Sho Sakurai will participate in “Weakest King Without BABA 2025 New Year SP”! Co-starring with Masaki Aiba on Fuji TV for the first time in the final episode of “VS Arashi”

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■”It’s not so long ago that I feel nostalgic, but it was a fun time.” (Sho Sakurai)

“Aiba◎× Club presents BABA’s weakest king match 2025 New Year SP” will be broadcast on Fuji TV from 18:00 on January 3, 2025.

Since the first tournament was held in 2012, many great matches have been held, and the “Weakest King Without BABA” has now become a New Year’s tradition on Fuji TV.

The episode aired on January 3, 2024 achieved an overall individual viewership rating of 6.3%, winning a fierce viewership battle and taking the top spot (according to Video Research, Kanto region. Average from 7pm to 9pm) audience rating).

In this project, celebrities representing various fields engage in shocking psychological warfare in order to escape from the dishonorable title of “weakest king.” The studio has been filled with laughter and excitement as a series of miracle plays occur every time, but what kind of drama awaits us in the next “2025 New Year SP”?

■This is the first time in a year and a half that Sho Sakurai will participate without BABA since “BABA Spirits” aired in July 2023, when he suddenly appeared as a pinch hitter for Masaki Aiba!
It has been decided that Sho Sakurai will be participating in the “BABA-less” event, where we are looking forward to the participation of super luxurious members. This will be the first time in a year and a half that Sakurai will participate without BABA since “BABA Spirits” aired in July 2023, when he suddenly appeared as a pinch hitter for Aiba, and the last time Sakurai and Aiba will co-star on a Fuji TV program will be in 2020. This will be the first time in four years since the final episode of “VS Arashi” aired on December 24th.

Aiba was monitoring Sakurai’s “BABA-less” performance and said, “I’ve been watching (Sho) sit at the table and play cards, so I’m really happy today.I’ve always wanted to watch him, so I went to the finals.” Please do so (lol),” he cheers with a loving tease.

Sakurai, on the other hand, seems to be feeling a bit blank, saying, “It’s been so long that I forgot the techniques (to win) (lol).”

Expectations are high to see what kind of great battle these two will have without BABA.

In addition to Sakurai, the lineup of other members will be announced at a later date.

■Comments from Sho Sakurai and Masaki Aiba
Q: Looking back on the recording, please tell us your honest thoughts now.
Sho Sakurai:It was my first time participating in a year and a half, but it was a lot of fun! The original rules unique to “BABA-free” were a nice accent and it was fun.
Masaki Aiba:I don’t know what’s going on…(lol) That’s what’s interesting. The luck of the day or the flow of the day, that kind of thing comes into play. Today’s “without BABA” was rough (lol).

Q: How did you feel looking back on your reunion after 4 years on Fuji TV?
Aiba:I was like, “That’s right!” (laughs) We still meet up at various places, go out to eat, and our relationship has continued.
Sakurai:Aiba-kun comes to Fuji TV regularly. I was fresh. I was able to meet the staff at the time, and Aiba-kun was also with me. It’s not so long ago that I feel nostalgic, but it was a fun time.

Q: How did you watch each other’s games?
Sakurai:After all, Aiba-kun is amazing (lol). It was a battle worth watching, with many highlights. Somehow, I felt like I was standing under a star that made the game more exciting.
Aiba:Sakurai-san today… can I be honest? To be honest, I felt blank (lol). I can’t bury it (lol)!
Sakurai: The difference between me and people who are constantly taking on challenges has become clear (lol).

Q: Please give a message to the viewers.
Aiba:I’m glad that it’s becoming an annual tradition, and I’m really happy that we can broadcast it again this year. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful guests who have gathered here, and I would like the viewers to sit back and watch the show at their leisure.
Sakurai:It’s been a while since I’ve appeared on a program at this time on January 3rd, so I was happy to be able to participate. I would be happy if the program became a good companion for family gatherings and sparked conversation. Most importantly, it was fun!

Program information

Fuji TV“Aiba◎× Club presents BABA’s weakest king match 2025 New Year SP”
2025/01/03 (Friday) 18:00-21:00
Cast: Masaki Aiba Kazuki Enari
Sho Sakurai et al.

“Aiba◎×bu” program site
https://www.fujitv.co.jp/mokushichi/


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