The more I learn about Ae! group the more I like them. As an entertainment blogger with a bias in J-POP, I’ve been lucky enough to have interviewed the group before, and each time I am surprised to see just how sweet and humble they are. 

To look at them, to hear the way they speak and interact with people they’ve never met before, you’d think Yoshinori Masakado, Seiya Suezawa, Keita Richard Kusama, Ken Kojima, and Masaya Sano were simply a group of college guys, just out having a good time. You’d never know that they were film and television stars selling out dome venues. 

The hot rock star act is all it is—an act. They are hot rock stars (incredibly hot rock stars), but when the lights fade, and the group steps off stage, they become a reality. They become everyday human beings with the same dreams, fears, and interests as anyone else their age. They become relatable.  You’d never guess if you didn’t already know they were idols. 
That down-to-earth mentality, their humility. Their kindness.  That’s part of the magic that sets STARTO idols apart from everyone else.  It’s a point that’s driven home in their new docuseries BORDERLESS. Now streaming worldwide on Netflix.

The five-episode series chronicles much of the history of Ae! group is narrated not only by another one of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s biggest stars, Daigo Nishihata of Naniwa Danshi, but he’s also one of their closest friends, having started with the agency at the same time as Masakado (and Ren Nagase of King & Prince). 

Starting in 2018, the Kansai Juniors seemed stuck in a stalemate. Before they’d formed as a group, they were figuring out who they were as musicians.  Ken Kojima on the keyboard, Masaya Sano, Keita Richard Kusama chose the saxophone, while Seiya Suezawa, the group’s most senior member, became its main vocalist.  

Though talented, no one really knew what to do with them. Only when fellow Kansai talent You Yokoyama of SUPER EIGHT stepped in as mentors the group became official in 2019, but just a year later, the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. 

Through sickness, doubts, the loss of a group member, and many other obstacles, Ae! group persisted. Then, earlier this year, the group achieved that long-awaited goal of a CD debut. 

Officially signed to the Universal Music Group, their first single《A》BEGINNING became the best-selling CD debut of any modern group in their agency, with the limited edition bundle selling out in under 24 hours.

“The filming of BORDERLESS was a great experience,” group member Richard said in a quick exclusive for Life in Cartoon Motion. “Because the cameras were always with us, there was a ton of interview footage. And not just sit-down interviews where we got a chance to think hard about the questions, but also quick ones thrown out backstage as we were trying to get changed or running to and from work engagements.” 

Taking a beat, he smiled. 

“It’s really neat to see those again and think about how similar or different my answers were at those moments from how I feel or what I think now…”

Taking a pensive beat, another smile crosses his face.  This one is wider, and filled with pride in the accomplishment he and and the other members have made.

“…having debuted or even simply grown up a bit,” he continued. “Even very simple questions like ‘What does it feel like to be an idol,’ I listen to my answers and think, ‘Wow, that’s the kind of person I was two years ago, four years ago, or when I was doing such-and-such work.’ It creates this sort of dialogue with different versions of me and makes me reflect more clearly on what parts of me have changed. It also holds me accountable because it’s not just a memory but out there on video for the world to see, like, ‘yeah, I said that; the evidence is right there,’ and so it’s on me to honor the promises I made through the years to my fans and those around me about what kind of person I would become once I got to the point where I am now.”

Again, it’s humility and his genuine excitement for what he’s doing.  He’s such a bright and beautiful light. I learned so much about Richard and the rest of the members of Ae! group during the docuseries. They’re a wonderful group and worth every single second of success they’re receiving.

More Ae! group soon, so… 

Stay Tuned!