Bullet Train (超特急; Choutokkyuu) is a J-POP boy group managed by STARDUST PROMOTION and signed to their label Stardust Records. 

The group is a “Dance first” troupe, which means, when they perform, the “Back Vocalists” stand behind the dancers when they perform.

The group currently consists of nine men between 19 and 29. They are  Ryoga (the leader, Main Dancer), Kai (Main Dancer), Takuya (Main Dancer), Yuki (Main Dancer), Takashi (Back Vocalist), Shuya (Back Vocalist), Masahiro (Main Dancer), Aloha (Main Dancer), and Haru (Main Dancer).

I mainly got into the group because group member Aloha was in the Japanese BL series Tokyo In April. It was an incredibly well done series that I connected with on various levels, including the fact that one of the leads nearly died from meningitis. Also, since I was in Tokyo this April, I thought I would check out the group and purchase both versions of their 1st EP, Just like. 

The CD-only version comes with 7 tracks: 

Steal a Kiss

MEMORIAる

Love Song

ジュブナイラー (Juvinile) 

Spice

星屑のダンスフロア (Stardust Dance Floor)

As well as the bonus track, Countdown

The limited edition CD/Blu-ray combo did not include “Countdown,” but it did include BULLET TRAIN – Spring Tour 2023 ｢B9 Unlimited｣, a Making Of documentary, and the Director’s Cut of the Making Of.

They’re catchy and they do look great performing – Aloha and Masahiro are particularly dreamy – so I can see why their faces are plastered all over The Scramble (Shibuya Square). However, if I’m being honest, they just don’t have the pull for me that other J-POP groups have on the first listen. I don’t dislike them, I just find them a bit derivative of some of my staple groups.

Both versions of Just Like can be purchased at Tower Records in Tokyo or online wherever Japanese music and movies are sold – including CD Japan.

More music reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned~