There are many great warriors that inhabit the world of K1 fighting.(quite an impressive Japanese kickboxing league that manages to be exciting while only featuring humans) Some of them like to wear elaborate costumes. This Japanese cosplaying/crossplaying fighter goes by the name Yuichiro “jienotsu” Nagashima.
Thanks to Yuichiro, this marks the second time a Hatsune miku cosplay has been seen on this site.
This kick boxer makes all of his fight grand entrances with an anime musical number involving him and his entourage of cosplaying cuties. He dresses up in costume even during press conferences and interviews.(and on occasion his anime entourage joins him)
They mock your fighting etiquette.
His fans also join in on the fun by dressing up and waving glow sticks during his matches. Quite possibly making him a kickboxing/mma idol. (I’m still waiting for a Bloodsport idol, but I won’t hold my breath)
The reason for doing this is the fact that he sees himself as an otaku first, and sees fighting as a hobby to himself.(Impressive for somebody who holds 16 win/4loss record in kickboxing.)
Again, he ignores your established rules.
In many interviews, the subject of spreading “the anime gospel” is brought up.(if there is one to rule them all, I’m glad it’s by the way of the otaku fist that will conquer this pitiful planet) Nagashima even said he would like to apologize to the voice actors of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya for losing a fight where he had dressed up as the characters from the anime. Although he has said that he would not dress up in cosplay and walk the streets because he would afraid of the reaction.(instead opting for the much more humble approach of doing it in front of a stadium full of people and for the thousands of people watching the event at home)
Obvious to most of those who watch his bouts is the fact that almost entirely all his cosplays are of woman. There are rare exceptions such as the male Kamina from Gurren Lagann and Sachiel from Evangelion(although Sachiel would be more of an “it”), but most Nagashim’s cosplays have been that of the skirt wearing kind. The reason he gives is that he resonates more with the female characters. Why exactly, he doesn’t specifically say(damn you humans and your suspense!), but judging on the specific characters he chooses, one would assume he likes strong and confident girls.(which would fit the image for a guy in a dress who beats up other people) Such confiedent females such as Suigintou(Rozen Maiden), Kurimu Sakurano(Setokai no Ichizon), and Kokoro Akechi(Tantei Opera Milky Holmes).
Kokoro could not be reached for comment due to being animated.
But don’t think this means he wears the pretty outfits to catch the eye of certain men. Nagashima has said he is not gay.(and his elbow wants to meet your face if you think otherwise) A subject that was brought up during the war of words Nagashima had with fighter Albert Kraus in the weeks leading up to their fight.(this is the reason why words aren’t allowed without a permit in some countries)
Now it should be known that Nagashima is the not the only one to cosplay in fighting sports. There is Daiki “D.J. Taiki” Hata, who dresses up in a fancy gothic outfit during interviews, and also wears the outfit during video promos that feature him holding the leashes of white hounds.
In the end, there can be only one. *Cue Queen music.*
Then there is the fighter Marius Zaromskis, who dressed as Street Fighters’ Akuma during his entrance in one match.
But regardless of these other men, Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima is the only one to combine fighting and cosplaying with such flare and intensity. He is the one truly grabbing the head of the world of fighting and forcing it to stare into the face of the otakudom . A fanboy fist across the face of the normals.
So speakith the new world order.
For more on Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima;
Official Blog: http://ameblo.jp/jienotsu/
K-1 profile: http://www.k-1.co.jp/en/fighter/player.php?index=yuichiro_nagashima