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.

Transcript

Remote Recording And Snowy Setup

SPEAKER_02 0:20

Hello everybody, welcome to Music Elixir. I'm your host. Did you panic? See what happens?

SPEAKER_01 0:28

You're not the host, we're co-hosts.

SPEAKER_02 0:32

But this is I'm so used to the radio. Okay. See, we started already with shenanigans. You want to start that again or you want to keep it like that?

SPEAKER_01 0:46

You could keep it like it'll explain to people why starting it.

SPEAKER_02 0:52

Yeah. If if you hear Sarah weirdly, it's because we are remote. It's a very, very, very, very, very New England so snowy weekend. Yeah, horribly. I mean yesterday was like non-stop snow. Today is like started like freezing rain?

SPEAKER_01 1:13

Yeah. Yeah, I'd say it's like super fine ice particles falling. Not not real snow, but uh not quite an ice storm, it's somewhere in between. So yeah, typical New England.

Why This Countdown Caused A Stir

SPEAKER_02 1:28

So Sarah and I were keeping ourselves safe on our homes so we can actually record this episode that we have actually uh taken a while to actually record, but we have meant to actually record this episode because we have mentioned it at the beginning of this month of January. Uh, because uh when we were recording our rants and rambling and finding news on our favorites, we've uh read this. There was an article, actually not an article, and an announcement that Starto have made because they were gonna take legal action to those who were uh in in lame terms, nasty on some comments, and they just said we're not for that. So be prepared. Um, this is about the Starto to move to countdown 2025-2026. We were kind of surprised because we're like, What happened? And uh Sarah and I we've not had the stream for it. Um, so we needed to wait for Netflix to drop the the event or the countdown, and that happened in amid mid-January. I forgot I just forgot when exactly.

SPEAKER_01 2:42

But um It was on the 7th of January.

SPEAKER_02 2:45

Right.

SPEAKER_01 2:46

That it dropped.

SPEAKER_02 2:47

That it dropped, and we're like, we need to see this. We of course we were gonna I was gonna watch it anyway, just waiting for the date that it was gonna be released.

SPEAKER_01 2:55

So uh But after hearing that that there were people who didn't, you know, seem to enjoy it, we were like, We should check it out. What could what could they possibly have done that people can't like? That was what I was thinking. Exactly. If you like these artists, what exactly could have happened?

SPEAKER_02 3:14

Exactly. But there were some theories that Sarah and I were having. We were thinking that maybe the these were just I don't know, people just haters out there just wanting to hate or just say nasty things to them, you know, not being real fans. Uh but who knows? Um, it could be 50-50, but it's still uh just because you're supposedly anonymous when you're making a comment, it doesn't mean you're gonna have some repercussions from what you have said. So exactly just be careful out there, people. I mean, we're all humans, you know. Starter talents are not robots, they're not. Those those are they're humans, you know, they have feelings as well. Geez.

SPEAKER_01 3:58

But anyways, yeah, and well, and even you know, they're not your absolute fave, you know, the the group you scan, however you want to say it. Like they're still they're people and you know they're out there doing their best, so you gotta enjoy the show. You know?

SPEAKER_02 4:16

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

That's what they're there for. Okay. I may run into some technical difficulties. The cats are circling me.

SPEAKER_02 4:26

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 4:27

They're trying to jump up on all my stuff, so this could turn into a a comical event. They want to be part of the podcast. Well, you know, the minute you have paper in front of you, the minute you have your computer open, they're like, Hey, what's that?

Netflix Drop And First Impressions

SPEAKER_02 4:45

Exactly. They want to be a part of the experience, Mr. Bowie and Mr. Presley. Just just being cats, of course. You know, they probably miss being in the podcast anyways, because remember we used to record at your place. We did. And they were part of the podcast because they'll come up to us and start meowing. Except for not birds. Exactly. Well, that's just meowing like exactly. But, anyways, that's we're not here for that. No, we're not. Let's talk about our experience through streaming, of course. Uh, it right now starts to move. Countdown uh concert is now streaming on Netflix. Also, at the end of the month, I will believe it's gonna be on January 30th, they are going to release the behind the scenes of the concert.

SPEAKER_01 5:47

Yeah, I just saw that supposedly that on January 30th, they will be yeah, doing that behind the scenes. That'll be cool.

SPEAKER_02 5:55

I know.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

That'll be very interesting.

SPEAKER_02 5:58

I want to see the kind of shenanigans the guys are doing. You know they're complete shenanigans.

SPEAKER_01 6:05

We have seen snippets of previous custom each other be while they're on stage. Yes, practicing.

SPEAKER_02 6:14

And speaking of a Johnino uh episode where uh Nino have actually presented uh um oh my god, the sweet bread, which I forgot the amp on. And and the guys were like, Oh, Nino's on thank you, and then you know, they all get together and start doing things. But anyways, just being boys. They're all like in their 20s and 30s and they still act like they're teenagers. So yeah. Well, maybe some of them were still in their teens, though.

SPEAKER_01 6:45

Some of them are in their forties. Who are you kidding?

SPEAKER_02 6:48

That's true. Nino's Nino's a clown himself, but anyways. Anyways, so huh. What do you say? Okay, so of course, I like of course that they start the uh the venue, you know, looking at the venue, you know, everybody sitting down waiting to like the show to start. I like the bird's eye view that they give you, like you are up in the nosebleeds. Because that's probably if it's used reality first. Exactly. If you're like us that has that Roger, we'll be out there watching down at everything. Because of course, uh, like I said, like I said, it will be our budget. So we I like that view first. Like, oh, here we go. We're sitting down, we're waiting.

SPEAKER_01 7:36

I was gonna say I also like that they were showing like um clips from previous years, you know. The the big screens. I I noticed a couple of things up there that I was like, I'm pretty sure that or or it was rehearsals, but I think it was clips from previous years countdowns and stuff. So it was kind of wild to see some of the stuff that used to happen. Yeah, big dragon, people flying through the air. So, you know.

SPEAKER_02 8:05

Yeah, that's just I like the yeah, the whole the light goes out and everybody just burst out on a screen.

unknown 8:12

WHACK!

SPEAKER_02 8:13

Because you know, your adrenaline is just like, oh my god, it's here. And I like the blue lasers just coming at you. Yes. And the jumbo screen just start projecting stuff, and then they started projecting, like you were saying, the uh past shows that um have happened uh either on the Tokyo Dome or the actual countdown. Um, of course, I've never seen any of the countdowns. I think the only one me either the only one that I have seen is just the the We Are that happened in April, and that's the one that June actually produced. That was like probably the biggest one that I have seen from them. Yeah. Uh since I started following.

SPEAKER_01 8:54

I have really old concerts and stuff. They're not really countdowns. They're not so I haven't seen yeah, an actual New Year's thing. I've seen clips from them, you know, little bits of whatever groups were performing the the ensemble stuff, you know. But this is my first actual New Year's countdown with the whole starter, not just because we saw H jumped last year. You know, their New Year's uh concert. So I didn't go in with any real expectations, despite knowing what some of the complaints were. I I tried to just go in with a clear mind and not focus on any of that. I wanted to to experience it myself.

Opening Visuals And Venue Energy

SPEAKER_02 9:42

Exactly. I wasn't there either to thinking of like what kind of criticisms people were having with the show. I mean, this is just the start of the show. If it's anything just like what I have seen previously with the Wii Art, I'm like just you know, it's gonna be their performances and probably like a happy new year at the end, just like a new year, uh a grand New Year's Eve show, let's say, you know, with all the start of talents. So I do like the uh the music that builds up the suspense because it just gives you that mood, like like here comes like the warriors, because it just felt like that. I was like, ooh.

SPEAKER_01 10:21

Yeah, it was like going into battle, very, very dramatic. Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 10:26

I'm like, so that kind of I mean, I was already like hyped up and the mood with that music already was giving me more hype. I was like more excited, like, oh my god, get this started. I can't wait. Who's gonna be first? You know, I like the like the flash um so the music, the anticipation, when that was over, then I see flashes of the groups, like yeah, of the groups that are happening. I thought it was actually the actual groups because I wasn't sure because of the cameras that they were having, the the the uh the edits. I was like, is that happening now? But no, it was just the clips of the uh of the groups. That was like what I was feeling. I'm like, already? How come am I missing half of the show? But um, but then it's just like alright, all right, no, just come down, girl. It's coming, they're just giving you more hypnotess, you know. But I like that then the lights for some reason just turn on, center stage, who it is first Travis Japan. I'm like, oh my god. What about the suits? White sequence with the black shirts and this and then the shirts had like this striped rice tones. I I mean, you know, and all black shoes, like patent, you know, like shiny shoes.

SPEAKER_01 11:41

Oh my god. Yep. I was like, yay! They were definitely very stylish, very it was simple but very stylish.

SPEAKER_02 11:50

Yes, yes, and then it was a group, they were wearing their debut costumes, you know, the black and white fulfur leather coats, which we saw. Remember, we were able to actually see their debut concert.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

That was awesome. I love those costumes. The black and white fur with the glow gold accent is just so like awesome. And so them, they look so rock star. And your boy is blonde.

SPEAKER_02 12:19

He looks great. I was like, ooh, look at that. See, he looks good and blonde.

SPEAKER_01 12:23

He does, he looks awesome blonde.

Costumes, Styling, And Stagecraft

SPEAKER_02 12:25

Um, after um A group, it was Nani Wadanshi. That oh my god, the sparkle suits the pastel colors, like in blue, pink, and lavender. I love those colors. Oh my god, they look so cute.

SPEAKER_01 12:39

Everybody has that little skirt on it too, like the half skirt thing going on. I love that. And the shoes. Yes, yes, and purple shoes are awesome.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

I love the whole bedassel tie, it looks so awesome, girl. Yeah, it's just I got so but then I of course after Naniwa, girl, uber excited.

SPEAKER_00 13:01

Who was my candy?

SPEAKER_02 13:03

Oh my Kenti. You know how much I love my boy. His costume, perfect for him. I mean, it was just like a light gray sequence jacket. It also had like a shiny gunmetal like gray shirt. He was wearing pearls, he was wearing silver chains, fingerless gloves, and the cargo jogger pants. Oh my god, he looks so amazing. Love him, love my boy. A bedazzled street style. Yeah, he used to sh- Oh my god, urban, like yeah, urban show, I don't know, bedazzled style. He looks so good. But I see why you need all the sparkles, like you were saying, no, you need to have all this and that and that because of this when those lights shine on them, they just like so like they look like stars, they look like constellations, they look amazing, you know, they look ethereal.

SPEAKER_01 14:00

So I'm like, wow. Well, and it definitely, you know, you need something to to grab the attention and to to get the focus. Exactly. Everybody knows where to be looking.

SPEAKER_02 14:13

I get the whole yes, ladies are magpies, they love shiny things. Sparkly, sparkly.

SPEAKER_01 14:20

The sparkly things we laughed.

SPEAKER_02 14:23

So I'm like, oh yeah. And then after Kenty, it was snowman. Oh my god, the costumes, they look so regal, especially Date Sama and Dice K. Oh my Dante Sama, oh my god, oh my god, he looks so good. I love them all, but oh my god, that costume on Date.

SPEAKER_01 14:45

Oh that oh my god, like two-tone blues, the aqua and sort of like navy blue with that you should pop everywhere. Yeah, it's just wild because that that purple really every it everybody looks so cool, just just so cool.

SPEAKER_02 15:02

And then after Snowman, it was timeless. Speaking of their suits, different personalities, each suit was different. Like some wore like white jackets and some wore like black jackets. Shorty was wearing like a maroon jacket, and so was wearing like a dark blue one. But both everybody had like sequence, pearls, rhinestones, leather, silver chains. It was just like, here you go, guys, put it on lace, but a distance, da-da-da. I was like, wow, that's uh that's a statement on suits that was very they were definitely not minimalistic, that's for sure.

SPEAKER_01 15:43

They was very interesting that the idea of not actually being like uh organized set. Right. Like everything wasn't matching, it was sort of a free-for-all of everybody, individual style with a little bit of tailoring towards being at least make it look like a group. You know what I mean? But it was just very interesting to see how they were sort of parceled out, you know, like a couple looked similar to each other but totally different from another couple, which you know what I mean? Right. So like they did go together but they didn't.

SPEAKER_02 16:19

Right.

SPEAKER_01 16:20

Kind of an interesting interesting look.

SPEAKER_02 16:23

Right. When I th saw the colors like on Shori being like Maroon, which he's like the red on the color, you know, of group, so was blue instead of green, because he's he's the green and blue used to be Kenty. Um, I thought that Fuma would have like a purple or a color, but no, he his was just complete black with some like white accent and silver on his suit. Yeah. So I was like, okay, all right. And what did you what did you think of Fuma's hair? Oh my I couldn't recognize him because Hara and him had the same kind of style. Now Fuma's is a bit more poofier than Hara's. Well, it's a little longer, yeah. Yeah, and then I was just like, no, Fuma? Really? Okay, and then I was like, I don't know, I know Hara and and Fuma. Are they trying to be twinsies? Because they you know I was like, is Fuma missing? Is he is he missing the whole twincy thing in the group? So you gotta find another member to be twinsies with. So I think maybe with Hara. How how would that be? Hara Harama? No, oh, or Fumara.

SPEAKER_01 17:33

Oh, oh, like what was their unit lady?

SPEAKER_02 17:36

Yeah, like Fuma Ken. Fumara. Fumara Fumara. That would be a good one. And then let's see. Oh, yeah. So after Timeless, it was King and Prince. Oh my god, I love those outfits.

SPEAKER_01 17:53

Cute. Very cute.

Ensemble Kickoff And Shared Choreo

SPEAKER_02 17:54

It just looked like they were going out of town, ready to dance with you. Nikaito wore this like varsity brown and yellow jacket with pastels, a pastel tie, a white shirt, blue jeans with like some like yellow painted on. Yeah, painted flatter. Ren wore that blue jean, blue jeans with a white fulfur jacket, silver sparkles, a red shirt will really like really went with his skin complexion. Sometimes some reds don't don't, you know, like there's reds for each, but you know, each each red is not for everybody. And also, I like what Kaito's jacket said on the back, which I was like, oh my god, that is so cool. Oh my god, I wrote it somewhere out. Uh you know what? I'll I know I wrote it somewhere when we go to the to more of like the group's performance. Um, but then after King and Prince, it was ABCC uh with the silver and gray suits, the shiny silver shirts, uh Kiss My Foot was there, which is uh you know these are groups that we don't actually see much performance of, and I was really happy to see them. Um for Kiss My Foot, they were um oh, this is the one with the like really big, chunky bedazzle like jackets.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

Yeah, the red and blue, like yeah, super bedazzle. I mean, those are gigantic chunks of stone.

SPEAKER_02 19:23

I think the jackets on all they probably weighed like 15 pounds.

SPEAKER_01 19:28

Yeah, no, they were definitely impressive looking jackets there.

SPEAKER_02 19:36

I like their uniformity, like every the other group spelled, but also Chris Travis Japan also had a uniformity, but they all wore the same jackets and then acid blue wash relaxed jeans with white shirts, but also the jeans, some of them had like different patterns on. I think one of them had was wearing like some jeans that looked like they could have been like knee high boots. It was really cool. It was a it Very interesting look. I like that. It was different than everybody else. Who then after Kiss My Foot? Snowman. Oh, MG. Shota Watanabe starts the concert, hyping everybody up with like thank welcoming everybody to the Tokyo Dome. And that it has been three years since the last countdown. Three years, girl. Yeah. Three years. I know, right? Yeah. I I sus and then that's when everybody starts singing. Oh my god, which one which song is that one? We can do, we can go. We can go. Yeah, that's V6. We can do, we can go. Oh my god, like that. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:41

I think that that's one that um forever, like I'm pretty sure junior concerts I was seeing from you know like the early 2000s that they always sang that. Like the junior stuff always, always use that one. It's a great one. It is well, it's super energetic, it's lively, it's fun. It has, you know, sort of playful mood to it. And what what I really liked about the the ensemble performance of that, like I said, first of all, it made me think of all the old junior stuff. So it made everybody appear like young again. But the fact that everyone, no matter what style of music they do, no matter what style of clothes they're wearing, they're all doing the same dance moves. They're all doing the same exact stuff. Yeah. Which just goes to show like whatever you want to do in Sarto, like wherever you're trying to go musically, you still have to learn all those basics. And you have to be the dancer and the singer and do all of the the same stuff. So it was really kind of fun to watch that it shows where they all start from while they're performing this song. Sorry, I just when I when I was watching, I was just sort of so excited to see everybody doing the little like side-to-side sweep dance and all that. It was just fun. Took me back.

Group Spotlight: Hey! Say! JUMP And A Group

SPEAKER_02 22:10

Aww. And then, of course, then after that song, Fuma, our boy from Timeless, introduces Hey Sey Jum. Oh my god, they look so regal in those costumes, too. OMG, they'll look so like oh our prince. Our Regal boys. Oh my god, they look so good. And of course, in their each of their color, like it was a white suit, but they don't pop over with their colors, you know, either that long skirt, like you said, or or some kind of scarf or something that with their with their color. Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 22:53

If you're so far away. See, that's why they do this. If you're up in the nosebleeds, you might be like, who, where you see the red though, you're like, Oh, there's Yamada. All right, I'm good.

SPEAKER_02 23:02

Their performance was so dreamy, and of course, RMG Yama Yamada, his face. They like they know what to do. When he starts to sing, they just zoom on his face, and he's already there, like lovingly singing at you. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 23:16

Oh, it was just awesome. Like they were so lighthearted, but a little mischievous, you know. Yeah, Yamada gives that wink. He's like, he knew the camera was on him. He knew. Of course. Gives a little wink. There you go. Yam yam goes crazy.

SPEAKER_02 23:34

Ready, he is so ready. He's like, Where's my camera, Mr. Director? Hey. Oh my god. Oh, and of course, after Hay to Jam next, it was a group singing their debut song, explosive, full of attitude. Yes. They were on individual risers after that. They started like moving around and singing their hearts out, just introducing themselves as the group of four that they are right now and continuing them. Um, they were saying, please, we're now a member of four, please continue loving us and supporting us on the new year. And I'm like, of course, you guys are so cool. So that was really sweet, and that was awesome.

SPEAKER_01 24:22

It was well, you know, had a rough year.

SPEAKER_02 24:25

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:25

Up to that point. So and I love I just gotta say, my boy Saya, that scream that he let out, whoo! Yeah, the blonde hair, the golden black, you know, fur outfit, and then just screaming primally the way he did, he looked awesome. Oh my god. Everybody knows who my fave is.

SPEAKER_02 24:45

When I saw that performance, I'm like, I'm so Sarah's gonna be like, yeah, my boy, yes. Come on, geez. He really, come on, he always gives his all. Since we saw them on that concert, I was like, he's always giving his all. That's awesome. Not we can tell who is he's the extra of the group.

SPEAKER_01 25:07

Like it he's amazing, he really is amazing. The rest of the group's great too, but he just he always stands out to me.

SPEAKER_02 25:15

So yeah, I agree with you. Then after a group, next it was Travis Japan performing their Jassy number, very Broadway inspired, of course. You know, welcome to the show tonight. Oh my god, so awesome, you know. I I mean we have seen them perform, and that's like always that's their vibe, you know. They're like the Broadway showmanship, very uh, yeah, like I said, Broadway Jassy, and you know, they're theatrics, definitely. And of course, my Noel, mm-hmm when he's academics, geez, but of course the boys uh singing and dancing, because I'm like their feet never stop when they're when they're dancing. It's just never stop. I'm like, and I give them kudos for that because you need some stamina to do that.

SPEAKER_01 26:03

Oh yeah, absolutely. And they were just projected this like showman persona, and they were like the the stage behind them, the way it was set up too, was just very burlesque, very broad way, like you were saying, very flashy and showy, and this is what the what boys of the chorus would be doing. You know, everybody's dressed the same, you're giving the same dance moves, you're singing the same thing, and it's it's just incredibly energetic, uniform, and eye catching, you know what I mean? So they were they did a great job. And they looked like they were having a blast with it, which is always important. It's so important to see your your faves enjoying themselves doing something. So they were definitely like that was them personified. That is what Travis Chan is, you know what I'm saying?

Travis Japan’s Broadway Flair

SPEAKER_02 26:53

Yeah, and how about next nanny what dance Daigo and Michi, they just zoom on so zoom in on those two. They look so sweet, just just like with a very sweet song, you know. I mean, to me, they're just the sweet boys of Starto. Oh, yeah. You know, they are just a sweet group. Michi hitting those high notes perfectly, so proud of him. And and it's just the whole group as at Unison. I mean, they when they look at the camera, they look so well, just so cute. And just looking at your tooth, you know, it's like, why are you so cute?

SPEAKER_01 27:31

Adorably high spirited. I was just thinking when you're like saying how how cute everybody is, like Nietzsche and Daigo, especially, we always talk about them being cute and adorable. They're gonna be like, We're growing men.

SPEAKER_02 27:47

Especially Daigo, isn't he? Like, you know, he's up there in his twenties, right?

SPEAKER_01 27:52

Yeah, I know, right?

SPEAKER_02 27:53

Like, I think he he's either the eldest or one of the eldest of the group.

SPEAKER_01 27:57

We always call him cute, and he's probably like, ah, like me with well, like hello the other Well, hello boy, that's what you project.

SPEAKER_02 28:06

You just give us this cuteness. And I'm like, how can I just say not cute to you? You just that's what you I know, right?

SPEAKER_01 28:17

It's crazy. Exactly. Well, and they were another one. I think also the iridescence just really brought out more of that whole idea of it being just soft and sweet and cute and fluffy and adorable.

unknown 28:32

Yeah. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 28:34

So So they were sort of like outfits went with the music and with their personality. They're just generally fun, loving, happy-go-lucky kind of guy. It was so cute, it was. It's the only word you can use.

SPEAKER_02 28:48

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Which I'm not mad about that. I kinda like the I like the different the different spices of like on what's going on on stage. Everybody brought a spice, you know? I like that.

SPEAKER_01 29:04

Well, that's like I was thinking about the the whole transition from from Hey Say Jump to A group, then to Travis Japan. Like when you think about those groups together, that's not a transition you usually would think of, but it worked. It was awesome. But I was like, wow, talk about like different styles.

SPEAKER_02 29:23

Yeah, yeah. So completely exactly. If you have an ADD brain like mine, uh I'm okay with it. Because it's like, cool, this is going on. All right, what's next? Another thing, and I'm like, oh, awesome. Like I have you got my attention because uh if everything looks the same, I'm gonna be bored.

SPEAKER_01 29:42

But I was just saying, like, they're so buried. Like I didn't think about it until looking at the list of teams and groups going, and I was like, wow, you know, I would never have thought of putting them because of the way their styles are.

SPEAKER_00 29:56

But yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:57

That's the good thing about whatever you want to call this a a festival or a collaboration or a you know what I mean? When you have so many diverse groups, it really does.

SPEAKER_02 30:08

It switches it up and keeps it's a showcase, it's the company showcase, you know.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

It keeps you on your toes as far as like what's coming next. What you know, what do you expect? So yeah, it's cool, it's awesome.

Sweet Pop From Naniwa Danshi

SPEAKER_02 30:20

So next it was my candy girl. I freak out. I freak out, I'm like, Kenty, and I just yellow, Kenty, I love my candy. I was so hype, and I'm like, yeah, and like I'm clapping and dancing, I'm looking at Kenty and Kenty. Oh my god, Kenty. Oh my god. And then he sang two songs though. He sang one by himself and the other one with Noelle and Shime from Travis Japan. They were backing him up. I'm like, just like junior years. I was like so happy to see that, and of course, that song. Being Kenty.

SPEAKER_01 31:07

He was he was definitely hyped, but they were enjoying themselves working with him doing this, and they were super flirty too. Because that song is hot. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Because I was gonna say the the the love Kenty was sort of like just a little prelude into him doing the super hot idolic. Of course. He was he was lulling you into this false sense of like, oh, it's Kenty. Oh, it's Kenty.

SPEAKER_02 31:37

You know our Kenty's a Pisces, just like us. First, he lures you with the hi, I'm so friendly and cute. How you doing? And then when he catches you, boom, it's like, yeah, hello. Ah, baby, like, how you doing? And you're like, oh I'm getting cold. From from hot to cold to cold to hot. Oh my god. Back and forth. He traps you. It's like, oh my god, see? See? Yeah, my boy. Full surprises. Oh my god. Yes. We can't end it there now. No, I'm kidding.

SPEAKER_01 32:17

Well, no, because I was gonna say, what happens next is talking about you wanted to see this live. We did a singles episode covering one of this group's songs, so that's kind of funny. Because now you get to see it live. Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 32:31

Because then after Kenty next, it was King and Prince with their newest song theater. We were like, Oh my god, awesome! I was like, Yeah, that's awesome. You know, made an episode, talked about that.

SPEAKER_01 32:46

In that episode, you were like, I would love to see this live, so we did. We did. Well, sorry, quote unquote.

Kenty’s Solo Heat And Collabs

SPEAKER_02 32:53

Yeah, it wasn't like their concert, but I mean, at least we saw some kind of uh uh performance on it, you know, very disco, very funky, of course. I was grooving to it because I was grooving to it. I'm already grooving to a song that is right now streaming everywhere. Check it out, everybody. The performance, come on, it's it's it's so cool, like them, and oh yeah, this jacket, uh definitely. This is the when I got to see the back of uh Kaito's jacket where it says love every version of myself, and I'm like, Yes, love that very positive. It's it's great performance, of course. Those two, you know. I I really liking this version of King and Prince. I know some people were just like, oh my goodness, you know, we have seen this group dissolved, and um, and people were well, some tiaros were kind of like, I don't know what's gonna become of their future, of King and Prince, just only two members. And I'm like, well, just give them a chance. They are artists, they know how to adapt. This is gonna be a new King and Prince, of course. This is a rebirth with now just two members, and it's working so well because Kaito and Ren, they seem to have this brotherhood, which we love seeing that in groups. When you see a brotherhood in a group, it works because everybody, you know, know their vibes, you know, it's they rely on each other, they you know, they back each other up if you know something happens, you know, and I see that with them, and it's it's lovely and I'm loving it.

SPEAKER_01 34:33

Yeah, well it's a it's a whole new dynamic, and it's gonna be completely different when you go from, you know, six to five to two members. Exactly. You know, it it changes how they interact. So they'll have, like you said, an amazing chemistry. Those two together work great. And I like singing. They're not trying to overcompensate for just being two, they're just letting it happen. And that's that's awesome, you know. Instead of trying to be like doing the work of five, six people, they're just like, just the two of us. We're gonna do our singing, we're gonna do our dancing, and we're gonna just you know, it's gonna be more about the performance and interacting with the audience at this point, and it's awesome, and they work great together. They look they looked so good up there performing, it was awesome.

SPEAKER_02 35:19

Yeah. Then next it was A B C C. Wow. So with their 90s inspired performance, like boy band look. I like that sound. Fortunately, don't know the name of that song though, but I mean it was very club anthem song. Do you know the name of that song?

SPEAKER_01 35:38

The first one they did was Vanilla, second one they did was fortune, I believe, if I'm finding stuff correctly.

SPEAKER_02 35:45

Remember with the blonde hair. I always forget his name. Tsukada. Oh my god, the backflip that he did from um from that rise stage to the bottom stage. Jeez, wow.

SPEAKER_01 36:03

He did some great stuff there too. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 36:12

I mean, that was He blew me away. Wow. His physique.

SPEAKER_01 36:16

Yeah, yeah, it blew me away.

SPEAKER_02 36:17

He blew me away, wow. His physique, wow. I mean, how can you know, doing all that? Wow.

King & Prince’s Two-Man Rebirth

SPEAKER_01 36:23

And he's got like an infectious, brilliant smile too. When when he did that backflip and he turned around, you were like, he's like, Yeah, nail it. Those suits were so the whole, you know, nineties boy band look. Just I loved the simple gray and silver pinstripe. It was just cool. Loved it. Yes. Some of these groups, like back when I first started, you know, artists and stuff, I was more focused on one particular group. So it was really cool to actually sort of sit down and watch and see these other groups performing and A B C I was like, wow. I had no idea how amazing they are. Like I'd heard some of their stuff, but I'd never really like seen them perform like that. It was incredible. Awesome. And that's a good thing. The great thing about some of the, you know, older Senpai groups that they have so many years of amazing choreography and and years of practice, you know, so they can everything is just seamless and streaming beautifully together and wow. They were just incredible.

SPEAKER_02 37:36

Yep. Then um, next it was Timeless. Timeless, yeah. Timeless. My baby soul was introducing and you know the group and uh thanking the fans for their support, of course. And uh I like when they'll hurdle, like to the start the song of Rock This Party. You know, you see Fuma and Hara, like twin season telling you they're together, like maybe rock this party. I'm like, love. I mean, come on, it's the harmonies too. Oh my god, on that song. I love so it's just like, oh my boys, geez. You know, that's another another rebirth of a group. Yes, yeah, reinventing themselves. Yeah, that's exactly cool. And that was like, you know, I I'm liking this too. Liking it as well. Yeah, we'll like to see more of them.

SPEAKER_01 38:33

Yeah, definitely. You know what I like too is I noticed that um when we were talking about the costumes before, I forgot to sort of mention that they had sort of you remember the whole new romantic vibe? Romantic vibe everybody New Romantic. Oh the look. The prilly and the I liked that. The new the British New Wave style of pretty clothes and sparkles and chains and stuff. It was awesome.

SPEAKER_02 39:06

And pearls.

SPEAKER_01 39:07

So when when I was watching them do Rock This Party, I was like, wow, they look like totally 80s. That's awesome. Retro feel.

SPEAKER_02 39:16

I see that now. I completely forgot about that era of fashion. Come on, I was I lived it. Oh yeah. So definitely, definitely, I like that. I like that. I it but you know, it's oh I can't wait to see more. I don't know. I want to see more. More of Timeless. For some reason, I don't see much unless it's just I'm not seeing it on my timeline, but I just seem not to see much of timeless. Next it was getting their footing. Oh, that's true. That's true. Next it was kiss my foot with the song and enjoy. Very disco inspired song. Very happy go lucky. But I w one thing though, they just only sang one song. They just only sang that one. Yeah, I know. I believe. And King and Prince did two as well. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 40:12

So I was just And ABC Z did too, so That's right.

Senpai Showcases: ABC-Z, Kis-My-Ft2, NEWS

SPEAKER_02 40:16

As far as I can say. So I was just like Interesting One Song. Okay. And then after that, the other senpis, it next it was news with Chan Capana. Oh my goodness. Now talk about minimalistic suits. The hot pink. Right. But hot pink, right. But it was hot pink.

SPEAKER_01 40:38

Very simple.

SPEAKER_02 40:39

Black t-shirts. The shoes. I'm sure you were like, everybody had a different style of shoes. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 40:48

Yes, to suit their personality. The sleek uh boot, the sort of basic shoe, and then like I said, Masuda with that ginormous boots. They were bigger than him.

SPEAKER_02 41:01

Let me tell you, all I was like, where did you get them shoes? I was boots. Even though they he was wearing a very shocking pink or hot pink shirt, all I saw was boots. Exactly. Those were some impressive shoes. And he and he was dancing on them things. I'm like, it was more impressive either. I'm like, wow, man. Kudos to you. You can dance on them chunky things. Wow. That was it. I was just impressed. Very impressed. Because of course his voice. I'm always impressed with his voice. What about Belgium has that last note and just very long? And then he's telling people hyping and now come on, I'm doing this long note for you. I'm doing this long for you. Come on, give me, give me, give me. I'm like, I know.

SPEAKER_01 41:52

I was gonna that must be where uh Seya from uh A group got the idea of like doing that, right?

SPEAKER_02 42:00

Yeah Yeah. He was like, I'm gonna be like my senpai, I'm gonna do the high low.

SPEAKER_01 42:06

I'm like, oh my god, that's why I love him so much. That was really impressive.

SPEAKER_02 42:10

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 42:11

Oh my god. And he just kept going.

SPEAKER_02 42:13

Yeah. Yeah, the music was off. There was no more music, and he just kept going. I'm like, wow.

SPEAKER_01 42:22

He didn't turn the same color as his suit holding that.

SPEAKER_02 42:27

He's like, hey, listen, this is a senpai group. We have this is another group that had gone from how many? Did but did they start it with six and then they went down now to three? Oh, I think they started with like eight.

SPEAKER_01 42:39

It was eight? A lot of guys in news. Oh. Original lineup was it's been a while.

SPEAKER_02 42:47

Because I know they were yeah, they when I was introduced to news, there were only four, and then one left, and now there's just three. But then I found out later on that it was more than four when I was introduced to them, because of course, as we know, Takao from 10K Rock used to be in that group. So I was like, Well, he were were they five? Were they six? What's going on?

SPEAKER_01 43:10

Well, there was Rio Nishikado and Yamafi was in it briefly too. So honestly, I can't remember because they changed so many times, but the three remaining, the hardcore members, yeah, they did an amazing job. They really did. They were super like high energy and just yeah, hyping up the crowd.

unknown 43:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 43:32

Doing their job as the senpies, like make it happen.

Snow Man’s Charms And Crowd Control

SPEAKER_02 43:36

Exactly. I like also the so on their suits, the thing it like you, you know, we were saying they were minimalistic, they were like nothing flashy, just a hot pink. But I noticed that their their mic stands were bedazzled, even though they were uh black, but you can see the the stones like like little the shimmery, yeah. The shimmery. I was like, okay, so there's a bedazzle, it's on the mic stands. I was like, I was trying to look and I'm like, there's something's gotta be sparkly in there. But it was on their mic stands. But I mean, come on, you're really with their voices and the way this group is, they really don't really need the bedazzling for real. I mean, they're just that powerful vocally. It's just a group that is just very powerful vocally. Then after news, it was Snowman with Chris Mox. Oh my god, hyping up the crowd. They're so much fun. Come on, oh yeah, especially with the song, they're danced, it's just fun, they're diverse, which also it shows their personality as well. And of course, I'm gonna go back with Data Sama. Oh god, it was just so oh he looks so princely. Oh jeez, I mean, there were a few times he's looking at the camera and I'm like, oh I faint because he's the oh jeez, and he this is the one, okay. So I started looking into the first time I started looking into snowman, I'm like, who's this guy? What's with his face? Why is it like that? And the but I was drawn more to Koji just because he came from the Kansai region, and you know we love our Kansai boys, and I was like, I was all about Koji, Koji, Koji, Koji. And then for some reason I started learning more about that this summer, and then I was like, Oh, that's why. And then that just started falling for him. But I still love my Koji.

SPEAKER_01 45:33

Well, you know, I'm a I'm a Dice K person. I'm a Dice K girl.

SPEAKER_02 45:37

I love Dice K. I want him to be my bestie. He is so much fun.

SPEAKER_01 45:43

I know, right? His energy and he and Mia Date did some of like the best poses in moves during this. Like everybody was amazing. There was just something about those two. Yeah. They have a special dynamic between them. They were just that little bit extra. Yes. Dice K is my extra boy. He always is. He can't help it. But there was a one pose Mia Date did. I was like, oh my god. Mm-hmm. He was like completely voguing for the camera. He was like, Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_02 46:18

I just you know what I think that's the look that got me. I'm like, oh, oh my god. Come on, boy. Jeez. And Daiska's just like, hey, it's like, hey. Oh my god. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 46:31

But they were that was yeah, they were awesome.

SPEAKER_02 46:33

Oh my god. And Meme gave this little cute tube. Mmm. Just so cute. But each mave, it's just like each member gave their flavor, though. When there was like time, like camera over here, every given their flavor, giving their look, given their thing. And it's that's why we love this group so much. We love this group a lot. This yeah, yes. Anyways, so then Super Daniela. Oh, of course, you know. Also, who was MC? I forgot who was MC after that. Um they was it Watanabe?

SPEAKER_00 47:12

Yeah, yeah.

Member Shuffle: Classics Reimagined

SPEAKER_02 47:12

Yeah, after they did think, yeah, Watanabe was the one that MC, and he was, you know, saying that they're like 64 performances for 64 performers and 12 groups. So that's like a lot, you know. So if you were there, oh my god, you are so lucky. So, so lucky. I like my Koji was like, Come on, people, don't fall asleep. Come on, people don't fall asleep. I see you're falling asleep, and I'm like, see, that's why I love him. He's so cute, he's just being funny. Giving that kan sai attitude and like, you know, comedy relief, you know, but that's why I love him so much, and he's so cute. Then um, next after Snowman did their thing, they did the member shuffle. That's when everybody started pairing with other groups and started doing dances and and songs from like past senpies, of course, some groups, or some of their own songs too. I like that uh the Fuma in Watanabe it got close in one of the songs that I thought they were gonna kiss, and everybody would start freaking out. And I was like, what? I mean, that crowd went wild, wild. I'm like, oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_01 48:26

Fuma, what are you doing? Yep. Well, they were um Fuma Shizu and Shota were like they were definitely all three that so that's what, Timeless, Travis Japan and Snowman. They were yeah, they were totally bonding and having a good time together up on that stage. Performing snaps, one of those snap songs.

SPEAKER_02 48:48

Yeah, those were songs that I was like, I don't know, this song.

SPEAKER_01 48:53

Well, they did what? There was a snap song of V6, Cat Tune. Super 8 that from when they were Kansan. Wicked old Shonentai. Yeah. I mean they they definitely dug into the past group or like older, older stuff, which is again what made me think of all those junior concerts, because that's what they do. They just sing all the the current popular group, you know, big name group songs as a little ensemble all over the place. So it was it was really fun. It was awesome. I like that these were some really really good mixes of of people, you know.

SPEAKER_02 49:32

That was a good a good section of uh the concert, you know. It's just yeah, we so we had the individual groups doing their thing, and then this whole like member shuffle, and I'm like, this is pretty cool because you will get to see units, you know, members with other members, and sometimes some of those, you know, performances, I'm like, geez, they should be together for like something special. Because also the harmonies and the way they sing, I'm like, wow, this is a completely different perspective from what they are in their corresponding groups, and it was just giving a different dimension. I'm like, wow, this is really cool.

SPEAKER_01 50:11

Well, it's like like when I was saying, like, Pumashizo and Shota together, right? Looked really good. And then like um when uh Dais K so one of the guys from ABCZ, I think it was Tsukara, you know, like when they were together performing, most of them really did have a good energy and a good dynamic. And so even though it's songs you are familiar with or you aren't, like they they really made them their own. It was really cool. And so this was one of those the times where I was thinking about like what people might have been unhappy about. And of course, once you've got a different group of people singing a song you may may have really enjoyed, you know, ten years ago, it was your favorite by whatever group. It is gonna be different when you have six other people singing it. It doesn't make it better or worse, it just makes it different. So like just view it as a new song. And uh so that was one of the things I was like, were people disappointed because you know, whatever whoever's version of Cathoon didn't sound like Catoon, well of course it's not going to. You know what I mean? I really I thought everybody did a really good job with these. I like easy to sing Yeah. It's not always easy to sing someone else's if your voice is not the same as their voice, of course it's not gonna be you know, I I just th I was like, I don't know, I thought everybody did awesome.

unknown 51:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 51:36

These were some really good groupings, really good pairings. Yeah. Yeah. 'Cause I think um and especially well one person was very suited for the song they were doing, Seiya doing one of the old Tokyo songs and that's when Matsuaka Masuhiro came out and played on drums.

SPEAKER_00 51:54

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_01 51:55

That you say you screamed when Kenzie came out, when I saw Matsuaka on that screen during the ensemble stuff, I was like, oh I was just I was blown away. And so my boy Saya was like in heaven doing that song with him. Because Tokyo was like the original rock band of Sarto Entertainment. That was awesome.

SPEAKER_00 52:24

So awesome.

SPEAKER_02 52:26

That was awesome. I was like, oh look at them, we got one like senpai senpai's in there. I'm like, wow, that's a surprise. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 52:35

And then he still looks good.

SPEAKER_02 52:37

Oh my goodness, he does. But you know why, right? Hello? No why? Because he's not married. He said he will he said publicly, I will never get married. He has no girl troubles, he has no female troubles. He's that's why he looks so good. That's awesome. It is, he's very sassy. Then we have like what Machu and then Nani Wad being so cute, and like Umi was in this group too, Hara. Um, Ren from um Snowman.

SPEAKER_01 53:17

I was so excited. I was like, oh, that's how they're gonna fit in my song.

Koichi Domoto And Andalusia Legacy

SPEAKER_02 53:24

Yeah, that was so I like the the whole everybody did a little bit of rapping, but when you know Ren from Snowman, which is Meme, I'm gonna call him Meme because that's what the group called him Mimi. Meme and Hara did the rapping. Oh my god, and Hara started crying. I'm like, oh my god, don't cry.

SPEAKER_01 53:40

I know, right? I was like, is he cheering up? And then he yeah, was full on crying. Well they're beautifully done. They all did an amazing job with that. I was very impressed. My boy Machu was in there. Like you said, Hara, Ren. It was awesome stuff.

SPEAKER_00 54:00

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_01 54:01

And I think what Ken from um from A Group was in them too, right?

SPEAKER_02 54:05

I think see there was uh travel Japan, Naniwa, yeah, A Group was in there, Timeless.

SPEAKER_01 54:12

Okay, I think it was Ken. But yeah. Well, they were crying, I was crying. I think probably people in the audience were crying.

SPEAKER_02 54:20

Yeah. I like after the when the song ended that it was Hara and Meme giving, like, you know, that holding each other, and then he went and wiped his tear off Hara's face. He's like, No, don't touch my face. I'm like, oh, that's cute. Come on, that's so cute. Then next after that, it was Kenty, uh, one of the members who kissed my foot, Ren from um King of Prince, and one of the members from from um from ABCZ, they sang this like very like passionate ballad, like great harmonies on that one. I was like, wow, that was really good.

SPEAKER_01 55:00

Don't know the name of that song though, but I do it's I know katamari by kinky kids. Or now it's domoto.

SPEAKER_02 55:11

Okay, so now okay, so now that you said that, what comes next after that? Longing for Andalusia.

SPEAKER_01 55:22

And who was starring on that one? Yeah, like when you saw the the hat tilted and every everyone's probably like, who is that? Who is that? Time honored piece. They have done this one for years and years and years. It started with one of the guys from Shonen Pai who um used to work with the juniors. It's just it's such a great, like, you know, Spanish sounding sexy dance, sexy maneuver thing, which is probably why Koichi Tomoto decided to come out and serve, right? As one of the the leading senpai. He took off the mantle of performing this song in the Sarto, you know, big year end celebration. So it was awesome.

SPEAKER_02 56:12

Yeah. Uh I was I was also going like, Oh my god, it's Koichi.

SPEAKER_01 56:16

Oh yeah. I know, right? And what was it? Three three from Timeless and three from Travis from Shorty and Shorty, Hara, uh, Machu, Noel, Genta was there too.

SPEAKER_02 56:30

The baby.

SPEAKER_01 56:31

Yep, yep.

SPEAKER_02 56:32

Uh huh. I was like, Oh, MG. And of course the majority they have actually been with him with uh Endless Shock, right?

SPEAKER_01 56:41

Yeah, I was gonna say, I think um performed with him in various like stage shows. Not just his endless shock, I think they all did other things together, you know. Very cool.

SPEAKER_02 56:52

Also Teda from uh Timeless was in there too, before I forget. Because he said happy birthday to him because it was his birthday as well.

Water-Fountain Elegance And Ballads

SPEAKER_01 57:01

But I like how they um even though their outfits were all different, they were complimentary to each other and to Koichi Domoto. So it was a very, I don't know, stylish looking set that they did singing that song. It was just awesome. And like I say, it made me think back to the old days. Because I've seen other groupings perform that at other, you know, whatever Sarko events that they were doing. It's like a a standard, an old standby piece.

SPEAKER_02 57:32

It's like you better learn this because you're gonna be he you're gonna be singing it sometime in the future. You know, it's gonna be passed. This is a song that is passed on from generations and generations of like talent at at the agency, you know? It's like you know, a staple. It's like you have to learn this and learn the dance, learn it well, you know?

SPEAKER_00 57:54

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 57:55

Let's see how you do, and they did great, and it was great, and everybody had fun, and that was awesome. Um let's see. Well, then after that, because and they also have a little banter there, too, but I'm not gonna say um it was Hazy Jump.

SPEAKER_01 58:17

Oh, oh, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 58:19

I like the way that Hazy Jump came out of that one because they were not on stage, but they were like on the outside in fountains, in water fountains.

SPEAKER_01 58:29

Yeah. I was like the visual rising platforms there, yeah. Yeah, the water spout and the color. Yeah, in their color. That was really cool.

SPEAKER_02 58:40

In their colors, and I'm like, oh, here comes the merriman's out there singing to you. You know, yeah, it was this water god.

SPEAKER_01 58:52

They look some water sprites, they look so impressive. Oh my god. Really very, very elegant looking.

SPEAKER_02 58:58

Yes. I love that song. Do you remember that song that they sang? I do not know the name of the song, but it was beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 59:06

I I I don't know what it was. That was like one of the very few songs that I couldn't quite identify, other than knowing that it's there.

SPEAKER_02 59:16

But it was so beautiful. Uh, and of course it was and Yamara giving you face, and it's like, oh my god, Yamara looking at you. You know, he just like really comes out, it just like really gets into that camera, and you're like, Oh, okay. Mesmer eyes again. He's been doing it for years, he's had a lot of practice. Jeez, jeez. I remember seeing um a clip somewhere of a very, very, very, very, very, very young Yamara, and I was like, Oh my god, look how cute.

SPEAKER_01 59:50

Yeah, when when he was young and teeny teeny.

SPEAKER_02 59:54

And even then with that the hose hair, oh my goodness. Yeah. I was just Like, oh my god, you're so adored. Oh, and still he was giving you a face, and you're like, oh I am dismascarized. I can't get my eyes off you. You're so oh my god. No words for it. Jeez. Oh, he's so gorgeous. Oh anyways, moving on. You know, we can go on on for yum yum. But everybody did amazing. Some of some people there was in that that song, everybody hit those notes that I was just like, ooh, it's everywhere. Oh my goodness. Beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:36

Yeah, no, it's it was beautifully done. Between the the the performance and the the set design that they chose to go with. Yeah. It was just gorgeous. Yes. Did you know the song? I don't know that song. Right. I I don't know. Either it's really old or really new. I don't know that song. But it was beautiful. It really was.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:59

It was amazing. After that ballad and you know, melty time, because I was just melted. It was uh next it was news with a just another it was another ballad, but this was just powerful. News bringing out that song again. I don't know that one either, but I was just like, wow, wow. It was Ikiro, Ikiro. I think. I'm gonna keep saying news have these just powerhouse vocals.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:30

Wow. Yeah, amazing and like good raw energy. That's why they've been in it for so long, you know what I mean? They are just dedicated and super good at what they do. Amazing, amazing, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:46

Next afternoons, it was some, you know, a group that everybody was waiting for because they were not there at the beginning. Our late arrival. That means that's okay. So the whole venue went just black. You saw some accents out there, and then you hear this bum pam. I'm like, oh, wait a minute. I know the song, I know the song. Jeez, now it's gonna it's gonna get intense now. And then who do you hear yelling? Jesse, yeah, you know, front center, and here comes, and it's like you see this fire going on. I'm like, oh damn, it's gonna get intense right now. And the guys were wearing this um just humongous fur, uh full fur coats in red, white, black, yeah, and it's just like turning up that stage. The stage was on fire. This techno song that comes out, whoa, and everybody's just like, let's go. And every and I like okay, so they come out with those big fluffy things, but underneath they were wearing more like the urban streetwear, and I was like, see, I like that. I like that. They're you know, they are considered to be the bad boys of Startup right now, you know. And you can see because there's a lot of their costumes are not too like let's see. I don't see too many sparkles like, you know. Maybe in some of the shows, but I mean I don't see that the whole the rhinestone and the thing and the deck, not that big of a showy except for those big old coats that we saw.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:17

Yeah, the big furs with the Yeah, those were a little flashy, but yeah, they tend to be more more the the street style, more the I don't want to say just average, but like regular clothes. But the boys were they were crazy, they were chaotic, they were hyped, they were on fire.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:38

They were turning it up.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:40

They were there to turn it up. Yeah, I think you know, I guess because they were running late from a previous performance or something. So I bet like just the adrenaline of rushing to get there and to be on the stage doing their thing, like you could just tell they were they were running on pure adrenaline. They were just like, go, go, go.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:00

Exactly. I I mean they started on fire, but then when they went to Abarrero, whoa, yeah, talk about getting it crunked. They got crunked. I mean, just like cray cray. I was like, okay, that was just like the beginning of the hype. Now we're really on in our uh non business, they're just like really turning it up. I'm like, damn, just leave it to Taro. It was like, yo, your boy was like, you we talk about Daisky being extra. Jeez, shintaro. I was like, that boy, wow. But he drank like the four espresso or something. He was so tight.

SPEAKER_01 1:04:44

Jeez, it was cray cray. He was the yeah, the the like insane cray cray. Yeah, he was all over the place. Like, wow.

Countdown, West Check-In, And Games

SPEAKER_02 1:04:55

From all the members, he was the he was the extra that that day on on stage. He was the complete extra.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:01

Yeah, he out extra Jesse, and that's hard to do. That's so true.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:06

Because you know, Jesse can get extra. You know, Jesse seems to be the extra, but Chintaro was just like, uh-uh. I was like, wow. Yeah, he's like, this is my time. Yeah. I mean, but yeah, yeah, yeah. Your boy was Craig Green. He was just like, you're in, yeah. But he was expecting something after that, I think. It was so hype. Oh, that was so funny. Oh, then everybody gets back on stage after stones do their thing. What to do what? Huh? To do what? Another song? After about it.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:45

Oh, they did a shape by snap.

SPEAKER_02 1:05:47

Yes. So that was cool. But then everybody to, you know, quiet down. But then, you know, like, remember that we were like, what happened to West? And then you know we found out you found out later on that West were doing their Westa, so that's why they were not on the countdown. So they project West on the uh on the screens that they had, they were all like, they looked like they went on battle. Their faces were covered in some white stuff, and it was like whatever game they did for for the fans.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:21

They look instead of foot and dirt.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:23

It was they look so like tired and like, we're so done.

SPEAKER_01 1:06:33

Because apparently whatever they were doing at the Wesco was like some intense, like, you know, costume changes and activities, and it was interactive, so yeah, I'm sure they were tired. And at this point, it was um it was time for the midnight countdown. So exactly. They all look like let's let's do the countdown and go home.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:54

I'm so tired. Bring in the new year and then we're done. Exactly. This time our boy Fuma, he started the countdown, and uh uh it I mean everybody just you know counting down and just having some fun. Oh but uh come on. It's it it was great, it was great, it was amazing. They all sang more songs. Oh yeah, oh, oh, the Cinderella girl with Nani Wadanji, the King and Prince.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:29

Oh my god, yeah, love this was this was when they did um they did the mix and match again, you know, different groups working together, only now they were singing like one of their own songs.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:07:40

So yeah, that was really that was really cool to see that happen. I was all King and Prince and Nani Wadanshi doing Cinderella Girl was like so awesome. It was beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 1:07:52

It was like Chef's kiss. It was so awesome. And then I remember just saying to myself, I think Nani Wadanshi should take over the song. It's just I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:03

Well, especially because they they had switched up their costumes and they were wearing those like pink uh mariachi almost outfits.

Cross-Group Song Swaps And Finales

SPEAKER_02 1:08:11

Yeah, it was like white, pink silver sparkly, yeah, like splattered like you know, you know, pastel colors again in like mariachi style, like you said. And everybody was wearing like a s a different shade of pink at one time.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:25

Yes. Oh they they look yeah, it looked really cool. So sorry, sorry, running Kaito, but maybe you'll leave to pass that song on, right?

SPEAKER_02 1:08:36

They should. I think it should go very well for Nani Wan. They I like I don't know. It's just like it should be their song now, in my opinion.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:46

You know, yeah, no, they did awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:48

Or at least if they ever sing it, bring Nani Wananchi with you, you know. Oh, that was so sweet. I love that. Um, there were other um multiple, you know, songs took together, I think. Oh yeah, Snowman and Stones. Uh they did one of the uh stone um snowman songs, I think is the brother song. Oh my god, they did for the um brother beat, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:12

Yes. Well, and theirs actually, because they did whip that the stone song too.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:17

Yeah, that was fun too.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:19

So they did two of the actually the the surprise one that was really good too was a group with Kenty.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:26

Oh my god, yes.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:28

That was 'cause that's so not their style, right? So to work with Kenty, it was really it was awful.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:36

I love it like Kenty. Love kids. Oh my god, no, it's crazy.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:42

So that's but that's what I mean by like you can tell everybody gets trained the same exact way, no matter where you want to branch out to. You all have that core training, and that's that showed up with that that particular pairing. It was awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:58

And news with timeless with I think Boku no Sakura. Right? That was cool.

SPEAKER_01 1:10:04

Yeah, that was awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:05

That was so cool. And yeah, this is the one also they have pinks. They look like Sakura flowers, they look so cute, they just look good.

SPEAKER_01 1:10:13

Right. They yeah, they looked they complimented the the hot pink that timeless, I mean that uh news was still wearing, yeah. Yeah, yeah, it was really cool. I liked that. Yeah. Interesting. A lot of a lot of people changed into pink or or white. Yeah. There was a lot of uh transition to white outfits at that point too. Yeah. Then maybe you know, the bright and light to bring in the new year, right?

SPEAKER_02 1:10:40

Yeah. Next up was uh Kiss My Foot and uh ABCC. Actually it wasn't next, but it was like, yeah, after uh Kenty and Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:10:50

We're sort of talking uh out of order. I know now we are, yeah, because I like um green velvet suits with the that sequin sort of spill down the side. Those were beautiful. Yes. I'm gonna quote I'm gonna quote I think that was A B C Z. Those were beautiful outfits.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:09

I'm quoting show from Arashi when the boys were doing um when you call my name. Um they the show said is this Enka Singer attire? What? The Enka Singer attire. Are we gonna say Enka? Because that's what they wear, like velvety suits with like some sparkles. Yeah, but they were they were a beautiful green. Oh no, they were gorgeous. Yeah. Gorgeous suits. They were. Just the quoting show. Because he was funny when he said that and everybody started laughing. And then the the funny part was the horse race. Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:11:53

Man of the year. Man of the year horse race.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:11:57

I think is what um when they interrupted West for the countdown. That's what West was in the middle of was their own man of the year event. Which was why the white powder on their faces they were doing some sort of game. But yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:12:14

We got a horse race.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:16

We did. That was fun. It was tiny little bikes. Some of the members that they were a little shorter maybe would have been better. I noticed that the tallest ones had issues to like use that bike.

SPEAKER_01 1:12:30

And I like they used uh yeah, they used artery, nice no cocoa rope. Yeah. That was awesome. Right? Without being over the top. Yeah. It was it was a very good choice for the race.

SPEAKER_02 1:12:47

Yeah. But it was uh who the winner was. You'll tell me, because I thought it was Michi, but it wasn't Michi. No, no.

Takeaways, Rewatches, And BTS Hopes

SPEAKER_01 1:12:56

Um the he was he was the uh favorite to win. Uh um Kaysay jumps, yeah, Tony. Okay. He was wearing the headphones.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:06

That's who won. He was wearing the headphones, the spark, you know, the Bedazzo headphones.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:10

Yep, yep. And he was so surprised. He was like, I won? I was like, You didn't notice you were first.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:18

At the start, he was giving this face of like, Yes, I'm the winner. Like he was like, eh, all like pumped up and like, I'm gonna win.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:28

It was so well everybody they were so competitive with it, right?

SPEAKER_02 1:13:31

Yeah. Jeez. It's like, you know, I'm not gonna be a fool in front of my fans, you know. No, I'm gonna win. That was fun. It was so much fun. I was just like, oh my god, look at it. And everybody was wearing a horse on their head. I know tiny little horse headband, yeah. That was so cute. That was so good. And he seemed to entertain the fans. But they did a great job. Everybody did a great job. It was I I loved it. I love I loved the countdown. That was awesome, you know.

SPEAKER_01 1:14:14

It was. And well, and when they were their final song, they were all doing their sort of new year messages to the fans. I love Kenty said uh 2026. Sexy, thank you. The crowd went crazy when he said that. That was so Yeah. Of course, so Kenti, right? She's all about the flirty Pisces. Yep. But yeah, so everybody just giving their new year wishes for the the whole ensemble, interacting with the audience. They had the fountains going again, water spouts, lasers, lights. Yeah, it was quite the send off for the end of the year, welcoming the new year. It was awesome. So yeah, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it too. I can't wait for the behind the scenes. I know, right? See what see what was going on. I enjoyed it and what we saw, we enjoyed, had a good time. I really loved all of those mix and match, you know, group performances. It was really cool to see them interact and work together. I like it. I liked it a lot. Me too. I've watched it on I think I've watched it like four times now.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:27

Hey, it's they uh is is right there for streaming, you know? Watch it as much as you can until you know they say, Okay, last day is this, you know?

SPEAKER_01 1:15:38

So uh right. Well that was the thing. I thought I would for some reason thought it was a limited time thing. So I was like, I better watch it, really let it sink in. Like it's gonna remain up, so that's cool. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_02 1:15:51

I th yeah, it's different, I guess, when it's like in Netflix than being in the like uh the startow or like you know, like we have seen it. Oh yeah, yeah, like could you pay for this? Streaming platform thing. Right. Yeah it's it's a different thing. So it's no, it's amazing that you can you know keep watching this until they just say okay, no more. And uh, but no, looking forward to this, you know, the the behind the scenes.

unknown 1:16:19

I know.

SPEAKER_01 1:16:19

Yeah, we may have to talk about that too. We'll see. Oh my god. We'll have to watch it, see what it is.

SPEAKER_02 1:16:25

Of course, we have to because it's a shenanigans. Again, the shenanigans. We love the shenanigans.

SPEAKER_01 1:16:35

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 1:16:36

All right, my friend. We have said what we you know, we enjoyed it. We have said and we gave our opinions, we just I don't know. We uh we just enjoyed it, I enjoyed it a lot, you enjoyed it a lot. Come on. Yeah. I was just happy just to see this, you know.

SPEAKER_01 1:16:53

Yeah, definitely. And it was I was really I didn't notice how much I was focusing on the costumes and stuff. I was like, wow, I love that, I love that, I love that.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:05

There were some costumes that I said, I want that in my science, I want that, and then and that jewelry, and that, and those and the shoes for Matsuda shoes. I want those shoes. I want those. Yep. Yep, absolutely. Those look awesome, you know. Anyway, so I'm just gonna leave we're gonna leave it like that, my friend, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:17:32

Yes. Okay. Definitely check it out. If if you have Netflix, give it a watch. It's definitely worth it.

SPEAKER_02 1:17:38

Exactly. Exactly. So how are we saying this? Because I'm on this side now. Please rate review and share, share, share. Please be so kind to give us five stars because we love our constellations. And could you please also become a subscriber so we can maintain the archive so that you can keep enjoying all of these fabulous episodes that we record. Yes. So, until next time. Bye bye. Bye-bye.

SPEAKER_01 1:18:14

It's hard to sync it up when we're not together.