Shock at Hirotoshi E's Amazing Connections! From WBC to Private Life, His Secret to Building a Network
Hirotoshi E has become a familiar face in households everywhere as the MC of "Hiruobi!" He's loved by people of all ages for his calm demeanour and the relatable, down-to-earth vibe he sometimes shows. But another one of his charms has to be his incredibly extensive network of "friends." His connections, spanning not just the entertainment world but also sports, politics, and business, have earned him the nickname "The Walking Contact List." This time, we delve into the breadth of E-san's "friendships" and the secrets behind them, including the latest stories from the Reiwa era.
Is Shohei Ohtani also a "Friend"? His powerful network proven at the WBC
The highlight in recent memory has to be what happened during the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in spring 2023. While all of Japan was excited about Samurai Japan's performance, E-san apparently received a direct message from none other than Shohei Ohtani himself! It was a friendly message saying, "I'm watching the games, you know." It seems even E-san himself couldn't hide his surprise. This little story shows that he's not just another "viewer," but someone special trusted even by the players.
Furthermore, at the WBC victory parade, cameras captured him walking happily arm-in-arm with manager Hideki Kuriyama. Their friendship was already well-known, but nobody expected them to show off such a playful relationship in public. The fact that Kuriyama, clearly busy with his managerial duties, still invites E-san out during his private time is a testament to E-san's "genius ability to win people over."
The star-studded line-up on "Hirotoshi E's Friends" list
His connections aren't limited to just Ohtani and Kuriyama. From someone who's watched him for years, the following circle of friends truly represents the essence of "Hirotoshi E's Friends."
- Takeshi Kitano: Trained as a member of the "Takeshi's Army" since his younger days, their relationship continues to this day, with them calling each other "Kitano-san" and "E-chan." Apparently, he still never fails to show consideration for his mentor, things you wouldn't see on TV.
- Monta Mino: A senior in the info-entertainment show scene and a good source of advice. It's said that the style of E-san's flagship show "Hiruobi!" is heavily influenced by Mino-san.
- Shuzo Matsuoka: Known for his super-energetic personality, even Matsuoka-san becomes soft and sweet in front of E-san. They enjoy playing tennis together, with a friendship like brothers.
- Big names from various fields: The list goes on to include rakugo artist Bunshi Katsura, veteran actresses from the past, and even big shots from politics and business. It's an open secret in the industry that at his parties, you'll find big names quietly attending who don't usually appear on TV with him.
Why do so many people gather around him? His networking secrets
So why do so many people gravitate towards Hirotoshi E? I believe it's down to his excellent balance of being a "good listener" while also being able to "clearly state his own opinions." The style he shows on TV – drawing out what the other person has to say while adding his own thoughts in a way that never comes across as offensive – is arguably an ideal model for building human relationships.
In the fickle world of entertainment, surviving at the forefront for over 30 years and continuously building such a genuine, wide circle of friends can only be attributed to his innate talent and likeable personality. Even now in the Reiwa era, his network of connections continues to expand. We can't wait to see what new stories about his "friends" he'll share with us on the "Hiruobi!" screen in the future.