Manila, Philippines – Japanese actor Mackenyu Arata visited the Philippines for the first time to attend his “Closer To You: Fun Fan Meet” event, which took place on November 20, 2023, at the SM Mall Of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Mackenyu, who has starred in numerous movies such as Kamen Rider Drive, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Pacific Rim: Uprising, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, gained international recognition for his portrayal of Zoro in the live-action TV series of One Piece produced by Netflix.
Filipino fans, affectionately known as “KenYUtes,” had eagerly awaited the opportunity to meet their beloved star in person.
The show event was hosted by actress/model Denise Laurel and kicked off with an engaging conversation, allowing the fans to learn more about Mackenyu.
The Japanese hearthrob mentioned that he ate some Filipino food during his arrival, including Chicken Adobo, which is one of his favorites.
As a gamer, Mackenyu also shared that he loves playing Rainbow Six Siege on PC. He also mentioned that he carries two phones, one of which is specifically for playing One Piece Card Games.
Here are some other things that the fans learned about Mackenyu.
- To destress, he works out six times a week in the gym that he owns and enjoys using cable machines.
- Previously a cat lover, he became a dog lover when he met his current dog, which he describes as snoring like an old man at night.
- During his free time, he usually stays at home in Japan and describes himself as a homebody.
When he learned that he was coming to the Philippines, he got excited because he already knew that he had a big fan base here, based on the reactions and engagements on his social media.
He mentioned that the Philippines is his largest fan base outside of Japan.
When asked about a place where he could stay for the rest of his life, he answered “the beach.” Additionally, if given a chance, Mackenyu would like to visit Boracay.
Another enjoyable part of the event was when Mackenyu learned some Tagalog words, with “kilig” being his most frequently used word of the night. He used “kilig” to describe the excitement he felt when meeting the fans.
The three best-dressed cosplayers were given the opportunity to ask Mackenyu questions directly, including a child who was dressed as Roronoa Zoro. Being awed by the child, Mackenyu asked him to come up on the stage and took a picture with him.
Fans also got a peek inside Mackenyu’s bag, which revealed some essentials such as earphones, a passport, and surprisingly, a 1000 peso bill.
Even though Mackenyu’s birthday had already passed a few days ago (November 16), he still felt loved as the fans sang to him.
Throughout the event, Mackenyu took the time to express his gratitude to his Filipino fans, acknowledging their unwavering support and promised to return.
The event also included photo op for 3 lucky fans who won thru the raffle and hi-bye session for the fans at the VIP section.
Presented by MediaKing Corp. & Luxe Slim
Photos by Noel Monzales
