{{About|a professional wrestler|the conductor and music lecturer|Hideo Saito (musician)}} {{short description|Japanese professional wrestler}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox professional wrestler |name=Captain New Japan |names=Bone Soldier<br />Captain New Japan<ref name=WKVIResultsWON/><br />Captain Taiwan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=11392|title=急展開！ 後藤のアピールによりIWGPタッグ戦が緊急決定！ パートナーはC・台湾！【4月13日（日）台湾大会】|date=13 April 2014|access-date=13 April 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><br />Hideo Saito<ref name="njpw"/><br />Mitsuhide Hirasawa<ref name="njpw"/> |image=Captain New Japan 2016.JPG |image_size= |birth_name = Mitsuhide Hirasawa |caption=Hirasawa as Captain New Japan in March 2016 |height={{height|m=1.87}}<!-- In Japan they measure height in meters so that should be first --><ref name="njpw"/> |weight={{convert|104|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<!--In Japan they measure weight in kilograms so that should be first --><ref name="njpw"/> |birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1982|3|27}}<ref name="njpw"/> |birth_place=Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan<ref name="njpw"/> |death_date= |death_place= |resides= |billed= |trainer=Takashi Iizuka<ref name=Cage>{{cite web |url=http://cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=3389 |title=Cagematch profile |access-date=14 May 2011 |work=Cagematch}}</ref> |debut=28 January 2006<ref name="njpw"/> |retired=5 January 2017 |website= }}
{{Nihongo|'''Mitsuhide Hirasawa'''|平澤 光秀|Hirasawa Mitsuhide|born 27 March 1982}}<ref name="njpw"/> is a Japanese former professional wrestler. He is best known for his two stints with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and a brief stint with World Wrestling Council (WWC).
Hirasawa wrestled as a jobber, under the mask superhero, {{Nihongo|'''Captain New Japan'''|キャプテン・ニュージャパン|Kyaputen Nyū Japan}}.<ref name="njpw">[http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=779 Captain New Japan's New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile]. Retrieved 14 September 2013. {{in lang|ja}}</ref> He has also worked under another mask as '''Bone Soldier''', and unmasked under his real name, as well as the ring name {{Nihongo|'''Hideo Saito'''|ヒデオ・サイトー|Hideo Saitō}}.<ref>[http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=709 Hideo Saito's New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919083713/http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=709 |date=19 September 2011 }}. Retrieved 24 July 2011. {{in lang|ja}}</ref> He is also known for his brief tenure with New Japan's stables Chaos and Bullet Club, but was kicked out for his poor performance.
==Early life== Prior to becoming a professional wrestler, Hirasawa was a freestyle amateur wrestler, taking part in the 1996 and 1998 World Championships as a cadet and the 2001 World Championship as a junior, and also saw Hiroshi Hase as an idol when he was younger. His father, Mitsushi Hirasawa, was friends with Riki Choshu from very old times. He joined the New Japan dojo in March 2005 under the guidance of Choshu, Takashi Iizuka and Hiroyoshi Tenzan.<ref>[https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbfoeldeak/daten.php?spid=34D06F6C2E64479497E9E5EF54994714 International Wrestling Database profile]. Retrieved 2 March 2017.</ref>
==Professional wrestling career== ===New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2006–2010)=== Hirasawa originally debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on 28 January 2006, losing to his mentor Takashi Iizuka.<ref name="njpw"/> Hirasawa would wrestle on the NJPW undercards, mostly losing which is custom for new wrestlers in NJPW. His first win would come on 26 April, defeating the two-year pro Yujiro Takahashi. Hirasawa teamed up with Ryusuke Taguchi to participate in his first tournament, the National Area Tag League 2006 where they were placed in block C and lost both of their matches. Hirasawa would make several appearances for Pro Wrestling Zero1, the most notable of which was when he and Manabu Nakanishi participated in the Passion Cup Tag Tournament 2008. In late 2008, Hirasawa would form a tag team with Yuji Nagata, which would be a precursor to Seigigun ("Blue Justice Army"). The pair participated in the 2008 G1 Tag League block B, they would only gain a single point when they drew with Manabu Nakanishi and Yutaka Yoshie. In the fall of 2009, Hirasawa joined Yuji Nagata's new Seigigun stable, along with Wataru Inoue and Super Strong Machine. At Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo Dome, Hirasawa, along with Inoue and Super Strong Machine defeated Jyushin Thunder Liger, Koji Kanemoto, and Kazuchika Okada in the opening match. Even with joining this stable, Hirasawa largely continued in the midcard largely serving as the fall guy in tag match. On 28 June, Seigigun entered a six-man tag tournament with Nagata, Inoue, and Hirasawa forming one team, while Machine teamed with Tonga Strong Machine and Pink Strong Machine (Yoshie). However, both teams lost. On 12 September, there was a special Mitsuhide Hirasawa farewell match, which he would lose.
===World Wrestling Council (2010–2011)=== After embarking on an extended tour of Puerto Rican World Wrestling Council (WWC) in September 2010, Hirasawa adopted the new ring name Hideo Saito, as a tribute to Masa Saito and Hideo Nomo. His new gimmick saw Saito have (kayfabe) personality problems, in which he would find himself portraying a lot of characters besides himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2010/09/28/hirasawa-wins-title-in-puerto-rico/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910144336/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2010/09/28/hirasawa-wins-title-in-puerto-rico/ |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |title=Hirasawa wins title in Puerto Rico! |work=Strong Style Spirit |date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> On 25 September, Saito would win his first championship when he won a battle royal for the vacant WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship and would lose it on 27 November. On 19 February, he also won the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship and lost it on 26 March.<ref name="njpw" /> In May 2011, Saito took part in NJPW's first tour of the United States, the Invasion Tour 2011. On 13 May in Rahway, New Jersey, he entered the tournament to determine the first ever IWGP Intercontinental Champion, losing to Yujiro Takahashi in his first round match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1305392240|title=5/13 New Japan Pro-Wrestling Results: Rahway, NJ|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=14 May 2011|access-date=15 May 2011|work=WrestleView}}</ref>
===Return to NJPW and departure (2011–2017)=== {{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|right|upright|direction=horizontal|width1=140|width2=138|image1=Hideo Saito.JPG|image2=Bone Soldier Chokehold by the belt.jpg|footer=Some of Hirasawa's gimmicks during his second spell in NJPW: as Hideo Saito (''left'', pictured in November 2011), and as Bone Soldier (''right'', pictured in November 2016)}} Hirasawa returned to New Japan on 18 June, now going permanently by the Saito name, and turned on Seigigun and its leader Yuji Nagata, joining Chaos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2011/06/18/results-new-japan-61811/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909220757/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2011/06/18/results-new-japan-61811/ |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |title=(Results) New Japan, 6/18/11 |work=Strong Style Spirit |date=June 18, 2011 |access-date=June 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=5899|title=今年の『G1 Climax』出場20選手が決定!! 鈴木みのる、高山善廣、ラ・ソンブラも出場!!|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|date=3 July 2011|access-date=3 July 2011|language=ja}}</ref> In August, Saito took part in the 2011 G1 Climax, losing his first eight matches only to pick up his opening win on the final day of the tournament in a match against former mentor, Yuji Nagata.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=322|title=ブシロード Presents G1 Climax XXI ～The Invincible Fighter～|date=14 August 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=14 August 2011|language=ja}}</ref> On 19 September, Nagata defeated his former protégé in a grudge match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=3169|title=(Results) New Japan, 9/19/11|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=19 September 2011|access-date=19 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929150347/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=3169|archive-date=29 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Saito's erratic behaviour and poor match results eventually led to the rest of Chaos kicking him out of the stable on 4 December 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2011/12/04/results-new-japan-12411/ |title=(Results) New Japan, 12/4/11 |work=Strong Style Spirit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910035604/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/2011/12/04/results-new-japan-12411/ |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |date=December 4, 2011|access-date=December 5, 2011}}</ref> After his exile from Chaos, Saito developed an alter-ego called "Captain New Japan", dressed in a variation of the Captain America costume, complete with a shield.<ref name="WKVIResultsWON">{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/23632-new-japan-tokyo-dome-results-1-4|title=New Japan Tokyo Dome results 1–4|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=4 January 2012|access-date=4 January 2012|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=470&c=3728|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムVI in 東京ドーム|access-date=5 January 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> In November, Captain New Japan took part in the 2012 World Tag League, teaming with IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi under the team name "Captain Ace".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=8507|title=11月20日(火)開幕!! 『World Tag League 2012』の対戦カード決定!! TDC大会、愛知大会には桜庭＆柴田が特別参戦！|date=16 November 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=28 November 2012|language=ja}}</ref> The team lost all six of their matches with Captain New Japan being pinned in each match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=654|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=28 November 2012|language=ja}}</ref> On 3 March 2013, Captain New Japan returned to Seigigun in an eight-man tag team match, where he, Nagata, Super Strong Machine and Wataru Inoue were defeated by Hirooki Goto, Karl Anderson, Ryusuke Taguchi and Tama Tonga.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=691&c=5167|script-title=ja:旗揚げ記念日|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=3 March 2013|language=ja}}</ref> On 7 April, Captain New Japan was attacked by Bad Luck Fale and Prince Devitt and would also be unmasked by Devitt, however, his face was never shown. In response to this, Captain New Japan teamed up with Taguchi, Devitt's former Apollo 55 partner, and challenged the two at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, where they lost. Following these events, Captain New Japan fought against the newly formed Bullet Club headed by Devitt and reformed his alliance with Tanahashi. On 4 August, Captain New Japan carried Tanahashi to the ring akin to Fale and Devitt and became involved in the match-up trying to limit the effects of Fale's interference; however, Devitt would ultimately defeat Tanahashi. In November, Captain Ace reunited for the 2013 World Tag League. Much like the previous year, the team lost their first five matches, but on the final day, they finally picked up a win over Fale and Devitt, with Captain pinning Devitt, costing the Bullet Club team a spot in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=783|title=World Tag League 2013|access-date=7 December 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=792 |title=World Tag League 2013 |access-date=7 December 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212005338/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=792 |archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref>
On 13 April 2014, during NJPW's trip to Taiwan, Hirasawa, working as Captain Taiwan, received his first title shot in the promotion, when he and Hirooki Goto unsuccessfully challenged Bullet Club representatives Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson for the IWGP Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=852|title=Wrestling World 2014 in 台湾|access-date=13 April 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref>
In early 2016, Captain New Japan became part of Yoshitatsu's new anti-Bullet Club stable, Hunter Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1110&c=8554|title=Invasion Attack 2016|access-date=25 September 2016|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=1113&c=8610|title=Road to レスリングどんたく 2016|access-date=25 September 2016|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 12 September, Yoshitatsu, upset with Captain New Japan's poor performances, announced a Twitter poll that would decide whether he would get to stay in Hunter Club.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game2.php?e=1189&c=9403 | title = Road to Destruction | access-date=25 September 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}</ref>
On 25 September at Destruction in Kobe, upon being denied a spot in Hunter Club, Captain New Japan turned on Yoshitatsu and defected to Bullet Club.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1198 | title = Destruction in Kobe | access-date=25 September 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}</ref> The following day, Hirasawa was given the new ring name "Bone Soldier".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=17432 | title = 【10.8魚沼大会・全カード！】メインで本隊とJ・リーサルが初合体！セミでNEVER6人タッグが実現！Bullet新メンバー・Bone Soldierとは？ | access-date=26 September 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}</ref> He made his debut under the name on 8 October.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1199 | title = New Japan Road ～がんばろう！Uonuma 2016～ | access-date=8 October 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}</ref> The following month, Bone Soldier entered the 2016 World Tag League, teaming with Bullet Club stablemate Bad Luck Fale.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-reveals-full-world-tag-league-lineup-officially-announces-four-wrestling-kingdom-matches | title = NJPW reveals full World Tag League lineup, four Wrestle Kingdom matches | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer | date=7 November 2016 | access-date=8 December 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> The two lost all seven of their matches in the tournament, with Bone Soldier being pinned by his rival Yoshitatsu in their final match on 8 December.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13460?showResult=1 | script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents World Tag League 2016 | access-date=8 December 2016 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}</ref> On 1 March 2017, Hirasawa's profile was removed from NJPW's website, confirming his departure from the company.
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''''' **PWI ranked him #'''441''' of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2017.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2017|access-date=1 September 2017|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref> *'''World Wrestling Council''' **WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="njpw"/> **WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="njpw"/> *'''''Wrestling Observer Newsletter''''' **Worst Gimmick (2016)<ref>{{cite journal | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = 6 March 2017 | title = March 6, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2016 Awards issue, talent departing TNA, more | journal = Wrestling Observer Newsletter | location = Campbell, California | issn = 1083-9593 | page=27}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Mitsuhide Hirasawa}} * [https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbfoeldeak/daten.php?spid=34D06F6C2E64479497E9E5EF54994714 International Wrestling Database profile]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Captain New Japan}} Category:Living people Category:Japanese male professional wrestlers Category:1982 births Category:Sportspeople from Sapporo Category:Professional wrestlers from Hokkaido Category:Masked wrestlers Category:Chaos (professional wrestling) members Category:Bullet Club members Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers Category:21st-century Japanese professional wrestlers Category:WWC Puerto Rico Champions Category:WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Champions