ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka Naito is best known for his tenacious grappling attack, but he is starting to become equally famous for his fascination with Japanese geek culture, also known as “Otaku” culture. More specifically, his love for anime, comic books, and manga.
“I have more comics than regular books,” the 32-year-old proudly admits. “It’s easier to read and in Japan, there are plenty of different comic books, so I never get sick of it.”
As a child growing up in Chiba, Japan, Naito built up an extensive collection of comic books and mangas. The title he seems to connect with the most, however, has been Doraemon.
Created in December 1969, Doraemon features Nobita, an awkward young boy who looks like a complete geek, but doesn’t have the intellect or the drive to match his appearance.
“Doraemon was on TV all the time,” an excited Naito recalls. “It was a big hit. I loved to watch TV, so naturally it became one of my favorite anime. I’ve been watching it ever since I was a little kid.”
Watching the television show and reading the comics were one thing. But four years ago, the fighter took his passion for Doraemon to another level when he intertwined the Otaku staple into his livelihood.
In 2012, as Naito was preparing to make his professional mixed martial arts debut for Shooto, he was trying to come up with a cool nickname that reflected his personality. On the advice of his fellow Paraestra teammates, he settled on a modern day anime figure he could identify with all too well.
“At the gym, when I had to decide my ring name, everyone said I should be named ‘Nobita,’ probably because I was wearing glasses and I was also a loser that can’t really do anything. It was a familiar character for everyone,” he says.
“Also, basically, I was never a smart guy, so that is why Nobita resonates with me,” he continues. “It’s not really about liking him, but more about that I feel a sense of closeness with Nobita.”
The similarities are fairly apparent. Upon first glance, neither Nobita or Naito are intimidating. They both look like bookworms, yet ironically they weren’t the best students in high school. Perhaps the main difference, however, is no one ever pushed the Japanese mixed martial artist around, whereas the manga icon was picked on nonstop.
Also, there isn’t any denying that Nobita is portrayed as the ultimate underdog, and being the underdog is something Naito can relate to. In fact, he’s had some recent experience.
Back in May, Naito left Shooto, vacating his Flyweight Championship belt, and made his ONE Championship debut at ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS. It was against then-ONE Strawweight World Champion and legendary Muay Thai fighter Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke for the title, and it was in the champ’s home country of Thailand.
Though Naito won the contest and took home the belt that night with a fourth-round submission, he can draw a comparison to the anime character’s signature flair: “It’s closer to when Nobita is going into the fight not confident, not sure whether he can win and face the bullies. I could relate to that, I guess.”
That lack of confidence is somewhat thematic, as a nervous energy seeps through his voice when thinking about Joshua Pacio in anticipation of their upcoming title fight this Friday, 7 October, at ONE: STATE OF WARRIORS.
For instance, the champ says of Pacio and his camp, Team Lakay: “I don’t know about other gyms, but I’m sure they are going through hard training,” before blurting out phrases like, “I’m scared,” “it’s fearful,” and, “I’m freaked out.”
Whether Naito truly feels that way or not is yet to be determined. But for now, we’ll consider it as part of his charm.
The connection the Japanese wrecking ball feels with Doraemon doesn’t end there. Not only is Naito’s love for comics becoming the worst kept secret ever, but after he won the Shooto Flyweight Championship in 2014, the fight organization featured him on promotional posters, and during interviews, with him fully dressed as Nobita — including the glasses, the black shorts and the yellow polo shirt with white trim. This persona was even on full display whenever his hand was raised in victory.
Although often called an Otaku, Naito proved he is comfortable is his own skin, and has publicly embraced this cool and clever identity: “Nowadays, less people hide that they are a nerd. In Japan, people around us are not as biased as before.
“It’s not a big deal. I mean, if you hide it, no one will really realize. It’s ok for me. I understand that I’m a minority, part of a niche. It’s like a complete opposite of a bad boy. I understand I’m not normal.”
Naito isn’t normal. He isn’t even ordinary. As an athlete, he is extraordinary. He has a spotless 11-0 record, forfeited the Shooto Flyweight Title, joined ONE Championship in search of new challenges, and stormed into Thailand this past May to submit an undefeated champ for the ONE Strawweight World Championship in front of all his countrymen.
Honestly, that sounds very much like the “bad boy” Naito claims he isn’t. What’s more, geek culture is fast becoming mainstream, especially with the rise of superhero blockbuster movies and hit TV series the likes of The Big Bang Theory, in addition to the rise of conventions such as Comic Con and AnimeJapan.
While there isn’t too much crossover between geek culture and MMA, the two worlds actually share a special type of uniqueness, intimacy, and most importantly, a passionate and dedicated fanbase who love their respective products.
“The similarity is that the viewers feel excitement. I feel the rush when I read comic books, so I want everyone to feel the same when they watch my fights,” Naito says. “That’s why I’m into both. You can’t predict what’s going to happen in the future. Every moment is a fork in the road. That’s what really fascinates me.”
On 7 October, everyone’s favorite Otaku will try to fascinate the ONE Championship crowd again, and maybe this time around, he’ll be dressed as Nobita if he gets his hand raised.
