Nakayama Yuma held a monumental solo concert on January 28, 2025, at the Kanagawa Prefectural Hall, marking the end of his time with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and celebrating 18 years of his career. The event turned out to be especially significant as it featured the surprise reunion of the beloved unit NYC, consisting of Nakayama and fellow members Yamada Ryosuke and Chinen Yuri from Hey! Say! JUMP.
The atmosphere inside the hall was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating the start of the show. When NYC's signature song "NYC" began playing, the crowd erupted with excitement, and the three silhouettes emerged under the bright stage lights. Nakayama, who had expressed his joy about the moment, exclaimed, "This isn’t a dream! This is the reality! We are NYC!" instilling the atmosphere with energy and nostalgia.
For the first time in 12 years, the trio came together on stage, performing not only their hit "NYC" but also "Yoku asobi yoku manabe," which was received with synchronized dancing from the audience reminiscent of their prime. The joyful reunion was marked by laughter and camaraderie, with Chinen recalling, "It has been 12 years, hasn't it?" instantly igniting the crowd’s cheers.
Throughout the concert, the trio shared fond memories of their time together, evoking laughter and nostalgia among their fans. For example, Nakayama humorously pointed out how Yamada mixed up lyrics during their nostalgic performance, which led to Yamada laughingly admitting, "I was singing and wondering if it was correct!" This light-hearted exchange created a shared moment of affection for the audience.
The concert was expansive, showcasing Nakayama's career with 24 performed songs, including his debut track "Missing Piece" and newer songs like "GOOD VIBES." The choreography was overseen by Yara Tomoyuki, beloved by Nakayama as his mentor, which added to the depth of the performances. It was also noted how Nakayama expressed feelings of accomplishment with, "I'm happy to be able to spend so much of my life creating art, and I’ll strive to express myself even more moving forward!"
Aside from musical performances, several old friends were spotted among the audience, including members from other idol groups. At one point, Yamada jokingly wondered aloud about the absence of his friend Kikuchi Fuma, eliciting laughter from those present. The concert was not just about performance but also about commemorations of friendships and shared history.
Given this concert coincided with Nakayama's departure from STARTO, he took the opportunity to affirm his commitment to both his career and his former bandmates, stating, "Again, I will work hard to be able to perform with you two." This sentiment was met with cheers from the crowd, reflecting fans' eagerness to see future collaborations.
Another lighthearted moment came when Chinen firmly declared, "I didn’t say we were breaking up!" hinting at the uncertainty surrounding future team-ups of NYC. This sentiment shows the group's dynamic, ensuring fans remain hopeful about potential reunions in the future, as Yamada added, "I want you to deliver entertainment to many people," reminding everyone of their mission to share joy through their art.
Reflecting on his time with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, Nakayama conveyed his gratitude to his fans and teammates alike, making the atmosphere both bittersweet and celebratory. He expressed, "I was surprised but it’s the era we live in. I want you to deliver entertainment to many people," indicating his drive to continue performing and creating after this chapter's close.
With this concert concluding not just one of many performances but a significant chapter of Nakayama Yuma's career, fans left with renewed spirits and expectations for the future. The final moments of the show saw Nakayama and his friends united on stage, waving goodbye to the audience, promising to keep the spirit of NYC alive. He proclaimed, "We are really NYC!" emphasizing their united legacy and future collaborations.
This reunion at Nakayama's concert is certain to be remembered as one of the best moments of hearts and voices intertwined, capturing the essence of friendship, nostalgia, and the sheer joy of performance. The promise of more to come from Nakayama, along with the enchanting memories of NYC, fills fans with hope as they look forward to witnessing more from these beloved artists.