Chidori Daigo: 'He might become a world star' - Studio erupts over Slim Club Uchima's shocking past photos; Daigo's words of wisdom move 30-year-old idol
On the May 17th broadcast of ABEMA's 'Chance no Jikan' #362, MC duo Chidori presented a promotion for Slim Club's Masanari Uchima and a counseling session for Rika Mayama of Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku. The studio was shocked by Uchima's past visual-kei photos, while Daigo's advice to Mayama, who is turning 30, to 'break the rules and live as you like,' moved the participants.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 12:31
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The 'new future of television' ABEMA broadcast episode #362 of the regular program 'Chance no Jikan,' hosted by the comedy duo Chidori, for free on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 11:00 PM on the 'ABEMA SPECIAL' channel.
### Chidori Daigo: 'A Potential World Star' - Studio Bursts into Laughter at Slim Club Uchima's Past Photos
The episode featured a project titled 'The Pearl of Ryukyu, Everyone in the Industry! Please Use Uchima,' aimed at promoting Masanari Uchima's unique charm. His partner Ken Maeda, Kenta Tokui of Heisei Nobushi Kobushi, and Mikazuki Manhattan appeared as promoters. They presented Uchima's eccentricities to top-tier comedians including Chidori, Takashi Yoshimura, Hiroyuki Iguchi, and Onigoe Tomahawk.
Chaos ensued as stories were revealed, such as Uchima being a 'machine without emotions' since childhood, his ability to wear women's clothes due to his thin frame, and cutting an envelope containing a Shinkansen ticket right through the middle. However, the biggest reaction came when photos from his 'Visual-kei' days were shown. Seeing Uchima with makeup looking completely different and gender-neutral, the studio erupted in laughter. While Nobu compared him to a character played by Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Daigo commented, 'Even Director Kore-eda might not be able to handle him,' but added, 'There's a possibility he could become a world star,' highly evaluating his hidden potential.
### 'Official Grandpa of Ebichu'? Uchima's Unpredictable Talk Causes Chaos
A new segment involved practicing Uchima's stories. When guests Rika Mayama and Yuno Kokubo of Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku (Ebichu) asked about 'the story of his mother's dog,' Uchima shared a bizarre tale: 'In 6th grade, someone told me they saw my mom wandering town clutching a dead dog. I was too scared to ask, but recently she told me, "That wasn't a dog, it was a large cat."' While Nobu and Yoshimura joked that it wouldn't appeal to idol fans, Nobu dubbed him the 'Official Grandpa of Ebichu,' creating a new character that brought even more laughter. Later, when Daigo asked for his funniest story, Uchima told a surreal anecdote about correcting his daughter's order of days for her cram school, leaving the studio in stitches. The segment ended with Uchima attempting physical challenges like the 'Expressionless Thai Kick.'
### 'Just be an idol while holding a child' - Daigo's 'Golden Words' for a 30-year-old Idol
In another segment, 'Daigo’s Humanity Verification Prank!', Daigo provided advice to guests at a smoking area. Rika Mayama, the oldest member of Ebichu who turns 30 this year, appeared as the secret participant. Mayama expressed deep anxieties about how long she could continue as an idol and whether she would be discarded due to her age. Despite being told by fans to consider marriage or by managers to go into production, she confessed, 'I don't want to go behind the scenes yet. I want to make it somehow.' She also shared the struggle of being the oldest member with an 11-year gap with the youngest.
In response, Daigo told her, 'Break the rules and live however you like,' encouraging her to redefine what it means to be an idol. His words, suggesting she could even remain an idol while being a mother, deeply moved the younger members watching in the studio.
The 'new future of television' ABEMA broadcast episode #362 of the regular program 'Chance no Jikan,' hosted by the comedy duo Chidori, for free on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 11:00 PM on the 'ABEMA SPECIAL' channel.
### Chidori Daigo: 'A Potential World Star' - Studio Bursts into Laughter at Slim Club Uchima's Past Photos
The episode featured a project titled 'The Pearl of Ryukyu, Everyone in the Industry! Please Use Uchima,' aimed at promoting Masanari Uchima's unique charm. His partner Ken Maeda, Kenta Tokui of Heisei Nobushi Kobushi, and Mikazuki Manhattan appeared as promoters. They presented Uchima's eccentricities to top-tier comedians including Chidori, Takashi Yoshimura, Hiroyuki Iguchi, and Onigoe Tomahawk.
Chaos ensued as stories were revealed, such as Uchima being a 'machine without emotions' since childhood, his ability to wear women's clothes due to his thin frame, and cutting an envelope containing a Shinkansen ticket right through the middle. However, the biggest reaction came when photos from his 'Visual-kei' days were shown. Seeing Uchima with makeup looking completely different and gender-neutral, the studio erupted in laughter. While Nobu compared him to a character played by Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Daigo commented, 'Even Director Kore-eda might not be able to handle him,' but added, 'There's a possibility he could become a world star,' highly evaluating his hidden potential.
### 'Official Grandpa of Ebichu'? Uchima's Unpredictable Talk Causes Chaos
A new segment involved practicing Uchima's stories. When guests Rika Mayama and Yuno Kokubo of Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku (Ebichu) asked about 'the story of his mother's dog,' Uchima shared a bizarre tale: 'In 6th grade, someone told me they saw my mom wandering town clutching a dead dog. I was too scared to ask, but recently she told me, "That wasn't a dog, it was a large cat."' While Nobu and Yoshimura joked that it wouldn't appeal to idol fans, Nobu dubbed him the 'Official Grandpa of Ebichu,' creating a new character that brought even more laughter. Later, when Daigo asked for his funniest story, Uchima told a surreal anecdote about correcting his daughter's order of days for her cram school, leaving the studio in stitches. The segment ended with Uchima attempting physical challenges like the 'Expressionless Thai Kick.'
### 'Just be an idol while holding a child' - Daigo's 'Golden Words' for a 30-year-old Idol
In another segment, 'Daigo’s Humanity Verification Prank!', Daigo provided advice to guests at a smoking area. Rika Mayama, the oldest member of Ebichu who turns 30 this year, appeared as the secret participant. Mayama expressed deep anxieties about how long she could continue as an idol and whether she would be discarded due to her age. Despite being told by fans to consider marriage or by managers to go into production, she confessed, 'I don't want to go behind the scenes yet. I want to make it somehow.' She also shared the struggle of being the oldest member with an 11-year gap with the youngest.
In response, Daigo told her, 'Break the rules and live however you like,' encouraging her to redefine what it means to be an idol. His words, suggesting she could even remain an idol while being a mother, deeply moved the younger members watching in the studio.
FAQ
Where can I watch 'Chance no Jikan'?
It is available on the ABEMA SPECIAL channel. Recent episodes can be watched for free for a limited time after broadcasting.
Who is the 'Pearl of Ryukyu'?
It is the promotional catchphrase for Masanari Uchima of the comedy duo Slim Club to market his unique charm.
Which idol received advice from Daigo?
Rika Mayama, the oldest member of the idol group Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku.