Akai Hidekazu wears a luxury watch from Italy. Does this rugged watch suit his character perfectly?

Akai Hidekazu is an actor and TV personality with an unusual background as a former professional boxer. He is loved by people of all ages for his friendly Kansai dialect and bold personality. In 2015, he appeared in a commercial for Rizap, which drew attention for its before and after photos of his physique transformation, and has continued to be active at the forefront of acting ever since. He also recently appeared in the Osaka Shochikuza farewell performance of "Jarinko Chie," which commemorated the 130th anniversary of Shochiku's founding, and this also drew attention. In this article, we will focus on the watch that Akai Hidekazu loves to wear.

Appeared in the commemorative performance "Jarinko Chie" for the 130th anniversary of Shochiku's founding

　The Osaka Shochikuza Theatre, which has long supported Osaka's entertainment and performing arts scene, will close in May 2026 due to aging facilities. One of the "farewell performances" will be "Jarinko Chie," set in Osaka's downtown area. In this work, Akai Hidekazu plays Hanai Kenkotsu, the former elementary school teacher of the protagonist Chie, who scolds her incompetent father, Tetsu. He is a kind of watchdog, constantly scolding the mischievous Tetsu.

　After seeing the performance, original author Haruki Etsumi gave a passionate review, saying, "The casting and direction were fantastic, and the two and a half hours flew by. I wish I could have watched longer." The premiere will be on November 15, 2025, with two performances, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, and the final performance on November 25. The heartwarming family interactions touched the hearts of many audience members.

What's interesting is that Akai Hidekazu was born in Nishinari Ward, Osaka City. This area is said to be the model for the fictional "Nishihagi-cho" where the story is set, and the "Cafe Hamaya" that appears in the story is also said to be modeled after the real "Cafe Hamaya" located under the overpass at Haginochaya Station on the Nankai Line. Perhaps it was precisely because Akai Hidekazu knows the atmosphere of the area where he was born and raised that he was able to deliver such passionate acting.

A former professional boxer nicknamed "Naniwa Rocky"

　Akai Hidekazu is widely known as an actor and TV personality, but he is actually a former professional boxer. In his younger days, Akai never lost a fight during his middle and high school years, and his name was legendary throughout Osaka. However, he never attacked anyone weaker than himself, and is said to have repeatedly engaged in dojo-style fights, always shouting, "Who's the strongest here? Let's fight!" However, according to Akai himself, he has actually only been in a handful of fights.

　Upon entering high school, Akai began to show his true talent in the boxing club. In his third year, he achieved brilliant results, winning the Inter-High School Championships in the light welterweight class and the Asian Junior Amateur Boxing Championships. His talent led him to Kinki University, where he was coached by Hamada Yoshijiro, a member of the Japanese team for the Tokyo Olympics, before finally turning professional.

　Akai's rapid rise after becoming a professional boxer was truly impressive. In his fourth fight, the All-Japan Rookie of the Year Championship, he defeated Fujio Ozaki by knockout in the third round, winning the All-Japan Junior Welterweight Rookie of the Year title. He also achieved the unprecedented feat of winning 12 consecutive fights by knockout since his debut, a record in Japan at the time. It was around this time that he earned the nickname "Naniwa Rocky" due to his aggressive fighting style.

　However, his glory days did not last long. He challenged for the world championship, but was defeated by TKO in the seventh round. Although he once hinted at retirement, Akai refused to give up and decided to aim for the world title again. However, in a preliminary match for his second world title, he was hit so hard that he fell unconscious.

　At this time, he was diagnosed with acute subdural hematoma and cerebral contusion, and underwent emergency craniotomy. The survival rate at the time of transport was 20%, and the survival rate after surgery was 50%. He was in an extremely critical condition, literally hovering between life and death. Although he miraculously recovered, the doctor strongly recommended that he retire from boxing, and this marked the end of Akai Hidekazu's career as an active boxer.

Panerai on his left wrist! His favorite is the "Luminor Marina"

　Akai Hidekazu wears a Panerai Luminor Marina on his wrist. The watch was captured in an image posted to X when he appeared as a guest on TBS Radio's "Takenaka Naoto - Moonlit Crab." The tan-colored leather strap gives off a rugged yet warm impression, perfectly matching Akai Hidekazu's character. The episode also featured behind-the-scenes stories from the drama "Ura Shain - Let Me Spy" in which he co-stars, making for a very exciting episode.

　Let's take a look at Panerai. This brand has its roots in supplying precision instruments that met the strict standards of the Italian Navy. Its appeal lies in its military-inspired designs and the practicality of its instruments. The company was founded in 1860 as a watch shop and workshop, and during the third generation, the company received an order from the Navy. During the fourth generation, the relationship between the Italian Navy and Panerai became even stronger.

　Of particular note is the "Luminor" completed in the 1950s. This model, equipped with a patented lever-lock crown protector, features a semicircular guard that protrudes significantly from the case, and this is the very reason why it has been passed down to the present day as an iconic Panerai watch and is popular among many watch enthusiasts.

　The Akai Hidekazu model also features a large small seconds hand that allows you to see at a glance that the watch is running while diving, nicely balanced within the 44mm case. It also features sandwich-structured Arabic numeral indexes that ensure high visibility in the deep sea, and is water resistant to 300 meters, making it a watch truly made for professionals.

　Looking back, Akai Hidekazu has always remained professional, both as a boxer and as an actor and TV personality. His firm beliefs and way of life appear to have been firmly passed on to his children. His eldest son, Eigoro, is a professional boxer and film director, his second son, Eika, is a Hollywood actor, and his second daughter, after a successful career as a female professional wrestler, is now a fashion model and TV personality. They have all carved out their own paths by following in their father's footsteps.

　Akai Hidekazu turned 66 this year, but he is still active in the stage and TV drama industry. Many fans are surely hoping that he will continue to cherish his family ties and show his strong side.

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