"ABEMA" to Broadcast Free Live Japanese Matchup: Champion Bayern's Hiroki Ito vs Mainz's Kaishu Sano & Sota Kawasaki | April 25 (Sat) "Mainz vs Bayern" Commentary by Junichi Inamoto & Jong Tae-se, Guest Dropizza Ryo!
ABEMA will broadcast the Bundesliga match between Mainz and Bayern for free on April 25. The match features a highly anticipated matchup between Japanese players Hiroki Ito, Kaishu Sano, and Sota Kawasaki.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 17:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 23:08 (5h 36m after Collected)
The new future television "ABEMA" will broadcast the Bundesliga Matchday 31 game "Mainz vs Bayern" live for free, scheduled to kick off at 10:30 PM (JST) on Saturday, April 25, 2026. This match draws attention for the potential matchup between Japanese players: Kaishu Sano and Sota Kawasaki, who completed a permanent transfer to Mainz, and Hiroki Ito of the reigning champions Bayern, who have achieved consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Furthermore, "ABEMA" has announced that former Japan national team players Junichi Inamoto and Jong Tae-se will serve as commentators, and Dropizza Ryo, a popular YouTuber with over 1.08 million subscribers known as an analytical creator, will appear as a guest.
Junichi Inamoto is a former top player with extensive international experience, having played in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Active for many years as a midfield specialist with excellent vision and playmaking ability, he has an established reputation for clear commentary that conveys soccer with precise analysis and a realistic touch since retiring. Regarding this match, Inamoto analyzed Bayern's situation, saying, "With the Champions League semi-finals coming up next week, it's an important match for winning other titles." He also expressed his expectations for the Japanese players, stating, "It's a crucial time to prepare for the World Cup. I want to see how much each player can showcase their unique strengths."
Jong Tae-se is a striker who played in clubs in the Bundesliga and was active globally, including in Japan and South Korea. He fascinates many fans with his unique perspective and passionate commentary. Towards the upcoming match, he sent warm cheers to both players, saying of Kaishu Sano, "I want him to astound Bayern's attacking lineup," and of Hiroki Ito, "I want him to show everyone 'I am here'."
Meanwhile, guest Dropizza Ryo is a popular creator with over 1.08 million subscribers on the YouTube channel "Drop and Pizza". Applying his advanced analytical skills developed through manga analysis to soccer, he has a reputation for tactical explanations using data and logical storytelling. Regarding this fixture, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Pay attention to the distribution by Bayern's Hiroki Ito, who supports their consecutive titles, and the dynamic play in the midfield by Mainz's heart, Kaishu Sano and Sota Kawasaki. I want to deliver the drama of this match from my own perspective while listening to the deep commentary of the professionals next to me."
The focus of the match is how Mainz, who want to secure valuable points in their relegation battle, will challenge the overwhelming champions Bayern, who achieved their second consecutive Bundesliga title in a runaway state with four games remaining after their victory in the previous round. Against Bayern, who have the Champions League semi-finals next week, the struggles of Kaishu Sano and others, who showed their presence in both attack and defense in the previous round, will be key.
This match will deliver a must-see battle where the play of Japanese players thriving in Europe clashes with the strength of the champion Bayern, featuring a passionate commentary team unique to "ABEMA". Please be sure to watch it on "ABEMA".
■ Full Comment by Junichi Inamoto
-- What kind of performance do you expect from the Japanese players?
Bayern has already secured the league title, but with the Champions League semi-finals coming up next week, I think it will be an important match for winning other titles. Even in such a situation, I want them to show a solid performance in the next league match.
Also, regarding the Japanese players, their individual situations are different, but I think it's an important time to continue playing well for their clubs and prepare for the World Cup beyond that. I want to pay attention to how much each player can demonstrate their strengths.
-- Please share your enthusiasm for commenting on this match.
This time, with double commentary plus a guest, I think it will be a different atmosphere than usual. I want to strive for commentary that clearly conveys the charm of the match so that many people can enjoy it.
I think it will be a lively broadcast, so while being mindful of the overall balance, I hope people enjoy not only the match but also the interactions between the commentators.
■ Full Comment by Jong Tae-se
-- What kind of performance do you expect from the Japanese players?
How much can Kaishu Sano appeal against the champions Bayern? I want him to astound Bayern's attacking lineup.
There have been reports about Hiroki Ito's transfer, but I want him to appeal "(Hiroki Ito) is here."
-- Please share your enthusiasm for commenting on this match.
Bayern's championship is decided, and the season is at its climax, but I want to burn the image of the precious players active in the Bundesliga into my eyes again this year.
■ Full Comment by Dropizza Ryo
-- Regarding Japanese players...
Furthermore, "ABEMA" has announced that former Japan national team players Junichi Inamoto and Jong Tae-se will serve as commentators, and Dropizza Ryo, a popular YouTuber with over 1.08 million subscribers known as an analytical creator, will appear as a guest.
Junichi Inamoto is a former top player with extensive international experience, having played in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Active for many years as a midfield specialist with excellent vision and playmaking ability, he has an established reputation for clear commentary that conveys soccer with precise analysis and a realistic touch since retiring. Regarding this match, Inamoto analyzed Bayern's situation, saying, "With the Champions League semi-finals coming up next week, it's an important match for winning other titles." He also expressed his expectations for the Japanese players, stating, "It's a crucial time to prepare for the World Cup. I want to see how much each player can showcase their unique strengths."
Jong Tae-se is a striker who played in clubs in the Bundesliga and was active globally, including in Japan and South Korea. He fascinates many fans with his unique perspective and passionate commentary. Towards the upcoming match, he sent warm cheers to both players, saying of Kaishu Sano, "I want him to astound Bayern's attacking lineup," and of Hiroki Ito, "I want him to show everyone 'I am here'."
Meanwhile, guest Dropizza Ryo is a popular creator with over 1.08 million subscribers on the YouTube channel "Drop and Pizza". Applying his advanced analytical skills developed through manga analysis to soccer, he has a reputation for tactical explanations using data and logical storytelling. Regarding this fixture, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Pay attention to the distribution by Bayern's Hiroki Ito, who supports their consecutive titles, and the dynamic play in the midfield by Mainz's heart, Kaishu Sano and Sota Kawasaki. I want to deliver the drama of this match from my own perspective while listening to the deep commentary of the professionals next to me."
The focus of the match is how Mainz, who want to secure valuable points in their relegation battle, will challenge the overwhelming champions Bayern, who achieved their second consecutive Bundesliga title in a runaway state with four games remaining after their victory in the previous round. Against Bayern, who have the Champions League semi-finals next week, the struggles of Kaishu Sano and others, who showed their presence in both attack and defense in the previous round, will be key.
This match will deliver a must-see battle where the play of Japanese players thriving in Europe clashes with the strength of the champion Bayern, featuring a passionate commentary team unique to "ABEMA". Please be sure to watch it on "ABEMA".
■ Full Comment by Junichi Inamoto
-- What kind of performance do you expect from the Japanese players?
Bayern has already secured the league title, but with the Champions League semi-finals coming up next week, I think it will be an important match for winning other titles. Even in such a situation, I want them to show a solid performance in the next league match.
Also, regarding the Japanese players, their individual situations are different, but I think it's an important time to continue playing well for their clubs and prepare for the World Cup beyond that. I want to pay attention to how much each player can demonstrate their strengths.
-- Please share your enthusiasm for commenting on this match.
This time, with double commentary plus a guest, I think it will be a different atmosphere than usual. I want to strive for commentary that clearly conveys the charm of the match so that many people can enjoy it.
I think it will be a lively broadcast, so while being mindful of the overall balance, I hope people enjoy not only the match but also the interactions between the commentators.
■ Full Comment by Jong Tae-se
-- What kind of performance do you expect from the Japanese players?
How much can Kaishu Sano appeal against the champions Bayern? I want him to astound Bayern's attacking lineup.
There have been reports about Hiroki Ito's transfer, but I want him to appeal "(Hiroki Ito) is here."
-- Please share your enthusiasm for commenting on this match.
Bayern's championship is decided, and the season is at its climax, but I want to burn the image of the precious players active in the Bundesliga into my eyes again this year.
■ Full Comment by Dropizza Ryo
-- Regarding Japanese players...