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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

＜ENCORE＞
OTONABLUE
Que Sera, Sera
Mayoeba Toutoshi

The Harajuku-based brand KAWAII MONSTER CAFE has announced a traveling store, KAWAII MONSTER SHOP. As the project’s first event, a Halloween pop-up shop named ‘KAWAII MONSTER SHOP – Colorful Halloween’ will open for 10 days starting October 19 in the birthplace of the brand, Harajuku.

KAWAII MONSTER CAFE is an entertainment restaurant that embodies the vibe of Harajuku in Tokyo, a town that swallows fashion and culture from places around the world and reimagines them into unrestrained originality. Originally opened in 2015 and produced by artist Sebastian Masuda, the colorful and crazy space offered photogenic food and drinks, and guests were served by the iconic Monster Girls clad in future Harajuku fashion. It became a ‘new Tokyo landmark,’ attracting over 700,000 visitors from both Japan and abroad. Even after the restaurant closed in January 2021, its one-of-a-kind concept has lived on in pop-up shops, events, and collaborations with various brands and creators.

The pop-up shop, open in Harajuku for a limited time starting October 19, offers food and drinks, merchandise, special experiences, and photo spots themed around the spooky Halloween season. Additionally, a collaboration with the popular Harajuku accessory store 6%DOKIDOKI will be held from October 19-22. Colorful hair accessories will be on sale, and shop girls with Monster Girls makeup experience will be giving seasonal makeovers to visitors.

■FOOD & DRINK

During the first half of the event, the pop-up shop will be serving food made in collaboration with the hot dog specialty restaurant HOTDOG CAFE STAND STATION TOKYO. The limited-edition menu includes the crazy Monster Dog, consisting of a monster holding a sausage in its mouth, and the monstrous Philly Cheesesteak, made with juicy tenderloin and tons of cheese.

The second half of the event will feature the Colorful Pop Burger Blue Monster (Teriyaki Chicken) from KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s popular menu, along with French Fries with Monster Dip served with five different colorful sauces. Visitors are welcome to get into the Halloween spirit by enjoying the Monster Float during the pop-up event.

<10/19~10/22 Exclusive Menu>
Monster Dog: ¥880 (Tax Included) *In collaboration with HOTDOG CAFE STAND STATION TOKYO
Philly Cheesesteak: ¥1,350 (Tax Included) *In collaboration with HOTDOG CAFE STAND STATION TOKYO

<10/26~10/31 Exclusive Menu>
Colorful Pop Burger Blue Monster (Teriyaki Chicken): ¥1,200 (Tax Included)
French Fries with Monster Dip: ¥700 (Tax Included)

Monster Float: ¥800 [Rose/Passionfruit/Kyoho Grape]

■GOODS

New KAWAII MONSTER CAFE goods will make their first appearance at this pop-up shop! Guests can visit the Sweets Factory to create their own candy assortment by filling their favorite containers with chocolates, gummies, and other goodies. Harajuku Icing Cookies will also be available in collaboration with SHONPY, a popular cake shop. Be sure to grab some incredible souvenirs!

In addition, popular KAWAII MONSTER CAFE collaboration items from years past will be available, along with adorable plushies from the globally beloved brand Ty. Visitors can also snag some unique zipit pouches and flexible PLUS PLUS blocks starting October 26.

■EXPERIENCE

During the event, KAWAII MONSTER CAFE’s iconic Monster Girls and the character Choppy will greet guests and take photos, as well as shoot cute Halloween-inspired videos together. Visitors wishing to be transformed into Monster Girls themselves can speak to the store girls, clad in Decora fashion and rocking accessories from 6%DOKIDOKI. These ladies will provide POP Harajuku Monster makeovers featuring original tattoo stickers and unique hair accessories to get you ready for Halloween.

■PHOTO SPOT

At the event, guests will find the 3-meter tall Sweets Cake Balloon inspired by the Sweets-Go-Round Cake, the symbol of KAWAII MONSTER CAFE. Surrounded by colorful decorations and captivating monsters, visitors are sure to leave with plenty of special memories.

Guests of all ages are invited to spend the Halloween season surrounded by the unique wonders of Harajuku!

The idol project KAWAII LAB. is now accepting applications from aspiring artists wanting to join a new idol group.

The KAWAII LAB project aims to introduce Japan’s growing idol culture to overseas audiences under the concept of ‘From Harajuku to the World.’ The project has spawned three groups so far–FRUITS ZIPPER, known for the TikTok smash hit Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro; IDOLATER, comprised of the finalists of ASOBISYSTEM’s first audition; and CANDY TUNE, which made its debut this March.

The audition is open to females between the ages of 10 and 24. While dance and vocal skills are important, the project is also seeking unique applicants with a charm that extends beyond skill or ability. Both those with and without experience are welcome to apply. Those who pass the audition will work toward their debut in 2024 in a new idol group and as solo performers aiming toward a global debut.

This audition will also include the selection of candidates for a training group for a future debut. Successful candidates will be given basic lessons in preparation for their debut.

KAWAII LAB. Artists

IDOLATER

FRUITS ZIPPER

CANDY TUNE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Aki Ishii

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

IDOLATER, a group belonging to the KAWAII LAB. project, which aims to promote Japan’s growing idol culture to the world, will release its 12th single, Promise, on streaming services on July 20, 2023.

The new track is upbeat with a cozy and rhythmic electro sound. Promise was first performed at the KAWAII LAB SESSION event held by KAWAII LAB. at Zepp Shinjuku in June, where members of the group donned new costumes for the track’s reveal. The comical and easy-to-imitate choreography by SACO MAKITA is sure to make this song a hit at live concerts, and a certain member’s adorable first attempt at rapping is a major highlight.

A live video of IDOLATER performing the new song has been uploaded to YouTube, so be sure to check it out!

[Live Footage] Promise – IDOLATER (Live at Zepp Shinjuku)

Yukino Fushiki

Ayu Okuda

Kurumi Tsukishiro

Ririka Satsuki

Fuka Oishi

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, IDOLATER’s 11th single, Aimai Silhouette, was released. A massive departure from the group’s mature love songs of the past, the new track is packed with fresh energy, cute lyrics, and unforgettable choreography. We sat down to interview the members about the new song and their newly-unveiled costumes.

ーーAimai Silhouette just released. How would you describe it?

Yukino Fushiki: “It’s unlike any IDOLATER song to date! It’s a fast-tempo,
bittersweet, pop love song. The chorus is super catchy and the choreography is so cute, I want everyone to see it live! There are already tons of Aimai Silhouette
videos on TikTok, and I hope you’ll try to learn the dance!” ♡

ーーDo you have a favorite lyric?

Ayu Okuda: [In my call history, all I see is your name / Little by little, you occupy more space, When we meet, hey, your voice is so close, my heart starts pounding / But I won’t say that aloud]

“I think those lyrics are so cute. They tell the story of a first love that’s unrequited.”

ーーThe choreography is also adorable! What part of the dance should fans focus on?

Fuka Oishi: “Just like the song itself, the choreography is much more cutesy than previous IDOLATER dances. My favorite thing about it is how many times we make cute heart shapes♡ You’ll need to watch carefully to spot how many heart shapes appear! The choreography has a lot of parts that fans can easily imitate, so I hope you’ll come to see us live and dance with us in the audience!”

@ofu_chan 天使とあいまいシルエット👼🏻💛 @のえさん #あいまいシルエット #fyp #fruitszipper #IDOLATER #アイドル #おすすめ #おすすめにのりたい ♬ あいまいシルエット – なんで！？ ver. – IDOLATER

Dance with Noel Hayase (FRUITS ZIPPER)

ーーYour new costumes are so different from IDOLATER’s past outfits. What did you think when you saw them for the first time?

Kurumi Tsukishiro: “I couldn’t believe how cute they were!
We didn’t know the fabric, the color, the shape–we had to wait to see. Once we
did, all the members screamed “They’re so cute!” (Laugh)
I’ve always loved idols who wear frilly outfits, so finally being able to wear one
myself is really a dream come true.”

@official_idlt 今日のダンスの先生はぱんちゃん😸‼️@月代来実 (ぱん) #IDOLATER #あいまいシルエット #KAWAII #アイドレちゃん #idol ♬ オリジナル楽曲 – IDOLATER

ーーLastly, do you have anything you’d like to say to the fans?

Ririka Satsuki: “I don’t think anyone expected this new song and these new
outfits. This summer, let’s have lots of fun with this exciting song and these sparkly
costumes!

I want to make this the best possible summer for both the members and the fans! I hope everyone will keep supporting the renewed IDOLATER!”

While they’ve shown a more mature side in the past, we hope you’ll keep an eye on IDOLATER as they show off their cutesy side.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: yoshimoriyuna

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!