Popular Comedians Akira Kawashima, Mitorizu, Sayaka, and Rainbow Form "Nippon Derby Club"! Variety Movies to Be Released Sequentially from Friday, May 8!

JRA (Japan Racing Association) will sequentially release the variety movie series "Nippon Derby Club" on a special website from Friday, May 8, 2026, in collaboration with popular comedians Akira Kawashima (Kirin), Mitorizu, Sayaka, and Rainbow, to build excitement for the "93rd Japan Derby (GⅠ) (hereinafter, Japan Derby)" to be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Special Website: https://jra-fun.jp/nipponderby-club/

This video content is a web-based series set in "Nippon Derby Club," a members-only secret club that promotes the appeal of horse racing nationwide. It features presentations conveying love for the Japan Derby, quizzes guessing Kawashima-san's preferences, horse racing Oogiri (improv comedy) battles, and segments explaining trends of successful horses in past Japan Derbies based on historical data. Centered on "love for horse racing" as the key to membership, the content aims to naturally deepen horse racing knowledge with humor.

Furthermore, in conjunction with this video series, collaboration videos with the official YouTube channels of Mitorizu, Sayaka, and Rainbow will also be released sequentially. These multi-faceted videos will offer different perspectives on the charm of the Japan Derby.

In addition, a present campaign offering original Nippon Derby Club merchandise, real events "Machi Naka Nippon Derby Club" held at two locations in Tokyo and one in Osaka, and talk events by club members at racecourses are also planned.

With these exciting initiatives, we will liven up this year's Japan Derby with the seven members, led by Kawashima-san.

Overall Outline

Site Name: "Nippon Derby Club"

Release Date: Friday, May 8, 2026

Site URL: https://jra-fun.jp/nipponderby-club/

① Opening Movie "Nippon Derby Club Opening Movie"

The opening movie "Nippon Derby Club Opening Movie" features copies that heighten anticipation for the Japan Derby, along with scenes of Kawashima-san, Mitorizu, Sayaka, and Rainbow enthusiastically building momentum for the race. Powerful phrases like "Some shout.", "Some laugh.", and "Some speak." are impressive, and the formation of the "Nippon Derby Club" is also announced.

URL: https://youtu.be/zNXGwpbDANA

② Variety Movie "Nippon Derby Club"

▼ Program Highlights This video content is a web-based series set in "Nippon Derby Club," a members-only secret club aimed at promoting the appeal of horse racing. Kawashima-san, set as an existing member, takes the lead, while Mitorizu, Sayaka, and Rainbow challenge the membership screening. Across four episodes, their passion for horse racing is depicted. With diverse segments related to the Japan Derby, the content is designed to be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced horse racing fans.

Release Schedule

・#1 "Dive into the Japan Derby! Passionate Derby Love Presentation": Friday, May 8, 2026

URL: https://youtu.be/hfXMaCRC0Oc

・#2 "Match Kawashima with Derby Love! Quiz Akira Kawashima": Scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026

・#3 "Who is the Favorite for Laughter! Oogiri Derby Battle": Scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026

・#4 "Just Before the Japan Derby! Find Common Traits of Successful Derby Horses!": Scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026

▼ Making-of The program filming took place with comedians Mitorizu, Sayaka, and Rainbow invited to a mysterious space, where Kawashima-san awaited as the leader. During the rehearsal for the scene where Kawashima-san, dressed in a brown suit, grandly declares, "Welcome to the Nippon Derby Club," sharp retorts like "Who's there?", "Kawashima-san, what are you doing?", and "What is this? Explain it." flew one after another, causing Kawashima-san to break into a smile.

Also, in a scene where Kawashima-san politely bows and says "Good morning," the atmosphere instantly changed with that single greeting. Everyone responded with "Good morning," revealing Kawashima-san's leadership, honed as an MC on information programs.

The theme of today's released episode is "Dive into the Japan Derby! Passionate Derby Love Presentation." Kawashima-san demonstrated an exemplary presentation on the Japan Derby, passionately explaining that it is "a once-in-a-lifetime stage where only 3-year-olds can compete." Afterwards, each comedy duo spoke with unique perspectives full of horse racing love, greatly enlivening the studio. During a break in filming, Kawashima-san recalled, "Looking back now, (the people gathered today) are all members who lost by a hair's breadth in award competitions."