The Rakuten Girls are the exclusive cheerleaders for the Rakuten Monkeys, the Taiwanese professional baseball team, and they bring the crowd to life at every game. Dressed in matching uniforms and dancing with infectious energy, they crank up the volume in the stands ― on offense, on defense, even when the team is down! Once you've experienced that festive atmosphere, you just might discover a whole new way to enjoy baseball.

On February 11th and 12th, an exhibition game between the Rakuten Monkeys and the Chiba Lotte Marines was held in Ishigaki City, Okinawa. There was an unlikely burst of heat, making the days hot as a summer day, with the sun shining down brilliantly. In the humidity typical of Taiwan ― with an occasional breeze making things just bearable ― the Rakuten Girls could be seen right at the front of the Monkeys’ section, dancing to the DJ’s booming music. Watching their beaming smiles and razor-sharp moves, you almost felt like you were at a glamorous idol group stage show. Behind that dazzle was the intense focus of the players on the field. It struck me that there was such a way to watch baseball. The culture shock was real, but before I knew it I was caught up with the whole crowd, watching the game unfold together.

I wanted to know more about the Rakuten Girls. I wanted to share them with Japanese sports fans. So we asked them to carve out time from their packed schedules for a chat. Answering our questions that day were Lin Shang, known as the “undisputed center,” and Shi-Yuan, who joined the squad last year as a newcomer. Tell us all about the Rakuten Girls!

Lin Shang (Rinsyan) @95_mizuki

“We have dance lessons every week, and if you don’t pass a test the following week on the material assigned by the coach, you don’t get to perform in the cheering section. It’s actually pretty strict! But they also take the time to listen to each member’s dance ideas, so it’s rewarding. I really love my role as a cheerleader. Of course we energize the crowd when the team hits a home run or is winning ― but I also believe we can give the fans and players a sense of positive momentum even when the team is losing. Everyone from Japan, if you get a chance to cheer with us, let’s all do the Rakuten Pose together (making a V-sign with her right thumb and index finger)!”

Shi-Yuan (Shiyuen) @10yuan.0424

“All 14 of our members have different strengths. I’m also active as a YouTuber, so talking is my thing ― I’m number one when it comes to warming up the mood and getting a laugh. Lin Shang is a popular celebrity regularly seen on Taiwanese TV, with so many fans she’s even released a photo book. Other members have careers as actresses and singers on the side. That individuality in each of us is what makes the Rakuten Girls special, I think. That said, I only joined last year, so right now I’m still learning a lot from the other girls!”

Text: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)