TOKYO—The 2025 World Series, scheduled to begin Friday in Toronto, will feature the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, who are making their first appearance in the fall classic since 1993.
While both teams boast star power, the Dodgers may have one of the most famous players in modern day baseball in Shohei Ohtani.
In the United States, Ohtani is best known for being a two-way powerhouse player as both a designated hitter and pitcher. In Japan, he transcends the world of baseball and has become a cultural icon and popular representative of the nation.
Off the baseball field, Ohtani is partnered with more than 20 brands from both American and Japanese companies. The global superstar has amassed great influence during his eight season career. Much of this can be seen while walking through any street in Japan.
Whether it is inside of a 7-Eleven, at a nearby vending machine or simply walking down the street, Ohtani seems to be everywhere.
Earlier in the year, Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers teammates were able to catch a glimpse of the “Ohtani Effect” first-hand, with many of them comparing his popularity to that of early 2000s Michael Jordan in the U.S.
His influence and popularity in Japan can be seen through the number of people that tune in just to catch a glimpse of him playing. Viewership during the 2025 Tokyo Series averaged about 24 million, more than 19 million from the previous Tokyo Series in 2019. Many Japanese viewers tuned in to watch not only Ohtani but Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki—all former Nippon Professional Baseball stars.
As viewership continues to grow in Japan for the sport, a resurgence of interest in baseball can be seen progressively growing within the community.
Ohtani has brought a renewed interest, not only for himself, but other Japanese players in the MLB as well.
Fellow Dodgers teammate Yamamoto—the Dodgers’ announced World Series game one starting pitcher—is also highly visible in advertisements throughout Japan.
When I had the opportunity to speak with Japanese students at Kamakura Women’s University and Tokyo Health College, all they needed to see was the Dodgers logo to shout out the famed players.
Though Ohtani is not the first Japanese player in Major League Baseball, or the last, his impact on the field can be felt whether one is a Dodgers fan or not. A section commemorating Ohtani’s work can be found at the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in Tokyo.
Coincidentally, fans of the sport can also find newly inducted Hall of Fame great Ichiro Suzuki at the museum. Suzuki, who retired in 2019, became the first Japanese player to be inducted into both the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ohtani’s worldwide recognition does not stop at himself but extends toward his dog as well. Decoy Ohtani has become a pop culture icon in his own right.
The famous pup became the first dog to throw out the ceremonial first patch at one of the Dodgers’ home games this past year. Along with throwing first pitches, Decoy can also be found at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Ohtani’s Decoy styled cleats became a part of the museum after the All-Star joined the 50/50 club this past season.
Ohtani recently announced that a children’s book starring Decoy will be released this upcoming year. The plot point? Decoy saving opening day and throwing out the first pitch at Dodgers Stadium.
