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Performances That Truly Reach Your Hearts: DDT’s Kaisei Takechi On Being The Hybrid Performer

5 hours ago Peatzilla | MP

Peatzilla | MP

Performances That Truly Reach Your Hearts: DDT’s Kaisei Takechi On Being The Hybrid Performer

DDT Pro Wrestling is gearing up to return to Korakuen Hall on February 22nd to celebrate a special occasion with the “HYBRID PERFORMER 2026 – Kaisei Takechi 2nd Anniversary Show”. Known as “The Hybrid Performer,” Kaisei, also a member of the musical unit THE RAMPAGE, made an immediate impact on DDT’s programming since his debut in February 2024.

Kaisei will celebrate his second anniversary as a professional wrestler by facing Yuki Ueno, his tag team partner and mentor in a sense. Ahead of this important event, I had the opportunity to speak with Kaisei in what was his first interview with international professional wrestling media. Kaisei answered several questions on a variety of topics.

Monthly Puroresu: This month you’ll be celebrating your second anniversary as a professional wrestler. Could you tell us when and why you decided to become a wrestler?

Kaisei Takechi: It all started when I played the part of a Wrestler in a Japanese drama. It led to an actual offer asking if I’d like to try it for real and that led from a role being turned into an actual profession.

Monthly Puroresu: Are there any wrestlers you consider role models or influences for your style or moves?

Kaisei Takechi: My biggest influence is Yuki Ueno from DDT.

Whether it was during training or when he directly instructed me, he guided me on how to execute moves and take falls to the most minute details. So it’s definitely Ueno.

Monthly Puroresu: Your debut match was teaming with Shunma Katsumata and Yuki Ueno against Hideki Okatani, Takeshi Masada, and Tetsuya Endo. What are your thoughts on that match?

Kaisei Takechi: I was feeling very nervous. I felt some anxiety, fear and inner conflict. All sorts of feelings surfaced but the nerves were very overwhelming. However, the moment I stepped through the gate it all vanished. I steeled myself to step into the ring.

Monthly Puroresu: How did you feel competing at Korakuen Hall for the first time?

Kaisei Takechi: I never imagined I’d be inside the ring at Korakuen Hall for a show. I’d been there as a spectator, but becoming one of the protagonists inside that ring was a world I never could have imagined. The view from there was far greater than I could have ever imagined, and the feelings I experienced were truly immense.

Monthly Puroresu: There’s been some reality shows related to wrestling with musicians from Japan like Yuki Arai, Sakura Miyawaki, etc. So they’ve been there before.

Kaisei Takechi: I really feel that there are so many similarities after being in both worlds. So, I want to keep working hard and show fans of one world can come to know both worlds.

Monthly Puroresu: You’re a member of the musical unit THE RAMPAGE. Having experienced professional wrestling, what do you think your experience in THE RAMPAGE has contributed to professional wrestling? What do you think your experience as a professional wrestler has contributed to your work in THE RAMPAGE?

Kaisei Takechi: As I mentioned earlier after seeing both worlds, what really hits home is that neither can exist without the fans.

So whether it’s THE RAMPAGE or Wrestling, I’m always conscious of communicating with the audience. I fight to connect with the fans, but the more I do it, the stronger this feeling grows that I need to do even more. It’s hard to put into words, but… Personally, I’m trying to synergize them—bringing what I gained only through dance into wrestling, and what I gained only through wrestling into dance—and lifting each other up.

If you ask me to show it tangibly, it’s a bit hard, but I think my ability to connect with the audience has grown stronger.

Monthly Puroresu: Later, DDT announced that you had signed a contract and that you would be appearing on their shows when your schedule allows it. Why did you choose to sign with DDT? What does this company mean to you?

Kaisei Takechi: I do feel a sense of connection through the opportunities I’ve been given, but honestly, wrestling is just incredibly fun. What really stands out is that the DDT wrestlers saw me not as some celebrity or dancer, but purely as an athlete. And I want to repay that trust. It’s been three years since I started training, and I truly feel like they’re family.

They often come along with me to watch matches in other promotions, and we’ve competed together too. During those times, I feel a real sense of security and that strong family bond.

Monthly Puroresu: Alongside To-y & Yuki Ueno and Kaisei Takechi, you defeated DAMNATION T.A to win the KO-D Six Man Tag Team Championships. What are your thoughts on that match? What did winning your first professional title mean to you?

Kaisei Takechi: Ueno told me when he first entrusted me with the belt that various wrestlers aiming for that title would challenge me and facing them would be my next challenge. He said it might become an opportunity to discover the secret to getting stronger. I think I’ll truly understand that once I hold the belt, so I should look forward to it. And this six-man tag belt wasn’t just mine alone—it was won with the help of To-y and Ueno. Moving forward, I want to keep doing my best while also aiming for a singles championship.

Monthly Puroresu: You have successfully defended the title twice, and your most recent defense was very well received by the fans. What do you feel is different about your recent appearances in DDT now that you are Champion? Which is your favorite title match to date?

Kaisei Takechi: From the very start of my career, I’ve been determined to fight with everything I’ve got. I’ve never been one to rest on my laurels or show any signs of complacency. Every single match is a life-or-death battle where I give my everything. That commitment to fighting all out hasn’t changed since my debut. Among those matches, the one against DAMNATION T.A. stands out as being incredibly tough.

Monthly Puroresu: You made your Tokyo Dome debut, teaming with Yuya Uemura and Shota Umino at Wrestle Kingdom 20. Your entrance was special because you did it with your fellow members of THE RAMPAGE. What was it like to experience that?

Kaisei Takechi: Performing at the Tokyo Dome and then immediately wrestling afterwards is something uncommon for a Wrestler, and I want to keep embodying that going forward.

By the end of 2024, THE RAMPAGE also held a two-day solo event at the Tokyo Dome, so I have this dream of becoming someone who can keep fighting at the Tokyo Dome forever and ever, both as a wrestler and as a dancer.

Monthly Puroresu: What was it like to team up with Umino and Uemura?

Kaisei: Umino and I are of the same age, so we talked about all sorts of things based on that common ground. We also discussed how, even though we’re tag partners now, it would be interesting if someday we went beyond promotions and faced each other across the ring.

Regarding Uemura as well, since we’re close in age, I also mentioned how nice it would be if we could face each other someday.

Monthly Puroresu: You won the Rookie of the Year Award at the 2025 Tokyo Sports Professional Wrestling Awards. What did winning the award mean to you? What are your goals for 2026 after winning it?

Kaisei Takechi: Since I have been honored to receive the Rookie of the Year award, I feel my duty is to spread pro wrestling further into the world—to get people to like it, to first make them aware of it, and then absolutely make them love it.

Since I received this Rookie of the Year award, one of my goals is to continue leaving a lasting impact going forward.

As for this year’s goal, if THE RAMPAGE puts on 20 shows, my dream is to also wrestle 20 matches, to have the same number of shows and matches in the same year.

Monthly Puroresu: On February 22nd, you will face Yuki Ueno at your 2nd Anniversary Show as a Professional Wrestler. What has the preparation process been like for this match? What are your expectations for the match?

Kaisei Takechi: I’ve been consistently working on building my resolve and mindset. At the same time, THE RAMPAGE has a tour that starts at the end of February, so I’m juggling everything now—practice, dance training, pro wrestling training—dividing it all up and figuring things out as I go through my daily life.

In all this, Ueno often tells me that “I will crush you”, and I want to prove that statement wrong. I’ll show him that I’m not so easily beaten and tell him his assessment is way off.

Monthly Puroresu: In recent years, we’ve seen musicians invite professional wrestlers to participate in their music videos, as seen in The Rampage’s most recent video. What was it like to combine two of your professions? Are there any other wrestlers you would like to work with on a musical project?

Kaisei Takechi: As I’ve been given the opportunity to perform as a Hybrid Performer, I’ve been able to create a song that embodies this. As long as this song keeps playing, I’ll be standing in the ring. And as long as I stand in the ring, this song will keep playing. Thinking about that makes me feel incredibly moved.

Now, as for wrestlers, I’d like to work with in the future… if I could be greedy, I’d like to perform with everyone.

Each wrestler has a different fighting style, different intensity in the ring, and makes me feel different things. I want to learn from each one, absorb their strengths, and become stronger. So, I hope I can work with everyone.

Monthly Puroresu: If you could choose one pro wrestler from Japan and one from outside Japan for singles matches, who would you choose for each?

Kaisei Takechi: Can you give me a day to answer you? (laughs)

A singles match… I’d like to face Konosuke Takeshita. Earlier in January I couldn’t compete due to my conjunctivitis and he said that perhaps it wasn’t meant to happen now. So when the time comes I’d love to wrestle him in a singles match.

Overseas?? If there’s anyone who’d want to face me, I’d like to challenge them too.

Monthly Puroresu: Unfortunately, you weren’t able to compete at the Korakuen Hall event teaming up with HARASHIMA against Jun Akiyama and Konosuke Takeshita. Would you like to see it rescheduled?

Kaisei Takechi: Absolutely, I’m ready for it anytime.

Monthly Puroresu: Outside of professional wrestling, could you tell us about your hobbies?

Kaisei Takechi: I have a lot, but golf and gaming are my top two. When it comes to games, there’s this game called Apex Legends, and I’ve been playing it since it came out, so it’s been almost five years now.

Monthly Puroresu: When you’re not involved with The Rampage or professional wrestling, could you tell us what a typical day in your life is like?

Kaisei Takechi: I would go golfing from morning till evening, then play games after I get back. After a little gaming, I head out to the gym. I make sure there are no days that are completely off.

Monthly Puroresu: As a performer yourself is there any music genre you listen to?

Kaisei Takechi: I absolutely love hip-hop music. I started dancing when I was two years old, and I grew up listening to it back then, so I still love it to this day.

Monthly Puroresu: Some musicians that have done pro wrestling won awards at the Grammys this year. Like Bad Bunny and Jelly Roll. What do you think about that?

Kaisei Takechi: It really made me realize again how similar the worlds of music and pro wrestling are. If I keep proving myself in Japan from here on out, I think someday I might be able to fuse them together like this. That thought gives me a huge dream.

Monthly Puroresu: Finally, do you have a message for your fans around the world?

Kaisei Takechi: Thank you for always supporting me. While I can’t express everything through words or sounds alone, I want to keep striving to deliver performances that truly reach your hearts whether it’s through dance and pro wrestling.

When you’re feeling down, when you need a boost of energy, or when your dreams are shattered, I believe my movements can be just as helpful as anyone else’s. So please, come see me perform up close.

DDT Pro Wrestling presents the “HYBRID PERFORMER 2026 – Kaisei Takechi 2nd Anniversary Show” live from Korakuen Hall on February 22nd. You can watch the stream of the show in Wrestle UNIVERSE.

We would like to thank Peatzilla for the Art Direction, Ash Mann for the live interpretation and transcription of the answers of Kaisei Takechi and the DDT Pro Wrestling team for all the facilities provided to conduct this interview.

Date:

February 19, 2026

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