When it comes to Ae! group (Aぇ! group), my familiarity with their early junior-era material is relatively limited. Most of my experience with them has come after their official debut.

Shortly after they shifted from a group of six, to one of five.

Yoshinori Masakado, Seiya Suezawa, Keita Richard Kusama, Ken Kojima, and Masaya Sano.

However, by the time their debut single ｢⟪A⟫ BEGINNING｣ was released, I wasn’t searching for another group to follow. My attention was already happily occupied by the artists I was devoted to at the time. And yet, from the very beginning, there was something about Ae! group that felt different. Something distinctive. Something special.

Very special.

Since their debut on 15 May 2024, I’ve found myself following their journey as closely as I could from Los Angeles, collecting every single, album, and concert release I could. What began as curiosity gradually became something genuinely enjoyable. It was an investment in joy.

Forged in the heat of transformation, Ae! group embodies the idea that the only constant in life is change. Yet rather than being defeated by those moments, the members have confronted every challenge directly, with the kind of determination that separates fleeting success from lasting presence. They didn’t merely survive – they thrived.

Their sophomore album Runway, the group’s first release following their transition to a four-member lineup, stands as proof that Ae! group occupy a space uniquely their own within the current generation of idol groups. There is resilience in their sound, confidence in their identity, and a sense that their story is still accelerating forward.

They are stardust and they’re going to shine. Period. 

Much like their debut single ｢⟪A⟫ BEGINNING｣, the album’s first release ｢Again｣ carries a distinctly autobiographical energy. Built around the idea that “we’re in this together,” it marks the beginning of a new chapter for the group, one written with their unique brand of resilience and forward-reaching momentum. 

The album’s second pre-release track, ｢Fashion Killa♡｣, leans fully into the playful chaos that defines those raised in the Kansai (western) region of Japan. The track, and its accompanying music video, are gloriously ridiculous – in the best way possible. Bursting with exaggerated fashion, over-the-top humor, and an infectious sense of fun, 

Good-luck getting that melody out of your head before their next single!

The sincerity of ｢Ai Musubi｣ offers a softer, sweeter sound to the group, allowing their four voices to just emote. Though vastly different from most of the tracks released by the group, it’s one of their most beautiful. I’m always surprised at just how deep Masakado’s voice can go. 

While Richard’s voice is (and will continue to be) missed, there is a completeness to the sound on this album – a musicality not unlike one of their most lauded contemporaries, SixTONES. While many of the tracks are enjoyable, beyond what’s been previously released I’d have to say my top three tracks are ｢UP-DOWN TOWN｣, ｢JACKPOT｣, and ｢Aぇ☆BEAT｣ (English: Ae☆BEAT). 

Released in three different versions, sonically, all three remain the same. However, Limited Edition A includes the following on either a DVD or Blu-Ray format: 

「Again」 Music Video

「Again」Music Video Making

「Fashion Killa♡」Music Video

「Fashion Killa♡」Music Video Making

While Limited Edition B offers:

「Can’t Stop Aぇ! デート」 (“Can’t Stop Ae! Date)

「Can’t Stop Lovin’」Music Video

Behind The Scenes of 「Runway」

Once again, Aぇ! group have proven that they have been shaped from sturdier stuff and as I make my own move to Japan, one thing I am most excited about is being able to watch them evolve from the front row, and not just through my computer screen. 

There will definitely be more Ae! group soon so… 

Stay Tuned!