Kikuchi Fuma Impressed as Male Announcer Resigns and Joins Timelesz Uniquely

“I will now take a new path.”

Yazaki Yutaro (29), a candidate for the audition program timelesz project -AUDITION- (Netflix) recruiting new members for timelesz (formerly Sexy Zone), announced his resignation from Fukushima Television through the station’s official X account. On November 21, he personally reported his resignation on X.

Yazaki joined Fukushima Television in 2019, and during his university days, he worked as a captain on the Jungle Cruise attraction at Tokyo Disneyland. He has a face with a high nose, slightly droopy eyes, and deep features, giving off an impression similar to B’z’s Inaba Koshi in his younger years.

Among many in their teens, a 29-year-old announcer.

Yazaki entered the audition and faced the three members of timelesz during the second round of “Episode 1.” While there were many candidates in their teens, Yazaki, at 29 years old, was of the same generation as Fuma Kikuchi. In the audition, Yazaki, as an announcer, wore a suit and said:

“I am currently an announcer at a television station in Fukushima Prefecture. So, I’d like to introduce myself in an announcer-like manner.”

He took a microphone out of his suit pocket, and Kikuchi, delighted, responded:

“Nice!”

Yazaki then began to narrate like a race commentator:

“And they all started at once!”

He continued:

“Yutaro Yazaki was outpaced in dance, expression, and singing, with a big gap from the three!”

This self-deprecating introduction helped him advance to the third round of the audition.

The 36 candidates were divided into four teams, and over three days, they worked on their performances, with final evaluations on the last day. Yazaki was assigned to Team Green.

The timing of the TV station’s resignation.

“The audition is still in the middle of episodes, and the results are unknown. In the meantime, since Yasaki announced his resignation, there has been speculation online asking, ‘Has he been chosen to join timelesz?’ However, there are several young and handsome strong rivals, so it probably won’t be an easy path.

It could be that, regardless of the outcome, he chose to resign in order to focus on pursuing an artist career. The reasons for both entering the timelesz audition and resigning from Fukushima TV have not been publicly disclosed, so it’s unclear,” said an entertainment freelance writer.

In contrast to Yasaki, there are cases where people became announcers after being idols, such as Renka Icku from NTV (former Nogizaka46), Chiharu Saito from TV Asahi (former Nogizaka46), and Aoi Harada from Fuji TV (former Sakurazaka46).

It is extremely rare for a 29-year-old announcer to quit and aim to become an idol.

“Johnny’s former company, STARTO, also declined to participate in the Kohaku Uta Gassen. The issue of sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa continues to simmer, and there have been ongoing news stories. The name ‘Sexy Zone,’ given by Johnny, was interpreted as having sexual connotations, which made it difficult to secure work overseas, leading to the change to timelesz, and their recognition seems to have been reset. This is a very crucial time for the idol group,” said a wide-show insider.

Will Yasaki be able to join as a new member and help elevate timelesz?