ABEMA airs “Tell Us Your Faves! SV Leaguer Hangout Map” Suntory Sunbirds Osaka vol.2, featuring Ran Takahashi and teammates

The next-generation television platform ABEMA aired “Tell Us Your Faves! SV Leaguer Hangout Map: Suntory Sunbirds Osaka Edition vol.2” on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The program explores the appeal of players active in Japan’s top volleyball league, the Daido Life SV League, while introducing places where the athletes often spend time. The third installment focuses on Suntory Sunbirds Osaka, who finished first in the regular season and advanced to the finals. The show interviews Ran Takahashi, Rui Takahashi, Yoshimitsu Kire, Taishi Onodera, and Itsuki Kashiwada, revealing their private sides and their ambitions for back-to-back SV League titles. Ran Takahashi, Yoshimitsu Kire, and Itsuki Kashiwada introduced their personal “game-day meals,” from routines to reward meals. Kashiwada recommended TERRA COFFEE ROASTERS Esaka Park in Esaka, Osaka, saying, “The beans change every time I go, and it’s really delicious.” He visits about once a week. According to the owner, the shop changes its coffee beans weekly, revealing Kashiwada’s coffee routine. Kashiwada also said his game-day breakfast always includes eggs and natto, explaining that keeping that routine intact is his version of a game-day meal. Kire introduced the katsudon at Kanko Center Kurusu in his hometown of Nose, Osaka Prefecture. He recalled that in junior high school, the entire team would go there to eat katsudon before important matches, and said he still visits whenever he returns home. Takahashi introduced the Kyobashi yakiniku restaurant Yakiniku Yacchan as his “reward meal” spot. He described the owner as “a very Kansai-style, funny person” and said the counter-only restaurant is “really fun.” He especially likes the assorted horumon platter. As for his recommended way to eat it, he enthusiastically said that the premium tripe dipped in a “mysterious red powder” is exceptionally good, laughing that it is not spicy and that the restaurant will not reveal what the powder is. The owner also commented that Takahashi “is always hungry” and likely comes in to refuel after matches, showing that the restaurant is one of his regular post-game reward spots. The program also looked back on Suntory Sunbirds Osaka’s SV League-record 29-match winning streak and the regular season overall. Takahashi said he did not focus on the streak and simply tried to fight one match at a time, so he did not feel pressure. At the same time, he admitted that once the streak reached 29, he did feel he did not want it to end. Asked how he evolved this season, he said he had worked on his serve and offensive power, while also highlighting his ability as an outside hitter who can defend and turn defense into high-percentage spikes. This season, Takahashi posted league-leading results, including first place in attack success rate and third in serve effectiveness rate. Kire noted that although it was a long season, the team was able to fight through it together without major absences. Kashiwada said many matches showed Suntory’s strengths in serving and blocking, and that the team’s unified effort led to its first-place regular-season finish. ABEMA de J SPORTS will livestream all matches of the 2025-26 Daido Life SV.LEAGUE MEN CHAMPIONSHIP. It will also stream Game 1 of the final, Suntory Sunbirds Osaka vs. Osaka Bluteon, for free on Friday, May 15. Through live commenting features and ABEMA’s original commentary, the service offers a new sports viewing experience. The Suntory Sunbirds Osaka installments of “SV Leaguer Hangout Map” are now available, including episodes featuring Ran Takahashi, Yoshimitsu Kire, and Itsuki Kashiwada; Ran Takahashi and Taishi Onodera; and Ran Takahashi and Rui Takahashi. ABEMA is a video streaming service positioned as “the new future of television,” aiming to innovate TV. It marked its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since launch, it has operated as an internet TV service that requires no registration and is basically free, offering around 25 channels across news, original dramas, romance reality shows, variety, anime, sports, and more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to a large lineup of original episodes, it offers new films, popular domestic and international dramas, hit anime, sports broadcasts, and online live events. Viewers can watch on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices. ABEMA Premium costs 1,180 yen per month including tax and offers exclusive features and titles, while the ad-supported ABEMA Premium plan costs 680 yen per month including tax and provides access to premium content with ads.