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Meet "Minitani," a Japanese comedian who has made a name for himself by impersonating MLB star Shohei Ohtani, despite not resembling him at all. Standing at just 159 centimeters, compared to Ohtani's 193 centimeters, Minitani, whose real name is Aki Teriyaki, is well aware of the physical differences but channels his energy and passion into his performances. Over the past three seasons, he has attended every game that Ohtani's teams have played, showcasing his commitment to the sport.
According to a report in Japan Times , In 2022 and 2023, Minitani spent around $20,000 each year to attend all the Los Angeles Angels' games when Ohtani played for the team. Now, as he follows Ohtani to the Dodgers, his expenses have skyrocketed to at least $50,000 for the 2024 season. This amount covers attending 162 games, spring training, and potential postseason appearances, totaling roughly 4,400 innings and visits to around 30 cities.
“It’s fun, but it can get lonely. There’s probably nobody else in the world doing what I’m doing," he shared in an interview with The Japan Times.
Reflecting on how he ended up in this unique position, Minitani attributes his success largely to luck. “It wasn’t planned. I wanted to impersonate Ohtani, but I bore no physical resemblance to him. Then, I had a genius idea — I wore a uniform and put a mask on my face, and that became an unlikely hit. The Angels fans loved it, and I was even featured on Bally Sports network,” he explained, opting to keep his age and real name private.
He attended 162 MLB games
Now recognized as the person who attends all 162 MLB games, he said “One mask changed my life. You never know when you’ll hit the jackpot.”
Minitani also emphasizes that language barriers don’t hinder baseball fandom. “There are only three English words you need to know when describing Ohtani and they are ‘incredible,’ ‘awesome,’ and ‘amazing.’ But we all know there are no words to describe what he does.”
Besides his Ohtani impersonation, Teriyaki is known for his impressions of San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish, under the name "Minivish." He has garnered significant attention on TikTok, boasting over 1 million likes.
Inspired by Japanese baseball legend Hideo Nomo, Teriyaki moved to Hollywood in 2006 to attend a language school and explore comedy clubs. Initially known among friends as a Darvish look-alike, he began impersonating Darvish when he joined the Texas Rangers in 2012.
In 2021, as Ohtani's star continued to rise, Teriyaki capitalized on this by performing both Ohtani and Darvish impersonations. His popularity led to bookings on Japanese television, prompting him to attend every Angels game.
“Some people say Ohtani’s a reborn Babe Ruth. If you could time travel 100 years to the past and meet Babe Ruth, wouldn’t you want to see him play every day? I had that chance, and the player was in LA, where I lived. The next thing I knew, I was going to the ballpark every day," he said
In recognition of his dedication, Teriyaki received an award from the Angels in 2022 for completing his 162-game journey. He was also invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a game in 2023.
On being asked Will he continue his remarkable journey in 2025.
“I don’t know. Firstly, there’s the financial issue. Secondly, like I said, this was never part of the plan. I didn’t come to the U.S. to watch MLB games. I want to become an entertainer like Ohtani. I came here to succeed as a stand-up comedian. I want to fill the world with laughter. Maybe I’ll be a touring comedian and do shows in the cities where games are being played so I don’t have to give up watching baseball and impersonating Ohtani. America is a land of opportunity. I got lucky once. I feel like I can do it again," he said.
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