Fuji TV's popular variety show "Run for Money ~Secret Mission [Betrayal]~" will air on May 2nd in the "Saturday Premium" slot (Saturdays at 9 PM). Airing for two consecutive weeks as a Golden Week special, the show will feature 18 participants, including gold medalists, popular actors, idols, and comedians, along with 8 secret guests, in a thrilling chase.
This time, the stage is Seibu-en Amusement Park (Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture). Among the contestants participating this time, one to watch is Ikusaburo Yamazaki, who says he is a big fan of "Run for Money." As a top star in the musical world, Yamazaki has starred in numerous stage productions and dramas. Can he use the analysis he has gained from watching the show to escape the hunters on the stage of Run for Money, which he has always admired?
From the world of athlete, Yuto Kagami, the gold medalist in the women's 76kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics, and Narumi Takahashi, whose "god-tier commentary" of the Rikuryu pair at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is still fresh in people's minds, will be participating. What kind of escape drama will these two athletes, with their well-honed physical abilities and unique personalities, put on? From the world of music, Junki Kono and Issei Mamehara from the popular boy group "JO1," and Issei Mamehara from the five-member vocal and dance group "M!LK," who achieved their long-held dream of making their first appearance on NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen last year, will be challenging the hunters.
In addition, Takeshi Mukaiyama from the six-member Showa-era pop group "SHOW-WA," produced by Yasushi Akimoto, and Mao Ioki from the same 5th generation of the idol group " Nogizaka46 ," will be participating. Furthermore, Gento Kono, a popular educational YouTuber who holds three highly difficult national qualifications as a doctor, lawyer, and certified public accountant, will be aiming for revenge in his second attempt. In addition to the 18 fugitives in total, eight "secret fugitives," including Japanese national athletes and comedians who have won awards, will be participating somewhere in the game.
After filming, Yamazaki commented, "I was so happy to be able to appear on a show I've always watched. When I actually got to the set, the tension and the harsh environment were beyond what I had imagined, and I was on edge the whole time. It was a very exciting experience that tested my instincts. I was just trying my best, but I hope you'll see that I never give up no matter what the situation is. Ikusaburo is practically a third grader, so I hope you'll enjoy his genuine reactions."
Takahashi reflected, "I've always dreamed of appearing on 'Run for Money.' I thought that if I was this nervous just watching it on TV, it would be really scary in person, but it was even scarier than I imagined! The time I spent concentrating while feeling on edge was the most fun thing I've ever had, and I was completely absorbed in it. To put it mildly, it was incredibly exciting! I just run all the time!! I might have run the most among all the contestants. I want everyone to see my monstrous stamina! And, as fellow athletes, I was able to cooperate with Kagami Yuto!"
Sugawara from Nogizaka46 said, "It felt like I was dreaming! Of course, once it actually started, the silence was terrifying... (laughs). I think I used muscles I don't normally use, because I was so sore for several days afterward, I was just so desperate!" Ioki commented, "I was so scared, so frightened... I was so scared the whole time, I think I was muttering to myself in a fuzzy voice. I don't remember much because I was so scared, but I think I was acting differently than usual."
The performers are as follows (in alphabetical order, titles omitted):
Mao Ioki(Nogizaka46)▽Hirohisa Ota (Jungle Pocket)▽Omimokuri Geinin Shinichi▽Yuto Kagami▽Gento Kono▽Junki Kono (JO1)▽Daichi Shiozaki (M!LK)▽Satsuki Sugawara (Nogizaka46)▽Masashige Takano (Kishitakano)▽Narumi Takahashi▽Nadal (Korokoro Chiki Chiki Peppers)▽Nobuko (Party-chan)▽ Issei Mamehara(JO1)▽Tsuyoshi Mukaiyama (SHOW-WA)▽Anna Murashige▽Kasumi Mori▽Shintaro Moriyama (Mitorizu)▽Ikusaburo Yamazaki▽8 Secret Fugitives
