"ABEMA" to Broadcast New Basketball Program "5 Beast Tournament 2026" for Free! 8 Directors, from YouTubers to Active B.League Players, Compete in a 5-on-5 Tournament for a 3 Million Yen Prize.

The new future TV "ABEMA" has decided to broadcast the new basketball program "5 Beast Tournament 2026" for free over 9 episodes, starting July 13, 2026 (Mon). We also announce the directors and participating members of the 8 teams competing in this tournament.

"5 Beast" is an unclassified basketball project that has garnered passionate support on YouTube since 2022, where skilled basketball players called "Hunters (challengers)" take on five defending players called "Beasts (strong opponents)" in one-on-one matchups. In 2026, it will finally be broadcast on ABEMA, scaled up in collaboration with the platform. This tournament will feature directors with unique visions who will scout and build their ideal teams to compete in a serious "5-on-5" battle tournament for a 3 million yen prize. Attention will be focused on which team will reach the top and seize the prize money on a court where professional skills, street creativity, and entertainment passion converge.

The 8 teams competing in the tournament will be led by a diverse lineup including basketball YouTubers, active B.League players, and female influencers. Among them are Tomoyan (LeCrey), a basketball video creator with over 600,000 subscribers; popular influencer Sumipon; video creators Chris (Chris's Basketball Diary) and Kotaro; Mr. Kohei Aoki; and active B.League players Daiki Tsuchiya of Shinshu Brave Warriors, Shuto Maki of Osaka Evessa, and Koki Yamamoto.

Also noteworthy are the participating members selected by each director. These include Yuto Wakukawa, a rising star in college basketball and a candidate for the next generation of the Japanese national team; Koki Tateyama, who is challenging in America as the "second coming of Keisei Tominaga"; and Yuki Takahashi, who, despite being 169cm tall, has gone viral with numerous dunk videos due to his incredible jumping ability. Strong players from all walks of life, regardless of professional or amateur status, or streetball background, will gather.

Ahead of the program broadcast, some of the directors have sent in their comments expressing their enthusiasm. (※ Full comments are published below).

The new frontier where professional tactics and street creativity collide, "5 Beast Tournament 2026," will begin broadcasting on "ABEMA" from July 13 (Mon). Please look forward to it.

Full Comments from Directors

<Tomoyan (LeCrey) | TOMODACHI Director>

Q. Please share your passionate enthusiasm for challenging the tournament.

Our team is mainly composed of young players, so I believe our desire for the prize money is unmatched by any other team. We want to brush up as a team and win overwhelmingly.

Q. If you have any plans for the 3 million yen prize money, please tell us.

I want to give it all back to the players who participated.

Q. Please send a message to ABEMA viewers.

It's rare to see a basketball tournament with such a high level of talent competing for prize money, so I would appreciate it if you could get excited about each game with the same passion. And of course, please cheer for my team with all your might!

<Sumipon | Ponix Director>

Q. Please share your passionate enthusiasm for challenging the tournament.

Honestly, I have no directing experience, so I have some anxieties, but if we're going to do this, I want to aim for the championship with all my heart. I also played basketball, so I know the importance of teamwork and chemistry unique to 5-on-5. I want to aim for the 3 million yen prize money while effectively uniting members with strong individualities from various categories!

Q. If you have any plans for the 3 million yen prize money, please tell us.

I want to go out for a delicious meal with everyone on the team! If there's any left, I'll save it.

Q. Please send a message to ABEMA viewers.

The highlight of this "5 Beast" is the chemical reactions that can only happen with a team formed on the spot and the unexpected dramas. As a director, I will also try my best to build the team in a short amount of time. We will communicate well as a team and unite. I would be happy if you could enjoy and cheer with us until the end!

<Kotaro | Team Kotaro Director>

Q. Please share your passionate enthusiasm for challenging the tournament.

When I participated as a challenger in the first season of "5 Beast," I couldn't win the 1 million yen, so I have a strong desire to win the prize money this time. I've invited players whose roots are in streetball. I will fight and win regardless of whether the opponent is a professional!

Q. If you have any plans for the 3 million yen prize money, please tell us.

As I am both director and player, I plan to allocate a significant portion of the prize money. I'll have to start by convincing the members. Just kidding, but as a YouTuber, I'd like to do a project like "spending it all in one day as a team" lol. Some members might want to spend it on pachinko, though lol.

Q. Please send a message to ABEMA viewers.

Thank you for watching "5 Beast Tournament 2026"! We usually do YouTube activities as a group. We run channels based on basketball, including 1-on-1 and tournament企画. Recently, I've been particularly motivated, so please subscribe to our channel lol. My favorite players are Iverson, Kyrie, and White Chocolate. I hope NBA fans can also enjoy watching.

<Kohei Aoki | WATCH&C Director>

Q. Please share your passionate enthusiasm for challenging the tournament.

This time, I've gathered players with careers who will express themselves on the court regardless of category. As a spectator, I simply want to enjoy the chemistry that will emerge from this assembled team, and as a coach, I want to create an environment where the players can immerse themselves in the game.

Q. If you have any plans for the 3 million yen prize money, please tell us.

I haven't thought about it yet.

Q. Please send a message to ABEMA viewers.

I believe that us, a group of professional players, playing in a field that is not our own is, in a sense, a challenge. And I send my utmost respect to the players who have accepted this challenge, and I understand that their participation is not a given. I don't know what kind of games or performances will unfold, but I am participating in this event without forgetting my respect for them, regardless of the outcome.

I hope that viewers will see them not just as "professional players" but also as "individuals," people who are no different from anyone else, and see their aspects as ordinary human beings. This will foster a sense of familiarity and allow for a different way of enjoying the event. I hope you will pay attention not only to the play of the players from all teams but also to other aspects.

I will also participate as a coach, but as a basketball fan, I want to enjoy this event.

<Daiki Tsuchiya (Shinshu Brave Warriors) | Little Max Director>

Q. Please share your passionate enthusiasm for challenging the tournament.

As I have been entrusted with the role of director this time, I have scouted players who possess both the ability and passion befitting a championship team! Since this is an impromptu team with no practice, we will fight one game at a time, focusing on communication! We will definitely win!

Q. If you have any plans for the 3 million yen prize money, please tell us.

Expenses for self-improvement, travel.

Q. Please send a message to ABEMA viewers.

It's rare for players from various categories to have the opportunity to compete seriously for prize money. Please watch the serious matches of players with diverse backgrounds! And please support Team Little Max!

<Koki Yamamoto | SHOEHURRY! Director>

Q. Please share your passionate enthusiasm for challenging the tournament.

I'm looking forward to "5 Beast" becoming a 5-on-5 and a more serious competition. We will fight each game with all our might as a team. We will work together with the members to win the 3 million yen prize money and strive for victory.

Q. If you have any plans for the 3 million yen prize money, please tell us.

First, I want to go out for a delicious meal with everyone on the team. For the rest, since the members are working hard in the professional world, I want to use it for future activities and self-investment, for experiences that will lead to further growth.

Q. Please send a message to ABEMA viewers.

We will fight with all our might as a united team to ensure that everyone watching can enjoy it. I hope you will pay attention to the intense games and the team atmosphere. Thank you for your support!

ABEMA "5 Beast Tournament 2026" Broadcast Overview

Broadcast Schedule:

#1 Prologue: The Drawing of Lots

Broadcast Date & Time: July 13, 2026 (Mon) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/AedtpiGbPthThR

#2 New Stars and Personalities Who Will Carry the Next Generation Gather

Broadcast Date & Time: July 15, 2026 (Wed) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/9BYbe4jXup2Pfu

#3 Opening! Active B.League Player vs. Pro "3x3"

Broadcast Date & Time: July 17, 2026 (Fri) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/AedtooM7K5Sx2b

#4 Japan's "No. 1 Promising Youngster" Appears

Broadcast Date & Time: July 20, 2026 (Mon) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/9BYbh5mB42xntP

#5 Unpredictable! "God-Tier Development" Heated Battle

Broadcast Date & Time: July 22, 2026 (Wed) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/Aedtq1at1dx5iF

#6 A Supreme Battle of Wits!? Active B.League Player vs. Sumipon

Broadcast Date & Time: July 24, 2026 (Fri) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/9BYbftVYcE8TSf

#7 Semifinals! B.League Player's Pride or "Prodigy's" Brilliance?

Broadcast Date & Time: July 27, 2026 (Mon) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/Aedtp7GP2KfxGo

#8 Will "That" World-Class Star Appear!? The Last Spot for the Finals

Broadcast Date & Time: July 29, 2026 (Wed) 18:00-19:00

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports-2/slots/ARburk5fGgVu9q

#9 The Champion is Finally Born! The Final Showdown Where Everything is Decided

Broadcast Date & Time: July 31, 2026 (Fri) 18:00-19:30

Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/world-sports/slots/ARbuuBECdSZjpb

※ Broadcast dates, times, content, and format are subject to change without notice. Please be aware of this in advance.

List of Participating Members for Each Team

【WATCH&C】

Director: Kohei Aoki

Members: Tomokazu Abe, Takumi Endo, Kaito Kato, Jeffrey Palmer, Steve Kubema Joseph, Ryo Hiraira, Hiroki Higashi, Kenji Hiruoki, Shuhei Muto

【Is the game not yet?s】

Director: Shuto Maki (Osaka Evessa)

Members: Shohei Otani Ni, Yuushi Ki, Ryota Koshiba, Shinichiro Sudo, Shuhei Nozue, Dunk Haku (Twin Towers), Peter Jr. Okoye, Basketball Yoshida (Twin Towers),

【SHOEHURRY!】

Director: Koki Yamamoto

Members: Yoshinari Uematsu, Ryosuke Saeki, Shin Ifeani Sugi, Yusuke Suzuki, Koki Tateyama, Dixon Jr. Tariki, Jazz Nakamura, Koichi Hirose, Shoichi Hirose

【Team Kotaro】

Director: Kotaro

Members: Michiya Ohashi, Gengen, Kyoya Sasaki, Daishi Shinada, Ikuto Nonouchi, Makoto Fujine, Keijiro Murata, Eiji Yamaguchi

【TOMODACHI】

Director: Tomoyan (LeCrey)

Members: Hiyuu Ozawa, Hayate Komazawa, Yo Nishino, Harold Azuka, Ogil Hishigbaatar, Joshua Timothy Food, Yuto Wakukawa, Gingaa Chiho

【Jalapeno】

Director: Chris

Members: Zion Uda, Seimu Onodera, Haruya Kosaka, Tyrell Taku Sudo, Riku Segawa, Yuki Takahashi, Masayoshi Nimo, Makoto Motosawa, Isei Yoneyama

【Ponix】

Director: Sumipon

Members: Tsuguto Kimura, Yuta Saito, Hiroaki Takei, Omar Diarra, Shusuke Nagahashi, Shinpei Hamada, Michael Parker, Narumi Yamamoto

【Little Max】

Director: Daiki Tsuchiya (Shinshu Brave Warriors)

Members: Eiya Oguri, Tolga Odgerel, Seina Kawashima, Bougouji Kone, Igor Svetlicic, Ryo Tawata, Hikaru Doi, Sho Tokairin, Haruki Hori

※ When using images, please include the credit: (C)AbemaTV,Inc.

About "ABEMA"

ABEMA is a video distribution service that aims to innovate television, operating as "new future TV" and celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has been an internet television service that can be enjoyed without registration and is basically free, offering 24-hour news channels, original dramas and reality shows pursuing "highest quality or uniqueness," variety shows, anime, sports, and approximately 25 channels in various genres, broadcast 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In addition to boasting the No. 1 original episode count in Japan among domestic video services (*as of March 2026, self-researched), it offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as live sports broadcasts and online live events. You can enjoy content anytime, whether on TV or on demand, without being bound by time. Furthermore, through a viewing experience that is not restricted by location on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, it continues to provide content that aligns with diverse lifestyles.

Additionally, "ABEMA Premium" offers exclusive features and content for 1,180 yen (tax included) per month, and "ABEMA Premium with Ads" offers "ABEMA Premium" exclusive content with ads for 680 yen (tax included) per month.

(* As of March 2026, self-researched)

Please check official social media for the latest information.

"ABEMA" (https://abema.tv/), a new future TV where you can enjoy free videos and trending content.

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, ABEMA will be running various campaigns throughout the year to celebrate, including special program broadcasts and the "ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Grand Thanksgiving Festival." Please look forward to ABEMA's 10th anniversary.

ABEMA 10th Anniversary Site URL: https://contents-abema.com/10th/