There’s an unmistakable thrill in watching young talent bloom into something extraordinary, and when that young talent comes from a STARTO Junior, it’s already bright and dazzling—especially when we’re talking about the Kansai area (Western Japan) Juniors. Their irresistible charm blends with raw energy and a hint of mischief keeps you captivated. And if there’s one thing they know how to do, it’s putting on a show you’ll never forget.
As part of my music-themed adventure this trip, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Kansai Junior Concert 2025: Boys be AmBitious on 3 January, covering the event for Dumpling Box. This was my first proper Jr. concert, and it exceeded every expectation.
The experience took place at Osaka-Jo Hall, nestled near the Daini Neya River and framed by the majestic Osaka Castle. The crisp winter air, hovering around 50 degrees, was a shock to this California boy’s delicate nature, but my excitement kept the chill at bay. Outside the venue, a row of blow-up figures featuring Boys be and AmBitious in traditional New Year’s hakama (Men’s kimonos) offered the perfect photo op for fans—and they didn’t miss a chance to capture memories and create content.
Armed with colorful uchiwa adorned with their biases, fans huddled together, chatting, laughing, and filming TikTok videos to stay warm. But the moment the boys appeared for the press conference (which took place on the steps of Osaka-Jo Hall), the atmosphere shifted, and the very air around us started to warm from the sheer heat radiating from the guys. Cheers rang out, and the energy was electrifying.
During the conference, Taro Yoshikawa from AmBitious declared himself the “Anaconda Boy,” a playful nod to the fact that he was born in the year of the snake, making this – which also the year of the snake – his year. With his magnetic personality, chiseled arms, and a smirk that could coil around your heart, he had everyone hanging on his every word.
Inside the 16,000-seat venue, the concert began with the dazzling original track, ｢NEXT STAGE｣, as the groups emerged in costumes that shimmered under the lights. Despite its size, the stage set-up made the venue feel incredibly intimate. There wasn’t a bad seat in the house, and mine was perfect. ｢Loud-X｣ followed, with Boys be and AmBitious joined by an energetic ensemble of Kansai juniors, the youngest—a nine-year-old dynamo who held his own among his peers, some twice his age. The arena radiated joy as the boys dashed across the stage, wishing the audience a spirited “Happy New Year!”
While I wasn’t as familiar with some of the Jr. groups’ original songs, AmBitious’s take on Snow Man’s ｢Dangerholic｣ and SixTONES’ ｢アンセム｣ (Anthem) had me singing along. Their Kansai-infused style gave the songs (that are staples on every one of my playlists) a fresh, vibrant energy. They were joined later in the set by the other Junior cast for a shuffle-style medley of fan favorites that included Snow Man’s ｢Grandeur｣ as well as ｢アオハル -With U With Me-｣ and ｢Diamond Smile｣ from Naniwa Danshi and ｢WANT!!｣ from the newest STARTO debut group, Ae! group (who themselves are also from the Kansai region).
From my seat, I spotted veterans like Tadayoshi Ohkura of SUPER EIGHT, Yoshinori Masakado, and Ken Kojima of Ae! group, enjoying the show alongside the rest of the fans. Kojima is currently the director of Kansai Jr’s Tuesday night YouTube videos.
One standout moment was the heart-melting cover of ｢無責任でええじゃないかLOVE｣ (Musekinin de Eejanaika LOVE – “Isn’t Love Great with No Responsibilities”) by the pan-Kansai megaunit KAMIGATA BOYZ, a project spearheaded by Tadayoshi Ohkura for this year’s World Expo. The performance began with two of the most adorable mini-Juniors, whose over-sized personalities stole the spotlight. Equally delightful was their rendition of the supergroup’s second single, ｢世界を明るく照らしましょう｣ (Sekai o Akaruku Terashimashou – “Let’s Light Up the World!”). Another highlight was 関西アイランド (Kansai Island), a song that perfectly encapsulates the mischievous charm and humor of the Kansai region.
And humor is where the Kansai boys truly shine. Their wit, quick as lightning and sharper than steel, had the crowd roaring with laughter. Taro Yoshikawa leaned into his “Anaconda Boy” persona, flexing his pumped-up pythons to pop balloons in a playful segment that left the audience in stitches. His cheeky smirk after each victory was the icing on the cake, earning swoons from fans (myself included).
Where Yoshikawa brought the heat with his undeniable sex appeal, Takeyuki Mayumi (also of AmBitious), dazzled the crowd with his breathtaking acrobatics. His ability to defy gravity is downright wicked—a talent that certainly didn’t go unnoticed during their national OdoROK! Dance Tour last year by fans, and Dumpling Box.
As the concert came to a close and the boys bowed deeply to thank the audience, I found myself wishing the evening could last just a little longer. The show was a whirlwind of laughter and joy—a celebration of everything that makes Kansai Juniors so beloved. I didn’t expect the time to fly by so quickly. I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Walking out of Osaka-Jo Hall, I couldn’t help but marvel at the magic I’d just witnessed. It’s safe to say I’ve been completely won over, and I can’t wait to see what these incredible young stars do next.
Life In Cartoon Motion 