Former "Asuka" impersonator from the anime Evangelion and comedian "Saki Inagaki" moved to Thailand in March last year with her YouTuber husband, Rionari, their 4-year-old son, and their 5-year-old beloved cat. She fulfilled her long-held dream of living abroad. Currently, as a member of Yoshimoto Kogyo's "Asian Resident Comedians," she is working under the name "Pad Thai Saki," striving to become a star in Thailand. What is she doing in Thailand, and do the locals even know about Asuka? We asked her about her life 1 year and 5 months after moving and what lies ahead.

Is Being "Japanese" Enough to Be the "Real Deal"? The Astonishing Popularity of Japanese Anime in Thailand

About 10 years ago, Pad Thai Saki dreamt of living abroad when she crossed Europe for two and a half years on the Kansai local variety show Rokemitsu. After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized that "if you keep putting things off, you may never get the chance," which led her to decide to move overseas. Prioritizing a child-friendly environment, she chose Thailand after considering various options. When she consulted Yoshimoto Kogyo, they suggested she participate in their "Asian Resident Comedians" project, which aims to be a bridge for entertainment in Asia. This led to her move in March last year.

－What kind of activities are you currently involved in Thailand?
Pad Thai Saki:
In addition to my personal YouTube channel, I contribute to the Yoshimoto HELLO ASIA Channel, which features comedians living in Taiwan, Indonesia, and other parts of Asia. We share information about Thai tourist spots, cuisine, and local walks. I also participate in events as an Asuka impersonator. Although my primary audience is Japanese, as I still can't speak much Thai, there are over 70,000 Japanese people living in Thailand.

－Do people in Thailand know about "Asuka"?
Pad Thai Saki:
When I crossed Europe about 10 years ago for the variety show Rokemitsu, I realized how popular Japanese anime is overseas. The same goes for Thailand, where the latest anime trends match those in Japan, and you can find character goods everywhere, making you feel like you're still in Japan. Thai otaku are as knowledgeable as their Japanese counterparts. Evangelion is also hugely popular, so when I attended an event in Thailand dressed as Asuka, it created quite a stir.

－How did people react?
Pad Thai Saki:
People were thrilled and said, "It's the real deal!" and took lots of photos with me. I thought, "No, I'm just an impersonator, not the real thing," but it seems that the fact that a Japanese person was cosplaying a Japanese anime character was valued. In a way, it felt like they were worshiping Japanese people, and as a comedian who specializes in anime, I felt glad that I moved overseas.

As Thailand's Only "Eva Comedian," I Want to Deliver Japan's World-Renowned Anime and Comedy to the World

－What are your plans for the future?
Pad Thai Saki:
Combining Japan's world-renowned anime with comedy is something that people in Thailand and other countries don't really know about yet. So, I want to start in Thailand and gradually spread it worldwide. After all, there are no other comedians focusing on anime, either among the "Asian Resident Comedians" or those living in Thailand, which is my strength.

－What efforts are you making towards that goal?
Pad Thai Saki:
I've been attending classes and recently passed the Thai Language Proficiency Test at level 5! Since I have a 4-year-old son, we live in Bangkok's Japanese neighborhood, which is convenient for his kindergarten and offers a safe environment for raising children. Even though I can live comfortably without speaking Thai, my goal is to make Thai people laugh. So now, I'm studying to pass the level 4 test!

－Do you have any plans to return to Japan?
Pad Thai Saki:
Since I came to Thailand with my child, I thought, "If it doesn't work out, we can just go back," but turning 40 last year felt like stepping into the second round of my life. Now that I'm actually living here, everything is so fresh and exciting, and I'm having a lot of fun. I was also given the new name "Pad Thai Saki," and I dream of the day when people in Thailand will laugh at that name. I'll keep working hard towards that dream!

(Written by Itsuko Kawakami)

Source : ORICON NEWS