As a dedicated fan of the EXILE TRIBE universe, one of the greatest joys is watching our favorite artists step outside the performance arena and show us their true, unfiltered personalities. While Ryota Katayose is universally known as the elegant “Prince of Pop” from GENERATIONS, there was one variety show where he routinely ditched the crown, rolled up his sleeves, and faced high-stakes (though purely comedic) challenges: EXILE Casino.
If you, like me, often revisit those golden-era LDJ variety clips, you know that EXILE Casino was a masterpiece of organized chaos. It didn’t just feature the senior members; it gave the younger generation, including Ryota, a platform to prove they had the skills and the competitive edge necessary to take on the veterans.
Today, I want to dive deep into why Ryota’s appearances on “カジノ” (Casino) were so memorable, how they broke his established image, and why the show remains vital viewing for any GENE fan.
🎲 What Made EXILE Casino the Ultimate Test?
EXILE Casino (or EXILE カジノ), which ran primarily in 2014 and 2015, wasn’t your typical talk show. It was a high-energy variety format based on the premise that members were competing for “chips” through a series of physical, mental, and luck-based challenges. The stakes? Bragging rights, avoidance of hilarious penalty games (罰ゲーム – batsu game), and the chance to prove mastery over the other members.
The beauty of the show was its simplicity: it was stripped down, putting the members’ competitive spirits front and center. For artists like Ryota Katayose, who had a carefully cultivated and immaculate public image, this was a radical departure. He couldn’t just rely on his beautiful singing voice or his charming smile; he had to prove he could stack coins higher than NAOTO or win a complex game of strategy against Kenchi.
The Prince on the Felt: Katayose Ryota’s Competitive Spirit
Before EXILE Casino, Ryota’s public persona was defined by his quiet elegance and musical talent. He was the refined vocalist. But the casino floor revealed a different side: a surprisingly fierce competitor who rarely settled for second best, even if the challenge involved something mundane like precision golf putting or complicated card games.
Here is what I believe made his appearances so unforgettable:
Ryota’s Defining Traits on the Casino Floor
The Faux-Calm Exterior: Ryota always started a challenge looking cool and collected. He observed the rules carefully and assessed his opponents. This calm, however, was often betrayed by his intense focus.
Unexpected Competitive Streak: Despite his gentle demeanor, Ryota was fiercely competitive. He was not afraid to trash-talk (gently, of course) or show genuine frustration when he lost a close round. He played to win.
Strategic Mindset: Unlike some of the members who relied purely on brute strength or enthusiasm, Ryota often applied logic, particularly in strategy games involving numbers or hidden objects. He was the intellectual strategist of the younger generation.
The Hilarious Dramatic Reaction: Perhaps the best part: the sheer drama when fate failed him. When a crucial dice roll went wrong, his exaggerated slumping shoulders or look of utter despair were variety gold. The ‘Prince’ showing weakness was universally adored by fans.
As Ryota himself once joked during a particularly tense challenge involving a complex game of skill:
“I came here to show my refined side, but it seems I’m going to have to show the audience the face of someone who genuinely hates to lose. 負けたら罰ゲームなんで、本気で獲りにいきます (If I lose, there’s a penalty game, so I’m seriously going for the win.)”
This quote perfectly encapsulates the high-stakes, low-consequence fun of the show.
🎯 Showdowns and Signature Challenges
The beauty of EXILE Casino lay in the variety of its challenges. Ryota often found himself pitted against his older senpai (mentors), leading to some truly iconic confrontations.
Here is a look at a few challenge types and how Ryota typically fared:
Challenge Category Ryota’s Typical Role/Performance Memorable Outcome Why It Worked
Precision & Skill Challenges (e.g., Darts, Coin Stacking) Highly focused, demonstrating surprisingly steady hands and patience. Often did well, surprising members who underestimated his physical dexterity. It humanized his ‘Prince’ image by showing genuine skill outside of music.
Strategy & Deduction Games (e.g., Poker variants, Guessing Games) Cautious initially, but prone to going ‘all-in’ if he felt confident. Sometimes overthought his strategy, leading to funny blunders, but often proved sharpest. Showed his intellect, making him relatable when he failed dramatically.
Pure Luck Challenges (e.g., Roulette, Dice Rolls) Highly dramatic reactions; his expressions were the real entertainment. Always guaranteed a strong reaction, regardless of win or loss. Pure variety show gold; his despair was hilarious.
Partnered Challenges (e.g., Team Skill Battles) Took on a respectful but leadership role with his peers (like Reo or Mandy). Showed great camaraderie and genuine support for team members. Confirmed his strong bond with his GENERATIONS peers.
The Power of the Batsu Game
We can’t talk about EXILE Casino without mentioning the “batsu game.” The winner walked away with glory and chips, but the loser faced a (usually hilarious) punishment.
Watching Ryota face these penalties—whether it was having to wear a ridiculous costume, eat an unusual food combination, or perform a silly dance—was a treat. It forced him to break character completely, proving that even the most elegant idols are willing to sacrifice their dignity for the sake of entertainment and camaraderie.
The Lasting Legacy of the Casino Era
EXILE Casino might no longer be on air, but its impact on the public perception of Ryota Katayose is undeniable.
The show successfully pulled back the curtain, allowing fans to see beyond the stage lights and into his competitive, slightly dorky, and surprisingly intense character.
What the show taught us about Ryota:
He is not just an elegant vocalist; he is an extremely determined young man.
He knows how to balance respect for his senpai with a fierce desire to beat them.
His reactions are 100% genuine, making him a fantastic variety show personality.
I truly believe that the confidence Ryota gained from participating in these high-pressure, unscripted variety challenges contributed to his overall composure and public presence that we see today in his acting roles and interviews.
If you are looking for a reminder that even the most polished idols have a bit of a chaotic spirit, I highly recommend diving back into the archives of EXILE Casino. It’s a nostalgic trip that reminds us why the LDJ family is so beloved—they are willing to risk their cool factor for a good laugh!
❓ EXILE Casino & Ryota Katayose FAQ
Q1: Is the show EXILE Casino still airing?
No, EXILE Casino concluded its primary run in 2015. While there have been occasional special broadcasts or segments referencing the format in other LDJ programs, the main series is no longer in production. The episodes featuring Ryota are now considered classic variety viewing.
Q2: Was the “gambling” on the show real? Were they using real money?
Absolutely not. The show used the term “casino” only for thematic appeal. The chips used by the members were solely for scoring purposes within the variety show format. It was lighthearted competition, with the real stakes being bragging rights and avoidance of the batsu game (penalty).
Q3: Who were Ryota’s frequent partners or rivals on the show?
Ryota often teamed up with his fellow GENERATIONS members, such as Mandy Sekiguchi or Reo Sano, when the format allowed for teams. However, his most memorable ‘rivalries’ were often with the older members like NAOTO (EXILE/J SOUL BROTHERS III) or Kenchi Tachibana (EXILE/EXILE THE SECOND), who treated him like a spirited youngster eager to prove himself.
Q4: Which show format did Ryota prefer? Luck or Skill?
Based on his commentary and reactions, Ryota seemed to prefer skill-based challenges where he could apply strategy. However, he was often placed in pure luck challenges because his exaggerated despair when losing was excellent for TV!