The new program Okashi Mogumogu will begin airing on October 24 on CBC TV, and the members of CANDY TUNE will appear regularly as MCs.

The music variety show will highlight the lyrics of guest artists’ songs and delve deeply into them through conversation. CANDY TUNE members will also travel to various regions around the country to listen to the favorite lyrics of people they meet. In the first installment, Kotomi Tachibana and Nanako Ogawa will visit Takayama in Gifu.

[Comments from First Episode’s Starring Members]
Mizuki Kirihara (Episode 1 MC)
“We had a guest artist on the program and heard their story behind the creation of their music and their interpretation of their lyrics. It was so fun to get a glimpse into the songwriter’s mind!”

Rino Fukuyama (Episode 1 MC)
“After recording Episodes 1 and 2, I was surprised to see that each guest artist wrote lyrics from a completely different vector! As I began my talk as the MC, it was such a wonderful thing to experience the virtues of the artists and their lyrics.”

Kotomi Tachibana (On Location)
“I’m often called the shyest member, so I was super nervous to just talk to people I’d never met before on the street in a new town. As I listened to the favorite lyrics of the people I met, I discovered that some were ones I knew, while others didn’t seem to fit with the person’s character. So many unique experiences!”

Nanako Ogawa (On Location)
“No music, no life! I listen to a lot of music, so I really enjoyed this opportunity to shoot on location! As I listened to people’s favorite lyrics, I thought to myself “I wonder if they live each day with those lyrics in their heart,” and I got very emotional!”

Idol group CUTIE STREET, which debuted this August, held its first solo concert CUTIE STREET Solo Live – 01 STREET – at Tokyo Hulic Hall on October 7, 2024.

CUTIE STREET is composed of eight members: Risa Furusawa, Aika Sano, Kana Itakura, Ayano Masuda, Emiru Kawamoto, Miyu Umeda, Nagisa Manabe, and Haruka Sakuraba. The girls made their debut as part of ASOBISYSTEM’s KAWAII LAB. idol project in Summer 2024, with the group’s concept being “KAWAII MAKER.” The eight members are all different ages and come from different backgrounds, and they aim to transmit KAWAII from Harajuku to the world. 

This solo performance was held about two months after the girls made their stage debut. Tickets were sold out and many fans came to the venue way before the show, eager to see the girls perform on their big day.

As the Overture played, the members appeared on stage one after another, with the audience erupting with shouts of joy. Their first song performed solo was Devoted Cinderella! Despite clearly being nervous, the girls continued to smile, performing earnestly like princesses in a fairy tale.

After the song, the eight members greeted the fans gathered at the venue. Adorably, each girl introduced herself and announced what they had eaten for breakfast that day. “I’m so happy to see so many people here,” Manabe said. “I hope that even more people will come to love CUTIE STREET!” 

The second song performed was Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka? The track is getting rave reviews and recently ranked first in the ‘TikTok Popular Songs Ranking 50.’ The song is scheduled to be released via CD on November 13 and features a catchy pop melody and fun dialogue and phrases from the members. The performance was open to video recording, and the eight too-cute performers can be seen on TikTok and other social networking sites.

Following this, the group covered the song Nantene! by SWEET STEADY, another idol group belonging to the same label. They performed to the best of their ability, utilizing a different kind of charm than their seniors. The girls also showed off their diverse talents filled with unlimited potential, with Unlock My Heart, a cool song with a rock-style melody, and daylight, an emotional song with a fast pace. CUTIE STREET also performed the new song Happy World! for the first time, showing off choreography filled with fist-pumping and energy. The audience couldn’t help but smile, and the entire venue was filled to the brim with happiness.

The final part of the concert began with Hello Hello Mirai as Furusawa called out to the audience. “Are you ready to wave your penlights?” Penlights displaying the girl’s member colors twinkled like a starry sky throughout the venue. The light shone as if it was congratulating the girls on their future lives as idols. Lastly, the group performed their popular song Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka? one more time, with the girls charming the audience with their extreme cuteness.

CUTIE STREET announced a solo performance to commemorate the CD release of their first single, Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?, would be held at Hulic Hall Tokyo on November 13, with a second solo performance scheduled for December 5. The surprises did not end there, as the group also told fans that on October 16, they would release the music video for the song, getting the audience more excited. A teaser for the music video has already been revealed.

The eight idols have continued to grow at a rapid pace since their debut, and no one knows what the future holds. After seeing such an engaging solo performance, fans are excited to see what’s in store, as CUTIE STREET’s journey has only just begun.

CUTIE STREET, a new idol group that debuted in August, released its first digital single, Can’t We Just Be Cute? ~Kawaii Dakejya Damedesuka?~, on September 9. The group’s first single CD will also be released on November 13.

The group will perform at Hulic Hall Tokyo on October 7 and hold its first solo concert at Toyosu PIT on February 2, 2025.

On June 26, FRUITS ZIPPER held a one-man live performance at the “Sayonara Nakano Sunplaza Music Festival,” marking the culmination of Nakano Sunplaza’s rich history as it undergoes a fresh transformation in honor of its 50th anniversary this year.

With the opening SE playing, laser beams filled the venue, creating an atmosphere brimming with anticipation as the live performance kicked off with “Sekaiwa Kimikara Hajimaru.” Popular upbeat songs like “Kanpeki Shugide☆,” “Cho Medetai Song – Konnani Shiawasede Iinokana?-” and “Fure Furu Summer!” followed, captivating the audience from the beginning and keeping the excitement alive.

During the MC segment, it was announced that their hit song “Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro,” which garnered a staggering 800 million views on TikTok and surpassed 12 million views on the music video since its digital release last year, would be released as the group’s first-ever CD single in this September. The announcement of the release consisting of a first-press limited edition, regular edition, and member edition featuring solo jacket designs for each member, heightened the excitement of the audience even further. With smiles on their faces, the group delivered an outstanding performance of all 14 songs, bringing the live show to a close.

As the encore calls echoed through the venue, a sudden news program-style video began playing on the screen, and the expressions of the members reflected a sense of nervousness. Within the homage-like footage resembling the moment of the Olympic host city announcement, it was revealed that the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium had been chosen as the venue for the grand finale of their nationwide tour in this fall. Suzuka Chinzei expressed, “Having the opportunity to perform in such a large venue in our second year since debut is an amazing challenge, and we were able to make this decision because of all of you being here. We will train together as a group leading up to this day, so please stay excited!” The audience responded with warm applause to her heartfelt words.

During the encore, they unveiled their new song “Pure In the World,” which is sure to become a new staple that energizes their live performances. The song was produced by Tamaya2060% from Wienners. At the finale of the event, which was filled with “super celebratory” announcements for both fans and members, they performed “Cho Medetai Song -Konnani Shiawasede Iinokana-?” once again. The audience joined in with loud handclaps and responded to Luna Nakagawa’s shout of “FRUITS ZIPPER Arena Live Show!” with chants of “Congratulations!” The entire venue came together as one, closing the curtain on a memorable night.

FRUITS ZIPPER will kick off their first nationwide tour in September. The pre-sale of tickets for the tour finale at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium has begun and will run until July 3.

On May 31, the idol group IDOLATER released its 11th single, Aimai Silhouette.

Unlike the group’s more mature love songs released in the past, this new track is packed with cuteness and a fresh sound.

IDOLATER, the idol group from KAWAII LAB., released their new single, Before the endroll.

This song is a powerful declaration of their determination to continue advancing towards the future, expressing the various emotions they have accumulated so far as their driving force, including the loneliness and frustration that they have shouldered while running as idols, as well as their gratitude towards those who have supported them.

The NFT project City Pop TOKYO is inspired, fittingly, by City Pop, a music genre from Japan that is immensely popular worldwide, particularly among Gen Z. Now, the project is collaborating with the incredibly popular idol group FRUITS ZIPPER!

Starting at the end of April, Legendary NFTs inspired by the members of FRUITS ZIPPER will be released sequentially as part of the City Pop TOKYO NFT collection. These collaborative NFTs feature rare designs that are unique among the other characters in the City Pop TOKYO NFT collection and were drawn by Natsumi Sato, the illustrator who oversaw character design for the collection.

This collaboration will commemorate the release of City Pop TOKYO’s main collection, which will be available starting at the end of April. City Pop TOKYO will allow both NFT holders and non-holders to participate in new character development through a series of Twitter posts after the main NFT collection is sold. Characters will level up by earning training points when they post on Twitter, which will also be reflected in their NFT properties. The final ranking will be based on level, and a subsequent audition will be held, with winners being invited to join ASOBISYSTEM as new talents.

For this collaboration, the wildly popular FRUITS ZIPPER is sure to bring some new excitement to this incredible project.

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!

On March 14, ASOBISYSTEM’s idol project KAWAII LAB. held a live event at Spotify O-EAST. The event, titled KAWAII LAB. SESSION ~CANDY TUNE~, saw the first-ever performance from CANDY TUNE, the newest idol group from KAWAII LAB, also known for creating the popular groups FRUITS ZIPPER and IDOLATER.

KAWAII LAB. is a new project by ASOBISYSTEM created to introduce Japan’s growing idol culture to the world.

FRUITS ZIPPER is one of the most talked-about idol groups in recent memory, with their solo concert shows selling out instantly and their song Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro pulling in over 690 million views on TikTok. KAWAII LAB also produces IDOLATER, a group known for exploring the boundary of music, fashion, and other unique aspects of culture through an idol perspective.

In March, the seven-member idol group CANDY TUNE was announced. Its members include Rino Fukuyama, Mizuki Kirihara, Natsu Minami, Nanako Ogawa, Bibian Murakawa, Shizuka Miyano, and Kotomi Tachibana.

Tickets for this show were completely sold out in advance. The packed venue was filled with excitement, with fans looking forward to the live performance far before the show started.

To start, Misa Kimura, a model and talent who serves as the general producer of KAWAII LAB., appeared with FRUITS ZIPPER members Suzuka Chinzei and Runa Nakagawa. Despite the project only being active for one year, she seemed to be filled with incredible emotion at the addition of CANDY TUNE to the lineup, bringing the total number of idols signed to KAWAII LAB to 19.

IDOLATER was the first to take the stage, called out by Misa Kimura herself. Dressed in fashionable light blue outfits, the girls immediately grabbed the fan’s hearts with their cool performance of Kesenai…before moving into Endless Summer, Vapor City, Kimi ni MuCHU♡XX, and Mahou no Kagi wo Te ni Iretara in quick succession. The girl’s potential was on full display as they played hit after hit.

IDOLATER’s stylish and clean live performance ended with DIAMOND and Endroll wo Mukaeru Mae ni.

When Misa reappeared on stage, she announced that IDOLATER would be holding its anniversary solo concert on April 22 at Spotify O-WEST. Member Fuka Oishi was delighted to be performing at the largest venue in IDOLATER’s history. “I’m so thrilled,” she said.

FRUITS ZIPPER took to the stage next, and the venue was immediately illuminated with colorful penlights. The members were greeted with loud applause as the starting track began to play.

The group performed RADIO GALAXY first, and the audience’s enthusiasm was palpable as the songs jumped between various genres like a roller coaster ride, from EDM and hip-hop to idol pop and mellow tunes. Continuing into Sekai wa Kimikara Hajimaru, the sweet love song made the audience swoon as they heard the girl’s incredible vocals.

Suzuka Chinzei also congratulated CANDY TUNE on its debut during the MC portion of the performance. FRUITS ZIPPER also promised to keep the stage lively until it was their turn to perform at their own debut show.

The group then performed Happy Chocolate, a popular song currently trending on TikTok. Their comical and cute choreography spread into the audience where fans mimicked their moves, making it a truly sweet and memorable moment.

As the girls began performing the fast-paced song Kanpeki Shugide☆, the mood in the venue took a turn, and things became much more lively. As expected, the group performed the massively-popular track Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro as the finale, and just as Suzuka promised, the audience was all warmed up for CANDY TUNE to finally take the stage!

Just as was the case with IDOLATER, another major announcement was made during the MC portion. The first KAWAII LAB Official Fan Club event for FRUITS ZIPPER was announced to take place on April 10 at Shirokane Takanawa SELENE b2. The group’s first live show was originally scheduled to take place at this venue on April 10 last year, but it was postponed due to the pandemic.

Finally, it was time for the new group CANDY TUNE to appear. Misa Kimura took to the stage first “I’m so nervous,” she said to the audience. “Can we get some cheers?”

The fans erupted with loud applause, and soon after, the seven members of the group–Rino Fukuyama, Mizuki Kirihara, Natsu Minami, Nanako Ogawa, Bibian Murakawa, Shizuka Miyano, and Kotomi Tachibana–took their first steps onto the stage, ready to share the wonders of Harajuku with the world.

Dressed in colorful outfits, they first performed hanamaru, a song written to cheer up anyone who listens to it. The girls were clearly a little nervous, but they danced as hard as they could, obviously doing their very best. As the song blended into Kiss Me Patissier, the audience erupted–it was hard to believe that this was the first time that the song had ever been performed live. The song is one of the most popular tracks from the group’s first album, and its flirty lyrics immediately melted fans’ hearts.

During the MC, Murakawa, a former HKT48 member and veteran idol, spoke to the fans. “Isn’t this venue too full,” she said with a laugh. Each girl introduced herself, offering some insight into why they had become idols and what they hoped to achieve going forward. It seemed that their time chatting had cut through the tension, and they performed Nanairo Prologue in high spirits. As if in sync with the members, the fans’ voltage also rose to a fever pitch, and following the performance of Mikan na Seishun, the audience exploded with thunderous applause.
After all four songs from the group’s first album had been performed, it was revealed that, like the senior groups in KAWAII LAB, CANDY TUNE also had a surprise to reveal. On the big screen, it was announced that CANDY TUNE’s first solo live performance would be held at Spotify O-WEST on June 27. The members immediately shouted with joy.

“Aren’t you full yet,” Murakawa asked the audience, before announcing one more song.

CANDY TUNE performed hanamaru again, but unlike the first time, a music video produced in secret for the occasion played on the screen. Sounds of surprise and excitement immediately erupted from those in the audience.

The audience’s voltage was at its highest during this performance, which was synchronized with the music video featuring the members in cute cheerleader outfits and a picnic scene that their friendship with one other. Although it was their first time on stage together, the seven members showed as much poise and dignity as their seniors.

At the end, each member shared a message with their fans. “I have a bad habit of second-guessing my own happiness. There have been so many times in my life when I wonder if I should be as happy as I am–but right now, I’m so incredibly overjoyed,” said Fukuyama.

“I was so nervous before we got here,” said Kirihara. “But when I saw all of your faces, I knew from the bottom of my heart that I had made the right choice to become an idol!”

“Even if I’m reborn, I hope to stand on this same stage again,” said Minami while crying.

“I didn’t really feel like an idol until today, and I was so afraid to stand up here in front of a packed audience,” said Ogawa. “I never thought I’d be an idol,” echoed Tachibana. Both showed intense appreciation for the countless fans that had gathered at the venue.

“I will always cherish this moment,” said Miyano. “I hope to make many more memories in the future!”

“I never thought I could care for people so quickly after meeting them,” said Murakawa, shedding a few tears. “I have so much love and affection for everyone, and I want the seven of us to keep working hard to share Harajuku with the world. Standing here now, I know that we can become an idol group loved around the globe!”

After each group had finished their performances, all 19 idols from all three KAWAII LAB groups stood on the same stage together.

As a final surprise, Misa Kimura announced that KAWAII LAB. SESSION would be held on June 12 at Zepp Shinjuku, a venue scheduled to open in April. “I’m so excited that we get to perform at Zepp,” said FRUITS ZIPPER member Yui Sakurai.

With excitement in the venue still building, the final performance and the long-awaited collaboration began. All 19 members formed a circle and began to perform FRUITS ZIPPER’s breakout hit Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro. Fans in the audience were permitted to record during this part of the concert, and after the show concluded, countless videos were posted to social media sites.

A project to shoot a TikTok video of Happy Chocolate with the audience also took place at the end of the event. FRUITS ZIPPER member Mana Manaka gave a brief explanation of the choreography before taking a video of the fans gathered at the venue. The night ended as the idols and fans danced together.

KAWAII LAB is continuing to produce cutting-edge idols ready to be shared with the world. With the addition of CANDY TUNE, the future is looking bright, and fans will want to watch out for what’s coming next.

Text: Masatoshi Mayuzumi
Photo: Shinsuke Hayashi / Miki Higashi

■Setlist

[IDOLATER]
Kesenai…(short ver.)
Endless Summer
Vapor City
Kimi ni MuCHU♡XX
Mahouno Kagiwo Teniiretara
DIAMOND
Endrollwo Mukaeru Maeni

[FRUITS ZIPPER]
RADIO GALAXY
Sekaiwa Kimikara Hajimaru
Happy Chocolate
Kanpeki Shugide☆
Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro

[CANDY TUNE]
hanamaru
Kiss Me Patissier
Nanairo Prologue
Mikanna Seishun
hanamaru (MV.ver)

[KAWAII LAB.]
Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro

Following the success of the idol groups IDOLATER and FRUITS ZIPPER, KAWAII LAB., a project created to introduce Japan’s growing idol culture to the world, has revealed the new group CANDY TUNE! Just as candy comes in a variety of flavors and shapes, each member of CANDY TUNE has their own unique personality and passion. Keeping KAWAII LAB’s goal of bringing Harajuku to the world at the forefront of its activities, this idol group is ready to perform its pop tunes for audiences around the globe.

The group’s name was created to convey gentleness, harmony, and sweet melodies, and on March 7, the debut album from these new idols hit all major streaming services. The titular CANDY TUNE is filled with powerful pop tracks already capturing the hearts of listeners around the world.

In CANDY TUNE’s first appearance in the KAWAII LAB. Report series, we interviewed the members about their upcoming debut concert, KAWAII LAB. SESSION ~CANDY TUNE~. Are they ready to take to the stage?

-Your debut concert is coming up soon! How are you feeling? Share a message with the fans!

Bibian Murakawa

“Hi everyone! I’m Bibian Murakawa and my member color in CANDY TUNE is pink. The seven of us have been working together during all kinds of different lessons to become world-class idols. Everyone is so cheerful and each member has her own hobbies and special skills. It’s been a blast spending time with them every day! We want the world to know what we’re like inside and out, and to love us for who we are!”

Twitter: @bibian_ct1203
Instagram: @murakawabibiann
TikTok: @murakawabibiann

Mizuki Kirihara

“After so much training and so many different lessons, I’m happy to finally be able to perform on stage. We’re lucky to have such amazing songs and costumes, and I hope to express myself in authentic CANDY TUNE style. Just spending each day with the members and staff, in general, fills me with so much happiness, and I can’t wait to bring that joy to the fans! I just hope everyone can be happy!☺️”

Twitter: @mizuki_ct0221
Instagram: @kirihara_mizuki
TikTok: @kirihara_mizuki

Rino Fukuyama

“I feel blessed to have had all these months of lessons and prep before our debut, and I’ve really been giving my all! I want this to be the best possible debut concert and I hope we can exceed everyone’s expectations. I know I’ll be nervous before we go on stage, but this is something that will happen only once in my life, so I want to enjoy it as much as I can! I hope you enjoy listening to our music right up until you see the live performance!”

Twitter: @rino_ct1224
Instagram: @rinomaru_
TikTok: @rinomaru_

Nanako Ogawa

“Only a few days are left until our debut. I still can’t believe I’m about to become an idol! (Laugh)

Thankfully, I’ve been able to interact with fans even before our debut. I feel so happy when I see people’s words of support and hear about fans keeping track of new information coming out about CANDY TUNE each day. I hope I can cheer everyone up, even if it’s just a little bit. Through CANDY TUNE, I’ll make many dreams come true and devote myself to becoming someone’s hope in this world!”

Twitter: @nachico_ct1001
Instagram: @__nchisan__
TikTok: @__nachisan__

Natsu Minami

“Not long ago, everything felt so new and I was just trying my hardest to keep up with lessons each day. But as we get closer to our debut, I feel more and more like I’ve really become an idol. I’m both nervous and excited about what I’ll see at our first concert since it will be my first time appearing as a real idol! I’m just so happy to be a member of CANDY TUNE…I’ll keep bettering myself right up until the show on 3/14!”

Twitter: @natsu_ct0317
Instagram: @nattanntan
TikTok: @nattanntan

Shizuka Miyano

“Each member of CANDY TUNE is very unique, and I think that really comes through in our performances. I can’t wait to show you all how much we’ve grown! So many people have supported us since before our debut, and we’ll never stop being grateful for that. Having been able to perform as idols in such a wonderful environment is a blessing. We’ll keep improving ourselves in order to give even better performances in the future, but first, we want to give our all at our debut!”

Twitter: @shizuka_ct0530
Instagram: @myn_szk_ct
TikTok: @miyano_shicha.

Kotomi Tachibana

“I’m thankful to have been given so many opportunities leading up to our debut, like dance and singing lessons, speaking lessons, and so many other things that other idols might have never had a chance to do. I’m working hard every day to put those efforts to good use during our first live show! I have so many feelings about our first concert–I wonder what the view will be like! I want it to be a huge success, and while I’m a little anxious, I’m just looking forward to meeting the fans more than anything! ♡ I hope the concert makes everyone happy!”

Twitter: @kotomi_ct0525
Instagram: @kotomi_5chan
TikTok: @kotomi_5chan

Check out each member’s profile here: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/ja/676709

The members of CANDY TUNE have been working hard as a team each and every day in preparation for their debut concert, focusing on the feelings they hope to convey to their new fans.

The girls are sure to put on a memorable show, and there’s no doubt that their historical first performance will bring happiness to each and every person in attendance. Be sure to keep an eye on CANDY TUNE going forward!

CANDY TUNE, the newest group from KAWAII LAB, released their first album on March 7. KAWAII LAB is continuing to introduce Japanese idol culture to fans around the world.

The seven-member group is comprised of members Rino Fukuyama, Mizuki Kirihara, Natsu Minami, Nanako Ogawa, Bibian Murakawa, Shizuka Miyano, and Kotomi Tachibana. Just like candy, which comes in tons of different flavors and shapes, the members will bring their own unique personalities and quirks to their pop tunes as they carry on KAWAII LAB’s mission of sharing Harajuku style with the world.

Two songs on the group’s first album CANDY TUNE were produced by Naoki Kubo and Suu, former members of SILENT SIREN–the sweet and playful Kiss Me Patissier and the inspiring song hanamaru. Hirotaka Hayakawa, who has produced hit songs for countless artists, also contributed. Nanairo Prologue tells the story of the seven members moving forward across a rainbow-colored bridge, andMikan na Seishun (Unfinished Youth) has a fast-paced sound sure to be a hit with new fans. The group’s artist photo and the jacket art for the album were provided by Yuko Takayama (yenter).

CANDY TUNE will hold its debut concert titled KAWAII LAB. SESSION ~CANDY TUNE~ on March 14 at Spotify O-EAST. To commemorate the special occasion, IDOLATER and FRUITS ZIPPER will also perform. The three groups will perform the FRUITS ZIPPER hit track Watashi no Ichiban Kawaiitokoro together during the event, and tickets are now on sale.

Additionally, new interviews with the members and behind-the-scenes footage have been uploaded to CANDY TUNE’s official YouTube channel.