In our latest digital cover story, Naomi Osaka opens up about rewriting success in a game that resists change — discussing fashion as self-expression, motherhood’s impact on her perspective, and what legacy means when you’ve already made history as a four-time Grand Slam champion and the first Asian player to reach world No. 1.

But beyond the baseline and the business ventures, Osaka’s life is shaped by another set of passions: the worlds of anime, gaming, and Japanese culture that have quietly anchored her since childhood. Born in Osaka, Japan, and raised between cultures, she’s navigated duality her entire life — Haitian, Japanese, and American; shy off the court, bold on it. That same fluidity shows up in how she moves through her downtime: reading fantasy novels between matches, gaming when she can, carrying a Naruto-edition lip oil in her bag.

For Osaka, these aren’t side interests — they’re foundational. They’re how she unwinds after brutal training sessions, how she connects with her daughter, and how she stays rooted in a heritage that doesn’t always visibly align with how the world sees her. She’s the kind of person who’ll gatekeep her favorite hidden sushi spots in Tokyo but enthusiastically recommend a pizza place in Roppongi. Who watches the original Naruto (never Shippuden) when she needs comfort, relates most to Shikamaru’s quiet power, and would save Death Note over One Piece any day.

In this additional interview, Osaka walks us through her go-to spots in Japan, her gaming rituals, and why subs will always be better than dubs.

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What’s the first place someone should visit when traveling to Japan?

Naomi Osaka: My recommendation for the first place people should visit when they’re in Japan is probably my favorite pizza place. It’s called Pizza Studio Tamaki and there’s one in Roppongi.

Any dish you’d recommend there?

I led you to the water and you have to figure out how to drink, so now you’re on your own.

Where do you do the most shopping in Japan?

The place that I do the most shopping is probably Harajuku or near Cat Street, but I’ve been trying to venture out recently.

Any particular shops you love?

No, I usually just walk around and go into alleys and try to figure out what’s what.

Favorite place to eat in Japan?

Obviously the pizza place I mentioned earlier but I really love yakiniku, so anything that’s yakiniku or sushi. Japan has the best sushi so I feel like you can go anywhere.

Any hidden sushi gems you’d share?

If I did, I wouldn’t share it with people. I low-key do, but they’re kind of weird with accepting new customers. So hey, I’m glad I got in when I got in.

Best place to take a fit pic for Instagram?

I feel like people love Shibuya Crossing. I’ve seen a lot of fit pics there. For me, probably near the Tokyo Tower at night. I think it’s really pretty.

Your go-to spot for manga or rare books?

Honestly, I just go anywhere. I feel like if you go into any vintage store, they have some old books or something like that, but I haven’t really gone into any specific bookstore.

What was the first video game you ever played and the last one you played?

The first video game I ever played, I think it had to be Donkey Kong. That’s what I remember in my head. Or Pac-Man, something like that. And the last video game I played, I was playing Overwatch in my room, like, yesterday. So probably that.

Go-to console or gaming accessory?

I usually play on the PlayStation, but my sister just got me a gaming laptop, so it’s really convenient. I can just carry that around everywhere, but I don’t know the name of it.

Subs or dubs when it comes to anime?

Subs. No dubs at all.

Your comfort anime and favorite game to unwind with?

I always turn on Naruto. But only like the first part, not Shippuden, just Naruto. And favorite video game to play? I always loved Skyrim, so I always find myself going back to that.

Do you have time to game these days?

No. Usually when I’m with my daughter, I pass out at the end of the day, but she’s not here on this trip. So I feel like I have a little time. It’s almost like too much time in the day.

Any games you’d want to introduce her to?

There are definitely games I’d want to introduce her to, like the games I thought were really interesting, which were like dress-up games or character customization, Diner Dash, stuff like that.

An anime crossover you’d like to see?

Honestly, I don’t really know if we need a crossover right now. I think we’re good.

Anime or video game character you relate to most?

I like Shikamaru. Because I feel like he’s very powerful, but low-key sometimes he’s just too lazy to do anything and he’ll just let the other person do whatever they want. But whenever the situation arises that he needs to pull through, he always pulls through. I don’t know if I relate to him fully. I think he’s just my favorite.

You can only save one: Attack on Titan, One Piece, or Death Note?

That’s crazy. Not One Piece, I’m sorry to the One Piece fans. I just can’t do it. Like, 800 episodes? No. I feel like I would pick Death Note or Attack on Titan.