524:. The term "Hādo Gei" is a Japanese reference to American gay subculture in similar fashion to "punk". In Japan, gender subculture with distinct dress style is referred to as "Gei ゲイ". In turn, the term "hard gay" became the reference to more masculine oriented "drag" seen to be prevalent in America. The fact that Hard Gay does not portray any Japanese gay subculture also explains why the sketch was allowed to be aired on Japanese TV, which has its own code of
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and for building a career on using bizarre and extreme antics to "parody" a social minority. A spokesperson for the
Hokkaido Sexual Minority Association Sapporo Meeting, a support group for gay, lesbian and transgender people, has said: "Hard Gay’s acceptance by the Japanese public shows me that
341:
While at college he picked up wrestling as a hobby and soon joined the
Doshisha Professional Wrestling Alliance (DWA). Under his performing name "GiveUp Sumitani", he won the heavy class Kyoto pro-wrestling championship co-hosted by DWA and the Ritsumeikan Wrestling Alliance (RWA) of nearby
570:’s biggest gay area, and his costume, which consists of hot pants, a small vest, and cap, all in black PVC, along with aviator sunglasses, was purchased at a shop called VFTQ in Minami-Horie, Osaka, which specializes in gay fashion. Hard Gay makes regular use of a number of
665:
Prior to his transition back to television comedy, Sumitani revealed that during his hiatus between his career-ending wrestling injury and his impending TV return that he has fallen on hard times and has been making the equivalent of $ 70
454:, which debuted in the WWF (WWE) in 1992. During their college years, Razor Ramon won the Fukuwarai award in the Imamiya Kids’ Ebisu Manzai Contest and gained experience on the stage through the audition live performance SABUKI at
399:
partner
Izubuchi again, with Izubuchi taking the name Razor Ramon RG ("RG" meaning "Real Gay"). Izubuchi's character was not nearly as well-received as Sumitani's but was an active pro-wrestler in HUSTLE, even teaming up with
481:
with his partner Makoto
Izubuchi. Razor Ramon made their TV debut in 1999 and won the Judges Special Award in the ABC Owarai (Comedy) Grand-Prix in 2000. Both Sumitani and Izubuchi joined the Yoshimoto Kogyo-produced program
781:, where his character was in love with one of the male characters named Fuu. There were repeated shoots of his catchphrase "Fuuuu!" while he walked around the family house in search of Fuu. In 2016, Sumitani appeared in
828:
on
November 27, 2006, only four days after his initial retirement. Suzuki ended her modelling career after her commitments were finished and concentrated on starting a family. The couple had their first child in 2008.
653:
He then announced that he would start to reappear on television as Masaki
Sumitani instead of Razor Ramon HG. His first reappearance as Masaki Sumitani was April 18, 2008, in a theatrical production of the
477:, Sumitani got a job at CO-OP KOBE, as a grocery delivery man. His desire to pursue a career as a professional comedian led him to quit his job after four months, when he joined
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of the HUSTLE promotion, but his pro wrestling career came to an abrupt end in July 2009 when he shattered his left foot while diving from the ring during an event at
670:
a month. He is planning to reinvent himself because he does not want to go down in
Japanese television history as a "one-hit wonder". Whether this entails a new
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420:. However, as with most retirements in pro-wrestling, Sumitani returned to action, pro wrestling at Hustle 21 on March 18 and Hustle 22 on April 21.
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578:" ("Hello, it's Hard Gay"), with arms thrust out and a spin afterwards. His self-introduction is then followed by his dance moves. He often shouts "
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Seeking to shed his former image and strike out on his own, he's turned to modelling. He is now the new male face for boots retailer Luan.
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He has also appeared in several television programs. HG (as himself) portrayed a gym teacher in the high school episode of the
594:" with his palm in front of the person's face. Whether this means anything is debatable, although Sumitani has commented that "
558:
According to some accounts, the name "Hard Gay" was the suggestion of
Sumitani's senior comedian in the Yoshimoto Kogyo group,
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in Japan reported that Razor Ramon HG retired from pro wrestling after Hustle Mania, which took place
November 23, 2006, at
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Sumitani released his first single entitled "Young Man" on 8 February 2006; it is a
Japanese rendition of the
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was exposed as a gimmick when he was caught in the midst of a date with Japanese actress and swimsuit model
566:, which means "skill" or "art." However, to develop his character, Sumitani visited gay bars in Doyama-cho,
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697:(chapter 233), shown on television in Kurono Kei's apartment. He also made a small cameo in episode 12 of
548:
431:. He needed 12 bolts to put his foot back together. Upon his recovery, he hoped to return to TV comedy.
343:
800:, he proceeds to do his trademark pelvic thrusts while a smooth jazz style song plays in the background.
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674:(comic hook) for his HG character or a brand new character altogether for Sumitani remains to be seen.
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998:"Kyoto International Film Festival 2019 Strong Beauty & Art ~ Pro Wrestling Shimabara Aki No Jin"
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Sumitani continued his pro-wrestling aspirations in late 2005, working in the comedically off-beat
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there is a strong tendency here to see homosexuality as something to be laughed at. That is sad."
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305:, in 2005. While HG used to stand for "Hard Gay", in 2021, the meaning was changed to "Hot Guy".
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813:. In this appearance, he takes part in the same comedy television show as the main character.
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Once again dressed in his wrestling outfit, Sumitani makes a cameo as Hard Gay in the 2016
683:. Unlike his early appearances, he wears a suit but retains his signature cap and glasses.
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in his performances. He often stops people saying unfavorable things to him by shouting "
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that had a never say die attitude and used his quickness to defeat his larger opponents.
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325:. After graduating from Hyogo Prefectural Kakogawa Higashi High School, he entered
294:
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Hard Gay, dressed differently, makes a cameo as a construction worker in the game
997:
715:", with a character attempting to silence someone much like HG would with "Sei!"
711:. In addition, a reference to Razor Ramon HG is made in Chapter 2 of the manga "
571:
506:
A character (introduced in 2002) developed and portrayed by Sumitani is Hard Gay
373:
610:" gesture. A possible interpretation might be that the origin lies in the word
543:, “social improvement”) for unsuspecting bystanders while performing trademark
1094:
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767:
761:, a Dutch and Flemish game show. He has also appeared in multiple episodes of
751:, even making it to the final and finished in 2nd place. He was featured on
677:
Sumitani once reprised his role as Hard Gay for a teaser for the video game
655:
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in his act; he usually makes his entrance in front of the camera shouting "
1214:
1070:"Masaki "Hard Gay" Sumitani Resurfaces as a Professional Model - Interest"
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It was through pro wrestling in their college years, that Sumitani met
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MSN-Mainichi Daily News:Razor Ramon slices along Japan’s cutting edge
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In 2019, Hard Gay made his pro wrestling return being defeated by
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614:(lit. "noisy," meaning "Be quiet!"), which is often pronounced
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from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially
29:
691:
Razor Ramon HG made a small cameo in the May 2006 chapter of
645:, whom he has since married. He has been criticised for his
775:. In May 2009, he made an appearance in the comical Drama,
884:
Uchu Sentai Kyuranger the Movie: Geth Indaver Strikes Back
757:’s "Souper Fantastic Ultra Wish Time." He was featured on
847:
Ranked No. 129 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the
916:"This recording led to the revival of HG as Hot Guy"
498:
restaurant owners, construction workers, and others.
372:
in his debut match; he has since gone to a team with
27:
Japanese comedian, professional wrestler and tarento
977:"Hard Gay is Determined not to be a One-hit Wonder"
251:("talent") also known under his performing name of
203:
171:
152:
606:, although one might compare this action to the "
539:gay fetish outfit, he performed acts of charity (
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969:
787:, voice acting as the character George Shimaki.
515:
473:After completing his degree at the prestigious
466:comedy troupe at which many comedians from the
404:. Sumitani's character was that of an underdog
313:Masaki Sumitani was born December 18, 1975, in
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1095:"Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2006"
509:
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391:Razor Ramon HG in a wrestling match in HUSTLE
8:
733:game series from the Japanese variety show
423:Hard Gay rose up to become one of the top
149:
67:about living persons that is unsourced or
1278:LGBT characters in professional wrestling
1026:(in Japanese). 2008-03-01. Archived from
547:and vocalizations, often accompanied by "
138:Learn how and when to remove this message
796:. After he fixes one of the bridges for
361:were also participants of these events.
903:
395:In early 2006, he started working with
1142:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
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793:Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
7:
1273:Japanese male professional wrestlers
748:Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course
739:. He also did a cameo on the set of
380:in leading the HUSTLE Army against
745:. Razor Ramon was a contestant on
647:stereotypical depiction of gay men
25:
833:Championships and accomplishments
700:The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
416:with Sumitani being defeated by
160:
34:
707:. A picture of him is shown in
286:. His act was featured on the
1:
1049:"Tingle RPG: Gay as in Happy"
1024:"HG「初産フォー!」で"祝福"妻・杏奈さんが妊娠5カ月"
626:. Another theory is the word
337:Professional wrestling career
1263:People from Hyōgo Prefecture
918:この収録をきっかけにHGがホットガイとして復活しました。
535:. Dressing in a tight black
370:Yinling the Erotic Terrorist
45:biography of a living person
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264:
231:
72:must be removed immediately
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462:comedy club opened by the
1283:Japanese comedy musicians
1224:Masaki Sumitani's channel
841:Pro Wrestling Illustrated
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470:area start their career.
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235:, born December 18, 1975)
225:
159:
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979:. Japan Zone. 2010-04-06
917:
368:promotion and defeating
282:, which he adopted from
1268:Japanese male comedians
486:in 2001, often playing
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344:Ritsumeikan University
293:(Daibakuten) Saturday
59:Please help by adding
531:The official name is
526:political correctness
484:Yoshimoto Shin-kigeki
390:
243:professional wrestler
914:(February 9, 2021).
778:Atashinchi no Danshi
637:Sumitani's supposed
634:静, meaning "quiet."
382:Generalissimo Takada
357:and fellow comedian
265:Reizā Ramon Eichi Jī
65:Contentious material
18:Razor Ramon Hard Gay
1051:. YouTube/kobunheat
592:Sei sei sei sei sei
549:Livin' la Vida Loca
475:Doshisha University
327:Doshisha University
1074:Anime News Network
576:Dōmō Haadogei desu
438:in a 3-way match.
393:
1158:"Puroresu Awards"
912:Sumitani, Masaki
384:’s Monster Army.
355:Hiroshi Tanahashi
239:Japanese comedian
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182:December 18, 1975
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87:"Masaki Sumitani"
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604:speak something
560:Kendo Kobayashi
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479:Yoshimoto Kogyo
464:Yoshimoto Kogyo
448:Makoto Izubuchi
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359:Makoto Izubuchi
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736:Gaki no Tsukai
720:Village People
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620:Kansai dialect
545:pelvic thrusts
533:Razor Ramon HG
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414:Yokohama Arena
402:The Great Muta
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289:Bakusho Mondai
253:Razor Ramon HG
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1184:東京スポーツ プロレス大賞
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582:" (フゥ~!) or "
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1238:Fandango Bio
1195:. Retrieved
1190:Tokyo Sports
1188:
1177:
1166:. Retrieved
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1127:. Retrieved
1123:the original
1113:
1102:. Retrieved
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1089:
1078:. Retrieved
1076:. 2013-11-19
1064:
1053:. Retrieved
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1032:. Retrieved
1028:the original
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1006:. Retrieved
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981:. Retrieved
957:. Retrieved
953:the original
943:
933:– via
927:. Retrieved
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588:running joke
586:" (フォー!), a
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575:
572:catchphrases
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553:Ricky Martin
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54:verification
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1253:1975 births
1164:(in German)
1004:. Cagematch
877:Filmography
826:Anna Suzuki
824:He married
687:Other media
643:Anna Suzuki
630:written by
602:" as in to
374:Naoya Ogawa
291:no Bakuten!
284:Razor Ramon
204:Occupations
1247:Categories
1197:2014-01-20
1168:2023-09-10
1129:2007-04-26
1104:2023-09-10
1080:2017-01-26
1055:2006-09-06
1034:2008-03-01
1008:20 October
983:2017-01-26
959:2007-09-23
898:References
768:Japanorama
452:Scott Hall
309:Early life
278:Monster HG
241:, retired
178:1975-12-18
128:March 2019
98:newspapers
1219:Instagram
1002:Cagematch
887:(2017) -
722:’s song "
656:jidaigeki
492:salaryman
350:. Former
259:レイザーラモンHG
50:citations
1162:Purolove
1138:cite web
949:"Hustle"
784:Gantz: O
754:The Soup
618:うるせー in
584:Foohhhh!
541:yonaoshi
517:Hādo Gei
502:Hard Gay
331:Commerce
274:Super HG
212:Wrestler
208:Comedian
76:libelous
1228:YouTube
935:Twitter
892:Indaver
853:in 2006
850:PWI 500
805:Netflix
771:on the
596:sei sei
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