In the world of angling, there are those who would sacrifice everything to possess the "ultimate gear." Their obsession with rods, reels, and lines knows no bounds—fueled by an unwavering belief that the perfect tool is the only path to the "fish of a lifetime."

Supported by a core fan base with this level of devotion, one nylon fishing line has enjoyed a 30-year legacy: VARIVAS "VEP." While professionals have long lauded it with claims that "it’s on an entirely different level," the scientific records and testing methods to back those claims had, over the decades, faded from memory.

"Is it truly that strong?" The quest to answer this question was sparked by a chance encounter at an exhibition. But science didn't just clear up 30 years of ambiguity; it reignited the "fishing line obsession" at VARIVAS, propelling the team into a world of even more intense imagination and adventure.

Founded in 1980, VARIVAS is a venerable manufacturer specializing in fishing lines. Known for "Japan Made" quality, it is a premier brand recognized by anglers worldwide.

One of its flagship products, "VEP," has been a staple for nearly three decades, marketed with the bold claim: "20 times the abrasion resistance of standard lines." (Abrasion resistance refers to the line's durability when rubbed against natural obstacles like rocks or submerged wood.)

"We had no choice but to believe the product descriptions that had been advertised for a long time," says Mr. Soeno. With the original developers long gone, the reputation for toughness survived only as a legend. Even the CEO of VARIVAS wondered if there was a measurable difference. Product performance "evidence" can be that elusive.

Yet, the line kept selling. Professionals felt the difference, and reputation spread. It was "the real deal" long before the evidence arrived. Now, 30 years later, it was time to lift the veil.

――― How did that lead to science?

Mr. Soeno: In February 2025, the Head of Manufacturing and I visited an exhibition in Makuhari. As we were leaving, I spotted the word "Wettability" at the Kyowa Interface Science booth. It hit me: "This is deeply related to what we do."

――― Was that your first time hearing the term "Wettability"?

Mr. Soeno: No, I’d heard it before from a business partner regarding water repellency, but I didn't know who to turn to for measurement. It was a vague goal that kept getting pushed down the priority list. But seeing that panel at the exhibition flipped a switch. Plus, Kyowa’s headquarters is in Niiza, Saitama—the same prefecture as us. It felt like fate.

――― And then you visited the showroom with samples?

Mr. Soeno: Yes, I had to know. As we looked at the equipment and heard, "We can measure this and that," the possibilities expanded. What was once a vague concept became a concrete realization: "We absolutely have to do this."

――― At that point, instead of wanting to buy the equipment, you decided on contract measurement services right away?

Mr. Moroi: For us, it wasn't about whether to buy the equipment. Rather than worrying about ROI or depreciation, the value of contract measurement services—where we can borrow the expertise of specialists—was a perfect fit. It wasn't just about a 'Yes' or 'No' result; it was about deepening our understanding through their analysis.

Mr. Moroi: Everyone in the company felt a surge of confidence. For the first time, we had the scientific evidence to back our claim that our line is the real deal.

Mr. Soeno: Analyzing the report with the specialist was an experience that exceeded our expectations. We’d ask which one was the strongest, and they’d explain, "This one felt smooth during the test," or "You can see the burrs and roughness in the microscopic photos here." Our "obsession with fishing" clashed with their obsession with interface science, and that dialogue led to true interpretation.

The data didn't just provide an answer; it generated new questions. We immediately started brainstorming how to apply these characteristics to modern fishing techniques.

Every January, VARIVAS exhibits at the "Fishing Show" in Yokohama, a massive event for enthusiasts. Traditionally, the booth focused on "romance"—talk shows with famous anglers to hype the crowd. In 2026, the booth took a different turn.

Mr. Soeno: This year, we rebranded as "VARIVAS LABO," pivoting entirely to science. We displayed the wettability and abrasion data from Kyowa on panels. We held seminars on line selection and even used a tensile tester to measure the strength of knots tied by visitors on the spot.

――― The "next question" was put into action right away, wasn't it?

Mr. Soeno: Yes, we also asked to measure water repellency, which is wettability. This is especially true for our specialized coated PE lines. This line has high water repellency, so it repels water and creates buoyancy, which allows the line to draw a beautiful curve on the water surface. This makes it easier to move the lure vertically. That's what the product is designed for, but explaining it with words or text alone was extremely difficult.

――― What was it like when you could see it in numerical values?

Mr. Soeno: We thought, "If it repels water this much, it makes total sense why it creates such a trajectory." What we had previously described based on our experiences and sensations while fishing was now visualized through data and images, enabling us to explain it even more powerfully.

Mr. Moroi: I’ve proposed a 'combined test'—measuring wettability in its new state, then again after an abrasion test to show how long the coating lasts. Showing that durability through data would allow for an even stronger appeal.

――― What is the next step?

Mr. Soeno: Honestly, I don’t see an end to it! We’ve proven water repellency (wettability) numerically. Now, I want to show how that repellency affects the line's trajectory underwater using cameras. If we can film the line's movement with an underwater camera and visualize it to the point of saying, "That's why you can catch this fish," many anglers will be able to stand by the water with confidence and expectation.

――― It doesn't stop, does it? 

Mr. Soeno: By adding science to the performance that we used to express intuitively with the help of professional anglers, we are now able to make our next move with solid evidence. Because our department handles everything from product planning to promotion and sales in an integrated manner, the data gained through science becomes the product’s identity, which then becomes the marketing message, then the salesperson's pitch at retail stores, and finally connects to the fan's experience of "that’s why I caught it with this line." It’s a single, continuous line that we can draw ourselves.

Mr. Moroi: Our fans have an incredible love for fishing. Those who would sacrifice everything to invest in their gear have chosen our products based on the feeling that 'this one is somehow better.' This time, it was proven that their intuition was right. We want to respond to our fans' love with science.

Mr. Soeno: In our interactions with Kyowa Interface Science, every time they said, "We can also measure this," or "We can take this approach," the questions we threw from a fishing context were answered from an interface science context. From that combination, ideas are born that we could never have come up with on our own. It already feels like a true partnership. "Romance x Science" isn't addition; it’s multiplication. We could compete with romance alone, but with science, the possibilities are on a different dimension. As long as there is an obsession with fishing, this multiplication won't stop.