Popular female professional wrestler Saya Kamitani, known as the "Reiwa Evil Queen," released her first autobiography, "The Story of How I, an Idol and Underachiever, Came to the Center of the Pro Wrestling World" (KADOKAWA), on February 20th. Her appearances on the variety show "Chidori no Oni Renchan" (Fuji TV) and the morning live show "Lavvit!" (TBS) have helped her become better known even among people outside of pro wrestling fans. We spoke to her about her plans for 2025, when she said she "had no time for private life," and her thoughts on "Lavvit!", which has made her famous.
Last year, he was extremely busy with his main job of professional wrestling, practicing for matches, and appearing on television programs, but he managed to find time in between to complete his autobiography.
"My wrestling was on track and I thought, 'If I don't work hard this year, when will I work hard?' so I poured everything into wrestling and my work this year. To be honest, I haven't done anything in my private life," he recalls.
Meanwhile, Kamitani's "relaxing time" was a dinner party with the "Lavvit!" members, with whom she had developed a close relationship, held about once every few months.
"The group is mainly made up of Friday members, many of whom are older than me, so I can rely on them (laughs). I get to show my weaknesses as a professional wrestler, which I wouldn't normally show to my peers, and they take me out to delicious meals, so it's a happy time for me."
Akira Kawashima of the comedy duo Kirin, who serves as the program's MC, is known to be a big fan of professional wrestling, and the book also includes a "special talk match" between Kamitani and Kawashima.
"Kawashima-san is really caring. He gives me advice and I'm very grateful for his help. When I was writing my book, I wondered whether to write it myself or ask a writer to do it, but Kawashima-san encouraged me, saying, 'If you have something you want to express your feelings to, I think it will be a better piece if you write it yourself, and it will be a piece filled with love, so why not give it a try?'"
On "Lavvit!", she was a regular on Friday seasons from July to September last year. On the day she graduated from the regular season, TBS broadcast the first live women's professional wrestling match in 51 years, where she faced off against Hanan, the ace of the regular team who holds the future of Stardom, in a "10-minute one-on-one match." In the "MWL (Most Unforgettable Lavvit!) 2025" announced at the end of the year, "Reiwa's Evil Queen Heel Wrestler Saya Kamitani" came in third place, making her an indispensable and beloved character on the show.
"Until then, professional wrestling was all I had. But when I discovered 'Lavvit!', I found another place to belong outside of professional wrestling. Everyone was really warm and welcoming from the first time I appeared on the show. I think there were some co-stars who didn't know me, but I was really impressed by how warmly they welcomed me. They still treat me kindly, and we still keep in touch. It's a warm family, a true 'Lavvit!' family."
