On March 25, 2025, renowned comedian Bakarhythm, 49, took to the airwaves on Nippon TV's "Bakarhythm The Radio Show," where he shared his concerns about fellow comedian Takashi Yamasaki, 47, who recently suffered an injury. Bakarhythm, who filled in for Yamasaki on the show while the latter was on a spring break, expressed his worry but admitted he refrained from reaching out to his colleague.
This week, Yamasaki was absent from his regular spot on "Untouchable The Radio Show" due to a mishap that occurred during a "sacred site pilgrimage" for the popular Japanese drama "Hot Spot," which Bakarhythm scripted. The incident, which drew media attention, had Bakarhythm feeling uneasy about Yamasaki's condition.
During the show, Bakarhythm confessed, "I was worried when I heard about Yamasaki's injury, especially since it was all over the news. I thought about sending him an email, but I held back." He elaborated on his hesitation, saying, "I felt a bit guilty since he got hurt while visiting a location from my drama. I thought about reaching out, but when I saw photos circulating among our friends showing his injury looking quite swollen, I decided it might be best to let him be until he was feeling better."
His co-host, Kei Yamazaki from the group "Aibou Start," was taken aback by Bakarhythm's reluctance to see the photos of Yamasaki's injury. "You didn’t want to see them?" she asked in surprise. Bakarhythm replied, "I find that kind of thing gruesome. I just can’t handle it. If I had sent a message, he might have sent me pictures, and I wanted to avoid that until he was healed."
As the show wrapped up, Bakarhythm received a message from Yamasaki. "It was quite a formal apology, something like 'I’m sorry' and 'I’m fine now.'" Bakarhythm chuckled, recalling his response, "I told him, 'You don’t need to worry about it at all.' I was just thinking, 'I didn’t want to bother you while you were recovering.' But then, he immediately sent me a picture of his injury!"
Bakarhythm humorously noted the typical behavior among comedians, saying, "There’s this old saying in comedy, 'Don’t push, but if you must, push harder.' Yamasaki is an old-school comedian who fully embodies that stereotype, so I ended up seeing the photo anyway. And yes, it was quite gruesome!"
In related news, a special talk show for the hit Japanese TV series "Hot Spot," which stars actress Mikako Ichikawa and is scripted by Bakarhythm, began exclusive streaming on Hulu on March 23, 2025. The series portrays the friendship between Kiyomi Endo (played by Ichikawa), a single mother working at a business hotel near Mt. Fuji, and an alien named Takashi Takahashi (Akihiro Kakuta from Tokyo 03).
Kiyomi uses Takahashi's alien abilities to navigate and resolve various small incidents that arise both at her workplace and in the local community. The special talk show features Bakarhythm, Ichikawa, Kakuta, along with Apricot Suzuki, Natsumi Hiraiwa, and director Kazuya Mizuno. They discuss audience reactions post-broadcast and share behind-the-scenes anecdotes from filming.
Throughout the talk show, they delve into iconic "food scenes" and surprising moments from the alien's action sequences that often characterize Bakarhythm's work, as well as a particularly notable scene that has gained traction on social media. The discussion also sheds light on the significance of characters introduced in the first episode and the backstory of future humans and superhumans.
Additionally, the special talk show will be included in the Blu-ray and DVD box set scheduled for release on September 10, 2025. Fans of the show can look forward to an in-depth exploration of the series, including grand behind-the-scenes details crafted by Bakarhythm and the production team, some of which were previously unknown even to the cast.
As Bakarhythm continues to navigate his career, both as a performer and a writer, his ability to blend humor with heartfelt concern for his colleagues remains a hallmark of his personality. His recent experiences with Yamasaki and the success of "Hot Spot" exemplify the interconnected nature of the entertainment industry, where personal relationships and professional endeavors often intertwine.
In a world where humor can sometimes mask deeper feelings, Bakarhythm's candidness about his worries for Yamasaki serves as a reminder that even in the realm of comedy, compassion and friendship play crucial roles. As audiences tune into both Bakarhythm's radio show and the latest episodes of "Hot Spot," they are not just witnessing entertainment; they are engaging with the genuine human emotions that underpin the laughter.
