Fanicon is a paid membership-based fan community platform. The official fan club “CLUB AJPW” operated by All Japan Pro Wrestling within the same service was selected as the best community for the “Fanicon Awards 2023” sports awards, which recognize excellent fan communities.
What is the secret that strongly attracts the hearts of people who love All Japan Pro Wrestling and pro wrestling itself? We asked Kento Miyahara, the ace of All Japan Pro Wrestling, about his commitment to creating fans on SNS and “Fanicon.”
――When did Miyahara start using SNS?
Before joining All Japan Pro Wrestling, it was a time when Akira Hokuto and Kensuke Sasaki belonged to the Kensuke office. That was over 10 years ago. At first, it was a blog, and since other young players followed Hokuto's blog, I started too. At the time, they were disseminating information about practice and dormitory life.
――Currently, I'm also using Twitter and Instagram.
Yes. People are leaving pro wrestling on TV, etc., and I set it up because I wanted to create a catch for when someone who knew me looked up “Kento Miyahara.” Even now, that thought hasn't changed, and there are people who stop updating, but I post something every day.
――Are there any points to keep in mind when posting?
I think a lot about the content. Sometimes it takes about 30 minutes to write and review one post. Isn't it difficult to handle words in this day and age? It's an age where heel wrestlers go up in flames just by making statements that touch LGBTQ on the ring, so I'm worried that there aren't any particularly discriminatory remarks on SNS. My policy is to not hurt anyone and make sure that no one feels bad about my remarks.
――Have you checked the reaction from the fans?
Ego search is also essential. It's great for people who search for their name on Twitter and say “I watched the game for the first time”! or return it. Among pro wrestling fans, there are a lot of people who throw out helpless rips, but I don't care about that because I think it's culture either (laughs). On the other hand, I often post private shots on Instagram, and I'm happy that there are a lot of positive comments and good responses to replies.
――Are you curious about the numbers related to the post?
There are good or bad responses depending on the content, so I'm a little concerned. In particular, the fact that they respond well when they “fight” on Twitter is a fun thing unique to pro wrestling.
――What is a “fight” on Twitter?
For example, I was excited when I was at Kensuke's office and had a fight on Twitter with a junior who is now in a different group. That “fight” triggered them to break into the other group's game, connected as a business, and I thought “it was an interesting time.” Posts that incited opponents by name were spread on Twitter, and it developed into a match while involving the mass media, and it was an interesting composition, and it was unthinkable in the days when I was just a pro wrestling fan.
――While using open SNS, interaction with fans is also thriving at “CLUB AJPW” within the closed paid membership fan community “Fanicon.”
It's different from Twitter and Instagram, isn't it? Since it's a paid system, there are only people who like All Japan Pro Wrestling and Me, and the feeling is different from other SNS. In open places, he stands in a position about “the older brother of a pro wrestler” and doesn't talk too much about his details, and “Fanicon” delivers core information as a pro wrestler. Even within groups, Fanicon is a speaking exercise for young players, and it is also useful for improving microphone performance.
――Did you expand your interaction with fans even offline since then?
It is now possible to hold fan club photo sessions and exchange events with fans. Also, since we have overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, cheers at games have returned and changes have occurred, so I would like to try out more forms in the future.
――With your thoughts in mind, how would you like to increase the heat level of fans in the future?
Pro wrestling fans are always thinking about it, and I hope I can be one of the reasons for that. SNS is a great way, and I hope people who happen to find me think “cool” or “interesting.” There is also a pattern where people I see for the first time at pro wrestling venues look up “this kind of person,” and I want to continue posting posts that get caught somewhere in my heart.
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If you want to deepen interaction with fans and want to make running a fan club easier than it is now, then Fanicon is useful.