On January 25th, we had the pleasure of attending Mirai-kei Aidoru Special Live 2nd Season #20 at Yokohama Bronth Live! This taiban event (対バン – a gathering where multiple idol groups perform back-to-back) is organized by MFIVE, a company we have a close relationship with. They are the idol branch of Mages Inc., known for producing Junjo no Afilia and Iketeru Hearts, two of our favorites at BONJOUR IDOL. Having worked with them for the past ten years, we wanted to help promote their newest groups, Baby’z Breath and Next⭐︎Rico, to the world. That’s why we decided to attend this full-day event in late January. Since idol groups from other agencies were also performing, we took many photos throughout the day. Rather than our usual live report, this article will be more of a summary, where we introduce and highlight some of the groups for you!
Many of you have already heard about them, especially if you follow Japanese music entertainment. Produced by singer-songwriter Ado, Phantom Siita, is now one of the most well-known idol groups since their debut on June 26, 2024. Mona, Miu, Rinka, Hisui, and Moka were selected through a massive audition involving 4,000 participants, organized by Ado with the backing of her agency, Cloud Nine, at the end of 2023. The entire concept of the group, starting from the audition process, is based on the idea of a 'retro horror idol' theme. Their name itself is a blend of 'Phantom', symbolizing ghosts and illusions, and ‘Siita’ from the scientific names of two insects: Paransita sita, a butterfly, and Epicopeia hainesii, a moth known for mimicking swallowtail butterflies.
BANZAI JAPAN celebrated the high achievement of 10 years of activity last January 19th 2025, as they officially hit the decade mark in May 2024. For the unique occasion, the members stood on the iconic stage of Tokyo's Hibiya Open-air Theater (commonly referred to as Hibiya Yaon), adding their own stone to over a hundred years of musical and entertainment shows legacy. The concert's title, 石の上にも10年 (literally 10 years on top of the rock) is direct reference to an old Japanese saying, stating that "sitting for three years on a cold stone will make it eventually become warmer" (冷たい石の上でも3年も座りつづけていれば暖まってくる).
Five years ago, we were happy and thrilled to meet the idol group Gunjou no Sekai for their first-anniversary live performance on December 23th 2019 at Shibuya Stream Hall. At that time, the group was still young and very promising, with a solid discography reminiscent of the Sakamichi groups, such as Nogizaka46, and a remarkable energy on stage.
The brand new shining lights of SUPERNOVA KAWASAKI welcomed an enthusiastic crowd on January 18th as Baby’z Breath were closing their triple one-man tour. After shows in Osaka and Nagoya, the group finished in high spirits with a double performance in the Tokyo area. While it was our first time meeting MFIVE and Stand-Up!’s newest production, we still got to reunite with two familiar faces! Still under the producer eye of former Afilia Saga Yukafin, Baby’z Breath stands as a spiritual successor to one of Bonjour Idol’s long-time favorites, Iketeru Hearts, covering numerous songs from their late seniors as they are still building their original discography. Two of Iketeru Hearts’ fourth generation, Kumamoto Miwa and Minami Ichigo, even joined Baby’z Breath as founding members!
After a long two-years break in activities, Bonjour Idol is back, and we had to show up for one of our personal favorite groups! The now-seven members of Junjou no Afilia had their christening of the brand-new Zepp Shinjuku, kicking 2025 off to a good start. A fantasy-themed epic introduction led to the seven silhouettes standing on stage, before rocking out to one of their new soon-to-be-released songs, “HIBANA”. Guitar riffs and crimson lighting bolts lit up the gigantic LED screen on stage, as Junjou no Afilia sang and danced along to the lyrics displayed for everyone to enjoy. The clock is ticking…
Bonjour Idol went full circle on January 21st as we broke our slumber to attend our beloved Iketeru Hearts’ final live at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall. After eight years and a half of fun lives, exciting tunes and four generations of close-knit members – as all but only one of their OG were sitting and loudly cheering in the audience that night – it was time for the nine idols to call it quits as members of Iketeru Hearts, citing wishing to pursue different pathways as the reason behind their dissolution. We barely saw the two hours and a half of performance go by, paced by the group’s catchiest tunes for a high-tone send-off. Iketeru Hearts set the tone by opening with the crazy “SING・LA・BANG・SHOW!”, and performed four more songs before welcoming the audience with a short MC.
You’ll Melt More! returned to Zepp Diver City Tokyo on October 10, 2021 to commemorate the release of their new mini album “DELIVERY LIFESAVERS ~ You’ll Melt More! wo Tomenaide~” and the graduations of members Kechon and Chiffon. It was an evening overflowing with emotion and remembrance for the 2 members who had pulled the group along for much of its 9 year history. You’ll Melt More! exploded onto the stage accompanied by the pulsating synthesizers of “Yuru Toro” pumping their fists in sync with the waving penlights shining out from the venue floor and balcony. Blasting into “Kyokutou 47 no Machi” and “Surpriser!” the mood was festive with the audience dancing along in front of their seats as Chiffon shouted out encouragement. Picking up the pace with the aggressive ska-core of “WOW WOW WAR ~Ska Chanpon Saisho Sensen~” the first course closed out with “Reiwa Wonder”.
September 20th was a busy day for the 11 members of =LOVE, the first idol group produced by Sashihara Rino. It has been four years since the group officially debuted, and as of right now, they feature not less than a total of 9 singles! For this occasion, the members and the fans gathered at Makuhari Messe in Chiba to celebrate this achievement.
Bonjour Idol’s most senior favorite idol group Iketeru Hearts have had an interesting year. This September 11th 2021, they gathered on the stage of Shinagawa Intercity Hall to celebrate the group’s 7th anniversary since their debut, not without hitting some milestones! It was the first full-length concert for the 9-members formation of the group, after the promotion of probatory trainees Kayama Mitsuki, Minami Ichigo and Kumamoto Miwa as members of the 4th generation.