Singer and actor Kento Nakajima took over the airwaves on the 14th for Nippon Broadcasting's "All Night Nippon," where he unleashed his hardcore passion for Yu-Gi-Oh!. His deep-dive discussion was so intense that it not only caught the attention of seasoned card players but also ignited an unexpected interest in the trading card game among his own fanbase.
Hoping to help *Yu-Gi-Oh!* reclaim its throne, Nakajima shared an idea that quickly went viral: "I want everyone to tuck a card into the back of their phone case." This call to action sparked a massive trend among his fans, who rushed out to buy cards to be just like their idol. In a fascinating twist, this also led *Yu-Gi-Oh!* players to start looking into Kento Nakajima, kicking off a crossover phenomenon where both fandoms began exploring each other's worlds.
During the broadcast, Nakajima declared that "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" is his "lover," dropping specialized *Yu-Gi-Oh!* terminology and even mimicking characters from the series—a true sign of a dedicated fan.
Inspired by the show, many of his followers became curious about *Yu-Gi-Oh!*. Some even visited a card shop for the first time in their lives, picking out a card they found cute as a way to connect with their idol.
After buying the CD, it's time to buy *Yu-Gi-Oh!* cards, LOL. It doesn't matter what the effect is, just grab one that catches your eye.
In the spirit of exchange, one fan decided to buy their first *Yu-Gi-Oh!* card after seeing duelists purchase Kento Nakajima's CD.
A *Yu-Gi-Oh!* player offered some friendly advice to newcomers, suggesting that if the rules seem too complicated, it's perfectly fine to just collect the cards. Whether it's a card you find cool or, like Nakajima, you want to collect "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," there's no wrong way to start. They noted that "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" has numerous alternate artworks, and since Nakajima owns nearly all of them, having just one means you share a card with your idol.
Amidst this growing excitement, one particular *Yu-Gi-Oh!* card has shot to fame: "UNITY."
It turns out that Kento Nakajima's official fan club name is "U:nity," a perfect match with the card's name. As a result, fans began snapping up "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and "UNITY" cards. One netizen even commented on the sudden spike in the card's buy price, realizing, "...it's because Kento Nakajima's fans are buying them all up, LOL."
As Nakajima's passionate on-air discussion about *Yu-Gi-Oh!* drew his fans into the world of dueling, it also had an effect on the game's existing player base. A sentiment began to spread among duelists: "If Kento Nakajima's fans are willing to learn about *Yu-Gi-Oh!*, it would be rude of us not to make an effort to learn about him."
And with that, many players... went and joined Kento Nakajima's fan club. XD.
One duelist decided to buy a CD to show support, marking the beginning of their journey into a new fandom.
A netizen joked that the card's effect was reversed, causing duelists to fall for Kento Nakajima instead.
One *Yu-Gi-Oh!* player admitted they had previously dismissed Nakajima as "just an idol who happened to like Yu-Gi-Oh! and was being hyped up for it." However, after hearing numerous stories from his fans, they were stunned to realize that "a professional duelist is also an idol."
A user shared a clip from about two years ago showing Nakajima spending his free time playing cards at a shop in Akihabara. Free from his idol persona, he was just another serious duelist at the table. No one even noticed him, simply assuming he was a "really good-looking college student."
Earlier this year, Nakajima appeared on a show to share his extensive "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" collection, revealing he owns everything from figures to underwear, proving he is a truly dedicated fan.
What started as a simple radio segment where Kento Nakajima gushed about *Yu-Gi-Oh!* has unexpectedly blossomed into a massive cultural exchange, with two passionate fandoms embracing each other's worlds. It just goes to show that the influence of an idol is no joke. XD.