On November 27, Toua will release her first EP, I am I, both physically and digitally.

The lead track on the EP, I am I, became a hot topic following its July release, with over 10,000 TikTok videos in just three weeks. Also included is Young -MINE remix-, TREKKIE TRAX’s Afro-pop rearrangement of the popular 2022 song highlighting the emotions and struggles that teens face. The EP includes four songs in total, from MY Routine, a reggaeton bop with lyrics by up-and-coming rapper Minami Nakamura, and MEmories, a Y2K-inspired song composed by ‘Carpainter’ from MEZZ and TREKKIE TRAX CREW.

With the message of “I, MY, ME, MINE” in each song title, the EP expresses the importance of loving yourself as you are and embracing self-expression.

The cover artwork was created by Keisuke Shimizu once again, who has worked as creative director for THE FIRST TAKE and NHK’s music documentary Okaeri Ongakushitsu. “To extract Toua’s character, I decided to highlight her most impactful parts,” Shimizu said. “Even if you only look at the hands, feet, nose, lips, or other body parts, you can easily recognize that it is Toua. That’s proof that she is truly iconic!”

The EP will be available in two forms: a Limited First Edition including a 12-inch record-size paper jacket with a CD, a B2-size poster, and a lyrics card, and a Standard Edition including a paper jacket with a CD and an 8-page booklet. Listeners are invited to enjoy the Gen Z icon’s music and visuals together. In addition, select CD shops and online stores will hand out special purchase bonuses while supplies last.

Release events will also be held in various locations, with details scheduled to be revealed soon.

Singer-songwriter Natsuki Kawanishi will release her new song, Sentimental & Hot Coffee, on November 20.

The new track is a sentimental love song that describes the difference in views on love between men and women, as well as the common interval between “being strong” and “wanting to be pampered.” At the start of winter, when people begin to miss the touch of human skin, Kawanishi’s warm and resonant voice aims to soothe the loneliness of the masses.

The song has been selected as the “Radio Kansai Recommended Song” for November on Radio Kansai. It has also been chosen as the November ending theme for RSK Sanyo Broadcasting’s KYUN! MUSIC.

[Comment from Natsuki Kawanishi]
“This song is perfect for the winter season, when “cold” and “loneliness” intersect and people miss human touch. This new song shares the emotions of the main character, who wavers between wanting to be strong and wanting to be taken care of. Even when her memories haunt her, she doesn’t say what she wants to say. I expressed my desire to hide that sadness and internal conflict by blaming it all on the season.”

The vocal-dance group ATARASHII GAKKO! made their global debut in 2021 on the 88rising label, which promotes Asian music and culture to the world. The four members have continued to attract attention over the past few years, recently performing on NHK’s New Year’s staple Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time and starting their own TV show. On January 9, the group held its first concert, SEISHUN SHURAI (Youth Invasion),  at Nippon Budokan.

When the first notes of Tokyo Calling began playing, all 12,000 fans in attendance instantly reached maximum excitement as they focused their attention on the 360-degree stage. The LED lights covering the stage began to shine and the members, clad in red sailor uniforms, appeared to the sound of wild applause.
After performing Toryanse, a new song released from embargo just before the start of the concert, and thePineapple Kryptonite Remix, the members began a brief MC, eager to address and thank the audience. “All of you fans out there, can you see us in all 360 degrees? We’ve dreamed of the day that all four of us would be here, standing on our own feet on this legendary stage.”

After a short intermission, the group moved on to a block of songs appearing on their first and second albums, including Night Before the Exam, Tomei Boy, Koi Geba, and other fan favorites, followed by a medley featuring Freaks, NAINAINAI, and other songs released following the group’s international debut in 2021. Rin performed finger drumming and the members amused fans with a cover of the Beastie Boys’ classic Intergalactic while wearing traffic guard costumes.

The audience’s excitement only continued to grow as the girls called out, screaming “Budokan, here we go!” before breaking into an intense performance of Saisyu Jinrui filled with head-banging and shoulder rides. During the last part of the concert, ATARASHII GAKKO! performed their new song BORN TO BE FREE!!!! for the first time. The track’s fast-paced sound immediately captured the hearts of fans, and the girls closed the main event with SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO, an extremely popular song at their live performances.

During the final MC portion, there was a tearful moment in which Suzuka cried and hugged the other members. “I don’t want anyone to suffer alone,” she said. “We’re all here together. Thank you all so much.”

The group’s first concert at Nippon Budokan ended with Mayoeba Toutoshi, known as a common final song at ATARASHII GAKKO! concerts. “If you ever feel lost, you can always rely on us–on our concerts, our videos, and everything else,” Suzuka said.

Along with the announcement of a new fan club, the group’s first fan club tour, which will visit five prefectures, was announced during the show. Additionally, the new song Toryanse will be available to stream on January 26.

■SET LIST
Tokyo Calling
Giri Giri
Toryanse
Pineapple Kryptonite (Yohji Igarashi Remix)
Night Before the Exam
Sekigae Gattuso
Tomei Boy
Koi Geba
Dokubana
Shiritai
Freaks
NAINAINAI
Fantastico
Pineapple Kryptonite
Intergalactic
Saishuu Jinrui
Janaindayo
BORN TO BE FREE!!!!
SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO

＜ENCORE＞
OTONABLUE
Que Sera, Sera
Mayoeba Toutoshi

Upon my arrival on Thursday, November 16, I wondered if the intimate space of the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota would be able to contain the massive personalities of ATARASHII GAKKO! The four members never hold back–either on or off the stage, it seems–and as fans began to arrive en masse, it was clear that the Twin Cities wasn’t lacking a fanbase for the dance-vocal group currently taking the world by storm.

Just under three weeks prior, ATARASHII GAKKO! had performed for a whopping 8,000 fans at their first arena concert, held at the famed Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Now, they were preparing to walk out to a crowd of only a few hundred, most with cocktails in hand and lyrics memorized. The majority of the concertgoers seemed more than passingly familiar with the group, though a few bewildered onlookers couldn’t possibly have been prepared for what the night would bring. Needless to say, although the stage was quaint, the concert was anything but. None of the members’ usual energy had diminished, and despite this being the final stop on the U.S. portion of the tour, there wasn’t a hint of fatigue to be found during the hour-long set.

The show was sold out weeks in advance, and plenty of eager fans equipped with glowsticks and wearing the group’s signature socks rushed toward the stage to secure the best spot. Other attendees swarmed the merch booth, eager for a hoodie or bag to show their pride.

For the show to be standing room only was a boon–it’s unlikely anyone in the audience could have remained seated once the four girls appeared following the intro, quickly leading into the high-energy number Seishun wo Kirisaku Hado. Fans were instantly chanting in unison, responding eagerly as Suzuka addressed the room, her enthusiasm bordering on contagious.

Nine years after its formation, ATARASHII GAKKO! Recently announced that the group would be making its Kouhaku debut at this December’s 74th Kouhaku Uta Gassen. The New Year’s Eve staple features performances from the most popular musical acts of the year, proving that the group has found its footing both domestically and abroad.

Fans swatted balloons around and jumped in time to the beat as saisyu jinrui, one of the group’s older songs, began to a sea of applause. Suzuka, Rin, Mizyu, and Kanon didn’t seem phased to hear the largely American audience singing along in Japanese, though their appreciation and joy were palpable as they moved in perfect unison. CANDY and The Edge followed, with the members taking turns asking the audience to raise their hands or clap along. Anyone who wasn’t already a fan was likely converted by the commanding energy sweeping the room, making it impossible not to move along.

During the MC portion, the members showed off their English, asking the audience “do you know Seishun?” They explained that it means “to live your life to the fullest,” and quickly invited the audience to celebrate this important idea. Throughout the show, they would often initiate a call and response, teaching those assembled a few words in Japanese and expressing their interest in returning to America for another tour in the future. Given how quickly the tickets sold out this time around, the sky’s the limit for concerts in the future.
In January, ATARASHII GAKKO! will perform at Nippon Budokan for the first time, ushering in a new era of popularity for the four members. It makes me wonder what massive U.S. venues may someday play home to another of their unforgettable shows. Madison Square Garden? Radio City Music Hall? The Hollywood Bowl?

As the question “Suki?” rang out, the crowd cheered, as Suki Lie has become a fan favorite since its release earlier this year. The girl’s choreography, as usual, was a highlight of the show, with Fantastico and the Yohji Igarashi remix of Pineapple Kryptonite quickly sending the audience into a rhythmic frenzy.

Just in front of me, I watched a couple mimic the vast majority of moves in perfect unison, taking time to laugh and joke when they failed to hit the mark. That’s the essence of ATARASHII GAKKO!–fun. The group represents ‘fun’ in its purest form, asking fans to recall the freedom of youth and to reach out to grasp it one more time, without fear of failure or embarrassment. Dance as if no one is watching, sing along in a language you cannot understand, and dress up in a school uniform despite being in your upper 30s. Why not?

As expected, the entire building shook as fans marched along during the group’s newest release Tokyo Calling. It had been enough of a warm-up, and as each of the girls placed a hand behind their heads, Otona Blue, the group’s magnum opus, rang out to a sea of screams. The track has amassed an incredible response on TikTok over the past year; this, despite being released way back in 2020. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed the song on THE FIRST TAKE, with the YouTube video now sitting at 50 million views. Everyone likely woke up with a sore neck after mimicking the classic choreography during the chorus.

After the explosive energy of WOO! GO! and NAINAINAI, the girls began to say their goodbyes, asking their fans to visit Japan someday and promising to return to St. Paul sometime in the future. Exiting the stage, they returned only a few minutes later after the audience demanded an encore, this time dressed more casually and eager to chat with a few fans at the front, one of whom was holding up a skilled drawing of Suzuka. The singer accepted the gift gladly, with other fans handing bouquets to the other members. As the lights in the venue brightened, the group snapped a few photos with the audience, creating the perfect keepsake for such a perfect night.

No one wanted such an energetic time to end, and the group knew just how to bid farewell to America–with the lively rock track Free Your Mind. The venue became a sea of clapping hands, and the concert came to a close on the highest possible note.

With a performance at Kouhaku fast approaching and their first-ever Budokan show only two months away, it’s almost certain that ATARASHII GAKKO! will return to the U.S. in the future. Until then, American fans will continue to support these four powerhouses from afar, eager for the day we meet–and dance–again.

Report: Carley Garcia

 

USA

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ATARASHII GAKKO! 新しい学校のリーダーズ(@japan_leaders)がシェアした投稿

After releasing the new MANINGEN EP on August 16, the members of ATARASHII GAKKO! announced that they would embark on their first overseas tour, ATARASHII GAKKO! The SEISHUN Tour, this November.

The group’s song OTONABLUE has reached an astounding 3.1 billion views on TikTok, winning the TikTok Trending Award for the first half of 2023 with over 14 million followers on the social media site. ATARASHII GAKKO! performed in New York in May and at the Head in the Clouds festival in Los Angeles in July, continuing to make headlines. Their tour will kick off at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles and continue for 10 shows across North America, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

Before embarking on their global tour, the group will perform a solo show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on October 29. Tickets sold out quickly, and the group’s more dedicated fans can’t wait for the rare opportunity to see ATARASHII GAKKO! perform solo in Japan.

Following her successful seven-city world tour across four countries including a show at Primavera Sound, one of Europe’s largest music festivals, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has once again taken the stage in her native Japan. On July 15, the artist performed a stunning solo show, Celebrating 100 Years: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2023 ~Midnight Sun~, at the Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall in Tokyo.

The performance itself was part of a larger project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Hibiya venue. Fittingly, the theme of this one-night-only show was ‘the biggest celebration of your life,’ inspired by the ‘both joyful and terrifying festival held beneath the Midnight Sun.’ Kyary Pamyu Pamyu directed the performance herself, and the final product felt like it was pulling the audience into a movie world rather than a live performance.

The costumes, made exclusively for this performance, were created by fashion stylist Yudai Ichinosawa. Stunning special effects makeup was provided by Kaiho, who has worked with Kyary in the past. In addition, the floral stage decorations for the live performance, made to be sustainable, were created in collaboration with Hibiya Kadan, whose headquarters are located inside Hibiya Park. Fresh flowers and greenery along with colorful artificial flowers were used to create a unique space for the special occasion.

To begin the show, the curtain was raised as joyful Celtic music was played by a band of elves. The ‘Kyary Family’ marched onto the stage, their faces hidden by veils. The daughter, Kyary, appeared with dancers dressed as her father, mother, and twin sister, and as the characters removed their veils, the artist began with a performance of Easta, an Easter-themed song.

During the MC portion of the show, Kyary shared her heartfelt congratulations to Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall for its 100-year history. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a colorful outdoor stage before,” she continued, inviting the audience to take in the gorgeous scenery.

Kyary also shyly addressed her marriage in front of an audience for the first time. The artist also announced that she had invited the person who found her lost shoe sole in Harajuku months ago to the show, causing plenty of excitement in the audience.

It was a night of celebration at the Hibiya Open Air Concert Hall, between the 100th anniversary of the space, Kyary’s marriage, and the recovery of her beloved shoe sole. The setlist included 22 songs along with an encore, blending both classic and new tracks, including songs not often performed live. The performance was punctuated with Celtic flare, giving the entire show an odd yet welcoming air as the audience celebrated the Midnight Sun with Kyary’s unique family.

The official Midnight Sun playlist, which includes some special content, is available on major music streaming sites now. During certain portions of the concert, fans were allowed to film, so you can also expect to find some video footage scattered around social media.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is scheduled to perform at LuckyFes on July 17 and FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL on July 30. As she continues to take the stage at festivals around Japan, fans are invited to come and see this internationally-acclaimed pop star as she continues to wow audiences.

Photo: Aki Ishii

■Playlist
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2023 – Midnight Sun –
https://lnk.to/KPP_Midnight_Sun

On June 4, FRUITS ZIPPER held FRUITS ZIPPER LIVE Vol. 1 and FRUITS ZIPPER Vol. 2 at Hulic Hall Tokyo. The group recently celebrated its first anniversary. The concerts were planned and held in Japan on extremely short notice, as the girls were initially meant to perform at A-kon in Dallas, Texas on June 2 and 3. Sadly, their appearance had to be canceled, but after so many rehearsals and so much preparation, the group still wanted to put on a show for its dedicated fanbase. Hopefully, this live report can give American fans a glimpse into the incredible show!

With the event being announced on June 1, only three days before FRUITS ZIPPER took the stage in Tokyo, it was uncertain how many fans would show up. Shockingly, the hall was completely full for FRUITS ZIPPER Live Vol. 1 and FRUITS ZIPPER Live Vol. 2, and the audience immediately began cheering as the members appeared on stage. The venue went dark, and mysterious sound effects began to play, setting the scene for an incredible show.

The girls began with three fan favorites: Kimino Akaruimiraiwo Oikakete, Kanpeki Shugide☆, and Happpy Chocolate. Immediately, the hall was thrown into a frenzy, and the energy was contagious.

“Welcome to Hulic Hall! We’re FRUITS ZIPPER!”

Soon after, the girls prepared to introduce themselves in English. First, Suzuka Chinzei addressed the crowd. “I’m so glad that so many people are here even with such little notice–thank you so much! We’d like to perform in Yurakucho today as if we were in America. Is that okay?” The audience immediately responded, shouting “Yeah!”

One by one, each member shared a bit about themselves in English.

Yui Sakurai: “Nice to meet you♡ I’ll make everyone fall in love with me in just 5 seconds♡”

Amane Tsukiashi: “How are you? I’m happy to meet you!”

Suzuka Chinzei: “I brought a quick joke as a gift from Japan today! Look at me…♪Like this~♪Lunchbox~…Don’t exist!!! I hope you had a good laugh. Thank you for the big laughs!”

Karen Matsumoto: “I will do my best! Please continue to support me!”

Luna Nakagawa: “It has been my dream to perform in America, so it’s a dream come true! Thank you!”

Noel Hayase: “I wanna say thank you all your guys for coming today. Even though we announced this live concert 3 days ago and there are so many people here in front of us…I’m so happy. Let’s enjoy our day together, thank you!”

Mana Manaka: “I’m sorry that we couldn’t go to America this time but I will do my best to improve my performance and meet you all soon! Thank you for your support!”

Among the members, Noel Hayase is trilingual, fluent in Japanese, English, and German. Speaking to the audience, she got a big reaction with her impressive pronunciation. “Here we go on the next song, okay?” Next, the group performed Roller Coaster Heart, Re→TRY ＆ FLY, and Furefuru Summer!

During Furefuru Summer!, Luna Nakagawa called out to the members and audience alike. “Do you have this towel? Are you ready?” The venue was filled with fans waving their towels around to the beat of the seasonal classic.

“The next song is going to be harder…are you guys ready,” Noel called out. “More more scream,” Luna added, and soon, Going! began to play. During the group’s most famous track Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro, Yui Sakurai called out in English with a request for the audience–”Let’s KAWAII dance~♡”

To conclude, FRUITS ZIPPER performed the NEW KAWAII-infused track RADIO GALAXY, followed by their latest song Chou Medetai Song ~Konnanni Shiawasede Iinokana?~. Applause rang out as the final notes sounded, with many fans in the audience congratulating the group on a successful show.

As is tradition, a commemorative photo was taken with the audience at the end of the show–this time, with some American flair.

“We are going to take a picture, and it’s going to be used on our official Twitter, so if you don’t want to be in a picture please hide your face. Hide, your, face, please,” Luna said, with the last bit in over-the-top broken Japanese. The members made their classic poses with adorable expressions on their faces.

After the photo shoot, Mana Manaka shared her gratitude with the fans in the audience. “Thank you so much to everyone who came to this concert, despite the short notice. We were really encouraged by everyone planning on going to the U.S. with us and everyone who supported our trip abroad on social media. FRUITS ZIPPER will continue to expand its activities around the world, so don’t be discouraged by this setback! Please continue to support us! Thank you for coming today!” The members smiled and said “See you!” as they left the stage.

FRUITS ZIPPER LIVE Vol. 1 and FRUITS ZIPPER Vol. 2 were held on very short notice after the group’s upcoming U.S. appearance was canceled. Despite this, the audience’s unwavering and sincere support for the girls was palpable throughout the venue. The fans raised their hands and shouted along with the group, and the performance was filled with nothing but warmth and happiness.

There’s no doubt that the girls will continue their global expansion. We’re looking forward to FRUITS ZIPPER’s performance in the U.S. sometime in the future, and as they continue to impress audiences around the world, there’s no doubt that the group will soon touch every corner of the globe.

Photo: yoshimoriyuna

Idol group FRUITS ZIPPER will embark on its first nationwide tour, FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-, this September.

FRUITS ZIPPER has been climbing to the top of the idol scene at a breakneck pace. Their first overseas solo performance in Taiwan was recently a huge success, and tickets for their first anniversary live shows at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo and Namba Hatch in Osaka in May sold out immediately after going on sale.

The tour will begin with a concert in Osaka on September 3, followed by performances in Aichi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, and Kanagawa. Tickets for the presale lottery are now on sale for members of the KAWAII LAB fan club.

FRUITS ZIPPER’s single Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro, released last year, has inspired over 700 million related videos on TikTok, while the music video has been viewed over 10 million times. Keep an eye on their activities in the near future!

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will embark on her world tour POPPP in May, performing in seven cities around the world. Trackmaker and DJ Moe Shop, a leader in the world of Future Funk, will appear as the opening act for three U.S. tour dates.

Moe Shop’s unique fusion of French house music and Japanese pop and club tunes has earned the artist over 26 million views per year on YouTube and over 31 million views per year on Spotify, making them one of the most popular electronic music artists around the globe. The artist has gone on record to say that they have been largely influenced by Yasutaka Nakata, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s producer, and their addictive sound is making waves in both Japan and abroad.

To celebrate this incredible collaboration, a playlist of songs selected by Moe Shop is now available on Spotify. Be sure to give it a listen!

【Spotify】Kyary Pamyu Pamyu meets Moe Shop

The Kyary Pamyu Pamyu World Tour 2023, titled POPPP, will begin this May!

This will be the singer’s first world tour in five years, as last year’s planned international tour was canceled. Kyary will perform in six cities–New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, and London. The Spain shows will take place during the massive Primavera Sound music festival.

In 2022, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu performed as the final act on the Gobi Stage at Coachella, the world’s largest music festival held in Indio, California. The artist received accolades from both the American audience and viewers from around the world. This year, Kyary is continuing to attract attention as the first Japanese solo artist to be featured in Global Spin, an original showcase of artists from around the world made by the Recording Academy in the U.S., the organizer of the Grammy Awards.

Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16, 2022. Her Japan-based Hold The Girl Tour saw successful shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with Sawayama generating plenty of buzz. During the final show on the tour, the singer surprised the audience with a cover of Hikaru Utada’s hit songFirst Love. The video of this incredible performance is now available to watch on YouTube!

First Love – Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)

Prior to the Tokyo show, Sawayama took to Instagram, posting a comment for fans. “Since this is the biggest show I’ve ever done, I think I should cover a special Japanese track to commemorate the event,” she said. The singer had previously asked fans to share the songs they’d most like to see performed.

“Without this artist and without this song, I probably wouldn’t have become a musician or an artist. I heard this track when I was around six years old, and I remember dancing for my parents who were sitting on the sofa. This artist also celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. This is my first cover, but I think it’s the perfect way to commemorate this special event. Please enjoy,” Sawayama concluded.

The audience responded to this surprise with a chorus of excitement, and this was surely an unforgettable night for many fans.

Rina is currently on the Hold The Girl Tour in Europe. At the end of March, she will make her Hollywood debut in the fourth John Wickmovie.

FRUITS ZIPPER held the final performance of FRUITS ZIPPER 1st LIVE TOUR 2023 -WINTER- ♡BE AT THE HEART♡ on February 12, 2023 at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

FRUITS ZIPPER debuted on April 24, 2022. The group’s song Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro skyrocketed in popularity after its release on April 29 of last year, becoming a huge hit on TikTok and one of the most popular tracks in the idol world.

Much like the numerous festivals FRUITS ZIPPER appeared in during the summer of 2022, as soon as the concert ended, the idol fans packed into the venue quickly dispersed as if a storm had come through.

The group’s first tour was announced in October 2022. The announcement that there would be a male-only show and a female-only show was a surprise to many female fans, and two weeks later it was announced that the Osaka venue would be changed to Namba Hatch due to huge ticket sales. Soon after, it was announced that the tour finale would be held at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

The difficulty of organizing a tour for a new idol group and attracting fans seemed clear, but the shows at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA and Namba Hatch managed to sell out well before the tour began, creating a ton of buzz in the idol world.

LINE CUBE SHIBUYA was close to overflowing, and the live soundtrack was created by trackmaker YUC’e for this tour. As the live title ♡BE AT THE HEART♡ suggests, the emotion and excitement in the venue continued to grow with every heartbeat.

Following the opening track, FRUITS ZIPPER appeared on stage to perform the song RADIO GALAXY, also by YUC’e. The tour finale opened with this beloved track that perfectly expresses the group’s NEW KAWAII concept.

Following this, the group performed the new song Welcome to the ♡ Furuppa!, a track that introduces each member. Performed for the first time on this tour, it’s a great way to open a concert and get the audience hyped and up to speed.

The members introduced themselves during the MC, expressing their thoughts about the concert and sharing their gratitude to the packed house. While the members were nervous, Karen Matsumoto was smiling as usual. “I’ll do my best,” she said with a smile.

Following the MC, the group continued with well-known tracks like Kimi no Akarui Mirai wo Oikakete, skyfeelan, Re→TRY & FLY, and We are Frontier.

After a video was played, Yui Sakurai’s solo part in the song Sekai wa Kimi kara Hajimaru drew the audience’s attention to the stage. Performed during this tour, the song Zutto, Zutto, Zutto shared FRUITS ZIPPER’s kawaii vibe.

During the next MC statement, FRUITS ZIPPER began a special corner seen on Atsumare☆Furuppa!, a stream available once a month on OPENREC.tv to subscribers only. Titled ‘The Valentine’s Day Heart-Pounding Phrase Contest,’ the members shared their most romantic and heartwarming lines with the audience. For those who were unable to attend the show, be sure to tune into Atsumare☆Furuppa!

As the concert continued, the audience waved their towels in the air along with Furefure Summer! and Kanpeki shugi de☆, both staples at FRUITS ZIPPER live shows. The group’s anthem Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro began to play, summoning heart-shaped messages to fall from the ceiling and rain down on fans.

The final song performed was Happy Chocolate, which was just released on February 1. The song was created to become a standard Valentine’s Day track for Gen Z and has already become a smash hit on TikTok.

FRUITS ZIPPER appeared on stage for an encore following seemingly endless clapping. The members took turns chatting about anything on their minds, with many of the girls shedding some well-earned tears. “From Harajuku to the world! Please continue to follow us,” Luna Nakagawa cried out to the crowd.

For the encore, the group performed the never-before-heard song Cho Medetai Song ~Konna ni Shiawase de Iinokana?~ (The Super Joyful Song ~Is It Okay to Be This Happy?~), created by Yamamoto Sho and Gento Miyano.

The tour’s finale concluded with a second performance of Happy Chocolate.

During the last MC, the members announced that they would be holding a solo concert in Taiwan. An official fan club for KAWAII LAB. was also announced, along with a FRUITS ZIPPER first anniversary concert to be held on May 4 at Toyosu PIT and on May 26 at Namba Hatch.

After this tour finale at LINE CLUB SHIBUYA and the group’s first-anniversary concert announcements, I could only think one thing–” It’s only been a year?!”

It’s clear that FRUITS ZIPPER is only getting started. Be sure to follow them as they continue to take the idol world by storm in 2023.

Text: Mizuki Hasegawa

Photo: Yuuna Yoshimori

FRUITS ZIPPER 1st Anniversary Photo Book

Tokyo News, the publisher of B.L.T and other popular TV magazines, will release a photobook celebrating the first anniversary of FRUITS ZIPPER on April 24, 2023!

FRUITS ZIPPER is a 7-member idol group that debuted in April 2022 under the concept “from Harajuku to the World.” The group’s second single Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro became a massive hit on TikTok, pulling in over 600 million views. Having become incredibly popular, the group’s first solo tour in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka in February sold out at all venues, including LINE CUBE SHIBUYA and Namba Hatch. A photobook commemorating the first year of FRUITS ZIPPER will be on sale in April.

FRUITS ZIPPER Live in Taiwan 2023