On March 15, 2025, the MLB Tokyo Series will kick off at the iconic Tokyo Dome, garnering immense attention from fans and media alike. The series celebrates the return of star player Shohei Ohtani, who returned to Japan on March 13, greeted with overwhelming enthusiasm as fans flooded Haneda Airport.
Accompanying his homecoming is the launch of multiple new commercials featuring Ohtani, showcasing his evolution to embrace his family image more than ever before. One of the highlights includes Nissin Welna's latest commercial, where Ohtani is captured donning an apron and making pasta.
Reflecting on the changing dynamics of his personal life, Ohtani noted, "This year (2024) hasn’t seen much cooking on my part because my wife is often the one cooking for us.” This admission marks significant growth from his previous reticence to discuss family life. Just years ago, during events like the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Ohtani had stringent privacy measures around his family life, openly refusing interviews with his parents.
Over the years, Ohtani has matured and softened his image, now appearing frequently with his pregnant wife, Mamiko Ohtani. Excitingly, she has been actively involved from afar, even though she remained stateside during this trip, expecting their child. During the recent break, Ohtani and Mamiko were spotted attending NBA games, demonstrating a more open and personal side to their relationship.
Industry insiders speculate this transformation is influenced by Mamiko's support. One advertising expert commented, "Ohtani used to be very private about family matters, but surprisingly, he has become more open, possibly due to his wife's influence. If all goes well with the birth, fans can expect commercial collaborations featuring both of them, creating quite the buzz.”
Although Mamiko could not join Ohtani and the MLB players for their opening series, she made her mark by thoughtfully preparing gifts for the wives of Dodger players who flew to Japan. On March 13, the Dodgers arrived via charter plane for the opening games against the Chicago Cubs, and the approximately 12-hour flight was made pleasant thanks to Mamiko's delightful surprise.
The gifts included custom Hello Kitty travel pillows, showcasing Mamiko’s attention to detail and care. Kaila, wife of Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia, documented their travel experiences via TikTok, expressing her excitement about the trip, and shared, "We saw these cute, fun items on the plane. Mamiko really made our flight enjoyable!"
While Kaila playfully lamented her husband’s regular pillow, she smiled, "I received the Hello Kitty travel pillow, only us girls got to enjoy it!” reflecting the camaraderie established among the Dodger families during their trip.
Upon the team’s arrival, the Dodger wives were all smiles, sharing their anticipation of what the trip would bring. "This is going to be such a great experience!" Kaila remarked, adding, "We’re thrilled to be here and see what Japan has to offer. Thank you, Mamiko, for making our trip so special!"
The collective excitement surrounding the MLB Tokyo Series, combined with growing interest in Ohtani's family life and potential media collaborations, presents a unique moment for the baseball star. Fans are eager to see how these new family-oriented commercials will appear and whether Ohtani and Mamiko will grace the screen together.
Anticipation builds as the series approaches, setting the stage for Ohtani's return to his native Japan, not just as a player but as someone willing to share glimpses of his personal life with fans and followers around the globe. With reports of several commercials poised for release, it seems like Ohtani's career just keeps reaching new heights. And for his growing family, exciting times lie just around the corner!