The Hidden Side of Fumi Nikaidō & Kazlaser’s Surprise Announcement

They reported it to their agency in early August

Actress Fumi Nikaidō (30) and comedian Kazlaser of the duo “Maple Chogokin” (41) announced their marriage on August 10.

The two posted a statement on X together:

〈Both of us have strong personalities and preferences, so there may be times when we clash and feel down, but in the end, we want to build a relaxed and cheerful home where we can laugh and look forward〉

They also added by hand:

〈4649 (Yoroshiku)!〉

“They submitted the marriage registration quite recently. Kaz also reported it to his agency in early August, and they had been secretly coordinating the marriage announcement. It seems it came as a complete surprise, and both agencies scrambled to report to sponsors and regular programs,” said a talent agency insider.

The media were completely caught off guard. A combination of actress and comedian brings to mind the 2019 marriage of actress Yu Aoi (39) and Ryota Yamasato (48) of “Nankai Candies.” According to a sports newspaper entertainment reporter familiar with the backstage details:

“Yu Aoi and Yamasato’s marriage was also surprising, but upon closer look, their personalities matched, and they were a couple meant to be. This time is the same. At first glance, it seems unusual, but their personalities and values align, making them an ideal couple,” he said.

It was Nikaidō who made the bold moves.

In September 2016, on Nippon TV’s “Tuesday Surprise,” she openly declared her type of man as “Kazlaser,” explaining that it was because his face is handsome. They first met in April 2017 on “DASH de Itte Q! The Most Popular TV Show No.1 Competition Spring 2017” (Nippon TV). Nikaidō confessed publicly:

“I wanted to meet Kaz-sama”

To which Kazlaser replied:

“Let’s go eat after this”

Leaving her blushing. In February 2019, when they co-starred on Fuji TV’s “VS Arashi,” Nikaidō made another bold approach. Kazlaser joked:

“I never thought I could date someone from such a chance”

But their relationship apparently developed for real afterwards.

Their love nest is already complete.

By 2024, Nikaidō had purchased a high-grade property in a prime location in Tokyo. According to a local real estate source:

“With a garden, it would easily cost no less than 300 million yen.”

The upcoming long-term overseas filming for VIVANT

“She is involved in animal welfare and purchased a spacious property so that the rescue dogs and cats she keeps can freely play around. Mr. Kaz Laser also loves dogs and cats and is someone who understands animal welfare. During the long-term filming of the TBS drama VIVANT, in which Ms. Nikaido stars, he will likely take care of the dogs and cats while she is away,” said a sports newspaper reporter.

VIVANT is a drama set to start its next season in July next year, with a movie scheduled for release in December of the same year.

As a result, filming will be extensive, and shooting in Tokyo and other locations had already begun in July this year. Long-term overseas shoots are planned, continuing until around spring next year—a major project.

However, life for this couple will not be straightforward. Kaz Laser has long lived under one roof with other comedian friends. Even after marriage, he has no intention of stopping this shared living arrangement, so it seems they will maintain a two-base lifestyle with Nikaido’s new home.

“They don’t equate marriage with living together. Ms. Nikaido is an actress with a unique personality; when she receives an acting job offer, she personally reviews the proposal and script rather than leaving it to a manager and decides whether to accept it. Once she takes a job, she works meticulously, so she prefers to be alone when she wants to focus on work. Their approach seems to be that each prioritizes what they need to prioritize. Still, having her husband Kaz there will surely be a significant support for Ms. Nikaido during the long-term overseas filming. This was likely taken into consideration when they chose this timing to announce their marriage,” said a film industry insider familiar with Nikaido.

On the August 12 broadcast of Nippon Broadcasting’s Knights, the Radio Show, Kaz Laser and his roommate Takumi Nakamine of the comedy duo Mikazuki Manhattan revealed,

“Basically, the home is still over here, but it’s more like he commutes. He doesn’t live there full-time, at least for now. Kaz is the one going over there,” disclosing their commuting marriage.

Though their romance began with a shared preference for a face, in reality, the couple is connected on a deeper level of values. It will be interesting to see what kind of household they build together.