Akira Kurogane Promises to End HANAKO’s Future of Stardom Reign

By Noah Leatherland

The feud between Akira Kurogane and HANAKO in STARDOM took barely any time to burn brightly. Kurogane is dead set on dethroning HANAKO, making her intentions known and reflecting on her own future in a recent interview.

Kurogane was interviewed for a piece on STARDOM’s website ahead of challenging HANAKO for the Future of Stardom Championship on February 28th in Korakuen Hall. Kurogane had unsuccessfully challenged Hina for that same belt in Korakuen last summer. Seven months on, Kurogane rides into Korakuen full of confidence:

This challenge? I’m thrilled. My first Future title shot was also here. Everything is different from last July. I’ll show you why in the ring.

The rivalry between Kurogane and HANAKO was sparked during the faction war between Mi Vida Loca and Empress Nexus Venus. It was during that conflict that Kurogane grew a certain level of admiration for the champion:

I like her eyes. Especially during the unit battle, when she locked eyes with Maika and went for the kill—I was totally drawn in. Seeing those eyes made me think, ‘I want to take the Future title from someone with eyes like that… HANAKO is the one who took the title from Hina, who was the champion when I first challenged for the Future title. Truthfully, I wanted to challenge Hina again and take the Future title from her myself. HANAKO is a rematch for my past self. And for my future ahead, on February 28th, I will surpass her.

The Future of Stardom Championship is tailor made to fresh faces in the promotion, with competitors within 3 years of their debut or under the age of 20 eligible to hold it. March 25th will mark 3 years since HANAKO’s in-ring debut. Should she reach that date as champion, she would need to relinquish the belt. However, Kurogane is determined to not let that happen:

I won’t let that happen. I won’t let her have a ‘grand finale’. I’m sorry, but I won’t let her see March as the champion. Instead, I will welcome March as the new champion in her place.

It’s not just HANAKO that Kurogane backs herself against, but in fact, every other rookie in STARDOM:

Honestly, I think I’m already several steps ahead of my peers at this point. I always have a competitive spirit burning against them. However, I have the experience and results I gained from tag leagues and unit battles. I was beaten up more than anyone else in my class, and that made me stronger. Unlike me, everyone in my class is full of dazzling talent, but I’ve definitely been through the most hellish battles among them… That’s why my focus isn’t on my peers when I talk about winning the belt. My focus is on becoming STARDOM’s young ace. As the young ace, the Future belt is a piece I can’t be without. That’s why I want that belt around my waist. I’ll wrap that sparkling Future belt around my waist and make it my own. I’ll make it shine brightly.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

Akira Kurogane faces HANAKO for the Future of Stardom Championship on February 28th in Korakuen Hall.