Vertical Bison | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
Nagisa Tachibana is a former idol who began training with Marigold back in April 2024 as she began her quest to become a professional wrestler. The road to making her debut wasn’t an easy one as she suffered a broken leg in May 2024 and then a torn ligament shortly thereafter. Tachibana was able to pass her pro test on Nov. 9th 2024 and made her Marigold in-ring debut on Dec. 26th 2024 at Marigold Winter Wonderful Fight. She faced and was defeated by the more experienced Kizuna Tanaka.
After her debut it was full steam ahead for Tachibana as she became a regular at Marigold events. For the first eight months of 2025, Tachibana saw herself on the losing end of all her matches. On Aug. 22nd 2025, Tachibana emerged victorious for the first time in her career as she defeated the very tough Nao Ishikawa at Marigold Dream Star Grand Prix 2025.
Photo Credit: DSF Marigold
In 2026, Tachibana began to realize her immense potential as she began to take her career to the next level. She found herself on the winning end of more and more matches and has been titled by numerous fans as a future star for Marigold.
On June 20th, Tachibana decided she felt ready to take yet another step forward in her career and challenged Marigold World Champion Miku Aono to a title match. While Aono feels Tachibana needs to prove herself first, the challenge by Tachibana showed the rising confidence she has in herself as a pro-wrestling competitor. Tachibana has never held a championship and it would be quite an accomplishment in her young career if she was able to win the Marigold World Title.
Unfortunately for Tachibana, she sustained an injury to her right knee while competing in a match at the Marigold July 5th event in Kawagoe and is forced to miss the entire month of in-ring action for July.
Monthly Puroresu had the opportunity to catch up with the Nagisa Tachibana as we discussed a variety of topics.
(Please note, this interview was conducted prior to Nagisa Tachibana’s injury)
Monthly Puroresu:
What was the motivation for you to confront Miku Aono at Marigold Shining Attack 2026 on June 20th and challenge her for the coveted Red Belt?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I’ve been saying for several months now that I want the red belt, and now I’ve finally earned the chance to fight for it.
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you feel that Miku Aono wants to face you in a singles match first before giving you a title shot?
Nagisa Tachibana:
From Miku Aono’s perspective, since this is a belt she wants to keep raising in value, I think she probably sees a singles match as a reasonable starting point. But from my perspective, I wonder if not making it a title match from the very beginning is just her running away. I’m serious about the red belt, and I want to wear it and raise its value myself.
Photo Credit: DSF Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
If you do get to challenge Miku Aono for the Marigold World Championship that would be the biggest match of your career. How would you prepare for such an important match?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I’ll train intensively on the techniques needed to beat Miku Aono and work on my weaknesses in ground fighting, and I’ll build a body that can withstand her strikes.
Monthly Puroresu:
Should you become the Marigold World Champion, what kind of leader can we expect you to be for Marigold?
Nagisa Tachibana:
People might think I’m too young and unreliable, but I want to gradually change and improve Marigold.
Monthly Puroresu:
With the injuries to many Marigold competitors, do you see this as your opportunity to step up and bring your career to the next level?
Nagisa Tachibana:
Of course. There are a lot of injured wrestlers right now, and Marigold is in a really tough spot, but I think this is actually the best opportunity for each of us individually.
Photo Credit: DSF Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
What led to you pursuing a career as a professional wrestler as you are a former idol?
Nagisa Tachibana:
The president of my agency has a friend who is the vice president of Marigold, and his wife, who is also the agency president, loves pro wrestling. That’s how I got invited to try it out.
Monthly Puroresu:
Has being a former idol helped you at all in your pursuit of becoming a top pro-wrestler?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I see being an idol and pro wrestling as two completely different things, so I don’t feel like my idol experience has been particularly helpful. But if I had to say, I do make a conscious effort to move with every nerve on edge, right down to my fingertips.
Photo Credit: DSF Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
Your debut match was against Kizuna Tanaka on Dec. 26 2024 at Korakuen Hall. Korakuen Hall is a famed venue with lots of history. What were your initial feelings about debuting at Korakuen Hall?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I was incredibly happy to make my debut at Korakuen Hall, a venue even I, who had never seen pro wrestling or combat sports in such a large venue before, knew about.
Monthly Puroresu:
Your first win in Marigold occurred on Aug. 22 against Nao Ishikawa, was it a feeling a great relief when you finally secured a victory?
Nagisa Tachibana:
While I was happy to earn my first victory against a senior wrestler like Nao Ishikawa, I also felt anxious, realizing that there are even stronger competitors ahead of me and that I need to keep winning and getting stronger.
Photo Credit: DSF Marigold
Monthly Puroresu:
What are some of the things you do that has directly helped you improve as a pro-wrestler?
Nagisa Tachibana:
All I can do is train relentlessly, lift weights, and build my stamina! And I have to take good care of my body, too!
Monthly Puroresu:
How much training do you do at the Marigold Dojo and what is it like training with Shuji Kondo-san?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I train two to three days a week. Since Shuji Kondo became my coach, he’s been teaching me the finer points and the reasoning behind things—explaining why certain moves work the way they do—so I can train while clearing up any questions I have.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are some of the things you enjoy doing when you aren’t competing as a pro-wrestler?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I do strength training, work as a stretching trainer, play mahjong, and do all sorts of things.
Monthly Puroresu:
You recently visited NYC and competed for Sukeban. How was that overseas experience?
Nagisa Tachibana:
It was my first time overseas and my first match abroad. Everything was new, exciting, and fun.
Monthly Puroresu:
Did you get to do much sightseeing and enjoy some of the delicious NYC food while there?
Nagisa Tachibana:
I went sightseeing all over the place and walked a lot. I ate a lot of pizza.
Photo Credit: Nagisa Tachibana
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you hope to compete overseas more often and do you have any specific overseas opponents you’d to face?
Nagisa Tachibana:
Right after Marigold was founded, I saw Iyo Sky at Ryogoku, and that’s when I decided to aim for WWE. I’d love to face Iyo Sky in the ring.
Monthly Puroresu:
Last question – What would you like to say to all your fans that have supported you and watched you grow as a professional wrestler over the last year and a half?
Nagisa Tachibana:
Thank you for your support. Your encouragement is what keeps me going. I’ll keep working hard so I can repay your support, so please keep cheering me on!
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to DSF Marigold for facilitating this interview with Nagisa Tachibana.
(All English translations via Deepl.com)
Date:
July 20, 2026
