Reiwa Roman Scandal Sparks Surge in Gigs for M-1 Runner-Up Batteries

Breaking into Tokyo! Flood of offers for appearances in “Batteries”

In this year’s interleague game between the Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Yakult Swallows, the ace of “Batteries” took on the challenge of throwing the ceremonial first pitch. Though he plays pitcher in amateur baseball, his fastball topped out at just 108 km/h.

Last year’s runner-up in the “M-1 Grand Prix” and currently experiencing a major breakthrough, “The Batteries.” The “Ace” (30), who left a strong impression with his pure and silly character, recently revealed on a radio show that he got married in 2023.

“They reportedly met at a part-time job and married after eight years of dating. Due to his partner’s wishes and the lack of public attention on his private life until now, he had refrained from announcing it. He’s not the type who sells based on looks, so it probably won’t affect his popularity,” (TV production company director)

This spring, they moved their base of operations to Tokyo and have been on TV nearly every day.

“The origin of the duo’s name comes from the fact that he and his partner Jike (34) formed a battery on a grass baseball team. In addition to their refreshing, athletic image, both married women who supported them during their unknown years, conveying a sense of sincerity. They are very well received by sponsors and have already been cast in commercials for major companies like Suntory and Nissin Foods,” (advertising agency insider)

Ace’s punchlines, which due to his ignorance seem to grasp the truths of the world, have become a hot topic among the public, but evaluations among TV people are divided.

“Many staff members want to cast him in the fool role, but because he’s a pure fool, he can’t read the room. It’s not uncommon for shows to turn out differently than producers intended after casting him. Comedians who endured a long period of struggle in Osaka before making it in Tokyo can usually read the staff’s expectations, but these two are still young and in their first round of Tokyo TV, so the basics of variety shows don’t quite sink in—for better or worse. They have explosive potential, but sometimes it fizzles. It’s a chance for staff to show their skills,” (key network producer)

A broadcast writer praised them, saying, “There’s no other duo as lucky as they are.”

“Last year’s M-1 winner was the previous year’s champion, ‘Reiwa Roman,’ so the fresh ‘The Batteries’ received a flood of offers. Then the online casino scandal involving Kuruma Takahira (30) broke out. Yoshimoto Kogyo had no choice but to push the runner-up, ‘The Batteries.’ Luck is essential for making it in showbiz. In that regard, they’re among the luckiest in M-1 history. Among comedians and variety shows, Jike’s strange quirks and presence are seen as mysterious and amusing. There’s still a lot more to discover about them.”

Of course, luck alone doesn’t guarantee success. There are concerns as well.

“As Ace himself has stated, he’s a big fan of boat racing and sometimes spends his entire paycheck in about two weeks. He’s currently in high demand for public gambling promotions but apparently loses more than his appearance fee every time (laughs). There are concerns that he might get into financial trouble,” (aforementioned advertising agency insider)

“Rival comedians” are also on the rise.

“‘Evers,’ who were also finalists in the same ‘M-1,’ are a skilled duo with strong theater popularity and a solid reputation in both manzai and on-location shoots. The boke, Takashi Sasaki (32), comes from a prestigious baseball school, and his baseball persona overlaps as well. They’re versatile, so if ‘Batteries’ can’t land a regular program early on, there’s a real possibility their jobs could be taken,” (aforementioned broadcast writer).

Can the once-noted battery from grass baseball shut out their rising rivals!?

From “FRIDAY”, July 11, 2025, issue