Netflix’s ‘Swindlers’ Generating Buzz with Praise from Big-Name MC and Discovery of Antony in ‘Urahara’

With a huge body, lumbering along

Even as the sun began to set and the heat was still sweltering, I spotted Antony from the comedy duo Matenrou and Otake from Jungle Pocket in the fashionable “Ura-Hara” district. Antony, with his round face and transparent-frame glasses, has a charming appearance. Otake, wearing sunglasses, exudes a cooler vibe than on TV. Antony’s huge body, lumbering along, inevitably drew attention, though he seemed unconcerned by it. The two are senior and junior in the Yoshimoto agency and appear to be good friends in private as well.

Antony is currently in the spotlight.

“Not only is he known as a comedian, but he’s also famous as a hardcore sneaker enthusiast, having appeared in many media outlets during the recent sneaker craze. Moreover, in recent years, he has developed a passion for poker, participating in domestic and international tournaments. In May of this year, he won the ‘Japan Open Poker Tour,’ one of Asia’s largest poker tournaments. However, what’s really making waves now is his acting in the Netflix drama ‘The Ground Guru.’” (entertainment writer)

 

“The drama “Ground Masters” is a Netflix original series, based on a novel inspired by a real-life fraud case from 2017. Directed by Jin Dai, with Etsushi Toyokawa and Gō Ayano in a dual lead role, the series has seven episodes. When it started streaming on July 25, it immediately topped the domestic rankings and reached as high as second place in the global weekly rankings.

The show depicts the dark world of “ground masters” with thrilling intensity. Among the distinctive cast, including Pierre Taki, Lily Franky, and Eiko Koike, Anthony plays a not-so-bright thug, and his performance has been praised.

In the series, Anthony plays a subordinate of one of the “ground masters” members, assisting the protagonist played by Ayano. Dressed in a flapping aloha shirt, Anthony’s character foolishly boasts in a luxury hotel, disrupting the work and failing to be useful in crucial moments that determine the success of the plan. His carefree, mischievous behavior is a stark contrast to the brainy and strategic “ground masters,” serving as a key hook in the story.”

 

Emiko Uenuma, a prominent MC from Kansai, is also a fan of “The Ground Masters.” She praised Anthony’s performance, who appeared as a guest on a show she hosts, saying, “I quickly watched episode 7 and then watched it twice more! It was excellent. His portrayal of a foolish thug was spot-on!”

Indeed, his thug-like behavior in the drama was impressive, but because it felt so real, one might wonder if his actual personality is similar.

“Although he is over 180 cm tall, he is reportedly very gentle and doesn’t get into fights. ‘The Ground Masters’ is distributed worldwide, and its impact is significant. His opportunities may expand beyond just being a comedian in the future. Additionally, since it’s a Netflix production, the budget is different from terrestrial TV dramas. He himself has revealed that his salary was exceptional.”

On the other hand, Otake seems to be doing well with his family-run monjayaki shop “Takenoko” in Tsukishima. Both Anthony and Otake appear to be thriving.