Joshi wrestling is a chaotic world. Just when you think you’ve pinned down the landscape of Japanese women’s pro wrestling, everything shifts. If you’ve been following the scene lately, you’ve likely seen the name New Ice Ribbon popping up in results and social media threads. Some people think it’s a brand-new company. Others think it’s just a fancy marketing rebrand.
Honestly? It’s a bit of both, but mostly it’s a survival story.
For years, Ice Ribbon was the indie darling of the joshi world. Founded by Emi Sakura back in 2006, it was known for its "Be Happy with Pro Wrestling" motto and a dojo-centric culture that churned out stars like Hikaru Shida and Riho. But the last few years have been rough. Mass departures, the rise of corporate-backed giants like Stardom, and internal restructuring have forced the promotion to evolve.
The New Ice Ribbon era is basically the promotion’s "Version 2.0" attempt to reclaim its spot at the top of the independent scene.
Why New Ice Ribbon Had to Happen
You can't talk about the current state of things without looking at the 2021 exodus. That was the "Red Wedding" of joshi wrestling. In a single announcement, the promotion lost stalwarts like Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki, and Akane Fujita. They left to form Prominence, a deathmatch-focused group, leaving a massive hole in the roster.
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It was a gut punch.
Most fans thought the promotion was dead in the water. But instead of folding, Ice Ribbon did what it does best: it started over. The "New" in the title isn't just for show; it represents a fundamental shift in how the promotion operates. They aren't just relying on old legends anymore. They’re leaning into a youth movement that’s honestly kind of terrifying when you see how fast these kids are learning.
The Roster Flip
If you haven't watched a show since 2019, the current lineup will look alien to you. The "New" era is defined by names like Tsukina Umino and Ibuki Hoshi.
Ibuki Hoshi is a great example. She isn't just a "prodigy"—she is the current heart of the company. When she won the ICE×∞ Championship, it felt like a passing of the torch that actually stuck. Then you have Tsukina Umino, who recently shocked the system by defeating Akane Fujita for the FantastICE Championship on December 31, 2025.
That match was a turning point. It wasn't just a title change; it was a statement that the new guard can handle the "hardcore" expectations that the Prominence girls left behind.
The "Ribbonmania" Standard
Every December, the promotion holds its biggest show, Ribbonmania. If you want to understand the identity of New Ice Ribbon, look at Ribbonmania 2025. The card was a wild mix of 11-year-old rookies and 15-year veterans.
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One of the most talked-about matches involved Riko, a newest roster member who is literally 11 years old. People get weird about the "child wrestlers" in Ice Ribbon, but in the context of their dojo system, it’s basically an advanced after-school program. Riko faced off against Diana’s Miran in a match that was faster and crisper than most "adult" matches you’ll see on a random Tuesday night in the US.
The promotion is doubling down on this "Ice Ribbon Academy" feel. They know they can't out-spend Stardom or Marigold. Their only move is to out-train them.
What Makes "New Ice Ribbon" Different?
- The Vibe: It’s more intimate. They still run the Saitama Dojo (Isami Wrestle Arena) constantly.
- The Style: It’s less "diva" and more "worker." There’s a grit here that’s missing from the high-glam promotions.
- Collaborations: They’ve become much more open. You’ll see wrestlers from Ganbare Pro, JTO (Just Tap Out), and Diana popping up constantly.
The Ghost of Emi Sakura
It’s sort of the elephant in the room. Emi Sakura founded this place, then she left to start Gatoh Move. For a long time, Ice Ribbon felt like it was trying to live up to her ghost.
In the New Ice Ribbon era, that’s finally fading.
The current management, led by Neoplus, has moved away from Sakura’s "musical theater" wrestling style into something more athletically rigorous. You still get the fun, quirky characters—Yappy is a perennial fan favorite for a reason—but the main events are increasingly stiff and physical.
Understanding the Championship Landscape
If you’re trying to follow the belts, it can get confusing. Here is the current hierarchy as of early 2026:
ICE×∞ (Ice Cross Infinity) Championship
This is the big one. It used to have a 20-minute time limit to keep the pace insane. Now, it’s the standard-bearer for the best technical worker in the company.
International Ribbon Tag Team Championship
Ice Ribbon has always had a legendary tag division. The "New" era has seen a lot of "Big Dekai" (Totoro Satsuki and Yuna Manase) dominance, which brings a much-needed powerhouse element to a roster of mostly smaller, faster flyers.
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FantastICE Championship
This is the "anything goes" title. It was created specifically to allow for hardcore and deathmatch elements without ruining the "family-friendly" vibe of the main title. Tsukina Umino holding this belt right now is a huge deal. She’s proving that the new generation can take a hit (and a chair shot) just as well as the freelancers can.
The Challenges Ahead
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Ice Ribbon is still an underdog. They recently lost more talent at the end of 2024, including Mio Shirai—the sister of WWE’s Iyo Sky—who was a massive part of their training and officiating staff.
Losing a trainer like Mio is a bigger blow than losing a champion.
When a "new" version of a promotion launches, the biggest risk is becoming a "feeder" school. If every time a girl gets good, she leaves for Stardom or WWE, New Ice Ribbon will struggle to maintain a long-term fanbase. They have to find a way to make the talent want to stay.
How to Follow the Action
If you’re actually looking to watch this stuff, don’t expect a massive TV deal. You have to go to the source.
- NicoNico and YouTube: They are pretty active on Japanese streaming platforms. Their YouTube channel often posts "digests" (match highlights) which are great for catching up without spending four hours on a full show.
- The Dojo Shows: If you ever find yourself in Saitama, the Dojo shows are the purest form of the sport. You’re sitting inches away from the mat. You can hear every breath and every thud.
- English Commentary: Honestly? It’s rare. You’ll mostly be following along with Twitter (X) translators like @MrLuchaGUESS or community spreadsheets. It takes effort to be a fan, but that’s part of the appeal.
New Ice Ribbon isn't trying to be the biggest wrestling company in the world. They’re trying to be the most resilient. In a 2026 wrestling market that is increasingly corporate, there is something genuinely refreshing about a small dojo in Saitama that refuses to quit, even when half the roster walks out the door.
Next Steps for New Fans
- Check the 2025 Ribbonmania results: Specifically, look for the Tsukina Umino vs. Akane Fujita match to see the shift in the hardcore division.
- Follow the Saitama Dojo schedule: Most of the "New" era's experimental booking happens during these small-scale events before hitting Korakuen Hall.
- Watch for "Hot Shushu" crossovers: This is Ice Ribbon's sister promotion, and the talent exchange between the two is where the next crop of headliners is coming from.