Tamura Mako of TBS Tops Next Generation Variety Queen Announcer Staff Roundtable
Who are the "post-Mizuto Mami and Hironaka Ayaka"? Who are the young talents with the MC ability to skillfully manage celebrities and the ability to improvise to generate laughter?
From Variety Program to Signboard Announcer.
Rather than traditional news programs, long considered the standard path for announcers, the “success track” of rising to become a network’s flagship announcer by succeeding in variety shows is becoming more common. The leading examples of this are TV Asahi’s Ayaka Hironaka (33) and Nippon TV’s Asami Miura (37).
In variety shows, announcers are expected to showcase high-level skills, such as the ability to respond with humor to unexpected requests from comedian co-stars, manage the often chaotic show flow smoothly, and maintain a broad perspective.
Currently, Hironaka and Miura reign as queens of variety, combining talent with popularity rivaling that of top celebrities, and both have married. Training their successors has become a pressing issue.
In response, FRIDAY gathered four experts—scriptwriter A, variety show director B, variety show producer C, and key station programming director D—to discuss whether there is anyone who could be the next queen of variety announcers, and who stands out as the top candidate.
The young beast tamer.
A: “The successor to Miura Announcer has to be her Nippon TV junior, Erina Iwata (29). In the past, on Sukkiri, she never flinched even when working alongside big names like Koji Kato (55), and on Sekai Marumie! TV Tokusobu, she held her own with industry veterans like George Tokoro (69) and Beat Takeshi (77). At Nippon TV, she’s known as the ‘Young Beast Tamer.'”
B: “She even once performed Ryoko Shinohara’s (51) famous line ‘You fool!’ from the drama Unfair in front of Sanma Akashiya (69). Among the staff, she’s known as a ‘gutsy announcer.’ Variety announcers need to have a unique personality, but if they stand out too much, it can disrupt the show’s flow and annoy co-stars. Iwata has mastered when to step forward and when to support her co-stars. Among young announcers at the major networks, she’s probably the best.”
C: “TBS’s Mako Tamura (28) is also great at distinguishing when to step into the spotlight and when to take a backseat. She used to give off a cool, no-nonsense impression, but that changed completely after she started appearing on Love it!. She’s had moments like accidentally eating a hamburger meant for the host Akira Kawashima (45) and crying her eyes out over a short animation about an elephant family’s love. Viewers have connected with her ‘everyday’ charm, and her popularity has skyrocketed.”
D: “Ordinarily, a female announcer crying on a live information program would be considered a broadcast mishap. But with Tamura, instead of criticism, her likeability increased. Some might think she’s acting, but with Tamura, there’s no hint of artifice; people believe she’s genuinely moved. However, compared to Iwata, she seems a bit more passive. In Love it! meetings, she always follows whatever Kawashima decides. It’d be great if she could develop more skill in making spontaneous, playful comments to engage her co-stars.”
B: “TV Tokyo’s Hitomi Tanaka (28) has a talent that rivals Miura and Hironaka Announcers.”
A: “She’s done an impressive job as the fourth assistant on Moyamoya Summers 2, which is practically a rite of passage for female announcers at TV Tokyo. Her ability to handle on-the-spot situations and unexpected challenges from Summers has been exceptional. Excelling on this show can make or break a career there. In fact, Mariko Oe (45), the ‘strongest assistant of all time,’ became one of the network’s top announcers. Tanaka’s eagerness, from singing improvised songs during shoots to trying out writing with her body, is rated highly.”
D: “She’s gutsy and can ad-lib, but she’s also naturally approachable without seeming arrogant. TV Tokyo has seen many ambitious announcers like Reina Sumi (34) and Miyu Ikeya (28), who can be polarizing among viewers and co-stars. Tanaka’s personable and universally liked style makes her easier for the network to work with.”
Tanaka was expected to have a promising future right from the start, being chosen as the assistant on Moya Sama just four months after joining the network.
A crowd of semi-professionals
C: “Recently, there’s been a trend of semi-pro announcers who worked as idols or talents during their student days.”
B: “Actually, my top pick is Fuji TV’s Minami Sakuma (26), who is exactly one of these ‘semi-pros.’ Since joining in 2020, she’s handled news and information programs, but from January this year, she began appearing on Full Power! Datsuryoku Times, showcasing her variety skills. The staff sees her as an announcer who can pick up on how comedians aim to get laughs. During her student days, she was part of Ikushima Kikaku, along with talents like Peter (72) and Maomi Yuuki (44), so she’s probably comfortable around celebrities. She’s also gained a lot of trust from the host, Teppei Arita (53).”
A: “If we’re talking about being comfortable with celebrities, then TV Asahi’s Chiharu Saito (27), a former Nogizaka46 member, is a strong candidate too. During a segment on Tamori Station about the World Cup, she peppered Tamori (79) with questions, drawing a wealth of comments from him. With her background as a former idol, she brings a certain charisma that livens up the screen.”
D: “Though still somewhat inexperienced, Fuji TV’s Aoi Harada (24), who was a member of Sakurazaka46, is also worth watching. Since last year, she’s been a presenter on Poka Poka, and perhaps because she co-starred with Haraichi on her group’s variety show Soko Magattara, Sakurazaka? (TV Tokyo) during her idol days, she engages with them in a grounded way. When Yuki Iwai (38) asked her about relationships during her idol days, she deftly turned it into humor. She still has a following from her idol days, so she could help boost ratings. For just her second year, she already has a solid presence. She’s definitely one to watch.”
C: “Eriko Komuro (25), the main host of Mezamashi 8, is also great. She took over from Yumi Nagashima (32), one of Fuji’s top anchors, so initially, there was concern about the heavy responsibility. However, she’s become a fixture as the morning face of Fuji. On Poka Poka Fridays, her smooth banter with Haraichi shows their perfect chemistry. Occasionally, she reveals a natural, slightly airheaded side, like being late for rehearsals, which viewers of Poka Poka seem to enjoy.”
This year, Sakuma gained experience covering her first Olympic broadcast in Paris. Fluent in English and academically accomplished, she was awarded for her achievements during her student days.
Though initially doubted for her announcer skills when she joined, Saito has become one of TV Asahi’s top announcers and is thriving in her role.
A physical announcer who also does dirty work.
A: “If we’re talking pure entertainment value, I think Fuji TV’s Chihiro Sugihara (28) is the top among younger announcers. She once let herself be weighed without permission on a prank show. Rather than reveal her weight on TV, she shocked everyone by dressing in a skin-colored bodysuit with a traditional loincloth, mimicking a comedian.”
B: “It sparked controversy with reactions like, ‘What are they making a female announcer do?!’ (laughs). Sugihara’s catchphrase is ‘Let me do anything.’ She’s willing to take on ‘dirty work’ that other announcers avoid. She once confided that she felt insecure about her announcing skills, so she compensates by putting in extra effort in variety. Her bold attitude has earned her respect from big names like Takaaki Ishibashi (62) from Tunnels and Sanma Akashiya.”
C: “Sugihara might attract a devoted fanbase, but I think it would be hard for her to become a ‘queen’ like announcers Miura and Hiraka. Their successor would need to be a polished, traditional announcer who can ad-lib and respond to challenges seamlessly.”
B: “In that case, Fuji’s Seika Inoue (29) might fit the bill. She currently hosts Fuji’s flagship programs Mezamashi TV and Honma Dekka!? TV. Her versatility in handling both informational and variety shows is reminiscent of Miura. In Honma Dekka!? TV, it was initially difficult to manage the timing with Sanma always jumping in, but she’s recently learned to handle him with her straightforward personality. Originally marked as Fuji’s ‘next ace,’ it feels like she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves.”
D: “While Fuji gets a lot of attention, TBS’s Maoto Sasaki (26) is also impressive. In May, while co-hosting THE TIME, veteran Shinichiro Azumi (51) spontaneously threw a rhyming rap at her, saying, ‘The sun shines, good morning Sasaki!’ and she responded smoothly with, ‘Azumi-san is in a good mood today,’ making the studio burst into laughter. Even though she’s new, she has shown she knows how to keep the energy up. She’s a former runner-up Miss Sophia and has experience as a model, with both good looks and charm—a real talent.”
A: “And Asaya Suzuki (24), who co-hosts Music Station, impressed everyone with her music talk right from her first meeting with Tamori. Her endearing looks and lively personality have led some in the network to dub her the next Hiraka.”
After spirited discussion, the four agreed on next-generation variety queen announcers: Iwata took the top spot unanimously, with Tamura in second place, and Tanaka in third. These three are the strongest candidates to succeed Miura and Hiraka. Yet, from those ranked below, there may still be stars who will rise as key figures in each network’s variety programs.
The fierce competition for the title of next-generation variety queen announcer will surely continue.
Sugihara’s willingness to go beyond the usual limits of a female announcer is a major part of her charm. She’s known for her fearless approach, which sets her apart. Her favorite TV show is Wednesday’s Downtown (TBS).
Inoue has been Fuji TV’s morning face since 2021, captivating viewers with her segment “Smile Charge!” that brings warmth and healing to the audience.
Sasaki is a self-proclaimed anime and manga enthusiast, and her love for cosplay might prove to be a unique asset in variety shows. She’s quickly become a rising star known for her charm and appeal.
From the October 18-25, 2024 issue of “FRIDAY
PHOTO： Kumataro Arai (Tanaka, Sasaki) Yuri Adachi (Inoue, Sugihara) Ryu Yoshino (Saito)
