TOKYO (AP) – Hundreds of fans gathered at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in hopes of catching a glimpse of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani on Thursday. However, they were met with disappointment as a 40-meter-long (130 feet) temporary wall was erected to shield the players from view, preventing them from interacting with eagerly waiting fans. This wall had already been utilized by the Chicago Cubs as they arrived late Wednesday night.

The Dodgers were observed disembarking from their charter flight that had arrived from Phoenix. Ohtani was among the first players to step off the plane, but instead of making his way to the arrival area, the team appeared to take an alternative route to avoid the crowd. This left many fans waiting for hours in the terminal, hoping to spot their idol, only to see other passengers as potential false alarms.

Fans eagerly awaited the opportunity to see Ohtani in person, with some carrying signs and wearing Dodgers merchandise. A bright yellow sign that read “I love LA” stood out among the display of enthusiasm. Many fans raised their smartphones in anticipation, only to lower them in disappointment as other unrelated passengers arrived instead.

Although most fans held on to a sense of hope, they were also realistic about the chances of seeing Ohtani. Local accountant Satoshi Yoshii expressed that he had come with the hope of seeing him but understood the unlikely nature of it. Misaki Ueta reflected the sentiment of many, stating she wanted to experience “the Ohtani air,” while her husband and friend proudly sported Ohtani’s No. 17 jersey.

Interestingly, not all fans were die-hard fans of Ohtani. Kotomi Miyakoda mentioned that while she wasn’t particularly a fan of Ohtani, she still wanted to see him simply as a person. This event has attracted a diverse audience, reminiscent of a concert atmosphere, showcasing Ohtani's significant star power.

The upcoming series is being referred to as the Japan Series by MLB, and it is positioned as a prime opportunity for marketing Ohtani within Japan. This year’s MLB season opener marks the second consecutive season that the league has opened in Asia, following last year’s games in South Korea featuring the Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers and Cubs are set to engage in a two-game series, with the first games scheduled for March 18 and 19 at the Tokyo Dome, featuring early evening starts local time. These matches will broadcast live in North America during the early morning hours due to the 13-hour time difference with the Eastern US.

The trip to Japan includes five Japanese players, with Ohtani leading the roster for the Dodgers alongside pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. The Cubs are also accompanied by designated hitter Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Shota Imanaga, with Imanaga expected to face Yamamoto in the opening game.

Marketing the Dodgers in Japan has taken center stage, with MLB's chief operations officer Chris Marinak highlighting the advantages of having a transcendent player like Ohtani, who is recognized as the best player in the game. Japan has embraced the Dodgers as their de facto national team, solidifying this relationship further with Ohtani's recent success in Major League Baseball.

In an effort to capitalize on the excitement surrounding this series, the Dodgers have organized an exhibition in central Tokyo titled “Dodgers Experience at MLB Tokyo Series,” where fans can view the World Series trophy, championship rings, and interactive experiences, including opportunities to try hitting an Ohtani pitch. Renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has also contributed designs for the series, adding to the cultural celebration.

However, the demand for tickets has driven prices exorbitantly high, with resale listings reaching up to $20,000 for a single game. Most resale tickets are typically found in the range of $2,000 to $8,000, despite the fact that reselling tickets above their face value is illegal in Japan, following a law enacted ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.