On a chilly and wet morning in Tokyo, Soichiro Kakimoto and 30 other young professionals prepare for their weekend cheerleading practice in a college gymnasium. Despite the cold, the group, dressed in dark suits and ties, are energized and ready to bring smiles through acrobatics and chants.
The group, named Cheer Re-Man’s, formed in 2023, consists of former members of Waseda University’s male cheerleading squad. Their mission is to spread positivity through high-energy performances, volunteering their weekends at shopping malls and public events. Their routines include gravity-defying stunts and human pyramids that captivate audiences.
Kakimoto, a 23-year-old software developer, explained that while his weekdays are filled with the typical pressures of a salaryman – long commutes, late hours, and after-work drinks – his weekends allow him to shift focus, using his body for cheerleading. He believes that balancing mental and physical activities helps improve his overall well-being.
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The group practices in a gym shared with a female college cheerleading team, often in exchange for biscuits. Despite their demanding day jobs, the Cheer Re-Man’s stay committed to their passion, creating an inspiring spectacle that has won them an online commercial with Uniqlo, featuring the stretchy suits they wear during performances.
Their infectious energy and inspiring message also led them to compete in Britain’s Got Talent, where they made it to the semi-finals. On a recent weekend, they performed in front of a large crowd, leaving a lasting impact on viewers like Yasuko Yamaki, a 61-year-old housewife, who found their dedication deeply motivational. She said their perseverance through hardships was truly inspiring.
