The Orix Buffaloes unveiled on the 11th the main visual for this season’s selected “OriMen” members, with a concept centered on “natural” that highlights each player’s authentic self. The voting period ran from February 6 to 14, and the results were announced on March 24. Infielder Hiroshi Hirooka (28) secured his second consecutive top spot, while the top 10 (comprising 11 players) and the Next OriMen—those who fell just short of the top 10—were also named. This season’s OriHime Day events will take place over six home games at Kyocera Dome Osaka: July 18–20 against the Nippon-Ham Fighters and July 24–26 against the Chiba Lotte Marines.
◆ Ryo Ota (6th in the OriMen vote) commented: “Unlike previous OriHime Day photo shoots, I was instructed to be natural rather than smiling, so I was able to approach it without any pressure. The white-based styling feels fresh, and I believe this allows us to present a new side of ourselves to the fans.”
