Next Revolution: In the Name of Passion and Idol Power!

We are thrilled to finally introduce Next⭐︎Rico on BONJOUR IDOL!

We first mentioned them in our article about the taiban event Mirai-kei Aidoru Special Live, available here – but rather than just scraping the surface through an event featuring multiple idol groups, we wanted to give them a proper introduction.

Originally set to debut in early 2020, their launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They finally debuted in late July of that same year, under the name Stand Up! Next. In November 2021, the group rebranded and became Next⭐︎Rico, as they are known today. 

The group is produced by former Afilia Saga and Junjou no Afilia member Aomi Maho, who also became part of the lineup starting from 2024 with the group’s second generation.

We attended their second one-man live on March 1st at Akabane ReNY alpha, in the northern part of Tokyo.

The show kicked off with Hitorigoto mo Tsubuyakenai You na Yo no Naka ja, a digital single released in 2022, followed by Hapipa. The audience immediately jumped in, cheering for their idols by dancing, clapping, and singing along while enjoying the upbeat tracks.

After Hapipa, the members briefly introduced themselves and excitedly showed off their brand-new stage costumes, twirling like princesses to let their fans admire every detail.

The performance continued with Creation, Twinkle Little Twin Stars, and Odore Cinderella, all from their first mini-album Nextrico, released in 2022. The group's first major single, Koisuru Chaplin, kept the energy high, bringing a bubbly and cute idol-like atmosphere, before a brief talk about their debut single.

Transitioning into a nostalgic segment with a unit corner, Aomi Maho, Yoshimura Yuri, Ayamoto Mei, Sasaki Fuuka, and Miyajima Noel performed Triangle Wave (originally by Murata Ayumi), a song beloved by fans as it has frequently been covered by all MFIVE groups over the years. The five members gave it their all, both in singing and dancing, as fans passionately chanted along.

This was immediately followed by the high-energy idol anthem Jumping, originally by their seniors, Junjou no Afilia. Performed by Yukimi Mei, Hinase Hiina, Inoue Fuwari, and Taketori Luna, the song fired up the entire venue, filling the room with joyful jumps and electrifying energy.

This second one-man live was also the last for member Sasaki Fuuka, who will graduate on April 6. She shared heartfelt words with her fans, saying:

She also added, "I’m really happy to be here right now, performing all these songs and even wearing this new costume before my graduation."

The final part of the show began with Perfect Dreamer, an anthem-like track, followed by the most energetic song in their discography, Sing Along, which turned the venue into a four-minute explosion of fanchants with its bright and breezy vibes. The upbeat pop tracks Saigo ni Zurui yo, One Hundred, and Kiseki Nanda Billion brought the main set to a powerful and emotional close, offering fans a truly unforgettable ending—almost as if they were enjoying themselves in a nightclub—before the encore call.

Shortened versions of their top three fan favorites, Koisuru Chaplin, Sing Along, and Kiseki Nanda Billion were performed as a medley, but more importantly, the members shared heartfelt words about standing before their fans for their second one-man live.

This one-man live, titled Next Revolution, was actually the grand finale of a whole series of regular shows under the same name. Aomi Maho, the group’s producer, was visibly moved to tears and shared, "I’m now standing here as a member, and I was so surprised to see all the fans waiting for us when we stepped onto the stage today. I felt so happy. I am very proud of all our regular performances and to finally stand on this stage with the members and our fans for this second one-man live. I’m already aiming for the next one, so please continue to support us until then!"

Then, Inoue Fuwari, who debuted alongside Yoshimura Yuri and Hinase Hiina, added, "I am so happy that Yuri-san, Hiina-san, and I have been part of this group since our debut five years ago. I had many doubts, but today, I really feel like we’ve done well. Thanks to our fans, we were able to reach this second one-man live. Thank you so much!"

As part of the Stand Up! Records family, Next⭐︎Rico have built their own identity with powerful pop songs that invite fans to dance alongside their idols. With a solid start of a discography, the nine members are on their way to winning over even more fans and leaving their mark on the idol world.

We at BONJOUR IDOL will continue to support them every step of the way and look forward to sharing more about them in the future, hoping to bring their music beyond Japan and onto the global stage!