off his forehead and said it looked bad
    54AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:57
    Re: #48
    He'd been hiding it so desperately that the fact he exposed it himself must be because of this (the romance news)
    51AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:55
    Was becoming a comedian really the better move over going into foreign finance?
    72AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:04
    Re: #51
    He's making way more than he would in foreign finance
    55AnonymousSep 17, 2026 15:57
    949 Anonymous Reporting 2026/08/13 (Thu) 04:30:22.24 ID:Aytdzpfm
    I noticed someone with a new watch lately… wait, isn't Panther's Mukai wearing the same one?
    65AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:02
    Re: #55
    People who notice stuff like this are amazing
    86AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:08
    Re: #55
    This got some buzz on X (Twitter) too
    People were saying it's a fairly high-end watch, so it's unlikely to be a coincidence
    57AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:00
    So she broke up with the IT boyfriend, huh
    And wait, wasn't Mukai supposed to be really into chubby girls? lol
    63AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:02
    Re: #57
    He's probably thinking ahead
    She's the type who'll get chubby after having kids
    67AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:03
    Mukai's been showing more of his snarky, complain-y dark side lately — it's a character shift, but it's making him a bit more entertaining
    81AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:07
    Re: #67
    That's just who he really is
    He used to hide it because he didn't want people calling out his lack of talent,
    but now that work's stabilized, he's stopped hiding his true feelings and he's gotten more full of himself too
    76AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:05
    This kind of thing is only going to increase from here on
    Comedians are barging into everything these days, acting like intellectuals and actors
    Basically it's like a prestigious girls' school going co-ed and letting in a bunch of bottom-tier guys
    87AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:08
    Re: #76
    Nah, come on — being a female announcer used to be the kind of job where comedians groped your chest and you just laughed it off
    85AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:07
    91AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:09
    Re: #85
    I hope Manatsu finds happiness
    94AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:09
    Re: #85
    Especially since there'd been persistent rumors that Manatsu Akimoto had her eye on Mukai…
    92AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:09
    I'm 40 and single too — so there's still a chance for me?
    Thanks, that gives me hope
    113AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:14
    Re: #92
    Seriously though, there are plenty of unmarried women out there right now, so if you're
    genuinely serious about getting married, 40 is still a totally viable age
    118AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:16
    Re: #92
    These days 45 is fine too. Retirement age got pushed back as well. If you're really serious, maybe look into Southeast Asian women?
    93AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:09
    Has this Panther Mukai guy ever actually made anyone laugh?
    110AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:13
    Re: #93
    Actually, Ogata [his Panther co-member] seems to be earning noticeably more
    As far as I know Ogata's done 3 commercials for major companies
    Mukai's probably done zero
    100AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:12
    Is "Megane Biiki" (a TV segment Mukai appears on) just going to ignore this tonight?
    107AnonymousSep 17, 2026 16:12
    Re: #100
    Haha, no way they're going to ignore it

    Background and Key Points of This Story

    FRIDAY-style romance scoops typically follow a set formula: solo-camera shots of a couple coming and going from each other’s homes. This marks the second time Yuko Wakabayashi has been featured this way, following the 2022 report about her semi-cohabiting relationship with an elite IT company employee. Reaction on 5ch centered less on the relationship itself and more on Satoshi Mukai — his selection as an outstanding student in Nagoya, his graduation from Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics, his apparent thinning hair, and his history of co-starring on late-night shows all came up one after another. While some comments were congratulatory, what stood out in this thread was how much more energy went into evaluating Mukai’s looks and personality than into the romance news itself — making it less a straightforward celebratory story and more a read on how 5ch users currently view Satoshi Mukai as a public figure.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Entertainment/Sports News+) thread “[Scoop!] Panther’s Satoshi Mukai ♡ TBS Announcer Yuko Wakabayashi’s “Secret Cohabitation Romance” Caught on Camera! [Ailuropoda melanoleuca★].”

  • Takuya Kimura Sings More SMAP Songs at First Solo Tour in 2.5 Years — 5ch Fires Back: ‘SMAP Was Never Just You’

    Takuya Kimura (53) has been on his first solo live tour in about two and a half years since September 5, titled "TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint." Spanning 9 shows in 5 cities, it’s his first tour since switching, this past May, from the record label he’d been with for years. Where he’d previously limited SMAP-era songs to just one or two numbers in the encore, he’s reportedly performing more of them this time around. On 5ch, this shift sparked speculation that it reflects Kimura’s belief that "SMAP is six people," while also stirring up a wide range of opinions about how SMAP broke up and his relationship with the former members.

    "SMAP marked its 35th debut anniversary on September 9. The group disbanded at the end of 2016, but Kimura has kept its hit songs alive" (entertainment industry insider).

    Takuya Kimura (53) is currently on his first solo live tour in about two and a half years, "TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint," which kicked off September 5. Having switched this past May from the record label he’d been signed to since his SMAP days, he’s now holding 9 shows across 5 cities under his new label.

    "Kimura has sung SMAP songs at his solo shows before, but he kept it to just one or two numbers, usually during the encore.

    Source: jisin.jp / Original article here

    2AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:12
    Honestly, watching Osaka nightscape videos on YouTube is more fun than watching 'Peace-kun' from Omiya Park anyway.
    4AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:14
    The best singer in SMAP is actually Katori.
    Fun fact.
    8AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:15
    Re: #4
    Hibagon's the worst singer. (Hibagon = a Japanese Bigfoot-like cryptid, used here as a jokey insult)
    6AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:14
    Is it true that Takuya Kimura was the one who caused SMAP to break up?
    Why did they actually break up?
    48AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:39
    Re: #6
    Wait, isn't Shingo Katori the obvious answer?
    93AnonymousSep 17, 2026 12:21
    Re: #6
    "There was no obligation to switch labels together, but if he'd decided not to switch, why didn't he say so right away?
    Staying silent just made the rest of us naturally assume he'd be coming along too, I'd think…"

    I figure it was the kind of situation that left all five of them scratching their heads.
    7AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:15
    Surprisingly, none of them actually have a criminal record. Fun fact.
    63AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:46
    Re: #7
    Does a hit-and-run count as clean too?
    69AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:56
    Re: #7
    Tsuyoshi Kusanagi got arrested naked. (referring to his 2009 arrest for public intoxication and indecency)
    9AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:15
    Some people haven't even seen the show yet — way to spoil it.
    10AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:16
    Kimura's the one who's used the SMAP name most conveniently all along — otherwise he wouldn't have been so visibly frozen out.
    Nakai, Kusanagi, Katori, and — forget his last name — Goro don't go on about SMAP SMAP these days either.
    11AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:16
    The sexual-assault recognition thing is already old news at this point.
    13AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:18
    A lot of people probably still love SMAP's songs,
    and Kimura's probably the one who can use them most naturally.
    16AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:19
    Bet he starts a YouTube channel next year. Bet he wants to team up with Kimu. Bet Mahiru's the MC. (mimicking a rural "-be" dialect for comic effect)
    17AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:19
    Kimu: "SMAP is six people."
    The other members: "SMAP was just you."
    19AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:20
    If you're not with Johnny's, you can't use the SMAP name, right?
    21AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:21
    This basically means the three guys from Atarashii Chizu should feel free to sing their SMAP-era songs too — geez, don't make me say something this obvious.
    23AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:22
    If he stayed with Johnny's all by himself just to run a one-man SMAP, he'd better milk that legacy for everything it's worth or it won't have been worth it.
    24AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:22
    If SMAP were still active as usual today, that'd feel like overkill too, honestly.
    Their juniors keep breaking up one after another, so I actually think they disbanded at a good time.
    26AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:23
    No, SMAP is five people.
    Mori was a member too,
    but former-SMAP is six — SMAP itself is five. (referring to Katsuyuki Mori, an original sixth member who left in 1996)
    40AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:28
    Re: #26
    What are you even talking about?
    41AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:31
    Re: #26
    What about Kokubun and Sakamoto?
    32AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:25
    You can still hear the original two sing KinKi Kids songs, right?
    Didn't both of them leave the agency? Is Koichi still there?
    Yamapi's been singing his old songs too, hasn't he?
    36AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:27
    Re: #32
    There was a news story saying they can sing them, but the songs got pulled from karaoke.
    57AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:44
    There are theories blaming Kimura, theories blaming Nakai, theories blaming Katori,
    but nobody's got a theory blaming Kusanagi or Inagaki.
    62AnonymousSep 17, 2026 11:45
    Re: #57
    Funny how the ones nobody blames are the ones with an actual criminal record.
    75AnonymousSep 17, 2026 12:02
    Atarashii Chizu can't sing SMAP songs, right?
    And meanwhile Kimura's over here milking SMAP songs for everything they're worth.
    76AnonymousSep 17, 2026 12:04
    Re: #75
    Kimura has the rights because he stayed with the old Johnny's agency. The Chizu crew who left don't have them.
    103AnonymousSep 17, 2026 12:28
    Re: #75
    The rights actually belong to JASRAC ("Kasurac"), so anyone can sing the songs as long as they pay — no agency permission needed.
    Unless they were forced to sign some special pledge on leaving saying they'd never sing SMAP songs again, that is.
    85AnonymousSep 17, 2026 12:09
    What's Kimura's signature song again?
    89AnonymousSep 17, 2026 12:17
    Re: #85
    "Stay Safe" — the ballad named after the phrase he always signs off his Instagram posts with.

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    SMAP disbanded at the end of 2016. Takuya Kimura stayed with the Johnny’s (now STARTO ENTERTAINMENT) label, while Masahiro Nakai, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori left the agency and went their separate ways. Kimura switched record labels in May 2026 after years with his previous one, and this tour is his first solo performance since. Worth noting: the thread’s central questions — “why did they break up” and “whose fault was it” — rest on fragmentary accounts from industry sources, and even on 5ch the discussion never got past speculation with no definitive answer. That said, the thread also raised a point that’s easier to substantiate from public contract terms: the right to perform SMAP songs belongs to whoever stayed with the agency, not to those who left. In compiling this piece, comments amounting to speculation or personal attacks tied to actual criminal cases involving specific former members were excluded.

    *This article is compiled as excerpts and a summary from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread "[Kimutaku] Did Masahiro Nakai’s Retirement Play a Role? Why Takuya Kimura Is Singing More SMAP Songs at His First Solo Tour in 2 Years… A Sign He Believes “SMAP Is Six People”? [Ailuropoda melanoleuca★]".

  • Hikari Ota Gets an Apology from Jiro Sato Over Old Incident: ‘Guess People Really Do Just Show Up in Your Dressing Room’

    On TBS Radio’s “Bakushou Mondai Car Boy,” comedian Hikari Ota revealed that during a production meeting for NHK E-tele’s “#Buzz English – See the World Through SNS,” actor Jiro Sato suddenly showed up and apologized for a past incident between them. The 5channel thread reacting to this story saw a mix of takes — some calling an unannounced dressing-room visit normal industry etiquette, others saying it could come across as harassment depending on who’s on the receiving end — with plenty of comments also tying it back to Sato’s past behavior.

    Comedy duo Bakushou Mondai’s Hikari Ota revealed on the late-night broadcast of TBS Radio’s “JUNK Bakushou Mondai Car Boy” on the 15th that he was greeted backstage by actor Jiro Sato.

    [Photo] Jiro Sato back when he was slim

    Ota, who appears on NHK E-tele’s “#Buzz English – See the World Through SNS,” said Sato suddenly turned up the other day while he was at NHK for a production meeting.

    Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Read the original article here

    9AnonymousSep 17, 2026 08:59
    Well of course he'd go say hi
    it's just a backstage greeting
    if he hadn't, people would've said
    "guess he didn't come because of that whole incident"
    16AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:00
    Re: #9
    It literally says he showed up suddenly
    12AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:00
    It's honestly amazing Ota's kept up this style for decades. He even got chewed out by Matsumoto (Matsu-chan) early in his career.
    Not many guys do whatever they want at work and still make it work this well
    14AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:00
    Ugh, patience, patience… (clearly not managing it)
    17AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:01
    If they're filming around this time, guess the chief's sticking around
    kind of wish they'd swapped him out honestly
    18AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:01
    Is going to say hi backstage really that weird?
    20AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:01
    LOL
    everyone's got their own way of doing things, can't exactly tell someone "do it like this"
    21AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:01
    If anything, this is free material for Sunday Japon, they should be grateful
    23AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:01
    Re: #16
    What, is he supposed to book an appointment for what time he's stopping by? It's not your house, lol
    55AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:06
    Re: #23
    They were literally in the middle of a meeting though
    24AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:02
    >It's really not as rough as everyone seems worried about

    meanwhile posting a string of "please everyone worry about me"-type updates
    54AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:06
    Re: #24
    That's exactly the kind of thing that gets him hated
    36AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:04
    It's a mystery how such a wooden actor ("daikon" = ham actor) ever got so hyped up
    37AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:04
    Jiro Sato
    @actor_satojiro
    That's Ota-san for you. This is exactly why I respect the guy.
    Also — damn it, I couldn't help laughing at the punchline. Idiot.
    50AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:06
    Re: #37
    Hmm
    yeah, this is exactly why whenever I see a post like this
    I just think "oh, Jiro, lol"
    75AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:09
    Re: #37
    Making the guy himself laugh too — that's Ota for you
    41AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:04
    A dressing room's just a waiting room at work
    but it's being treated like he barged into someone's private space
    42AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:04
    So it would've been fine if it were a monkey's dressing room?
    43AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:05
    You don't go say hi backstage?
    56AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:07
    Re: #43
    If we're on the same show, sure, I'd go say hi. Otherwise I wouldn't bother going out of my way
    44AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:05
    I won't be able to watch the NHK history show if he doesn't get replaced

    well, I've been watching "I'm Okamoto, Just an Ordinary Salaryman Who's Kind of Into History" on YouTube instead anyway
    45AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:05
    This is probably a script some TV writer handed him

    who actually benefits from painting Jiro Sato as the type who innocently barges into dressing rooms without meaning any harm?
    51AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:06
    The type who'd actually make a special trip backstage just to say something like that
    52AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:06
    Matsuko and Ariyoshi apparently did away with the whole backstage-greeting custom, but I guess Ota hasn't
    71AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:09
    Re: #52
    They debated this on Ametalk once too — Miyasako made a big show of manliness saying "you don't have to come see me," but guys like Miyasako are exactly the type who'd end up grumbling about it forever if you actually didn't show up
    53AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:06
    Going all the way backstage to say hi is only something you do for someone way above you, or in a comedy world with a really strict senior-junior hierarchy
    57AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:07
    "Guess people really do just come by" — does that mean deep down he thinks "don't bother visiting me" about literally anyone who stops by to say hi?
    If he only felt weird about it specifically when Sato showed up, that itself would be the odd part
    60AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:07
    If he figured this guy was beneath him, he'd probably get all high and mighty about it
    61AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:08
    Re: #55
    What makes you think he didn't knock first?
    Do you just fling doors open without warning?
    76AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:09
    Re: #61
    He poked his head in shouting "Ota-san!" in the middle of a meeting — you really think he knocked first?
    63AnonymousSep 17, 2026 09:08
    Is this poking fun at the rumor he wandered into a woman's dressing room?

    Background and Talking Points

    The original article doesn’t spell out exactly what the “incident” Jiro Sato reportedly apologized for actually was, but the thread’s reactions suggest there was a past episode where an unannounced dressing-room visit became a problem. This time, Ota seems to have taken a similarly sudden visit in good humor, and that contrast is what sparked the debate over whether how such a visit lands depends on who’s doing the visiting. Many posters pointed out that greeting people backstage beforehand is itself a long-standing entertainment-industry custom, with whether you go or not depending on things like whether you’re appearing on the same show or the seniority relationship involved — suggesting this isn’t simply a matter of manners. The fact that Matsuko and Ariyoshi reportedly scrapped the greeting custom altogether was also brought up, showing practices vary even within the industry.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (Geino/Sports News+) thread “Hikari Ota Gets an Apology from Jiro Sato Over Old Incident: ‘Guess People Really Do Just Show Up in Your Dressing Room’.”