These are the kind of moments you live for as an entertainment journalist. Even now, hours removed from the excitement at Kyocera Dome Osaka, I can still hear the sound of 55,000 voices cheering out in unison for Ae! group (Aぇ! group) with the fever and fervor of five years of fandom.
Opening the concert with “Aッ!!!!!!” the group started with the vim and vigor one has come to expect from these strapping young men. Highlights include “Romantic” (“ロマンチック”) – which featured the group ride around in heart-shaped trams and not only makes use of Richard’s soulfully smooth voice but, because of how excited he was, also highlighted his absolutely heart-melting dimples! The incredibly sexy rock anthem “Firebird” is an amazing track!
Then, during an MC segment came the moment five years in the making. The group that has met challenge after challenge with dignity, grace, and an unyielding resilience are finally going to debut. Signing with Universal Music, the group’s first single, the euro-beat inspired《A》BEGINNING (pronounced: A-BEGINNING) will be released on 15 May and will come in three different formats.
First limited edition A, first limited edition B, regular edition, and a special UNIVERSAL MUSIC STORE edition which not only includes the CD but also a 32-page photobook. Pre-orders will begin Monday 18 March wherever Japanese music and movies are sold. Pre-order your copy here.
In addition to the debut, the group will also embark on their debut tour starting 25 May!
Ae! group Debut Tour The World’s Best AeLIVE will consist of 34 performances in 8 cities nationwide (in Japan) and is expected to attract close to 400,000 people! The tour will begin in Hokkaido at the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena and will conclude on 18 August in Tokyo at the Ariake Arena.
While this is incredible news for the group and their legions of fans. The moment was made all the more special when fellow Kansai groups Naniwa Danshi (なにわ男子), WEST, and SUPER EIGHT dropped in (via video) to congratulate Ae! group on this incredible (and much deserved) next step.
Other song highlights include the anthems “YSSB” (“Your So Sexy Baby”) and “WHIP THAT“ both of which are incredibly sexy and danceable tracks!
This was my first time seeing the group in concert, their energy is so bright and contagious – even though the road to this debut has been an arduous one. They have met every trial and tribulation with perseverance and persistence – taking criticisms and loss not as stones tossed to defeat them, but as bricks to build something better. This past Saturday, surrounded by the faces of the fans who adore them, they finally took that last coveted step forward – they announced that they would have an official debut.
Ae! group also has the distinction of being the first group to debut under the STARTO ENTERTAINMENT umbrella after their name change from Johnny & Associates last year. Once again, the Ae! group is the first, which makes this debut all the more special. In addition to the pomp and circumstance that comes with this kind of announcement, the guys, as well as the company that represents them are well aware that they are under the microscope. Everyone is waiting to see what they’ll do – and not everyone is doing so with altruistic intentions.
Luckily, as they’ve proven time after time – Ae! group is not a group to shy away from a challenge. Every step they’ve taken has prepared them for this. They’re ready.
This was my first time seeing Ae! group in concert and man did they put on a show! This was such a wonderful experience. They’re an incredible group and I cannot wait to see where they go!
When it comes to their debut, the group is obviously excited.
Yoshinori Masakado, the group’s lead guitarist says: We are incredibly grateful to finally be able to share this good news with the world. It is thanks to the love and support of all our fans, even beyond these long five years, that this day has finally come. We will continue to devote ourselves to the task at hand, so please lend your support to this “new Ae! group!”
Seiya Suezawa, the group’s lead vocalist says: We want to thank each and every person who has helped bring us to this point, including everyone who came to our announcement event at the Kyocera Dome Osaka and watched it worldwide on the Family Club Online. It’s still hard to express all the emotions we feel, so I’ll leave it at this: the five of us will work harder than ever before for the happiness of our fans! This “BEGINNING” is thanks to you!
Richard Keita Kusamas, the group’s saxophonist and bassist says: Having finally reached it ourselves, I now understand what so many of our seniors meant when they talked about how a debut is not an end-goal, as it may seem from our view as Juniors, but rather a starting line for a new and exciting marathon, which we will run with your help!
Ken Kojima, the group’s leader and keyboardist says: A debut is just the beginning of a new adventure, but it’s still one goal that we are grateful to finally make manifest. We will apply ourselves wholeheartedly to become a bigger and better version of ourselves and take our fans along for an incredible ride to new heights. We will make Ae! group one that steals all your hearts!
Masaya Sano, the group’s drummer says: This is the real start for us as Ae! group; the A(e!)ctualization of our A(e!)chievements by the A(e!)rdour of all our fans. The five of us will strive to be an Ae! group that makes you proud.
You Yokoyama of SUPER EIGHT, the man who formed the group and has served as their co-producer with Tadayoshi Ohkura (also of SUPER EIGHT) says: It’s been five years, but I can still remember like it was yesterday when these guys came together as Ae! group. I am so proud of what they have accomplished, and relieved that every effort they put in has paid off. Sometimes they can still seem a bit rough around the edges, but I know they have such high potential. I hope everyone might look upon them warmly and support their continued endeavors. They might be “Ae” (good) now, but I know they’re going to be a SUPER group one day. SUPER like SUPER EIGHT! (Nah, they’ll be even better)
Also be sure to follow their official X account!
There will be MUCH MORE Ae! group soon so…
Stay Tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 