The image of the two of them as "orange and khaki" has now become firmly established. It is said that this came about thanks to advice from a senior colleague. It was back in 2019.
Yamaguchi:One time, the three of us—including my senior colleague at the agency, Mr. Kano (Hidetaka)—were out for drinks, and we were all wearing matching navy blazers as our stage costumes. Then Mr. Kano said, “I don’t think that costume really suits Reiji’s character.”
Zero:There happened to be a card game called "Nanjamonja" right there. The cards were illustrated with mysterious creatures of all different colors, and they told me, “Change your outfit to match the color of the character on the card you draw—it’s a one-shot deal.” I said, “Okay,” and drew a purple one, but they told me, “Draw again!” So I drew an orange one, and I thought, “Yes, this is it!” From there, I went straight to “Yofuku no Namiki” to get it made.
Yamaguchi:It must be fate.
Zero:So Yamaguchi went with khaki, too.
Yamaguchi:Just as Reiji was deciding to go with an orange outfit, I started wondering what would go well with orange. So I went to “Cassidy,” and Mr. Yagisawa recommended something to me, asking, “How about this?” I thought, “That’s so cool!” and ended up going with orange and olive. I’ve always been into military style, too.
Zero:At first, it felt a little weird, but when I put on the jacket before going on stage, I started thinking, “Man, I’ve gotta make sure I don’t get outshined by this outfit.” I mean, if I just walked out in this orange thing and didn’t do anything, people would be like, “No way, no way, no way,” right?
Yamaguchi:I heard this from Mr. Kano as well. Apparently, he used to perform his routine in a black suit. One time, he didn’t make it through an audition, but when he switched to a white suit and performed the same routine, everyone was like, “Wow!” and he became an overnight sensation. Of course, he’s got the talent, but it really shows how much a single outfit can change how you’re perceived.
Zero:Also, Yamaguchi chose khaki partly to intimidate people backstage, didn't he?
Yamaguchi:Of course.
Zero:It doesn't work at all, though.
Riding the momentum of their M-1 Grand Prix victory, Kaname Stone had the audience in stitches that day as well. The prop they brought out was none other than the dolphin in question.
At the M-1 Grand Prix, when Reiji’s high-pitched voice drew a comment from Goto of Football Hour—who said, “I think all the dolphins in Japan are looking this way”—it became a hot topic, and it’s said that he went out and bought a bunch of dolphin merchandise right after that. Now, orange and khaki, along with dolphins, have become their iconic symbols. The video below actually tests whether dolphins really do turn their heads, so be sure to check it out.
