STARTO to MOVE Countdown: Performances, Pairings, And Pure Spectacle

The snow was dumping outside, the cats were plotting chaos, and we finally hit play on the COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2025–2026 STARTO to MOVE New Year stream. What follows is a full-bodied tour through Tokyo Dome’s spectacle: lasers slicing the dark, archival clips setting the stakes, and a camera that makes even nosebleeds feel electric. We walk you through the performances that stuck to our ribs—Travis Japan’s Broadway polish, Naniwa Danshi’s sweet glow, and Kenty’s whiplash switch from adorable to dangerously smooth.

We spend time where the story lives: in the details. Costumes aren’t glitter for glitter’s sake; sequins catch beams, pearls soften edges, and a splash of maroon or aqua makes a face pop from a distance. King & Prince prove how a duo can thrive by leaning into space and chemistry without overfilling the stage. Senpai anchors (ABC-Z, Kis-My-Ft2, NEWS) remind us how technique and stamina read across decades, while Snow Man turn camera time into a masterclass in micro-charisma. Then comes the member shuffle—a living archive where classics get new timbres, new harmonies, and new swagger—culminating in Koichi Domoto's rendering of a timeless classic, a tradition that ties generations together.

When SixTONES finally explode onto the scene, the energy tilts from elegant to feral in seconds—fur, fire, streetwear, and pure adrenaline. WEST checks in by screen, the mini bike “horse race” delivers pure fan service, and the midnight countdown lands with cross-group song swaps that feel like love letters: Cinderella Girl with Naniwa’s sheen, Snow Man and SixTONES trading signatures, NEWS and Timeless draped in sakura tones. Along the way, we discuss the idea that song covers are a celebration rather than replacement, and savor the unplanned moments—a wink, a tear, a laugh—that keep live pop human.

If you’re a STARTO fan, a J-pop casual, or just love great stagecraft, queue the countdown on Netflix, then press play on our breakdown. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a stage-side seat, and drop your pick for performance of the night—we want to hear who owned the Dome.

Chapters

• 0:00 Remote Recording And Snowy Setup
• 2:10 Why This Countdown Caused A Stir
• 5:20 Netflix Drop And First Impressions
• 9:45 Opening Visuals And Venue Energy
• 12:30 Costumes, Styling, And Stagecraft
• 18:40 Ensemble Kickoff And Shared Choreo
• 22:15 Group Spotlight: Hey! Say! JUMP And A Group
• 27:10 Travis Japan’s Broadway Flair
• 30:30 Sweet Pop From Naniwa Danshi
• 33:40 Kenty’s Solo Heat And Collabs
• 36:50 King & Prince’s Two-Man Rebirth
• 40:20 Senpai Showcases: ABC-Z, Kis-My-Ft2, NEWS
• 45:10 Snow Man’s Charms And Crowd Control
• 48:20 Member Shuffle: Classics Reimagined
• 53:30 Koichi Domoto And Andalusia Legacy
• 57:30 Water-Fountain Elegance And Ballads
• 1:01:30 SixTONES Arrive In Flames
• 1:05:00 Countdown, West Check-In, And Games
• 1:08:20 Cross-Group Song Swaps And Finales
• 1:13:00 Takeaways, Rewatches, And BTS Hopes