Fuwa-chan Turns to Pro Wrestling as Leaked Audio Delays TV Return

She speaks in honorifics. She even desperately takes notes

YouTuber and TV personality Fuwa-chan (age not disclosed) has taken a fresh start in life.

On November 7, after the second match of the pro-wrestling organization Stardom’s event at Korakuen Hall, she made a surprise appearance at the invitation of President Taro Okada. Even the announcer calling the match was so shocked he uttered:

“F–Fuwa-chan?”

and the venue buzzed with confusion.

Fuwa-chan bowed in all directions and apologized for the verbal misconduct incident involving comedian Yasuko (27). She then continued:

“I’ve found a new dream. Over the past year, while thinking about my possibilities, the one thing I wanted to challenge again was pro wrestling—nothing else.”

Fuwa-chan debuted in pro wrestling in October 2022, teaming with her mentor Hazuki against Wonder of Stardom champion Saya Kamitani and Hina. In April 2023, she had her second match at Yokohama Arena, again teaming with Hazuki against Utami Hayashishita & Miyu Amasaki. A pro wrestling reporter who covered the event said:

“Pro wrestling media heard rumors that Fuwa-chan might appear only one or two days before the event. The crowd reaction wasn’t a huge cheer—more like half applause, half confusion. Fans also seemed unsure how to react to her appearance.”

Some speculated: “Did she choose pro wrestling just as a stepping stone to return to showbiz?”

—but that does not appear to be the case. It was Fuwa-chan herself who directly approached President Okada, and while on hiatus she traveled around the U.S. and other countries, watching pro wrestling worldwide with her own eyes.

“She has already begun training as a Stardom trainee. As a rookie, she of course helps with ring setup. Even during her previous wrestling run, she completely shut off her TV rude character, spoke entirely in honorific Japanese, and was seen desperately taking notes. Senior wrestlers were surprised, saying she was nothing like her image on TV. President Okada also recognized her sincerity and seriousness toward wrestling, and approved her joining.” —(same pro wrestling reporter)

Fuwa-chan is confirmed to appear at the December 29 Ryogoku Kokugikan event. She is not planning an easy heel turn but intends to first show her determination by fighting wholeheartedly.

I wonder if anyone will hire me

On the other hand, Fuwa-chan’s move to pro wrestling also highlighted just how high the hurdles still are for returning to television.

It has been one year and three months since the scandal involving Yasuko. In general society, there is a growing atmosphere of supporting second chances, but in the entertainment industry—where compliance has become stricter—it almost feels like things are moving in the opposite direction.

Her comedian friends tried to lay the groundwork for her comeback, gradually mentioning her name on shows and updating fans on her situation once a year had passed. But Fuwa-chan herself remained calm.

Comedian Omiokuri Geinin Shinichi (40) revealed on the Oct. 28 broadcast of TV Asahi’s Kurondaru that he had dinner with Fuwa-chan. When asked what they talked about, he said:

“I was the one doing all the talking. I said, ‘Hurry up and come back. You don’t have to do studio work—let’s just do grueling location shoots together.’ But she said something like, ‘I want to, but I don’t know if there’s anywhere that would use me’”

A TV network insider told this site:

“Even Ken Watabe of Unjash, who had an affair scandal five years ago, still hasn’t been able to return to a major terrestrial TV network. The risk of hiring someone in these situations makes networks and sponsors hesitant. Fuwa-chan surely sensed that atmosphere.”

A small detail—but one related to the scandal—also added to the damage: the leak of the audio recording.

When the inappropriate post toward Yasuko was made, Fuwa-chan had been with A Masso’s Kanou and Tontsukatan’s Shintarō Morimoto. Kanou gave her a sort of prompt, and Fuwa-chan accidentally posted something to SNS—this was the sequence of events. Later, Fuwa-chan released a statement taking full responsibility.

However,

“The problem is that a recording of a meeting—attended by representatives of Kanou’s and Morimoto’s agencies—was leaked to some media outlets.

In the entertainment world, when something like that leaks, people immediately worry about ‘Who leaked it?’ and the person involved becomes mistrusted. That has definitely become a major obstacle to Fuwa-chan’s TV comeback.” (the same TV insider explained)

And so, Fuwa-chan chose the path of pro wrestling. She is reportedly living far more fulfilling days now than she did while in the entertainment world, so in a way, it may be a happy outcome depending on how you look at it.