By: Jeff Brown
Bright, energetic, and with fast-paced moves, Daisy Monkey exemplifies TJPW and its core values. Daisy Monkey is the team of Arisu Endo and Suzume, both capable wrestlers in their own right and young roster members just on the cusp of greatness in singles competition. The team always leaves a strong impression with their upbeat music, colorful ring gear, and cheerful attitude. Endo, with an ever-changing rainbow of hair colors in a purple and zebra print, and Suzume, with a futuristic hornet motif and striped hair, have the look of the most ahead-of-the-curve team in fashion and presentation.
Together, the duo have become fan favorites and have challenged for the Princess Tag Titles but came up short against the Magical Sugar Rabbits. In that loss, they gained much-needed main event experience and, just as importantly, set a goal to reach as they started over. While it was disappointing to fans internationally, it only tempered their support as TJPW headed into the 2024 edition of the Max Heart tournament. As each match progressed, the team showed they had grown and became an even stronger unit, picking up hard-fought victories with their skills and fiery determination to not let history repeat itself. The finals saw them against Daydream (Rika Tatsumi and Miu Watanabe), who are decorated as singles and tag team competitors. Miu is usually the sentimental favorite, having come up short in the Princess Cup, but this match was the outlier. Her and Rika weren’t hated, but they definitely were a massive obstacle in the fans minds and not who many were rooting for.
Daisy Monkey put on the performance of their career and sealed the deal with the sweetest victory. This moment was a redemption and is the penultimate step, as they are once again challenging for gold, this time against YukiNiki (Ryo Mizunami and Yuki Aino).
While it has proven elusive thus far, both will be viewing Grand Princess 24 as the culmination of a journey that neither they nor the fans have ever faltered from. The team recently took time out of their schedules on the way to their title challenge to chat about their origins, fashion, and who influences them with Monthly Puroresu.
Monthly Puroresu:
When you won the Max Heart tournament, what was going through your mind?
Arisu Endo:
I was honestly happy! I believed in Suzume! We lost many matches and cried together in frustration, so I’m glad we were able to achieve an amazing result!
Suzume:
I was very happy!
The big trophy that Arisu and I won was very dazzling.
I am filled with gratitude to those who believed in us and supported us!
Monthly Puroresu:
What made you decide to try wrestling?
Arisu:
I used to be an official supporter of WRESTLE-1 as “Cheer1,” but I was at a loss because of the suspension. At that time, I saw a video of a match by Reika Saiki, who has now retired, and thought, “It’s cool to be a woman who fights! I still want to be involved in pro wrestling. Then I should become a wrestler.” and I chose the path of a professional wrestler.
Suzume:
I was a fan of Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling.
I became a pro-wrestler because I longed to live my life to the fullest like these girls!
Monthly Puroresu:
How did the team Daisy Monkey form?
Arisu:
We had formed a tag team a few times before, but we officially became a tag team when we won a match to get the right to challenge for the tag team belts held by MagiRabi at the time.
We were trying to come up with a name for our tag team on the train on the way home, but we couldn’t decide, so we got off at a station on the way and entered a family restaurant, and after worrying for hours, we finally decided.
Suzume:
We often fought together, and I think we naturally became tag team partners.
We gave ourselves a tag team name when we decided to challenge for the tag belts!
Monthly Puroresu:
The Magical Sugar Rabbits were an influence for your team; what other teams have been an influence?
Arisu:
Daydream!
I thought that Daydream had won the tag team tournament in the past, and had a strong bond as a tag team, and I thought that they were the best tag team because they were crazy as individuals. That made me think that we have to become stronger both as a tag team and individually.
Suzume:
The tag teams of TJPW are all the best, but I respect Daydream the most among them!
とうとう来た！！！タッグトーナメント決勝戦！！！
決勝まで来た。この勢い止めない！！もっともっと先に行きたいから勝って優勝する🏆
いってきます！！！！#tjpw #tjpwMHT4 pic.twitter.com/Yw4J0z13q9— 遠藤有栖 Arisu Endo🦓💜💛 (@endoarisu427) February 9, 2024
Monthly Puroresu:
Who influenced you as singles wrestlers or as individuals?
Arisu:
Yuka Sakazaki.
When I had my first singles match with Yuka-san, I had just debuted and there was not much I could do, but I gave it my all and she took it all in. After losing, I stared at the ceiling and thought to myself, “I want to have a big back like her, I want to be like her.”
Suzume:
Rika Tatsumi is the reason why I became a pro wrestler, and I have always admired her. My tag team partner, Arisu Endo, is also an important person who has influenced me a lot.
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you prefer singles matches or tag matches?
Arisu:
Both!
Suzume:
Both!
Since forming Daisy Monkey, I have come to love tag team matches.
Monthly Puroresu:
Are there any places in the world where you wish to perform?
Arisu:
All over the world!
Suzume:
Anywhere there are people who love TJPW!
I want to go to meet them!
長い帰り道でなにもかも夢だったみたい…！
だけどロサンゼルスで試合したこともたくさんの方が会いに来てくれたことも全部現実なんだ！！！！！
ありがとうアメリカただいま日本🫶🏻✨#tjpwUSA #tjpw pic.twitter.com/1wGJPNQfG3— 鈴芽 suzume (@suzume_tjpw) April 5, 2023
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you design your own ring gear? It is very unique and colorful, what inspired it?
Arisu:
The current costume was designed by HIMAWARI of TJPW.
I love the Japanese actress Riisa Naka, and because of her influence, I have come to like colorful designs, so I made my costume colorful as well.
Suzume:
I design them myself!
Each time I use a hornet as a motif.
The latest ones incorporate Vocaloid imagery.
Monthly Puroresu:
Endo, how do you continuously dye your hair and not ruin it?
Arisu:
It’s a matter of feeling (lol).
Monthly Puroresu:
How did you decide on the bee persona, Suzume?
Suzume:
It was based on the image of a hornet!
Quick, dangerous, and strong, right?
Monthly Puroresu:
You are both very fashionable with your daily outfits; are there particular eras influencing you?
Arisu:
I love the colorful look of the 80s.
Suzume:
I love the atmosphere that was popular in the Heisei era!
インターネットサイン会ありがとうございました🤍✨
2/26(月)夜もこのメンバーでイベント！会場でも配信でも待ってますっ🙌🏻🙌🏻#tjpw pic.twitter.com/L66adsp1LX— 鈴芽 suzume (@suzume_tjpw) February 2, 2024
Monthly Puroresu:
Endo has her dog, Bibi. Do you have any pets, Suzume?
Suzume:
I don’t have any pets. I envy her!
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you have favorite opponents—ones that you feel bring out the best in you?
Suzume: A big opponent! It’s very difficult, but I like to think about how I can beat them.
Monthly Puroresu:
During the Youtube series Dream on the Ring, Endo, you are helping with training; is that something you enjoy?
Arisu:
I prefer training myself rather than helping.
Monthly Puroresu:
Suzume, how would you describe Arisu?
Suzume:
Arisu is a girl who is loved by everyone!
Like a rainbow, she makes everyone smile.
Monthly Puroresu:
And how would you describe yourself?
Suzume:
I think I’m just an ordinary girl who can be found anywhere.
But I would be happy if I could be special to someone!
Monthly Puroresu:
Any advice for anyone thinking of becoming a pro wrestler?
Arisu:
I am glad I became a pro wrestler! It is a calling! I am sure that those who want to become a pro wrestler now will feel the same way when they become one! Good luck!
Suzume:
The first step may be scary, but I think it is important to have the courage to take that first step!
Monthly Puroresu:
What is it about TJPW in your mind that makes it so special and different from other wrestling?
Arisu:
TJPW is a power spot where everyone who comes to see the matches can leave with a smile on their face!
Suzume:
It is difficult to put the reason into words, but if the first pro wrestling I learned about was not TJPW, I might not have become a pro wrestler.
It is a special existence that changed my life!
Date:
February 24, 2024
