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!
Information
FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-
Date: September 3, 2023
Venue: Zepp Namba / Osaka
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: Kyodo Information – 0570-200-888
Date: September 5, 2023
Venue: Zepp Nagoya / Aichi
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Sunday Folk Promotion – 052-320-9100 (12:00~18:00)
Date: September 8, 2023
Venue: Zepp Fukuoka / Fukuoka
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Kyodo West Japan – 0570-09-2424 (11:00~15:00 / Closed on Sundays and Holidays)
Date: September 10, 2023
Venue: BLUE LIVE HIROSHIMA / Hiroshima
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: YUMEBANCHI (Hiroshima) – 082-249-3571 (Weekdays 12:00~17:00)
Date: September 13, 2023
Venue: PENNY LANE24 / Hokkaido
Time: Doors open at 17:30 / Show starts at 18:30
Contact: Mount Alive – 011-623-6555
Date: September 16, 2023
Venue: KT Zepp Yokohama / Kanagawa
Time: Doors open at 16:00 / Show starts at 17:00
Contact: HOT STUFF PROMOTION – 050-5211-6077 (Weekdays 12:00~18:00)
[Tickets]
VIP Standing: ¥16,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
miniVIP Standing: ¥7,700 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
General Standing: ¥5,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
2F Reserved Seat: ¥5,500 (Including Tax, excluding drinks)
*Available tickets for Hiroshima and Hokkaido are VIP and General Standing only
KAWAII LAB. Fan Club Presale Tickets (Lottery)
Entry Period: April 10 at 21:00 ~ April 17 at 23:59
URL: https://kawaiilab.asobisystem.com/
*Up to 2 tickets available per person per show
New information will be announced on the official FRUITS ZIPPER social media pages when available.
RELATED ENTRIES
-
The KAWAII LAB. idol project has announced a new group, SWEET STEADY. Previously, the project has been responsible for the formation of FRUITS ZIPPER, who won the Best New Artist award at the 2023 Japan Record Awards and whose song Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro has pulled in 900 million views on TikTok, and CANDY TUNE, who filled Zepp Shinjuku to capacity just six months after their debut.Eight members have been selected for the new group: Ayu Okuda, Yui Otoi, Natsuka Kurita, Rise Shiokawa, Mayumi Shiraishi, Nagisa Shoji, Mia Yanagawa, and Sakina Yamauchi. This will be the first KAWAII LAB. group in which all members have a history in the idol world—all eight girls have participated in various idol activities, including modeling, stage performances, and gravure shoots. Together, they have amassed over 1.8 million followers on social media even before their debut.The group’s name, SWEET STEADY, is inspired by the hope that these sweet girls, like a bouquet of colorful flowers, will steadily grow step by step through their idol experiences. The group will be produced by Misa Kimura, general producer of KAWAII LAB.Additionally, the group’s debut concert, KAWAII LAB. SESSION Vol.7 - SWEET STEADY, will be held at Ebisu’s The Garden Hall on March 4. All members of KAWAII LAB., including FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, and KAWAII LAB. MATES, are also scheduled to perform at the event.[SWEET STEADY Member Profiles / Comments] ■ Ayu Okuda : Blue
“Hi there, I’m Ayu Okuda! I’m happy to announce that I’ll be continuing my activities as part of SWEET STEADY. I never thought I’d be able to be an idol under KAWAII LAB. again, so I’m super excited to be debuting with a new group and am looking forward to meeting all the fans! I hope we can all aim higher and make our dreams come true! I’ll give it my all! Thank you for your support!” X: @ayu_ss0107 Instagram: @okudaayu TikTok: @okudaayu ■Yui Otoi : Light Blue “I’m Yui Otoi, also known as Oyui! I’m pleased to announce that I’m now a member of SWEET STEADY, a new KAWAII LAB. idol group. I’m so happy to be working with these kind girls that I love so much. I already feel like this group will be a powerhouse since each member has their own personality, strengths, and abilities. At the moment, we’re practicing a ton and growing a lot. We’re going to give it our all from the very start, so I hope you’ll stick with us from the beginning and not miss a single second! I’m going to do my best to bring a lot of happiness to those who support me! Thank you so much!” X: @yui_ss0109 Instagram: @otoi_yui_19 TikTok: @otoi_yui_19“I’m Natsuka Kurita from Kyoto! I’m excited to announce that I’m now a member of the new KAWAII LAB. idol group SWEET STEADY. It’s so thrilling to make my idol debut with KAWAII LAB., something I’ve wanted so badly! Each member has their own personality, and I believe that we’ve gathered together some of the strongest members who love each other very much. I would like to make big dreams come true with SWEET STEADY! I’ll continue to be grateful and grow every day! Please look forward to the debut of SWEET STEADY and enjoy the happiness we bring!” X: @natsuka_ss0719 Instagram: @n_wanwan3 TikTok: @n_wanwan3■Rise Shiokawa : Purple“I’m Rise Shiokawa! I’m here to announce that I’ve been chosen as a member of SWEET STEADY, a new group from KAWAII LAB. I’m so happy and proud to work with some of the strongest and most incredible members, all of whom embody both kindness and power. Although we’re just starting, I’d like the eight of us to become incredible idols so that one day we can all bloom as a single flower. I’d like to make my dream come true with all of you who support me, as well as with the other members and the staff! Thank you very much for your support.” X: @rise_ss0731 Instagram: @rise_shio TikTok: @rise_7 ■Nagisa Shoji : Orange“I’m Nagisa Shoji and I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been chosen to be a member of SWEET STEADY, a new group from KAWAII LAB.! I’m so thrilled to make my debut with the strongest members in such a supportive environment! It’s a miracle that eight such strong members have come together, and we’ve heard people say “It’s hard to believe that they haven’t even debuted yet!” We’ll do our best to make our dreams come true one by one, hand in hand, and to make our cheering fans happy! We’d like to become a group that can add color to the idol world! Thanks for supporting us!” X: @nagisa_ss1029 Instagram: @nagyuuu_official TikTok: @nagyu_official ■Mayumi Shiraishi : Red“My name is Mayumi Shiraishi! I’m pleased to announce that I’m now a member of SWEET STEADY, a new idol group from KAWAII LAB.! I’m very happy to be able to work hard as an idol alongside such cute and kind people as we aim to be the top performers in KAWAII LAB! I’m really looking forward to the days ahead when we can work together as SWEET STEADY! I think we have the eight strongest members out there, so I’d be thrilled if you can watch and support us as we grow! Thanks for cheering for SWEET STEADY!!” X: @mayumi_ss1227 Instagram: @mayumi.1227 TikTok: @shiraishi_mayumi■Mia Yanagawa : Mint Green“I’m Mia Yanagawa! I’m excited to announce that I’m now a member of the new KAWAII LAB. idol group SWEET STEADY. It’s a dream come true to work with some of my favorite people and some of the most skilled girls out there at my dream company! With this happiness in mind, I’ll never forget my original intentions, I’ll always be grateful, and I’ll do my very best! Alongside the other members, I’d like to make big dreams come true and repay those who have helped us by becoming successful!”■Sakina Yamauchi : Yellow“My name is Sakina Yamauchi! I’m happy to announce that I’ll be continuing my activities as part of SWEET STEADY! I’m so excited to be able to work with these lovely members who I care for so much! My goal is to spread as much happiness as I can while always remembering to be grateful for the incredible opportunity to become an idol in such a warm environment! I hope to make many big dreams come true with SWEET STEADY and everyone who supports us! Thank you so much!” X: @sakina_ss0229 Instagram: @sakina_yamauchi TikTok: @sakina_yamauchiInformation
<SWEET STEADY Profile>
SWEET STEADY is a new idol group created by KAWAII LAB., a project spearheaded by ASOBISYSTEM to introduce Japanese idol culture to the world. The producer of the group is model and celebrity Misa Kimura, the former leader of the idol group Musubizm and the general producer of KAWAII LAB. The group’s name, SWEET STEADY, is inspired by the hope that these sweet girls, like a bouquet of colorful flowers, will steadily grow step by step through their idol experiences.
X: @SWEET_STEADY
Instagram: @sweet_steady_
YouTube: @SWEET_STEADY
TikTok: @sweet_steady<Debut Concert Information>
Title: KAWAII LAB. SESSION ~SWEET STEADY~
Venue: Ebisu’s The Garden Hall
Date: March 4, 2024
Time: Doors open 17:00 / Show starts 18:00
Admission: Priority Standing ¥7,000 / General Standing ¥3,000[Tickets]
KAWAII LAB. FC Presale: Priority Standing / General Standing
January 23, 2024 at 18:00 ~ January 29, 2024 at 23:59
URL: https://kawaiilab.asobisystem.com/news/detail/21463PG Preorder: General Standing only
January 23, 2024 at 18:00 ~ January 28, 2024 at 23:59
URL: https://w.pia.jp/t/kawaii-lab-vol07/General Sales
February 3, 2024 at 10:00~
URL: https://w.pia.jp/t/kawaii-lab-vol07/More details will be announced on KAWAII LAB. and SWEET STEADY’s official social media channels in the future.
-
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.
The first encore song, unsurprisingly, was OTONABLUE, the global hit that has pulled in over 3.3 billion views on TikTok. The audience cheered, joining in with the viral ‘neck swing’ dance during the chorus.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
Information
■Celebrating the 1st Budokan Concert! ATARASHII GAKKO! WOWOW Special
To commemorate the group’s performance, WOWOW will stream the concert and feature ATARASHII GAKKO! for three consecutive months. In February, a music video collection will be aired covering the group’s past activities, and in March, a ‘Special Edition’ will be broadcast featuring footage from the January 9 Budokan performance along with interviews with each of the members.Special Site
https://www.wowow.co.jp/music/leaders/<Fanclub Information>
The Official ATARASHII GAKKO! Fanclub ‘ATARASHII GAKKO!’s SEISHUN CLUB’
URL: https://www.fanclub.ag-official.com/ja/home<Tour Information>
ATARASHII GAKKO! NEW FANCLUB TOUR 2024 (Tentative Title)
May 5, 2024 Zepp Fukuoka
May 6, 2024 Zepp Osaka Bayside
May 9, 2024 Zepp DiverCity
May 16, 2024 Zepp Sapporo
May 28, 2024 Zepp Nagoya[Tickets]
Available: January 9 ~ January 31, 2024 at 23:59
Where to Buy: https://www.fanclub.ag-official.com/tickets<New Song Information>
Toryanse – ATARASHII GAKKO! (Digital Single)
Release Date: January 26, 2024 -
Having celebrated her 10th year in showbiz in 2023, Yui Sakurai, a member of the popular idol group FRUITS ZIPPER, will release her first photobook on February 20, 2024.
The photos were shot in Phuket, Thailand, and the Phi Phi Islands, which Sakurai had dreamed of visiting. On the world-class island of Phuket, the artist experienced riding an elephant along the beach and enjoyed a romantic floating breakfast in a warm pool. When visiting the Phi Phi Islands, Sakurai visited Maya Bay, which served as the location for the film The Beach and is known by many as ‘Phantom Beach.’ Along with some swimsuit shots, Sakurai also makes her first appearance in lingerie.
A special edition of the photobook including an acrylic stand, a special book, and an exclusive box will be sold exclusively at HMV&BOOKS online, HMV&BOOKS, HMV (participating stores), and Tower Records (the Shibuya store and online). The special book features an exclusive dialogue between Sakurai and the other members of FRUITS ZIPPER, snapshots of their many outfits, and other rare personal details. Those who purchase the special edition will also be invited to attend an exclusive event.
<Comment from Yui Sakurai>
“I am so excited to announce the release of my first photobook! Shooting this book overseas during the 10th anniversary of my idol career was a dream come true. The release date is February 20, which is the last day I’ll be 23 years old. I’m so lucky to be able to experience so many wonderful things!
Thank you so much to the fans and all of the people whose support has made this dream come true! In the book, you’ll see plenty of photos that show not only my on-stage self, but also my more relaxed self and a more personal side of me! I hope this release will give more people an opportunity to get to know me…I hope you’ll enjoy it…”
Information
Yui Sakurai’s 1st Photobook (Title to be announced)
Release Date: February 20, 2024
Specifications: 128 pages / Softcover
Publisher: KobunshaOnline Stores:
・Standard Cover (Amazon) http://x.gd/oFHwA
・Seven Net Exclusive Cover http://x.gd/XRqga
・Rakuten Books Exclusivev Cover http://x.gd/K16aG
・[Special Edition] HMV&BOOKS http://x.gd/m8tBo
・[Special Edition] Tower Records http://x.gd/0Kpi1
-
Concert Report: ATARASHII GAKKO! Mesmerizes Packed Crowd in St. Paul during the Final U.S. Performance of the Seishun Tour
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 -
FRUITS ZIPPER’s First Arena Concert Report: Group to Hold Second Anniversary Concert at Nippon Budokan!
On October 28, the idol group FRUITS ZIPPER held their first arena concert at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and announced that they would perform a solo show at Nippon Budokan on May 18, 2024 to celebrate the group’s second anniversary. During the concert, the group also performed the new song Kimikoi (Dear you) for the first time. The track is filled with gratitude for the legions of fans who have supported the group since their debut and is available to stream now. This September, FRUITS ZIPPER’s first nationwide tour ‘FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN-’ took the girls to Osaka, Aichi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, and Kanagawa. The tour culminated in a sold-out show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, the first arena performance for the group. Presale tickets also sold out, and around 8,000 people attended the event. Even before the show started, there was plenty of excitement both inside and outside the venue.When the show’s opening video began to play, the crowd’s fervor exploded. Penlights incorporating wireless lighting were introduced for this concert, and once the entire venue was flooded with beautiful, unified light, the members appeared. The concert began with Pure in the World, which has been popular throughout the tour. Continuing with Kanpeki Shugide☆ and Kimino Akaruimiraiwo Oikakete, the girls were ready to show off their skills in their first-ever arena show.
Once the girls had a chance to breathe, the audience’s cheers echoed throughout the venue. Each member asked the crowd if they were excited, and the fans quickly responded as loudly as they could. During Fre-Fru Summer!, the girls rode in a giant float that traveled around the arena, bringing the members and fans even closer. Despite the show taking place at the end of October, the vibes inside the arena were entirely mid-summer. As the excitement of the fans grew, RADIO GALAXY began, featuring lasers and other flashy effects, turning the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium into a dance hall. Not letting up, the group transformed the atmosphere into something more emotional, performing Roller Coaster Heart, We are Frontier–remixed for the tour–and Zutto, Zutto, Zutto! The final song of the first half was CO-Kosei, which was performed for the first time at the Kanagawa concert in September and shows off FRUITS ZIPPER’s individuality. During the halfway point titled WORLD KAWAII CLASSIC, the seven members were divided into three groups and performed a unit song for the first time. First on stage were the friendly Amaren Sisters (Amane Tsukiashi, Karen Matsumoto) to perform their song Pinky Red. The song's comical lyrics and catchy melody transformed the venue into a sea of cuteness, playing into the pair’s standard interactions. The audience was also excited to see the world’s most adorable JoJo Pose during the performance. The next unit was comprised of Suzuka Chinzei, Yui Sakurai, and Mana Manaka, who performed their song Tenshinranmanwhile showing off both their cute idol-like appearance and their uniqueness. Finally, Luna Nakagawa and Noel Hayase performed Bye-Bye, showing off a next-level melody and rap segment not heard in any FRUITS ZIPPER songs in the past. Fans couldn’t take their eyes off the girls’ performance, which was completely unexpected for an idol concert. During the MC, the members shared the story behind each song and praised one another.
The second half of the show continued with the same incredible momentum as the first. Each member appeared in new costumes covered in ribbons before performing Sekaiwa Kimikara Hajimaru, Welcome to the ♡ Furuppa, and the incredibly popular Happy Chocolate. Yui Sakurai’s line ‘Naani, naani,’ which trended on TikTok earlier this year as ‘Naaze, naaze,’ immediately struck a chord with fans. During the second half of the show, the girls gave an energetic and cool performance of Re→TRY & FLY as flames illuminated the stage. The voltage in the venue continued to ramp up as the group performed skyfeelan and Going!, making it the perfect environment for FRUITS ZIPPER to perform their new songKimikoi (Dear you) as a surprise. The track is packed with gratitude for the group’s fans who have supported them from the start and urged them to aim higher, through their first CD release, nationwide tour, and solo concert at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Kimikoi (Dear you) was produced with the hope of “continuing to make dreams come true together with the fans.” The lyric-like posts that have been posted on FRUITS ZIPPER’s Twitter over the past few days caused a stir among fans, and all foreshadowing led to this new song. The girls thanked everyone from the bottom of their hearts as they sang the moving lyrics with all of their might. The concert came to a close with FRUITS ZIPPER’s signature track Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro. As the members danced along to their signature track, many people in the audience did as well. 8,000 people dancing in unison truly embodied the heart of "NEW KAWAII.” But the concert wasn’t over yet. The members returned to the stage after hearing the audience loudly begging for an encore, thanking the fans for their support. “We’re not done yet, so I’d like to show everyone an even more incredible performance,” said Yui Sakurai. The group filmed a TikTok with the 8,000 audience members as they performed Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro, so visit FRUITS ZIPPER’s social media to check it out! For the encore, the girls performed Kimikoi (Dear you) again, this time allowing the audience to record video. “Let’s get this trending,” said Matsumoto as the performance began. Suddenly, a video began playing on the large screen on stage, announcing that FRUITS ZIPPER would be celebrating its second anniversary with a performance at Nippon Budokan on May 18, 2024. The members were also speechless, as they hadn’t been made aware of this exciting news. As some of the girls were moved to tears, the fans congratulated them with loud voices and warm applause. Fittingly, the group then sang Chou Medetai Song ~Konnani Shiawasede Iinokana?~, and the entire venue celebrated the overwhelmingly exciting news. The shouts of "Congratulations" rang out louder than ever before at the massive Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Luna Nakagawa commented on the final performance of the tour with tears in her eyes, expressing her joy at being able to stand on the stage she had always dreamed of. Yui Sakurai, who celebrated her 10th idol anniversary on October 20, also reflected on the day she passed her first idol audition and the day she quit her part-time job to pursue showbiz. “I’m so happy to be able to stand before you all today as an idol, and I’m so glad I came back. Today, I was able to fulfill my dream of making so many people happy, and I hope I was able to repay everyone for their incredible kindness.” Suzuka Chinzei continued with her final remarks. “I want everyone here tonight to be happy,” she yelled with a huge smile on her face before the group launched into their debut song Kimino Akaruimiraiwo Oikakete. The girls showed their determination to strive towards the next stage of their careers, and after the song, Luna Nakagawa asked that the lights in the venue be turned off so that the girls could only see the penlights in the crowd. The seven-colored lights illuminating the venue may as well have been beacons leading FRUITS ZIPPER towards their bright future. FRUITS ZIPPER has had a total attendance of over 16,000 people since its nationwide tour began in September, and is scheduled to perform at Nippon Budokan in May. Fans look forward to seeing what kind of happy performances await them in the future as the girls continue to evolve. <Member Comments> Comment from Suzuka Chinzei “It’s a miracle that we’ll be able to perform at Nippon Budokan on our second anniversary, and it’s all thanks to the fans and people who have always supported us that this dream is coming true. We’ll give the best possible performance as a girls' idol group worthy of standing on stage at such a legendary venue, so I hope that everyone in the world and the universe comes!” Comment from Yui Sakurai “I can’t believe that we’ll soon be standing on stage at Budokan. It’s the goal of every idol, and we’re doing it just two years after our debut. I hope that the fans will look forward to that special day–we’ll work hard and do our best to truly become idols worthy of Nippon Budokan!” ■Set List OP OVERTURE M01 Pure in the World M02 Kanpeki Shugide☆ M03 Kimino Akaruimiraiwo Oikakete M04 Fre-Fru Summer! M05 RADIO GALAXY M06 Roller Coaster Heart M07 We are Frontier -Tour Remix ver- M08 Zutto, Zutto, Zutto! M09 CO-Kosei M10 Pinky Red (Amane Tsukiashi, Karen Matsumoto) M11 Tenshinranman (Suzuka Chinsei, Yui Sakurai, Mana Manaka) M12 Bye-Bye (Luna Nakagawa, Noel Hayase) M13 Sekaiwa Kimikara Hajimaru M14 Welcome to the ♡ Furuppa! M15 Happy Chocolate M16 Re→TRY & FLY M17 skyfeelan M18 Going! M19 Kimikoi (Dear you) M20 Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro Encore M21 Kimikoi (Dear you) M22 Chou Medetai Song ~Konnani Shiawasede Iinokana?~ M23 Kimino Akaruimiraiwo Oikakete Kimikoi (Dear you) - FRUITS ZIPPER (New Digital Single) Information
<Concert Information>
FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2023 -AUTUMN- The Parlor of FRUITS ZIPPER TOUR FINAL
Date: October 28, 2023
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium■U-NEXT Livestream Information
Available: November 11 at 10:00 ~ November 24 at 23:59
Details: https://t.unext.jp/r/fruitszipper<2nd Anniversary Concert Information>
FRUITS ZIPPER 2nd ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL LIVE 2024
Date: May 18, 2024
Venue: Nippon Budokan
Details to be announced at a later date<New Song Information>
Kimikoi (Dear you) – FRUITS ZIPPER (New Digital Single)
Release Date: October 29, 2023
Streaming URL: https://KAWAIILAB.lnk.to/kimikoi
Available on all major music download and streaming sitesM1. Kimikoi
M2. Kimikoi (Instrumental) -
FRUITS ZIPPER’s Yui Sakurai Celebrates 10 Years Since Idol Debut, Limited Edition Merch and Commemorative Events Planned
The idol group FRUITS ZIPPER has been picking up steam since its debut in February 2022. On September 13, 2023, the group’s first single CD Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro was released, ranking 3rd on the Billboard Japan Top Single Sales chart and 4th on the Oricon Weekly Single Ranking chart. Yui Sakurai, one of the group’s members, celebrated her 10th year as an idol on October 20, 2023. For the next year, the Yui Sakurai 10th Anniversary -IDOL OF IDOLS- project will be held. Yui Sakurai has amassed incredible support over the past year. Her line “Nani Nani” from the song Happy Chocolate inspired “Naze Naze,” which hit the top spot in the SNS Trending Word Ranking for 2023. Sakurai was also voted #1 in the “Idols Who are Simply Cute” ranking seen on Fuji TV’s program Neru, Shuzai Ittekimasu ~Tokyo Idol Times~. FRUITS ZIPPER was formed in April 2022, but Yui Sakurai’s roots as an idol began before the group came together. Over the next year, a number of projects and events will take place to celebrate her incredible idol milestone. The project’s official website was unveiled today and features commemorative goods for sale, as well as comments from the members of FRUITS ZIPPER. A request page has also been opened, allowing fans to send requests to Yui Sakurai detailing what they’d like to see her do for her 10th anniversary. A live event is also scheduled for December 24, 2023. For the latest information, check FRUIT ZIPPER’s social media.<Comment from Yui Sakurai>
“I, Yui Sakurai, have been an idol for ten years. Thank you so much for your continued support! I treasure sooooo many of the memories I’ve made with all of you, both during the tough times and the happy times. Those treasures have supported me in the past, and they continue to support me now. This year, to show my gratitude to all of you, I’m beginning my “10th Anniversary Year!” I just want to give something back to all of you, and I hope that you’re excited to see much more of me in the future. I’m working with everyone on staff to come up with a lot of ideas, so please look forward to it!” ♡♡♡ Yui Sakurai 10th Anniversary -IDOL OF IDOLS- Official Site URL: https://yuisakurai-10th-anniversary.com/Information
<Live Event Information>
Yui Sakurai 10th Anniversary -IDOL OF IDOLS- Special Event
Date: December 24, 2023
Venue: Spotify O-WEST
Time: Doors open 11:30 / Doors closed 12:30[Tickets]
General Standing Ticket: ¥5,500 (Tax Included, Drinks Separate)FRUITS ZIPPER OFFICIAL FANCLUB EXCLUSIVE TICKETS
Entry: October 28, 2023 – October 30, 2023 at 23:59 (JST)
URL:https://fruitszipper.asobisystem.com/news/detail/17398<Yui Sakurai Profile>
Starting her idol activities in 2013, Yui Sakurai has since become a member of the popular group FRUITS ZIPPER, bringing her experience as an idol, model, and artist to the collective.
Popular among women, Sakurai was voted #1 in the “Idols Who are Simply Cute” ranking seen on Fuji TV’s program Neru, Shuzai Ittekimasu ~Tokyo Idol Times~.X (Twitter) :https://twitter.com/yui_fz0221
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yui.sakurai_7/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sakuraiyui2