Japan Reacts

Latest from Japan

From our other sites

JapanTroveJapan travel & shopping
Binchotan: Japan’s Premium Charcoal for Grilling, Deodorizing & Water FilteringInstax Cheki Culture: Japan’s Instant Camera Craze and Where to Buy Film
即まとchJapanese 5ch threads
伊集院光「16万円もするPS6はキツい。面白いゲームはSteamかSwitch2」豊かだった欧州でなぜデモが？　インフレの日本との共通点は
海外ChOverseas reactions (JP)
PDFだけでiPhone root奪取、新型ジェイルブレイクに海外沸く3日持つ「脱Google携帯」に海外勢「結局中身はスマホ」とツッコミ

  • “No reason to ditch the PS5 to rush out the PS6” — performance debate erupts on 5ch

    A thread on 5ch’s Hardware/Industry (Geha) board titled “There’s no particular reason to abandon the PS5 early and put out the PS6” sparked heated debate. The PS5 has sold roughly 100 million units worldwide and reportedly outperforms the Switch 2 by a wide margin. Some posters argued that since GTA6 is expected to launch mostly on PS5 as well, and given the state of chip prices and the AI bubble, “there’s no need to rush out a PS6.” Others pushed back, citing the release gaps between past PlayStation generations (PS to PS2: 5 years 3 months; PS4 to PS5: 7 years) to argue that “we’re already 6-7 years in, so it’s hardly early.”

    10AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:47
    Early? We're already looking at year six.
    It's roughly a 7-year cycle anyway.
    13AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:49
    Re: #10
    The Switch 2 took 8 years, you know.
    11AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:48
    GTA6 is guaranteed to sell 200 million copies, and most of that will still be on PS5,
    so there's really no need to rush out a PS6 in a panic.
    Sony just needs to keep the PlayStation market going — it already outsells Nintendo several times over.
    In a few years, once the AI bubble bursts and parts prices settle down, they can roll out the PS6 at their leisure.
    Then if they drop a PS6 version of GTA6 with 4K/60fps support, it'll spread like wildfire.
    104AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:36
    Re: #11
    So if parts prices never settle down, does that mean it just never comes out?
    14AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:49
    Even if they launched a new home console right now, it'd just be a half-baked thing sold at a premium.
    Even the Switch 2 still might get hit with a price hike.
    Users can't keep up with that.
    16AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:50
    Re: #14
    Exactly this.

    The Switch 2 can be the only one that gets killed off by the chip price surge.
    18AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:51
    Re: #13
    Why would some other company's cycle have anything to do with it?
    22AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:58
    Re: #18
    Then what IS that cycle about?
    19AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:52
    Depends on what Xbox does.
    24AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:59
    Re: #19
    It's pretty much certain they'll just be following Helix's lead.
    25AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:59
    Re: #24
    You think it'll actually come out as a "sticker" (5ch slang for Xbox becoming just a badge slapped on third-party hardware instead of a real dedicated console)? For how much?
    26AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:00
    The result of the Xbox Series rushing to announce pricing first was two and a half years of being unable to actually produce units because of the chip shortage.
    Everything they touch, they get the call wrong.
    27AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:00
    Re: #26
    Oh, talking trash about Nintendo now?
    38AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:12
    Re: #22
    The PlayStation home-console cycle, starting from the PS2.
    50AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:19
    Whether they build it in-house or have another company make it, if it ships, it ships.
    53AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:21
    Re: #50
    So you're admitting it became a "sticker" console then.

    There we go.
    52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:20
    I mean, they keep shifting the goalposts from "sticker console" to "handheld."
    54AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:21
    Re: #52
    You're the one shifting them.

    It already became a sticker console once — wouldn't be strange if it happened again.
    56AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:22
    Re: #40
    PS → PS2: 5 years 3 months
    PS2 → PS3: 6 years 8 months
    PS3 → PS4: 7 years 3 months
    PS4 → PS5: 7 years (about 2 months more in Japan)
    The 5-year gap was only for the very first transition, wasn't it?
    61AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:24
    It's kind of sad that we're 7 years in and they're still bragging about "roughly 100 million units" lol
    66AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:26
    Re: #60
    What does "PlayStation's cycle is roughly 7 years" have to do with "Switch to Switch 2 was 8 years"?
    70AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:28
    Apparently Nintendo has something to do with PlayStation's release cycle too, go figure.
    76AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:32
    Following Xbox's lead isn't a bad thing to begin with in the current climate.
    If anything, reacting after seeing what they do first is the smarter move.
    77AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:34
    Re: #76
    Even moving the goalposts, still a "sticker console" truther.
    This isn't a conversation anymore.
    85AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:39
    Why are you only looking at the Switch 2? The PS5's launch timing got moved up because they panicked about Xbox, remember?
    Yet you always claim Sony doesn't even have Nintendo on its radar, doesn't take them seriously, blah blah.
    86AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:40
    Re: #85
    The "sticker console" is dead.
    87AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:41
    Re: #85
    Well, that's because everything you've been saying about the Switch 2 is coming right back to bite you now.
    88AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:43
    Thinking the "shitbox" (derogatory nickname for Xbox) is somehow immune to the chip price surge is peak delusion.
    89AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:44
    Re: #88
    Exactly this.

    The one that hiked prices the most and got completely ignored for it is Xbox.
    90AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:45
    Re: #88
    That's not what I mean — Xbox is already losing this generation,
    so they can't afford to just sit back, watch, and delay their plans.
    91AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:49
    Re: #90
    Nah, it'll end up as a "sticker" just like the Hands-whatever Xbox.
    Honestly, MS just slapping their badge on other companies' hardware is the easiest path for them.
    92AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:57
    Re: #91
    Ah, I see — in that case you can't really say "following their lead is the smart move" anymore.
    I'll retract that "following is good" take.
    93AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:06
    A console whose entire strategy has always been just cranking up the horsepower —
    I can't picture it surviving if it just stands still 🙄
    Though maybe it could work as a free-to-play-only machine?
    97AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:10
    Re: #93
    That's wrong.
    Free-to-play is exactly where performance matters most.
    Required specs and storage keep creeping up with every update, so a console running razor-thin specs struggles hard.
    That's why Nintendo hardware and big free-to-play titles are a bad match —
    it's one reason developers lean toward PlayStation.

    Background and key points of this debate

    It’s worth noting that this kind of thread is built on speculation, since Sony has made no official statement about the PS6’s launch timing. The release gaps cited in the thread (PS to PS2: 5 years 3 months; PS4 to PS5: 7 years) are purely historical track record, with no guarantee the PS6 will follow the same rhythm. It’s also worth noting that soaring chip prices and part shortages driven by AI demand aren’t unique to the PS6 — they’re a constraint shared by Xbox and Nintendo’s next-gen hardware development too, forcing every manufacturer to tread carefully around price increases. The thread cited the expectation that GTA6 will still launch mostly on PS5-generation hardware as grounds for “no need to rush the PS6,” but readers should keep in mind that this too is user speculation, not confirmed release information.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hardware/Industry, Geha) thread “There’s no particular reason to abandon the PS5 — which has sold roughly 100 million units and performs several times better than the Switch 2 — and rush out the PS6.”

  • “Cucuruz Doan’s Island” Gets Its Free-TV Premiere on BS12 — 5ch Calls It “The Most Boring Gundam Movie Ever”

    On August 30 at 7pm, BS12’s “Sunday Anime Theater” slot gave the film “Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island” its first-ever free broadcast. The slot is airing eight “Mobile Suit Gundam” series titles on a weekly rotation through September 27, and this week’s showing — following last week’s “Encounters in Space” — marked the film’s first time airing for free. On 5ch, opinions were divided: some praised director Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s distinctive art style and the scene where Amuro crushes an enemy soldier underfoot, as well as the impact of the Gundam’s appearance near the end, while others blasted it as “the most boring movie in Gundam screen history.”

    August 30, 2026, 12:00 AM

    World Hi-Vision Channel will air the film “Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island” today, August 30, starting at 7pm, on BS12 Twellv’s “Sunday Anime Theater.”

    “Sunday Anime Theater” is airing eight titles from the “Mobile Suit Gundam” series on a weekly rotation through September 27. Following last week’s “Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters in Space [HD Remastered Version],” this week’s film, “Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island,” is getting its first-ever free broadcast.

    Source: news.livedoor.com / Original article here

    6AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:08
    Never seen it — is it actually any good?
    10AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:12
    Re: #6
    The part where Amuro kills someone entirely of his own will was great.
    16AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:20
    Re: #6
    The overwhelming impact when the Gundam finally shows up near the end was great.
    69AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:53
    Re: #6
    Felt dated. I prefer Hathaway or Unicorn.
    9AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:12
    Same issue as ORIGIN — the acting in the artwork is way too exaggerated (know what I mean?), and it just didn't work for me.
    15AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:19
    Re: #15
    That's just how all of Yasuhiko's anime are.
    17AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:22
    Re: #15
    Ah, I see. Never watched the others, but sounds like that style wouldn't be for me either.
    49AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:20
    Re: #15
    Yasuhiko himself probably thinks it's got character, but that style only really worked up through the Showa era (pre-1989). Even watching it now, it feels dated.
    11AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:13
    Why did they even make this, content-wise… Next time try doing one about the Zakrello.
    70AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:53
    Re: #11
    It's not trial and error — it's about figuring out what actually gets a reaction.
    75AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:02
    Re: #11
    It's an episode that's been brought up online for ages, so they probably figured it could stand on its own as a movie. Originally it was only famous as a meme for its animation collapse, though.
    25AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:35
    Sounds like an interesting title, but how is it actually?
    30AnonymousAug 30, 2026 15:42
    Re: #25
    The most boring movie in Gundam screen history.
    38AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:06
    Re: #25
    I fell asleep halfway through.
    50AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:21
    Does Char not appear?
    73AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:59
    Re: #50
    There's a nice bonus where Char appears with just his voice at the start.
    124AnonymousAug 30, 2026 18:15
    Re: #50
    Char's custom Zaku II (06R) shows up.
    51AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:21
    Wait, seriously, it's getting bad reviews? I hadn't had anything to do with Gundam since the original series, but I saw this in theaters and actually teared up a little…
    72AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:56
    Re: #51
    Different strokes for different folks.
    52AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:21
    Oh, the one where they simmer and eat a mermaid? Annoyingly, I can't deny that island-set stories get me excited.
    53AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:25
    Oh, that sleek-looking Zaku, huh

    Re: #52
    Is this Chiikawa or something lol (Chiikawa = a famous cute/simplified character franchise)
    58AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:32
    BS11 and BS12 actually get more demand than you'd think.
    63AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:41
    Re: #58
    Watching a movie on BS12 on Saturday nights has become the norm for me. If there's no movie, it's Gundam on BS11 instead.
    115AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:43
    Re: #58
    BS11's horse racing coverage is way better than Fuji TV's.
    60AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:38
    Having Amuro stomp a Zeon soldier to death, huh, Yasuhiko-san…
    65AnonymousAug 30, 2026 16:43
    Re: #60
    When I watched it, someone in the audience actually chuckled at that scene. It felt less like Amuro killing a person and more like squashing a bug.
    98AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:30
    Re: #60
    Stop it!
    80AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:07
    Are they going to show F91 or Char's Counterattack too?
    84AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:10
    Re: #80
    Starting next week it's the Z trilogy, then Char's Counterattack after that. This BS12 slot runs all sorts of stuff, so keep checking the official schedule regularly.
    88AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:15
    The Z movies were rough — new and old animation styles all mixed together. The only saving grace was the changed ending where Kamille gets a happy version.
    91AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:22
    Re: #88
    It's interesting precisely because Kamille breaks down. The new movie version ruined that.
    90AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:20
    Anyway, why do they stubbornly refuse to air the original movie trilogy? At this point it should just be free to watch anytime. Show the original instead of Z.
    93AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:26
    Re: #90
    The original movie trilogy was airing right up until last week, you know.
    99AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:31
    I wonder when ZZ will get a movie.
    102AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:33
    Re: #99
    ZZ isn't really "anime" in that sense, so that'd probably be tough.
    105AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:38
    Re: #99
    It's been 20 years since the Z movies — no way that's happening.
    101AnonymousAug 30, 2026 17:32
    Even if they're going to adapt just one episode, why this one, I wonder. I'd rather they expanded on the one where Dad has oxygen deprivation syndrome — turns out that's actually a fake illness, and the real setup is that Tem Ray is secretly developing a next-gen mobile suit for Newtypes.
    123AnonymousAug 30, 2026 18:12
    Re: #101
    I agree, but there's just no demand anymore for sci-fi Gundam or mecha-focused Gundam. These days both the creators and the audience are only interested in "character-driven" stuff.

    Background and Key Points of the Discussion

    “Cucuruz Doan’s Island” is director Yoshikazu Yasuhiko’s theatrical reconstruction of episode 15 of the TV series that originally aired in 1979. That original episode was notorious even at the time for its rough, unstable animation, and as one commenter (#75) notes, it had long been passed down among fans as the episode that “became a meme for its animation collapse” — that notoriety is part of why it was picked for a theatrical remake. The thread’s split opinions centered mainly on Yasuhiko’s signature, stylized art direction, with some calling it “his trademark style” and others saying “that only worked up through the Showa era.” The scene where Amuro stomps an enemy soldier like a bug has also repeatedly come up as an unusually striking moment for the series. The same BS12 slot is airing eight Gundam series titles in sequence through September 27, with the “Zeta” trilogy reportedly coming next week, followed by “Char’s Counterattack.”

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “Movie “Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island” gets its free TV premiere today, the 30th, at 7pm on BS12’s “Sunday Anime Theater”.”

  • Yasuko’s Children’s Cafeteria Draws Fire Over ‘LINE Reservation Only’ Policy — 5ch Asks: ‘Will It Really Reach the Truly Poor Kids?’

    Comedian Yasuko (27) announced on her X account on August 30 that she had opened a children’s cafeteria called “Yasu-mattari.” It runs once a week on an irregular schedule, and using it requires a reservation made entirely through LINE. That drew questions online, with some asking, “Won’t this fail to reach kids from truly struggling families who aren’t even allowed to have a smartphone?” Yasuko responded, “We’re working in coordination with schools.” The news sparked a wave of reactions on 5ch, with debate ranging from suggestions that schools should select and refer eligible kids, to sarcastic jabs calling it a “poverty business” because of the reservation-only setup, to alternative ideas like simply handing out leftover school lunches.

    Mon, Aug 31, 3:34 PM

    Comedian Yasuko (27) updated her X (formerly Twitter) account on the 31st. She had announced on the 30th that she was opening a children’s cafeteria called “Yasu-mattari,” and she addressed the feedback she’d received about its reservation method.

    Yasuko wrote, “I’ve opened the children’s cafeteria ‘Yasu-mattari’!! It’s all thanks to everyone who helped out. Thank you so, so much!!”

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

    5AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:31
    Then just skip the publicity and only invite kids who get referred by their school as 'this one's genuinely poor.'
    10AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:38
    Re: #5
    Since you brought it up, why don't you go do your own idea yourself?
    22AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:46
    Re: #5
    Great idea!
    You go do it — I'll cheer you on with everything I've got.
    8AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:37
    Even families on welfare (seiho) have smartphones.
    21AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:46
    Re: #8
    Yeah, on 10-gig Flet's Hikari fiber, no less.
    27AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:51
    Once a week *irregular schedule

    Reservation-only lolololol

    Why do you need to screen people that hard?
    You gonna feed like two hand-picked kids?
    85AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:32
    Re: #27
    Well, she's a TV industry person, so she's probably learned the trick — hand-picking people who 'look the part' so that when reporters show up, or when she posts about it herself, it makes for good PR.
    30AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:51
    There's always someone out there who does nothing themselves but complains like a pro.
    33AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:53
    Re: #30
    That's literally you.
    52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:05
    People who complain about this must just be irritated at everything in life.
    55AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:08
    Re: #52
    Nah, come on lol

    Once a week *irregular schedule
    LINE reservation only

    That's not even a children's cafeteria anymore.
    Do a little homework before you post.
    61AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:13
    Re: #1
    Watching it on TV, I thought — instead of spending money on the interior, use that cash to feed even one more kid. Did the entrance really need an automatic door?
    119AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:57
    Re: #61
    What do you mean? Is this tied to the 24-Hour TV telethon?
    64AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:15
    Where in Katsushika Ward is it? I want to go check it out, so someone tell me.
    65AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:16
    Re: #64
    Please make your reservation on LINE first~ There ya go~
    78AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:26
    If the school already knows which families are struggling, couldn't the school just send the leftover lunches home with those kids? I genuinely don't get the point of this~
    79AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:28
    Re: #78
    Because it's a poverty business.
    80AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:29
    Re: #78
    Handing out leftover school lunches would definitely become a problem.
    100AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:40
    Re: #78
    There's the food-poisoning risk, and the kid who takes food home might get bullied for it, but more than anything, public institutions run on the principle of equal treatment. Honestly, plenty of kids would want free food given the chance, so it'd be tough to draw a line on who qualifies and then split things fairly even among the kids inside that line. Outsiders can say 'don't overthink it,' but it's the teachers on the ground who actually have to deal with complaints from pushy 'monster parents.'
    90AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:35
    Hmm…
    I get what she's going for, and I do give her credit, but telling a kid outright, 'If you're poor and can't eat, come to my place' — is that really okay?
    Can't this kind of thing be handled more discreetly?
    And isn't this probably being kept secret from the school too?
    95AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:37
    Re: #90
    Stop giving her credit and go do it yourself.
    128AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:03
    Re: #90
    That's exactly why most children's cafeterias are set up so anyone can come, poor or not. But when a celebrity runs one, people flood in, so Yasuko's place is probably trying reservations and other trial-and-error fixes because of that.
    107AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:48
    By the way, this isn't even her own money.
    108AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:49
    Re: #107
    Wait, really? It's not?
    118AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:54
    Re: #107
    Isn't she funding it out of her own pocket?
    151AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:32
    Re: #107
    Wait, seriously?! Is that true?!
    117AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:54
    Honestly, some people who run children's cafeterias are just chasing subsidies, and on the user side too, it's not always the truly poor — plenty of well-off 'beggars' show up for free food even though they've got income, a car, and parents. And sure enough, here too, the LINE reservation system leaves poor families who can't afford smartphones out in the cold — kind of says it all. The intentions might be admirable, but wouldn't it be better to do relief visits or soup kitchens at disaster areas or children's group homes instead?
    120AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:58
    So the plan is: the school certifies 'this kid is poor,' and only then does the reservation get made?
    122AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:00
    Re: #117 Re: #120
    Why do you assume it's a place only for poor people?
    135AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:07
    Re: #117
    Just reading this thread proves it — when you run volunteer work aimed at low-income people, folks outside the target group get noisy about this and that, and it turns into a mess. A reservation system is a good way to keep those noisy types from butting in. Makes me want to say: put in some work or money instead of just running your mouth.
    129AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:03
    Re: #122
    Rich kids actually have someone at home, lol. Even without a parent around, there's someone.
    137AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:08
    Re: #129
    A children's cafeteria is probably more fun.
    136AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:07
    A soup kitchen would be way better.
    139AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:09
    Re: #136
    You're welcome to do it — go on, hurry up.
    143AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:19
    Re: #136
    You go do it.
    144AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:20
    Given how people feel about her right now, Fuwa-chan (fellow comedian Fuwa-chan) is probably rated higher.
    154AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:35
    Re: #144
    No way, that can't be right.
    157AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:40
    Re: #144
    Whenever Yasuko comes up, this opinion always shows up, but among the general public, it's probably still Yasuko who's more liked. Can't say for sure if it's just an online thing, though.

    Background and Points of Debate

    Japan is said to have more than 9,000 children’s cafeterias nationwide, and most operate not as poverty-only services but as places any local child can use — a point raised in the thread too, with users noting that “most children’s cafeterias let kids in even if they’re not poor.” When a celebrity runs one, applicants can flood in and crowd out the very families the service is meant to help, which is why some adopt a reservation system — but beyond saying she’s “coordinating with schools,” Yasuko hasn’t given any further explanation in the article. The thread split over how to read this: does the LINE reservation system shut out struggling families without smartphones, or does the school partnership secure access for the intended kids through a separate channel? Speculation also flew over whether the funding comes out of Yasuko’s own pocket, but the article doesn’t confirm this either way, so these open questions will have to wait for further reporting.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “Yasuko Responds to Concerns Over Her Children’s Cafeteria’s LINE Reservation Method — ‘Won’t It Fail to Reach Truly Poor Kids?’ — ‘We’re Coordinating with Schools’.”

  • Sony’s VTuber Agency “VEE” to End Operations September 30 — 5ch: “Their Star Talent Got Poached”

    Sony Music Entertainment has announced that its VTuber project “VEE” will end its current management structure and talent management as of September 30, 2026. The project only got into full swing this year, with five members of “Dev-a” joining in May and six members of “Dev-b” in June — meaning it’s shutting down less than half a year later. On 5ch’s hardware/industry (“Geha”) board, comments focused on VEE’s distinctive system that let talent keep their character name and avatar (“gawa”) when going independent or switching agencies, along with pointed remarks about how fierce the competition from Hololive and Nijisanji has become.

    Notice Regarding the End of Sony Music’s VTuber Project “VEE” Management Structure

    Thank you as always for your support of “VEE,” the virtual talent development and management project operated by Sony Music Entertainment Inc., and of its affiliated talent.

    We are writing to inform you that, as of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, “VEE” will end its current project operations and its management of affiliated talent.

    Source: vee-official.jp / Original article here

    2AnonymousAug 31, 2026 14:59
    List of talents

    69AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:50
    Re: #2
    Kohaku's literally the only one I know!
    89AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:37
    Re: #2
    Why are they all this same anime style
    Throw in a calm, mature onee-san type for once
    127AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:22
    Re: #2
    There were this many of them lol and I don't know a single one lol
    6AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:03
    The saddest part is their scouting team's ability alone was genuinely top-agency level
    7AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:03
    There's only one I recognize, some girl named Rinon
    Wonder what she'll do
    Go indie maybe?
    9AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:04
    So the girl who went viral the other day for her Ring Fit thighs was from here huh
    14AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:06
    The whole appeal was that "speaking freely" vibe (or at least the illusion of it)
    Once you strip that away there's nothing left to run on
    Yeah, this was always going to be rough
    19AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:07
    Anjuin Misa was blowing up so hard though, why…
    21AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:08
    Re: #19
    That's after she'd already quit (indie → then to Specialite), so well, yeah
    84AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:31
    Re: #19
    Feels like they had their star talent poached and just had no moves left
    26AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:13
    Should've just thrown money at astroturfing like those other shady "stema" agencies do (stema = stealth marketing)
    27AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:13
    The classic "business is booming, so here's a layoff wave" move, right here too
    28AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:14
    Don't need flesh-and-blood talent anymore
    It's all AI from here on!
    Cerny swinging an RTX around
    40AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:20
    Can't exactly reinvent yourself at a major agency with "I used to VTuber for Sony" on your résumé either
    47AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:26
    Re: #40
    Some have already moved on to REJECT and Specialite, so it really comes down to individual talent
    48AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:28
    Don't recognize a single one
    Guess they really were locked into PlayStation hardware only, huh?
    49AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:30
    Re: #48
    Ah, that explains why it never took off
    Being locked to a minor platform is basically an unwinnable game
    55AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:36
    I wonder if you get to keep the avatar as a kind of severance package for this kind of thing
    57AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:38
    Re: #55
    If it's the company pulling out of the business rather than the talent "graduating," there might be a chance
    Though is there even an avatar here worth keeping?
    63AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:40
    Re: #55
    I've heard it counts as a transfer of company assets, so the tax side gets annoying
    Though at the end of the day it's just a money problem, so with enough guts and cash it's apparently not impossible
    64AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:41
    Re: #55
    Normally you'd almost never get to keep it
    But apparently VEE has always let talent go independent or switch agencies while keeping their name and avatar
    77AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:07
    Come on, Sony
    Use your own VTubers for once (lol)
    123AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:12
    Re: #77
    Right after this they also dropped that Pro Baseball Spirits (PlayStation) × Ace Combat real-life event tie-in, so I guess that's just how it is
    101AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:19
    Uparu Channel — fishing vlogs
    Sakuratori Mina — horror game clear endurance streams
    Those are the only two VEE talents I watch
    Good thing is Uparu Channel is going indie now and Mina's apparently doing something too
    Honestly never watched the group's official streams so I have no idea who else was even in this
    Found both of them separately through YouTube recommendations
    137AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:22
    Re: #101
    Oh, Uparu was from here? I watch her occasionally
    Thought she'd been indie from the start
    103AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:22
    Re: #1
    Sony was pulling stunts like this way back too

    Officially licensed "3D-Printed Figures (TM)" of celebrities and characters
    now on sale via Amazon.co.jp's "3D Printer Store"!!
    ~ First wave: Japan's top uuum-affiliated YouTubers!! ~
    Sony Music Communications Inc. / UUUM Co., Ltd.
    Release: March 25, 2014, 10:30
    https://www.atpress.ne.jp/news/44411


    Product name: "3D-Printed Figure (TM)"
    Featured talent: HIKAKIN / Jet☆Daisuke / Seto Koji / Sasaki Asahi /
    Kazu / ABTV Network / MEGUMI / SEIKIN

    109AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:41
    Meanwhile Hololive — the Nintendo-backed one — is doing amazing
    112AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:44
    Re: #109
    Sony actually invests in Nijisanji
    They're way more tied to that than Nintendo is to Hololive
    113AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:45
    Re: #112
    And yet Power Pros is on Switch lmaooooooooo
    116AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:51
    Re: #113
    You don't know SME's track record of playing every side?
    114AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:48
    Being a VTuber doesn't require looks, singing, or any real skill — pretty much anyone can do it.
    Which means you can churn out as many as you want too.
    118AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:56
    Re: #114
    Streaming isn't something just anyone can do either
    You wanna watch someone with zero talent for putting on a show?
    120AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:03
    Come on, manufacturing a hit idol is supposed to be exactly Sony Music's and Sony Pictures' bread and butter
    126AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:19
    Re: #120
    If you can take that idol, have her do a bit of streaming, and blow past established streamers with it, then running a whole VTuber agency is nothing but a cost center

    Background and Key Points of This Story

    VEE only got into full swing this year, with five members of “Dev-a” joining in May and six members of “Dev-b” in June — meaning the project is ending less than half a year after its debut. In the thread, many pointed out the irony that Sony invests in Nijisanji while shutting down its own in-house agency VEE, as well as how tough it is to break into a VTuber market already locked down by the two established giants, Hololive and Nijisanji. Some posts noted that VEE let talent go independent or move to other agencies while keeping their character name and avatar, suggesting its handling of rights may have worked differently from a typical VTuber agency. As of August 31, it’s still unclear how this ease of transfer will affect the future activities of its currently affiliated talent.

    *This article is compiled as an excerpt/summary from the 5ch (Hardware/Industry “Geha”) thread “Notice of Sony’s VTuber Project Ending Its Operations.”

  • Voice Actress Moka Hinata Suspended From Activities Through Year-End; Agency Cites ‘Conduct That Seriously Damaged Trust’

    Talent agency Music Ray’n announced on August 31 that its signed voice actress, Moka Hinata, would suspend all entertainment activities until the end of December 2026, after “conduct that seriously damaged trust with related parties was confirmed.” Details of the conduct have not been disclosed, but the agency also stated that “no conduct violating any laws has been confirmed,” and works already recorded will reportedly be released as scheduled. On 5ch, some suspect a criminal matter such as drug use, while others — noting the denial of any legal violation — speculate about contract-related trouble such as unauthorized side jobs, undisclosed work, or preparations to switch agencies, with opinions split over what really happened.

    8/31 (Mon) 16:30

    The official website of talent agency “Music Ray’n” was updated on the 31st, announcing that its voice actress Moka Hinata would suspend her activities.

    The agency reported, “Regarding our talent Moka Hinata, we have confirmed conduct that seriously damaged the trust of related parties.” It continued, “We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness, and after repeated discussions with the individual concerned, we have decided to suspend all of Moka Hinata’s entertainment activities until the end of December 2026.” Details of the conduct behind this decision have not been disclosed.

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

    4AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:37
    Did she pull some off-the-books side gig without going through the agency?
    129AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:56
    Re: #4
    Probably one of: fan dating, drugs, online gambling, or unauthorized side work.
    16AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:40
    Illegal drugs or something?
    50AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:56
    Re: #16
    "No conduct violating any laws has been confirmed regarding this matter."
    "Therefore, content and works recorded or produced before today will, in principle, continue to be released and sold as scheduled, based on discussions with relevant parties and the decisions of the rights holders."

    It's not a criminal case, so anyone posting that kind of speculation could get hit with a disclosure request and legal action — watch yourselves.
    It's probably too late, but sending an apology now would be the safer move.
    108AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:29
    Re: #16
    It says she's suspended until the end of December, so it's probably not something criminal.
    24AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:43
    She's a voice actress, right? What kind of non-illegal conduct gets you punished like this?
    Turns out she was secretly a guy or something?
    29AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:45
    Re: #24
    If it's not a major agency, they run on their own custom contracts, so from the outside you can't even tell who's really at fault.
    Actually, the creator of Liar Game posted about this recently too — apparently even manga publishers, if they're smaller web-based outfits, sometimes lock creators into contracts stacked against them.
    32AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:46
    If it's a 4-month suspension, it's probably something like repeated lateness.
    If it were an adult-video (AV) scandal, she'd be dropped instantly.
    42AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:50
    Re: #32
    Off to the north, huh (a euphemism for being sent away in disgrace).
    There was a voice actress a few years back who got caught doing "papa-katsu" (paid dating with older men) and was forced to retire too.
    47AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:52
    Re: #32
    If it were just lateness, I don't think they'd need to hide the details.
    40AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:48
    Re: #1
    49AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:56
    Re: #40
    Voice acting as a side job?
    52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:56
    TV Anime

    2021
    IDOLY PRIDE (Mei Hayasaka [14][15])
    2023
    World Dai Star (Girl A)
    2024
    One Room, Normal Sunlight, Angel Included. (in-game character)
    Reborn as a Nobleman, Rising to the Top with an Appraisal Skill (village child)
    Ojarumaru (girl, Kanabun-ko)
    2025
    I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level ~Part 2~ (Staff Member A [note 1])
    2026
    Classroom of the Elite, 4th Season: Year 2 Arc, 1st Semester (Moeka Suchi [note 1])

    That's all.
    140AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:19
    Re: #52
    LOL, I had no idea who this was.
    They put out a formal notice even for someone this obscure?
    142AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:27
    Re: #52
    Well, thanks for your service. (a customary sign-off, here marking the likely end of her run)
    53AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:57
    She probably caused trouble for somebody somewhere,
    which is why they had no choice but to announce it like this while keeping the details vague.
    An affair with someone from the anime industry, maybe?
    62AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:00
    Re: #53
    If it were an affair, that would count as a tort under the Civil Code, so I doubt that's it.
    58AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:58
    She was probably trying to switch agencies,
    and this is the agency's way of saying "we won't let you audition for anything new until your contract runs out"
    — dunno though.
    117AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:41
    Re: #58
    Yeah, I get that feeling too.
    130AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:57
    Re: #58
    Isn't there a rule in the entertainment industry that you have to lay low for six months after switching agencies?
    158AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:57
    Re: #58
    There's no other voice-actress agency with as good an environment as Music Ray'n though.
    Must've been a pretty serious breach of trust.
    67AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:03
    Re: #62
    Under the Civil Code, an affair (marital infidelity) is an unlawful "tort" (Civil Code Articles 709 and 710) that destroys the peaceful shared life of a married couple,
    and (e.g., wife against mistress) is legitimate grounds for a damages claim or divorce.
    122AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:50
    Re: #67
    That's exactly what I just said.
    Don't post something that doesn't even make sense.
    69AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:03
    Hard to tell.
    If it's not an illegal act but a breach of trust, maybe she was taking on jobs without permission?
    73AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:04
    Re: #69
    Is unauthorized side work even a thing for voice actors?
    79AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:06
    Re: #73
    There are cases of doing adult work under a secret alias, but that normally still goes through the agency.
    82AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:07
    Re: #73
    Maybe she took paid work like doing announcements for a local shopping street without going through the agency?
    76AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:05
    She probably just ate someone's pudding out of the agency fridge without asking.
    83AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:08
    Re: #76
    Tahara: "Everyone gather round — who drank my strawberry milk I had chilling in the fridge?" (a running meme quote)
    91AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:11
    Wasn't this supposed to be an industry where you don't get fired even if it comes out that you used to appear in adult videos?
    93AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:14
    Re: #91
    Well yeah, obviously lol.
    Same entertainment industry, right?
    92AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:12
    Looked her up —
    she seemed like a voice actress who was about to break out.
    She'd just landed a role in Classroom of the Elite (Youjitsu) right as she was taking off, so I'm guessing she really messed up at exactly the wrong moment.
    98AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:16
    Re: #92
    Feels like her push period is already over, honestly.
    111AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:32
    Why did she never break out at all at Music Ray'n?
    115AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:34
    Re: #111
    At Music Ray'n, everyone in Sphere made it big,
    but from TrySail only the "Useless Goddess" one (Sora Amamiya, known for voicing Aqua in KonoSuba) made it.
    Feels like nobody's broken out since then.
    132AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:01
    Even in the previous generation, TrySail, only Sora Amamiya is really recognized as a voice actress. This girl was supposed to be the next generation after that. For such a major agency, they're completely failing to develop young talent.
    137AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:17
    Re: #132
    Maybe the agency's pull has weakened.
    Back in Sphere's heyday they'd have muscled their talent into any anime role going,
    forcing up their name recognition by sheer push — not anymore, it seems.
    149AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:40
    Is there even a point to suspending activities through year-end over conduct that damaged trust with related parties?
    If needed, couldn't she just pay damages and apologize to those parties, get forgiven, and have that be the end of it?
    A suspension doesn't really accomplish anything.
    155AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:53
    Re: #149
    I guess it's also meant as a show of remorse.

    Background and Key Points of This Topic

    The phrase “conduct that seriously damaged trust” is a stock expression talent agencies often reach for when announcing a scandal involving a signed talent — it conveys the severity of the disciplinary action without disclosing the specific misconduct. What stands out this time is that the agency itself explicitly stated “no conduct violating any laws has been confirmed,” which appears aimed at heading off rumors of criminal activity before they spread. Because of that line, speculation about drugs or illegal acts cooled off in the thread’s later posts, and the dominant theory shifted toward contract- or career-related trouble, such as taking on unauthorized work or preparing to switch agencies. That said, the agency has not disclosed the specific nature of the conduct, and every theory floated in the thread remains pure speculation. Given that the suspension runs through the end of the year, it’s natural to assume this wasn’t a simple case of lateness or a minor mistake, but something serious enough to affect the contract or the relationship of trust — though no information confirming that exists at this time.

    *This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Entertainment/Sports News Plus) thread “Voice Actress Moka Hinata to Suspend Activities Through Year-End, Agency Says ‘Conduct That Seriously Damaged Trust Confirmed’.”

  • Atarashii Gakko’s Leaders’ SUZUKA Sparks Buzz With Bold High-Fashion Magazine Debut

    On August 29, the official Instagram account of four-member dance-vocal unit Atarashii Gakko’s Leaders announced that member SUZUKA had made her first appearance in a fashion magazine, featured in the October issue of Numéro TOKYO. Multiple shots showed her in high-fashion styling around Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, and 5ch users reacted with surprise at her transformation. The thread split between a harsh view that the group has been “a one-hit wonder that’s fizzled out since their signature song ‘Otona Blue’” and defenders insisting “their singing at festivals and on TV is the real deal,” sparking a broader debate over how the group should be judged.

    Mon, 8/31, 15:19

    On August 29, the official Instagram of four-member dance-vocal unit Atarashii Gakko’s Leaders announced that SUZUKA had made her first appearance in a fashion magazine, in the October issue of Numéro TOKYO. Her look has become a topic of conversation.

    Multiple photos were posted showing SUZUKA striking poses in a high-fashion mood around town, including on Harajuku’s Takeshita Street.

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

    5AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:47
    Articles like this about these guys pop up on a regular basis — is their agency paying for the coverage?
    70AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:25
    Re: #5
    Same as with Chiikawa — Dentsu's probably behind it
    6AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:47
    Saw them at a festival — they projected from the diaphragm way better than most artists out there and didn't go off-key once
    8AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:48
    Just can't warm up to this group, somehow
    9AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:51
    They know exactly what they're doing
    They just want (validation), right?
    10AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:52
    I honestly think she wears the glasses as a handicap
    She's got the figure, face, and voice to take over the industry without them
    15AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:54
    On an NHK music special the other day, these guys were doing backup dancing for Rinda Yamamoto
    It's kind of heartbreaking to think this is the kind of work they have to take to get by domestically
    28AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:00
    Re: #15
    Vocalist SUZUKA is a huge Showa-pop fan to begin with and genuinely respects Rinda Yamamoto, so she probably jumped at the chance
    77AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:39
    Re: #15
    They've covered her song 'Neraiuchi' ('Take Aim') on purpose — literally taking aim, pun intended
    90AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:05
    Re: #15
    That actually makes me like them more
    16AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:55
    These guys and Kocchi no Kento are the top two Reiwa-era one-hit wonders
    19AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:56
    Their real personalities seem to resemble my oshi's, but yeah, with this kind of gimmick-heavy style, this is probably about as far as it goes
    23AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:57
    That's going too far
    It's not that bad
    25AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:59
    Thought she was pushing 30, turns out she's only 24
    34AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:02
    Wait, is this song originally by Akiko Wada?
    37AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:03
    A 'one-hit wonder' that barely even counts as having landed the one hit
    40AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:06
    Re: #1
    Not sure if it counts as 'art,' but she's tall so it looks the part
    If she were short, no amount of photographer skill could save it from looking like a Shichi-Go-San photo (a kids' shrine-visit ceremony — i.e., it'd look childish and awkward)
    41AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:07
    Kanon messed up her back, so they probably can't keep doing four-person stages at the same pace as before
    47AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:11
    Atarashii Gakko's Leaders (New School's Leaders)
    Atarashii Chizu (New Map)

    Something about names that read like translated foreign phrases feels off
    49AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:12
    They broke out around the same time as Ano, but the gap between them is huge
    This group vanished in seconds
    66AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:22
    Isn't she the one with the bob haircut?
    68AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:24
    Re: #66
    The ones from the CarSensor commercial?
    88AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:02
    They've always been weirdly pushing just this one member
    115AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:04
    Re: #88
    Kanon's great though
    92AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:07
    Seiya (of comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo) once said that back when SUZUKA was still basically unknown, he happened to see her and her aura was so intense he was sure she had to be somebody
    120AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:11
    Re: #92
    What even is an 'aura'?
    128AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:24
    Re: #120
    "You're a shooting-star angel~" (a play on Seiya's name, echoing Saint Seiya's meteor imagery)
    146AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:03
    Re: #120
    Dominates the space above even Seiya's head — and he's no short guy
    100AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:26
    A one-hit wonder famous for nothing but the line 'a shockwave that tears through youth'
    126AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:23
    Re: #100
    Damn, you really know your stuff lol
    131AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:42
    Landing one hit with 'Otona Blue' alone is nothing to be ashamed of
    but after that it was nothing but songs that seemed to have zero mainstream appeal, and they lost steam
    140AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:57
    Re: #131
    I bet the Showa-pop covers just didn't sell
    so someone decided, 'let's go all-in on dance instead!'

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    Atarashii Gakko’s Leaders formed in 2020; their 2022 track “Otona Blue” took off on streaming, and by 2023 the quartet was drawing attention for overseas festival appearances too. SUZUKA’s trademark is her glasses, and in recent years she’s kept up a steady run of Showa-era pop covers and solo magazine bookings. This latest feature in Numéro TOKYO, a fashion magazine covering domestic and international high-fashion brands, isn’t itself a surprising piece of casting for a Harajuku location shoot. What split the thread was the view that the group has been “a one-hit wonder that’s fizzled since their signature song” versus the view that “they’ve proven themselves at festivals and on TV,” with the latter camp mostly citing their Showa-pop covers and NHK appearances as evidence. Note that comparisons mocking appearance and baseless speculation have been excluded from this writeup.

    *This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “Atarashii Gakko’s Leaders’ SUZUKA’s ‘Dramatic Transformation’ Praised as ‘Living Art’ — Her Harajuku Look Was Too Cool“.

  • Ryusei Ryo Leaves Ken-On After 16 Years: “I’ll Never Forget the Kindness I Received”

    Actor Ryusei Ryo (33) has announced his departure from Ken-On, the talent agency he’s been with for 16 years since his debut. On his Instagram, he wrote, “I’ll never forget the kindness I received.” On 5ch, threads lit up with speculation — tied to a possible sequel — over whether Shinjo, the character he played in the TBS drama VIVANT, is alive or dead, along with posts comparing him to fellow actor Ryusei Yokohama and looking back at his past roles, including his stand-in casting in the taiga drama Hikaru Kimi e and his role as Niini in the morning drama Chimudondon. Given the Ken-On connection, the conversation also branched into the current affiliations of Misaki Ito and Kumiko Goto.

    Mon, 8/31, 15:40

    Actor Ryusei Ryo (33) announced on the 31st that he has left Ken-On, the talent agency he had been with for 16 years since his debut.

    He posted a statement to his Instagram Stories: “I am writing to announce that I will be leaving the agency that has looked after me for the past 16 years.”

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

    17AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:33
    He's officially dead in VIVANT, but he's gotta be alive
    20AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:35
    Re: #17
    If he really did just get shot dead and that's the end of it, that'd be wild too lol
    21AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:35
    Re: #17
    It's a pretty forced way to show it, but I'd bet he's still alive
    18AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:34
    Actors in their early 30s who aren't quite lead-tier are at a real crossroads
    Either they fade out or survive as a supporting player
    66AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:12
    Re: #18
    Popularity aside, this guy's led multiple prime-time network dramas
    19AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:35
    He's ended up living in Ryusei Yokohama's shadow
    Even though he's the better actor of the two
    52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:01
    Re: #19
    These past few years he's probably done better than Ryusei
    22AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:36
    His peak was probably the lead role in Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
    24AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:40
    Re: #22
    I think he landed a great role there
    130AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:52
    Re: #22
    The deliberately wooden rakugo performance in episode 1 — I thought he varied it well scene by scene
    25AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:40
    Checking Ken-On's website, the one that caught my eye was Misaki Ito
    Turns out she didn't just marry rich and retire after all
    85AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:42
    Re: #25
    Surprised Gokumi (Kumiko Goto) is still with Oscar Promotion too
    Thought she'd quit
    28AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:41
    He had the halo ring on in the villains' meeting room, so he's dead
    144AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:30
    Re: #28
    The guy director Fukuzawa called a "palate-cleanser episode"
    33AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:43
    Kyoryu Red, Daigo Kiryu (Kyoryuger)
    Chimudondon, Niini
    VIVANT, Shinjo-kun

    One of the more memorable actors out there
    Keep it up
    40AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:48
    Re: #33
    What about the cop in Hiyokko, which is in reruns right now?
    94AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:53
    Re: #33
    If it weren't for Chimudondon, I feel like his work would've dried up even more
    122AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:32
    Re: #33
    The taiga drama stand-in role got good reviews too, if I remember right
    47AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:55
    So VIVANT's finished filming entirely?
    Is Shinjo really dead?
    There was a hint via the "Jai-memo" that a major character turns up in the villains' meeting room — could that be Shinjo?
    140AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:19
    Re: #47
    Every episode's already fully filmed
    48AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:58
    This guy and Chokky's scenes were the funniest part
    53AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:01
    Re: #48
    Looking back, yeah that's true
    These days it's just gotten creepy
    51AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:00
    His Fujiwara no Takaie in Hikaru Kimi e was the best
    54AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:01
    Re: #51
    Never expected he'd be brought in as a pinch hitter
    59AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:04
    Nanoka Hara's had plenty of work even after leaving Ken-On, so if it's an amicable exit there's no issue
    61AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:06
    Re: #59
    Her… honestly I feel like she flopped from being crammed into too many dramas
    It's turned into a "Nanoka Hara, really?" kind of reaction now
    They marketed her wrong
    63AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:09
    Re: #59
    She's already moved over to Oguri's agency, hasn't she
    74AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:22
    I love his acting and his voice, but his figure's almost too good, which makes him hard to cast — feels like he'll get sidelined
    You can't exactly stick him next to a short, pretty-boy lead
    77AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:28
    Re: #74
    The undertaker in Unnatural was great — kept you thinking something was up with him, but he was just suspicious the whole way through lol
    79AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:34
    Maybe they'll say Shinjo had his face changed and recast him with a different actor
    87AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:45
    Re: #79
    I already told you, filming's done
    83AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:38
    Hiroshi Abe said he's incredibly cheeky
    88AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:47
    Re: #83
    Was that on A-Studio?
    93AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:51
    I wonder if the character name Shinjo in VIVANT comes from his birthplace, Shinjo City in Yamagata Prefecture?
    97AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:58
    Re: #93
    All the names are baseball-related, so isn't it after manager Shinjo?

    Background and Talking Points

    Ken-On is a major talent agency whose roster includes names like Misaki Ito and Kumiko Goto (“Gokumi”), so the thread also touched on the status of other people at the agency. Ryusei Ryo had been with the agency for 16 years since his debut, and neither the reason for leaving nor his next destination was disclosed in his own announcement. VIVANT was a TBS drama that aired in 2023; Ryusei’s character Shinjo is shot during the show, and the story ended without confirming whether he lived or died, which is why the thread split between “he’s alive” and “he’s dead” theories. One poster also noted that the sequel has already finished filming in full, so Shinjo’s fate may become clear once it airs. The comparison with his same-generation peer Ryusei Yokohama also came up, though it wasn’t meant to rank the two by popularity or skill so much as point out differences in how often each has landed lead roles. Whether the agency departure itself was amicable can’t be determined from the article, and it’s worth remembering these are just posters’ speculation.

    *This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News Plus) thread “Ryusei Ryo Leaves Ken-On, the Agency He’s Been With Since His Debut: “I’ll Never Forget the Kindness I Received” — VIVANT’s Shinjo Role Also a Hot Topic“.

  • “One Meal a Day” Health Claims Spark Debate on VIP, Turns Into a Citation War

    A thread listing the benefits of eating one meal a day went up on Nico Soku VIP. The OP cited saving time and money and a lower risk of lifestyle diseases, but replies pushed back hard. Faced with claims like “you’re just losing muscle, not fat” and “you won’t get enough protein,” the OP tried to counter with papers and articles on autophagy. Anecdotes piled up on both sides — some said years of one-meal-a-day eating left them feeling fine, others said it wrecked their health — and the thread spiraled into a broader debate over meal frequency and timing.

    1AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:50
    ・Saves time and money
    ・Makes you lean and healthy
    ・Lowers risk of lifestyle diseases
    8AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:52
    Your brain needs sugar to think at full capacity, so just eating "some" sugar isn't enough
    26AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:56
    Re: #8
    That's a common myth

    You don't need any sugar intake at all. "I used my brain, so I need sugar to fuel it!" is a superstition
    https://mainichi.jp/premier/health/articles/20250212/med/00m/100/015000c
    12AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:53
    So what time would you actually eat, timing-wise?
    19AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:55
    Re: #12
    Only dinner
    Around 7-8pm
    13AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:53
    You're just losing muscle, not fat
    Your metabolism drops too
    17AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:53
    Re: #13
    Guess there's no point doing it then…
    18AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:53
    Re: #5-6
    There are already tons of books like this
    21AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:55
    Re: #18
    The fact that it hasn't caught on says it all
    68AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:33
    Re: #18
    Unlimited snacks?
    120AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:58
    Re: #114
    You're just ignorant
    Ask an AI about the effects of autophagy and you'll get plenty of info
    Also Re: #18 already posted a book, and it says the same stuff
    22AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:55
    Re: #19
    Can you even function at work doing that?
    27AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:57
    Re: #21
    Tamori and GACKT both do it
    Saying "I'm hungry so I need to eat" is just being soft

    Re: #22
    You adapt to it fast
    30AnonymousAug 31, 2026 12:58
    Re: #27
    So hunger does show up normally then?
    39AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:06
    Not quite one meal a day, but I do 200kcal of protein for breakfast and lunch
    41AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:07
    Re: #39
    Well, if you're prioritizing muscle that makes sense
    42AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:07
    Stuff like this is exactly how people fall for health scams
    44AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:08
    Re: #42
    The benefits of one-meal-a-day (autophagy) are backed by tons of papers though
    46AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:10
    I've also done one meal a day for years now, and honestly — eating or not eating barely changes anything for me
    48AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:10
    Re: #46
    Exactly
    Humans only started eating three meals a day pretty recently in history
    One meal a day is plenty
    50AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:12
    Sounds like it has upsides, but can you actually get enough daily protein?
    54AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:12
    Re: #50
    Yeah, that part is genuinely tough
    Leaning on protein powder is one way to handle it

    Re: #52
    Well, obviously
    52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:12
    Do you cut out snacks and sugary drinks entirely too?
    53AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:12
    Isn't two meals the ideal?
    Light breakfast
    Solid dinner
    55AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:13
    Re: #53
    The key is leaving at least 16 hours between meals
    60AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:18
    Just trust me and try it for 3 months
    You'll be free from every kind of bodily unease
    78AnonymousAug 31, 2026 14:48
    Re: #60
    Switching to two meals made my condition dramatically better
    63AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:20
    I eat one meal a day and I'm in terrible shape, honestly
    64AnonymousAug 31, 2026 13:20
    Re: #63
    It's what you're eating that's the problem
    Get your protein and vitamins in
    80AnonymousAug 31, 2026 14:54
    You can't absorb that much protein in one sitting, so it ends up not being enough
    84AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:17
    Re: #80
    That's also a myth

    How many grams of protein can you absorb in one meal? The truth about the "30g ceiling" theory, explained via the latest research
    https://nutrimuscle.jp/blogs/news/%E3%82%BF%E3%83%B3%E3%83%91%E3%82%AF%E8%B3%AA-%E4%B8%80%E9%A3%9F-%E6%9C%80%E5%A4%A7%E5%90%B8%E5%8F%8E%E9%87%8F-%E5%AE%8C%E5%85%A8%E8%A7%A3%E8%AA%AC

    "30g per meal is the max" / "anything beyond that is wasted" — a myth the fitness world has believed for over 20 years, overturned by 2023 research.
    Bottom line: that ceiling doesn't exist. That said, the amount you eat in one sitting does affect the efficiency of muscle protein synthesis (MPS). This article breaks down the optimal protein intake per meal based on the latest research data.
    85AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:19
    There's no upside
    You just get more and more run-down from malnutrition
    Eating three balanced meals a day is simply the best way
    87AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:21
    Re: #84
    The common wisdom is still to split intake across meals for synthesis efficiency though
    89AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:22
    Re: #87
    That's about the efficiency of muscle synthesis
    "You can't absorb it" is the actual myth
    114AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:47
    ・Saves time and money
    →If you're not eating what would've been 3 meals worth, that's just malnutrition

    ・Makes you lean and healthy
    →You're losing muscle

    ・Lowers risk of lifestyle diseases
    →Is there an actual comparison against eating 3 meals?

    ・Extends lifespan
    →…Source?

    ・Slows aging
    →…Source?

    ・Clearer skin
    →…Source?

    ・Better sleep
    →…Source?

    ・No more daytime drowsiness
    →…Source?

    ・More hair growth
    →…Source?

    ・Lets your organs rest
    →Even with 3 meals, cutting back on things like fat and spice is enough — I've never heard of a healthy 3-meal diet putting strain on your stomach. And if it's still too much, there's always something gentler like rice porridge.

    ・Better mental clarity
    →…Source?
    127AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:14
    Re: #120

    132AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:15
    Re: #127
    Why does the caution/warning part show up first when you ask about autophagy's benefits?
    You're clearly just cherry-picking the warning section

    Background and Key Points of This Debate

    One meal a day (OMAD) and the “autophagy” eating approach — built around fasting windows of 16 hours or more — is a health trend that’s spread over the past few years through social media and business self-help books. Autophagy is the cellular process of breaking down and recycling unneeded proteins, and while research (mostly in animal studies) continues to advance, large-scale clinical data directly linking human meal frequency to health outcomes is still limited. In the thread, the “there are papers backing this” camp and the “you’re just losing muscle and metabolism” camp talk past each other without ever really engaging, and neither side addresses how much individual factors like body type or activity level might matter. Whether there’s a hard ceiling on how much protein the body can absorb in one sitting is also a genuinely contested question among experts — worth keeping in mind that the article shared in the thread represents just one viewpoint among several.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Nico Soku VIP) thread “[Sad News] The Benefits of Eating One Meal a Day Are Almost Too Numerous wwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.”

  • Shiba Inu Falls Overboard, Found Safe on Island 5km Away After 26 Hours Adrift (Ehime)

    A Shiba Inu that fell overboard from a pleasure boat off the coast of Ehime Prefecture was found alive on an island 5km away after drifting for roughly 26 hours, and has since been reunited with its owner. The rescue is credited to a search effort that spread across nearby islands via social media. On 5channel, many posters expressed amazement and admiration at the dog’s will to survive 26 hours in rough seas, while others offered more level-headed takes questioning the circumstances of the accident itself: “Why didn’t anyone notice right away that it had fallen in?” and “Before turning this into a heartwarming story, shouldn’t we be asking about the owner’s lack of care?”

    Shiba Inu that fell into the sea found safe after drifting roughly 26 hours to an island 5km away! Tearful reunion with owner — social media spread the word [Ehime]

    Mon, 8/31, 13:38 JST

    Ai TV

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

    4AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:24
    If the owner had turned into Doraemon and searched the ocean for him, they'd have a movie deal by now. Working title: 'I Want to See My Master' (a nod to the real tearjerker dog movie 'I Want to See Marilyn').
    9AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:26
    Re: #4
    Who knew falling in the sea could turn a dog into a tanuki (raccoon dog)…
    17AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:30
    Wait, the dog fell overboard and the owner just… left it and went home?
    18AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:31
    Re: #17
    Sounds like they just called it in and kept right on enjoying their pleasure boat outing.
    20AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:32
    Makes you wonder why they even had the dog on the pleasure boat in the first place
    and whether it was leashed or not.
    26AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:33
    Re: #20
    If you leash it, the collar tightens around its neck when it goes overboard.
    23AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:32
    This is basically Marilyn at this point.
    93AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:15
    Re: #23
    Marilyn was the female dog who was waiting (from the tearjerker dog movie 'I Want to See Marilyn').
    138AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:54
    Re: #23
    Manson!? (riffing on "Marilyn" → Marilyn Manson)
    30AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:34
    Dogs really are something else.
    26 hours in rough seas.
    If I were the owner I'd have kept searching all through the night.
    35AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:36
    Re: #30
    It was found on the island 26 hours later — that's when it turned up, not how long they searched.
    42AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:38
    Checked the map — a human would be 2000% dead in that situation.
    45AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:41
    A brown bear could probably swim clear across the Tsugaru Strait.
    55AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:50
    Re: #45
    Maybe it'd kick a log along like a kickboard,
    or ride one like Tao Pai Pai from Dragon Ball.
    46AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:43
    Shiba Inus are a nationally designated natural monument, so we've got to treasure them.
    51AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:48
    This story embodies 'Love Saves the Earth' way better than that charity telethon ever did (referencing Japan's famous '24-Hour TV: Love Saves the Earth' broadcast).
    52AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:48
    What was that one where a dog swam off to some other island to hump a female dog kept there, and it somehow got turned into a heartwarming movie?
    117AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:34
    Re: #52
    It's 'I Want to See Marilyn,' right.
    54AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:50
    I'm confident you could never actually drown falling off a boat in the Seto Inland Sea — there are islands everywhere.
    On the way to Yakushima, though, I remember thinking 'if the boat sank right here, I'd be dead.'
    136AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:52
    Re: #54
    The Seto Inland Sea has whirlpools popping up all over the place too, you know.
    63AnonymousAug 31, 2026 15:54
    Why wasn't it rescued the moment it fell in?
    Something's off about that.
    83AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:06
    Re: #63
    If the boat's underway, nobody notices unless someone actually witnesses it happen.
    102AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:23
    Dogs don't really seem like the type to drown.
    Feels like they'd just doggy-paddle and float forever.
    103AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:24
    Re: #102
    Once they're too exhausted to even doggy-paddle anymore, they drown just like anything else.
    116AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:33
    We got a call about it on our boat too —
    told us if we spotted it, scoop it up with a net.
    146AnonymousAug 31, 2026 17:08
    Re: #116
    A whole search network mobilized for one dog — what a kind world, lol.
    119AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:36
    The whole thing feels fishy to me.
    Or maybe my heart's just gotten too jaded.
    123AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:39
    Re: #119
    If they staged it on purpose just to spin a heartwarming story, that's straight-up monstrous…
    134AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:47
    Kind of want someone to actually test whether dogs can just float and drift even after they're completely worn out, you know?
    141AnonymousAug 31, 2026 16:59
    Re: #134
    Pretty sure they just float normally.
    My dog floats fine whenever it's in the sea too.

    Should be okay as long as the waves aren't too rough.
    180AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:06
    Isn't it kind of strange that dogs can swim at all, given there wasn't really an evolutionary need for it?
    189AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:31
    Re: #180
    Let's toss one into a waterfall pool and see how far it can swim.
    198AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:50
    You really don't need to bring dogs or other pets on a boat — it's cramped and they seem like they'd fall off in no time.
    Glad it was found, though.

    Re: #180 Speaking of surprisingly strong swimmers, bears are up there too.
    Huge as they are, some even catch seabirds, and fish are apparently a favorite of theirs…
    204AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:57
    This was the owner's negligence — I wish they'd stop spinning it into a heartwarming story.
    Depending on the currents and weather, plenty of dogs would've simply run out of strength and drowned. This one just got lucky.
    206AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:02
    Re: #204
    It was also lucky there happened to be so many islands around there, in what's known as the Kutsuna Islands. Incidentally, Dash Island (from the TV variety segment) is only about 10km away from there.

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    The Shiba Inu is one of Japan’s six native dog breeds, all designated national natural monuments, which is why the thread saw comments like “we’ve got to treasure them.” The waters off Ehime where this happened are dotted with small islands, including the Kutsuna Islands, a geographic stroke of luck that likely made it easier for a drifting dog to wash up on land. Reactions on the thread split roughly into two camps: one expressed amazement and admiration at the Shiba Inu’s will to survive 26 hours adrift in rough seas, while the other offered cooler-headed criticism — “why wasn’t this noticed right away?” and “shouldn’t the owner’s responsibility be questioned before this gets turned into a heartwarming story?” Though not mentioned in the article itself, some posters noted that leashing a dog on board isn’t a simple fix either, since a collar can tighten around the dog’s neck if it falls overboard while tied — a reminder of just how tricky keeping pets safe on a boat really is.

    ※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (News Speed+) thread “[Uo･ｪ･oU] Shiba Inu that fell into the sea found safe after drifting roughly 26 hours to an island 5km away! Tearful reunion with owner — social media spread the word, Ehime.”

  • 3 Months at the Gym, Bench Maxed at 25kg — 5ch: ‘Even a Grade-Schooler Could Lift That’

    When the thread starter posted that after three months at the gym, their bench press limit was still just 25kg, 5ch users reacted with a flood of astonished comments like “that’s a weight even a grade-schooler could lift” and “there must be some kind of medical issue.” The poster, who is 171cm and 65kg, said they go to the gym three times a week and also walk four times a week, but other participants pointed out that beginners typically see much bigger gains in three months, and some questioned the efficiency of the 10-reps-times-3-sets approach itself. Meanwhile, longtime lifters offered concrete advice, noting that sticking with the same load lets the body adapt and progress stall — turning the thread into more than just mockery.

    1AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:19
    No talent for this, huh?
    13AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:21
    Re: #11
    Makes me wonder if I'm just weak as a living creature
    14AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:21
    Re: #13
    It's not 'wonder if' — it just is
    17AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:21
    Even a kid who doesn't exercise at all can barely manage 25kg, so I'm guessing there's some kind of underlying health issue
    20AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:22
    Re: #17
    No way…
    I'm gonna cry
    24AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:23
    25kg? Even a grade-schooler could probably lift that
    26AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:23
    Re: #24
    No way

    Somebody bring me a source on this
    Am I disabled or something?
    30AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:24
    25kg is basically just the bar's weight, isn't it…
    34AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:25
    Re: #30
    The bar alone is 20kg, you know
    42AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:27
    Oh, so that's the weight you can barely lift once?
    I'm doing 10 reps x 3 sets
    54AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:30
    Re: #42
    That approach isn't very efficient
    59AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:31
    Re: #43
    Normally 'bench weight' means the max you can lift for one rep
    For reference, if you can do 25kg for 24 reps straight, that works out to roughly enough strength to lift 40kg for one rep
    61AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:32
    Re: #59
    Wow, you really know your stuff
    Guess 40kg's out of reach then
    60AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:31
    That's gotta be fake
    25kg is basically just the bar's weight
    Never seen anyone do it with just 2.5kg plates on each side
    62AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:32
    Re: #60
    That's literally me
    Putting 2.5kg plates on the bar
    66AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:34
    25kg… that's a level where I'd worry whether you can even function in daily life
    Can you even do a single push-up?
    74AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:37
    Re: #66
    If you're really at this level, your upper arm probably isn't even 30cm around — sounds like you might actually be sick
    73AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:36
    If 25kg is really your max after 3 months, you should just quit the gym
    You're wasting your money
    You're probably just going because you figured 'maybe going to the gym will make me popular,' right? Some kind of horny motive?
    80AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:39
    Re: #73
    I'm doing it for self-improvement
    76AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:37
    Never trained a day in my life but I used to just carry 25kg sacks of raw materials around no problem
    81AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:39
    Re: #76
    People back in the day used to carry 60kg rice sacks
    78AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:38
    Might be worth having someone watch your form and give you some coaching
    84AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:39
    Re: #78
    Get a trainer? That's kind of intimidating
    My elbows start hurting
    86AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:41
    The /nanj/ crowd (5ch's sports-discussion board, known for its genetically blessed regulars) is seriously packed with guys built like that
    25kg is brutal enough for me as it is
    93AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:42
    Re: #86
    25kg? That's not even middle-schooler level, you'd probably lose to a grade-schooler…
    87AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:41
    I was hitting a wall at 80kg and about to cry, but seeing OP gave me some confidence
    97AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:43
    Re: #87
    Try doing 5×5 with bench twice a week
    That'll get you up to 120kg
    90AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:41
    25kg has gotta be an usomatsu (obviously exaggerated internet sob story)
    If you're serious, are you like nothing but skin and bones?
    94AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:42
    Re: #90
    I'm 171cm and 65kg
    92AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:42
    I'm 177cm and was a skinny 53kg — had a complex about it and used to go to the gym
    First time I tried, I lifted 100kg and the instructor practically begged me to take up combat sports…
    My grip strength was already 70kg, which I was kind of proud of
    98AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:43
    Re: #92
    If you really lifted 100kg right off the bat with that build, no wonder they wanted to put you in boxing or something
    95AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:43
    Everyone on /nanj/ has such a twisted personality, this is probably just an usomatsu too
    103AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:45
    Re: #95
    With bench press, pretty much anyone can hit about 1.5x their bodyweight within half a year
    100AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:44
    A beginner starting at 20kg, training 3 times a week for 3 months, and only being at 25kg now — that's pretty slow progress
    You should seriously change up your routine
    Your muscles have probably just adapted to the stimulus
    Most beginners would be lifting roughly double that weight after the same amount of time
    102AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:44
    Re: #100
    Right?
    No matter how you slice it, you should be at 40kg by now
    104AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:46
    Why's an unemployed guy only going 3 times a week?
    Go all 7 days
    106AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:47
    Re: #104
    The other 4 days I'm doing 40 minutes of walking for weight loss
    113AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:49
    Re: #106
    Dieting with your height and weight, huh…
    118AnonymousAug 31, 2026 18:50
    Re: #106
    You've got 18 free hours a day and you're only doing 40 minutes?
    162AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:16
    There might be something to the 'not enough load' theory
    But taking it slow and steady is my style
    I'm gonna keep at it until I can breeze through 25kg for 10 reps x 3 sets 👍
    166AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:18
    Re: #162
    That probably won't change no matter how long you keep at it
    Your body's adapted to the load, so you won't get any stronger
    168AnonymousAug 31, 2026 19:18
    Re: #162
    Once your muscles adapt to the stimulus you'll plateau fast
    Better to vary the load instead of sticking with the same weight

    Background and Key Points of This Discussion

    In bench press terminology, the weight usually refers to the max you can barely lift for a single rep — which is different from a weight you can handle for multiple reps, like 10 reps x 3 sets (this distinction underlies the calculation in comment #59). It’s said that even beginners commonly reach around 1 to 1.5 times their bodyweight within a few months, which is the benchmark behind why commenters saw 25kg as low. Also, as touched on in comments #166 and #168, “plateauing” — where muscles adapt to the same weight and routine, causing progress to stall — is a common phenomenon in strength training, and is said to require changing up form or programming. The comments about “illness” or “being sick” in the thread are less factual claims and more part of the exaggeration-heavy teasing culture of the board; it’s worth noting no actual medical diagnosis was involved.

    *This article is compiled as an excerpt/summary of the 5ch (Nanimo Jikkyo G) thread “I’ve been going to the gym for 3 months and 25kg is my limit on bench press.”