5-Star Book Reviews

Welcome back to my 5-Star Book Reviews coverage of Jun Akiyama and his storied career. Things get juicy in this section as Akiyama experiences lots of adversity that leaves him shrouded in self-doubt and questioning his future. Specifically we’re going to see how Akiyama deals with professional criticism from both one of his most important peers and the press. There’s plenty of intrigue in seeing how Akiyama navigates these churning waters, especially with heavy weights pulling him down. Luckily for him there’s someone else who not only acts as a much-needed friend during a time of darkness, but saves his career. Lastly, we get an interesting “AKHTUALLY” moment as Akiyama reveals the truth about one of his most famous techniques.

You can read part one here and part two here.

Welcome back to my 5-Star Book Reviews series. Today we’ll look at Part Two of my coverage of Jun Akiyama and we’ll focus on his training and debut. The circumstances of Akiyama’s debut are important because he followed an often-seen archetype in wrestling: the super-rookie hyped to the moon and given massive shoes to fill from the start. This wasn’t typical of All Japan given Baba’s slower and more conservative booking philosophy. As such, Akiyama finds himself dealing with added pressure sticking out like a sore thumb while also carrying the weight of his alma mater on his shoulders. We also get Akiyama’s direct thoughts on his debut, along with a critical look at his training and the lessons he got from his seniors. Given that both of his books are written at times when he’s in a more senior position himself and able to impart wisdom onto younger trainees, there’s much more of a critical or retrospective tone in his words. This is refreshing as we can see his experiences from wider perspectives and judge for ourselves whether his career progression really worked out well or not.

You can read part one here.

Welcome back to my 5-Star Book Reviews series. We’re going back to All Japan and the King’s Road here with a look at none other than Jun Akiyama. Some of you might remember him for his AEW appearances in 2022 and 2024. But more importantly, Akiyama’s best remembered for his work in AJPW, NOAH, and later DDT. He’s one of the most important figures in the King’s Road canon, having been presented as the heir apparent to the Kings’ throne. Yet for one reason or another, his career isn’t seen to have reached those same heights (never mind the fact that he’s still gainfully employed in wrestling and seems to have stability in an otherwise unstable industry). Some people consider him a failed star, one who didn’t grab that brass ring despite such heavy promise during the first ten years of his career. Others have argued that he earned the right to stand alongside the Four Heavenly Kings, with some arguing that he was a better wrestler than Taue and should’ve taken his spot among that  legendary pantheon. But as we’ll see, Akiyama has strong opinions about his involvement with that group.

Top Row: Akiyama’s books:

Everything is Sincere, published March 21, 2001; and

Inherit The Giant Stars, published March 31, 2018

Second row: Supplemental Sources:

The Four Heavenly Kings Pro Wrestling: Excessive Innocence Devoted to the Ring by Hidetoshi Ichinose, published February 10, 2019; and

Confession: The Final Truth of the 10 Major Incidents in Heisei Pro-Wrestling by Takarajimasha, published February 10, 2018

Bottom row: Magazines

Weekly Pro Wrestling 25^th Anniversary Series 2, Volume 14, Number 5: Four Heavenly Kings FILE Complete Record of Supreme Battles, published August 1, 2008; and

G Spirits Volume 29: Discussion of the Heirs of the King’s Way: Revisiting the Past to Understand the Future, published November 5, 2013

SINCERE is Akiyama’s first book, covering the initial part of his career and his thoughts on NOAH going in a different direction from AJPW’s established canon. INHERIT goes further into his later career and his involvement with All Japan as an authority figure and important bridge between his generation and his successors. ICHINOSE’s book is, of course, the magnum opus of the fabled Four Kings’ wrestling and includes many passages on and from Akiyama not included elsewhere. CONFESSION is more of a tell-all book co-written by various wrestling journalists interviewing different wrestlers. Akiyama’s contributions to that book center on Misawa’s death and how he viewed the 1990s AJPW wrestling style. The Four Kings FILE magazine is, from what I uncovered, Ichinose’s most significant primary source when writing his book and contains some information that might not have made it to the final copy of his work. Lastly, SPIRITS, despite having Akira Taue on his cover, includes a detailed sit-down interview with Akiyama and Masanobu Fuchi in which the two discuss the fabled Shitenno style in yet further detail.

Welcome back to my 5-Star Book Reviews. This will be the last and final chapter of my coverage of Jushin Liger’s three-part autobiography, written and overseen by New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It’ll be the longest section thus far since I’ll be finishing Part Two and going over all the best elements of Part Three. This will cover a five-year period from 2015 to 2020, during which many interesting things happen to Liger. These include: his one and only WWE match, his return to the British wrestling scene, his final Best of Super Juniors appearance and final challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and, of course, his retirement tour. There will also be interviews and excerpts from some of the most important people in his life and career, including his wife and son, his archrival Naoki Sano, his inspiration Tatsumi Fujinami, his successor Hiromu, his friend Tanahashi, and his gimmick’s creator.

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, parts 4 & 5 here parts 6 & 7 here, part 8 here, part 9 here, part 10 here, part 11 here, and part 12 here.

This next section of Jushin Liger’s books will cover a period of about four years from mid-2008 to mid-2012. This period sees Liger navigate less stormy waters from the initial Dark Age but there’s still an undercurrent of uncertainty. Liger spends more time wrestling abroad and for other promotions. He sees more outsiders come into NJPW to add new flavors to the same old wrestling. Another important figure in his life passes away. More changes in management ensue. Lastly, Liger once again shares his opinions of various wrestlers that stood out to him. But will he share anything overly critical this time around?

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, parts 4 & 5 here parts 6 & 7 here, part 8 here, part 9 here, part 10 here, and part 11 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s books. So far in this series there hasn’t been all that much in the way of juicy gossip or scandalous revelations, but this time we get closer to such things than before. This section covers a five-year-or-so period from 2004 to around 2009. This is an important period in NJPW’s chronology as it goes over what is widely known as the company’s Dark Age (Liger himself also acknowledges it as such). This period is defined by backstage chaos, personnel and structural changes that leave wrestlers caught in the crossfire, significant management changes, and growing internal strife, all of which Liger responds to with a mix of personal recollections and carefully curated responses that don’t rock the boat too much. Liger also opens up about the death of someone very close to him, which shows us more of the man behind the mask. Then another big story will show Liger’s darker side, and I don’t mean his evil alter ego.

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, parts 4 & 5 here parts 6 & 7 here, part 8 here, part 9 here, and part 10 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s books. Apologies for the delay in writing these; I’ve been dealing with a sick parent and couldn’t find much time to get down to write these. Still, if you’re still coming back, thank you for your continued support. This time around we’re going to cover a two-year period between the spring of 2000 and 2002. This period saw Liger navigate a turbulent New Japan and a turbulent wider wrestling industry. Not only was New Japan going down the Inokism path but its business was also affected by the NOAH Exodus and the departures of both Keiji Muto and Riki Choshu. Liger, ever the company man, tries to solve problems and quell unrest, even at the cost of his own wellbeing. Then again, that it perhaps one reason why he’s regarded as such a legend: he wasn’t one to refuse which led him to compete in new environments and fare far better than most people expected.

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, parts 4 & 5 here parts 6 & 7 here, part 8 here, and part 9 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s books. This section will cover the final chapters of his first book, going from late 1996 to early 2000. Liger will give us his thoughts on a dream match with another masked legend, his opinions on the next generations of junior heavyweights, his role in creating a new title, and a few minor anecdotes about some backstage or “curtain-unveiling” incidents. Liger has made it clear thus far that he isn’t one to rock the boat and make strong claims, but he does dance around this by recalling his observations from the time.

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, parts 4 & 5 here parts 6 & 7 here, and part 8 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s three-book autobiography. We’re still in the first book and today we’ll cover a period of about two years, from the start of 1995 to the end of 1996. A lot happens to Liger during this period: he suffers an injury that sidelines him for almost a full year, he discovers he has a brain tumor, and his booking skills are put to the test in another ambitious junior heavyweight gambit. How does he deal with all of these challenges? Read on to find out.

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, parts 4 & 5 here, and parts 6 & 7 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s autobiography. You’re in for a treat this time as we get two chapters covering important topics: Liger’s thoughts on other wrestlers and his career magnum opus the 1994 Super J Cup. Many of the people to wrestle Liger around this period and in the J Cup itself would go on to become legends and highly influential figures in the business: Eddy Guerrero, The Great Sasuke, Ultimo Dragón, and Chris Benoit, just to name a few. We’ve heard these men’s opinions of wresting in NJPW and Liger before, and now we get the inverse. Also, Liger reveals one of the secret masterminds behind the J Cup, someone who, up to this point went uncredited despite playing such a pivotal role in putting that tournament together.

You can read part 1 here, parts 2 & 3 here, and parts 4 & 5 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s books. Today we’ll cover Liger’s post-excursion period back in New Japan, the things he goes through to improve and distinguish himself from his peers, and how he became the Beast God of Thunder. Because there will be coverage of both periods of his career I’ll refer to him as both his real name “Yamada” and then “Liger” once he dons his costume. We’ll also get a few more stories about his interactions with specific people, one or two shoot fights, and a brief glimpse at his first major rivalry which ended prematurely due to an industry-wide event that was mostly associated with rival All Japan but, as it turns out, hit New Japan as well.

You can read part 1 here and parts 2 and 3 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Jushin Liger’s books. This next section will cover two chapters/periods: his debut under his real name of Keiichi Yamada and his foreign excursions to the United Kingdom and Canada. Throughout all of this we will also be treated to some anecdotes and backstage stories of his interactions with some very important people, including Hulk Hogan, Antonio Inoki, and Akira Maeda. He also discusses his experiences of the UWF Exodus, his duties as a gofer for the foreigners, a case in which Inoki challenged him to think critically, and a few lighthearted stories of pranks and pastimes that wrestlers engaged in when they had nothing else to do. Also for this section I will be referring to him as “Yamada” as he was still several years away from donning his famous Beast God gimmick and costume.

You can read part 1 here.

Jushin Liger is one of the most famous masked wrestlers of all time. He revolutionized pro wrestling with his quick, athletic style and inspired an entire generation of wrestlers. Finn Balor/Prince Devitt once called him “timeless” and rightfully so. He won junior heavyweight/cruiserweight gold on three separate continents, has wrestled some of the most venerated wrestlers of the past four decades including Eddy Guerrero, Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Christopher Daniels, Fit Finlay, Bryan Danielson, Rey Mysterio, AJ Styles, Kevin Steen, Mitsuharu Misawa and PAC. Hell, he only had one match in WWE yet he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020. Yes, you can argue that was a publicity stunt but the general consensus is that Liger is a more or less universally-respected veteran who left an indelible mark on the wrestling business. And now we’re going to see things from his perspective:

The Autobiography of Jyushin “Thunder” Liger*

Part One, published July 15, 2017
Part Two, published October 25, 2017
Part Three, published March 20, 2020

Welcome back to my coverage of Akira Hokuto’s books. This is the final entry as we will be going over Hokuto seemingly tying up as many loose ends as possible. It’ll cover her wedding, one of her final big matches, and then we get into a series of thoughts and recollections. Here Hokuto gives some of her thoughts on various people around her and some of her peers, and then we’ll get into a series of testimonies from many people about what they think of Hokuto. Not only will this include several of her fellow AJW wrestlers, but also some journalists, her mother, her noted adversary Shinobu Kandori, and even Antonio Inoki himself will make a cameo. Let’s get to it.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, part 5 here, part 6 here, part 7 here, part 8 here, part 9 here, part 10 here, and part 11 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Akira Hokuto’s books. This section will cover an important event in her life: her trip to North Korea for the infamous Collision in Korea event. This event has been covered already but given how special that event was, it’s always nice to see it from more perspectives. Aside from this serving as a litmus test for the state of Hokuto’s wrestling ability, it also led to a major development in her life as she met her future husband Kensuke Sasaki between matches. Once they became an item they drew plenty of new eyes: for a time Sasaki & Hokuto were a high-profile celebrity couple in Japan. These two events are inextricably linked and, by the end of this section, Hokuto and Sasaki will be as well.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, part 5 here, part 6 here, part 7 here, part 8 here, part 9 here, and part 10 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Akira Hokuto’s books. In this one we’ll go over the first part of Hokuto’s second book WHY AKIRA HOKUTO IS HATED. This book starts off where her autobiography BLOOD SOAKED CORONATION ended and goes until the end of 1995. This is a busy period for Hokuto as it includes several big events in her life: the AJW Tokyo Dome event Big Egg Wrestling Universe, the Collision in Korea event, her meeting future husband Kensuke Sasaki, and much more. It also includes testimonials from many people including her AJW peers, wrestling journalists, her mom, and Antonio Inoki for some reason. Needless to say, this, too, should make for an interesting journey.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here, part 6 here, part 7 here, part 8 here, and part 9 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Akira Hokuto’s books. This will be a shorter section as it will conclude Hokuto’s 1994 autobiography BLOOD SOAKED CORONATION. There are a few loose ends that she tries to tie up here, including another tour of Mexico that sees her don a mask and new persona, a brief encounter with one of the first pro wrestlers in Japan, and what is once again framed as her retirement match only for plans to change again. I swear, either Hokuto herself or someone in her immediate orbit must be a Terry Funk mark because talks about retirement almost as much as he did. But even with this book closing on yet another big match, this is far from the end with her since there’s another book to cover once this one concludes.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, part 5 here, part 6 here, part 7 here, and part 8 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Akira Hokuto’s books. This time around we’re looking at the fallout from AJW Dream Slam I and Hokuto’s legendary match with judoka Shinobu Kandori. As mentioned last time, that match was the most famous part of her career, but it came at a serious cost to the woman herself. Yet despite her initial reactions to her post-match pain and injuries, Hokuto’s star power increases from there. That’s what we’ll look at here: the rest of Hokuto’s 1993. We’ll look at the other big matches she competes in, her next round of injuries and surgeries, and how she deals with (what is presumed at the time to be) her actual retirement in December.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, part 5 here, part 6 here, and part 7 here.

Welcome back to my coverage of Akira Hokuto’s books. This next section is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most: Hokuto versus Shinobu Kandori from AJW Dream Slam I in 1993. It’s one of the greatest pro wrestling matches of all time. It’s also the match that led to her autobiography’s namesake, “Blood-soaked Coronation/Crown of Blood”. In his first book, Rossy Ogawa described this as “the clash of the century”. When I first saw it I thought it was hella fun and have it ****3/4. But then I rewatched it and it just got better each time. Now, not only is it a sure-fire ***** epic, it’s quite possibly the best women’s wrestling match of all time and one of the best matches ever, period. It has topped many a list of GOAT matches and it cemented Hokuto as a legendary performer. It’s also one of the most physically intense matches I’ve ever seen: both women threw live rounds at each other and seemed to wrestle with genuine malice. Up to this point much of the talk around this match came from limited sources like the Rossy Ogawa-Fumi Saito-Dave Meltzer pipeline and some online chatter here and there. Now, though, we get Hokuto’s thoughts on the match from the woman herself.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, part 5 here, and part 6 here.

This next section will cover a short but important period in Akira Hokuto’s career: her first trip to Mexico. Foreign excursion is an integral part of many a Japanese wrestler’s career, and has been an institutional expectation for decades. The vast majority of Japanese wrestlers spent anywhere from several months to a few years abroad learning how to wrestle different styles and, more importantly, how to communicate with audiences without knowing the local language and thus being forced to express oneself in other means. This is a crucial skill for wrestlers as nonverbal artists, but for Akira Hokuto it was something of a concerning affair. In the last section she was approaching this excursion with mixed feelings as she had been told that those departing “weren’t needed”. Little did she know that this first trip would end up having influence on her career.

You can read part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here.