From legends like Jaguar Yokota and Akira Hokuto to contemporary superstars Asuka and Iyo Sky, Japan has produced some of the best female pro wrestlers in the world. In part thanks to growing international attention, the country’s joshi puro (women’s wrestling) scene is thriving, as evidenced by the emergence of several new companies over the past few years.
One of these fresh talent factories is Marigold, a Tokyo-based promotion that was only founded in 2024 but has already built up a considerable fanbase with its eye-catching roster of original talent. We caught up with two of the stable’s biggest stars – Miku Aono, the reigning Marigold World Champion, and Tokyo’s own Chika Goto – to get the lowdown on what’s hot in joshi puro right now.
Neither woman was a natural-born wrestler. Aono worked as an actress before taking up grappling, and Goto also has a background in performing on stage. ‘I initially got into pro wrestling as a way of furthering my acting career,’ says Aono. ‘But the more I learned about the scene, the more I wanted to commit to it.’ She says her most memorable match to date came during Marigold’s founding meet in May 2024. ‘Standing in the ring at Korakuen Hall, in front of a capacity crowd – that was unforgettable.’
Aono hails from Kawagoe in Saitama, while Goto calls Tokyo’s Arakawa home. Both wrestlers cherish their roots and have held triumphant homecoming events in their respective neighbourhoods. ‘My family runs an izakaya in Arakawa, and a lot of my fans come there to drink,’ says Goto with a laugh. ‘My first homecoming match was the first professional wrestling event ever held in Arakawa. I hope to offer local kids more chances to watch pro wrestling.’
‘Kawagoe is where I was born and raised, and I’m so happy to be able to give back to the town as a wrestler,’ says Aono. ‘I hope to use pro wrestling as a means to make Kawagoe an even more exciting place.’
‘Pro wrestling is so easy to get emotionally invested in. For us, it really feels like our fans are fighting alongside us. When we win, they celebrate with us; when we lose, they share our frustration.’ (Aono)
‘I tend to get hit pretty hard, but when I stretch out my hand desperately for a rope break, I can see the faces of the fans who are hurting right along with me. It makes me so happy to see my effort turn into their passion.’ (Goto)
Regardless of their record or standing among fans, each wrestler goes to serious lengths to stand out – sometimes in surprising ways. ‘I’m more powerful than people think,’ laughs Aono. ‘At 158cm, I’m not tall, but I pack a punch. I can perform a Styles Clash (a move where the wrestler flips their opponent upside down, hooks both their arms and slams them into the mat) on opponents over 30kg heavier than me.’
‘Watching a Marigold event is like attending a multipart show. We’ve only been around for two years, so we’re still working out our identity. But each of our wrestlers has so much potential.’ (Aono) ‘Fans get to feel like they’re helping nurture a team, and you can see us all grow in real time.’ (Goto)
March 15, from 1pm at Sun Pearl Arakawa (Tokyo)
March 21, from 1pm at 176 Box (Osaka)
March 28, from 12noon at Shinjuku Face (Tokyo)
March 29, from 12noon at Yasukuni Shrine Sumo Ring (Tokyo)
April 11, from 1pm at 176 Box (Osaka)
April 14, from 6.30pm at Shinjuku Face (Tokyo)
April 19, from 11.45am and 4.30pm at APA Hotel & Resort Sapporo (Hokkaido)
April 25, from 11.30am at Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)
May 3, from 1pm at Marui Kinshicho (8F event hall, Tokyo)
May 16, from 11.30am at Korakuen Hall (Tokyo)
May 23, from 2.30pm at Ota Municipal Gymnasium (Tokyo)
May 30, from 1pm at 176 Box (Osaka)
For Marigold’s full event schedule and more information, visit the website.
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