Aika Kanda, Antonio Aika and the Tokyo University Graduate Manager

Saint Force, an entertainment agency specializing in freelance announcers, has been my agency since three months after I left NHK, and I’ve been with them for 12 years. During this time, several male managers have been assigned to me, but the one who currently comes to the site every day is my first female manager, who joined in April.

 

She has an unusual background. Born and raised in Kansai, she used to visit Tokyo Disneyland with her family and friends about once a year. Eventually, she developed a strong desire to immerse herself in the land of dreams. When she was a high school freshman, she asked her parents for an annual Disneyland pass. However, due to the travel costs from Kansai, it was not cost-effective. Her parents then said, “If you want that, you’ll need to live in Tokyo. To do that, you must get accepted into a Tokyo university.” 

Determined, she said, “Alright!” But it wasn’t just any university in Tokyo that would do. Since she would be living alone, it was crucial to choose a national or public university to keep costs low, and it was ideal for the university to be in a location with convenient transportation to minimize travel expenses. The best option meeting these criteria was the University of Tokyo. She successfully gained admission to the prestigious institution.

As promised, she obtained the annual pass and enjoyed her time as the representative of a dance circle during her third year. Wanting to boost the circle’s visibility, she decided to participate in the Miss University of Tokyo contest and was selected as a semi-finalist. This led to her being scouted by Saint Force as a student freelance announcer. Initially interested in media work, she began her entertainment career as a learning experience. However, she soon realized she was extremely nervous in front of the camera.

She would nervously lick off the lipstick applied by the makeup artist before performances, no matter how many times it was reapplied. Seeing others speak confidently with perfect lips made her feel she wasn’t suited for being on camera, so she resolved to study more and become a manager instead. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Tokyo, focusing her research on “What is a Talent?” while also interning as a manager at Saint Force. Eventually, she became a formal manager and was assigned to me.

Despite being a modern woman who might seem intelligent but prone to complaining about a tough schedule or struggling with heavy loads, and having doubts about communicating with someone much older, she turned out to be quite capable. Leveraging her excellent memory and research skills, she effectively advanced her work and expressed her thoughts candidly.

A presence that brings a fresh perspective.

Furthermore, she noticed the monthly discomfort I experience and discreetly retrieved my pouch from my bag when I went to the restroom, handing it to me with, “Is this what you need?” It was a surprisingly thoughtful gesture that highlighted the unique advantages of having a female manager.

At NHK, many colleagues were Tokyo University graduates. I used to think they might find me foolish and would speak to me in a condescending manner due to their intelligence. I also assumed they preferred working with fellow Tokyo University alumni. However, thanks to her, my perception of Tokyo University graduates is gradually changing.

A few days ago on Poka Poka. II had the chance to dress up as Antonio Inoki. Before 9 a.m., I was in the dressing room, wearing a wig, a full-body skin-colored suit, black pants, and a red towel around my neck, practicing Inoki’s facial expressions and movements in front of the mirror. She watched me with a straight posture and a gaze as if she were reading a very difficult reference book. I wonder how she perceived and thought about that situation. She must have imagined herself in cute outfits delivering the weather as a talent when she became a manager at Saint Force. But the reality is the 44-year-old woman in a full-body suit standing right in front of her is the talent she’s managing. I look forward to seeing how her Tokyo University intellect will elevate me to new heights.

 ★The author’s first book, “The Path Called ‘Royal Road’: Where Does It Lead?” is now on sale and receiving rave reviews.

Aika Kanda was born in 1980 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Gakushuin University with a degree in mathematics, she joined NHK as an announcer in 2003, and left in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly in variety shows, and currently makes regular appearances as the main MC of the daytime TV program “Poka Poka.” (Fuji Television Network).

From the July 26/August 2, 2024 issue of FRIDAY