Naiko Runs Through Teddy Bear Day, a Tarot Fair Teaser and a Hit Drama’s Ratings in Morning Stream

INDEPENDENT — Naiko used the fifth installment of his weekday morning stream, a short talk show that began at 7 a.m. Tuesday, to walk viewers through the day’s trivia and news before they headed to school or work.

He opened by saying it was raining hard where he was, then admitted the rain was an effect he had switched on for the room. When viewers wrote in that it was sunny where they lived, he turned the effect off. He then noted that Oct. 27 is Teddy Bear Day, explaining that the toy took its name from the nickname of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, after a newspaper story about him declining to shoot a bear on a hunt. He added that the day is also Black Cat Day and Reading Day.

“I’m of the school that says you should watch what’s popular.” — Naiko, on the hit drama he has yet to watch

In the news segment he teased a tarot-card-themed anime fair announced the previous day, saying he would give details on the group’s official fan-meeting broadcast in about five days. He then turned to the Sunday drama series VIVANT, whose Oct. 25 episode, he said, drew an average household rating of 18.6 percent, far above the other programs airing at the same time. He said he had watched only the first season, and encouraged listeners to think about why popular things are popular. He also covered the news that a woman has become a professional shogi player for the first time, noting the distinction between that status and the women-only professional ranks.

Viewers reacted throughout, joking that it was raining indoors and writing that the trivia was useful. One Super Chat came in.

Naiko ended by saying Oct. 27 is the second anniversary of the release of the group’s original song “Aishiteru ja Tarinai mon,” which he played over the closing credits. Before it, he called a countdown and asked viewers to post a hand in chat to beat him at rock-paper-scissors.