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 young wrestler Yuma Anzai, who is in his first year of debut, about his commitment to creating fans on SNS and “Fanicon.”
――Anzai is Gen Z, the digital native generation.
Yes. That's why I've been using Twitter and Instagram since I was in middle school before I became a pro wrestler. When I was a student, I tweeted about events that day and interacted with my friends without any love.
――What led you to start using social media as an athlete?
My seniors recommended it to me, and I started using it. At first, I was taught “this is how to write,” but now I use it in my own way. It's still about half a year since their debut match, so I'm posting on both Twitter and Instagram to let people know their faces and names first. I try to post private photos as much as possible in order to let people know who I am different from what I show in the ring, but I also advertise the game on Twitter.
――InstaLive is also being actively used.
I like being able to communicate with all my fans, and I like being able to have conversations through comments, even though not directly. I try to answer as many questions as possible to let people know me.
――Do you do ego searches too?
I'll do it. In my case, it was a bit difficult. Since it's easy to make a mistake with the character “” in the last name, search for posts with surnames and hashtags in various patterns, such as “Anzai” and “Ansai.” If you find one, like it as much as possible! I'm returning it. Before I became an athlete, when I was a pro wrestling fan, I was happy to get responses from players. I hope you feel the same way I did back then.
-- That's great! Are you concerned about numbers for posts, such as numbers?
I'm somewhat concerned. For example, I post my impressions and photos saying “Thank you for your support today” every game, but on average, there are about 300 likes! I will have it. However, when I reported “I cut my hair,” it was great! When I received about 600 cases, I had a slightly mixed feeling and asked, “Is there any point in playing a game?” I thought so (laughs). But I'm happy that people of various generations, from young people to their superiors, are supporting us.
――In contrast to open SNS, we are also trying to interact with fans on the closed “Fanicon”.
After all, the feeling is different. People who like pro wrestling and groups are watching, so I'm uploading unused photos in open places.
――Do you enjoy online communication itself?
In particular, I myself enjoy the Instagram live in places I like. I'm also happy that all the fans can watch it easily and write comments in a friendly manner. There are times when we meet at events, and I work hard to remember everyone's account names.
――That's amazing. How do you remember it?
In preparation for the event, on the Instagram live in advance, “(account name).” Please say that. They call out, “I want to remember too.” By the day, I'll also remember my Twitter and Instagram accounts and check my faces on the day of the actual performance. Even on the Instagram live after it was over, they looked at comment accounts and said, “You came at that time, didn't you?” and they communicated with just the right amount of distance.
――The fans are happy too. What new events would you like to implement in the future?
Right now, we're trying to interact one-on-one with “Fanicon,” etc., but I'd like to do one-on-one events like phone calls. If you can talk carefully with all the fans on a video call, it will be easier for them to remember their faces, and they seem to be having fun. I think “I have to do my best” when they are supported, and all the fans are important, so I would like to continue to communicate closely.
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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.