Naniwa Danshi, the popular J-pop boy band, has been making headlines with their much-anticipated Asia Tour 2024-2025. Kicking off this exciting venture, the group held their inaugural overseas performances on November 30 and December 1 at the Taipei Arena, marking their debut appearance not only on the Taiwanese stage but also abroad.
The Tokyo-based seven-member group, which includes rising stars like Daigo Nishihata, Ryusei Ohnishi, Shunsuke Michieda, Kyohhei Takahashi, Kento Nagao, Joichiro Fujiwara, and Kazuya Ohashi, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, drawing over 22,000 fans over their two-day engagement. Early on November 28, around 600 ardent fans welcomed them at the airport, brandishing uchiwa fans and messages of support.
Upon their arrival, the band's cheerful demeanor captured the hearts of those present, and as they waved to their accomplice supporters, they engaged joyfully with fans taking pictures, even responding to encouraging shouts to perform their signature poses like the "chuki chuki" gesture.
During the days leading up to the concert, the members participated in exciting press events, dressed sharply to create lasting first impressions on local media. Each member took turns introducing themselves in Mandarin, with Michieda expressing joy at being able to connect with the fans by saying, "I'm very happy to meet everyone here!" Meanwhile, Ohashi lightened the mood with one of his quirky jokes about his love for pudding.
The energetic atmosphere at the press conference reflected the band's eagerness to embrace their newfound international reach. Nishihata remarked on the warmth he felt from Taiwanese fans, stating, "Thank you for coming to see us, it makes me really happy to receive so many messages!" Fujiwara echoed his sentiments, making it clear how meaningful this experience was for them as first-time visitors.
Yet, the tour has not been without its challenges. Fujiwara suffered a right-foot injury during the inaugural concert, where he reported breaking his toe. He candidly disclosed the circumstances during his radio show, describing how he hurt himself mid-performance. “I felt this moment where I might be pushing myself too hard, but I kept going for the show,” he recalled, humorously noting the astonishment of the local emergency room staff when he presented himself for treatment after performing for two hours on injury. “I was icing it after, but all I could think was the show must go on!”
Despite the setback, the support from fans, including those from the Orix Buffaloes baseball team, provided him solace and encouragement as he humorously reflected on the affectionate teasing he received about his injury, likening it to being part of their team. “It felt like I was actually recognized as part of the Orix family,” he said with appreciation.
Following their successful Tokyo engagement, attention shifted to upcoming performances scheduled for January 25 and 26, 2025, at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong. Leading up to this, the group released a special greeting video for their Hong Kong fans, showcasing their enthusiasm with cheerful messages of gratitude. Clips showed them dressed adorably in outfits colored to reflect their individual identities, delivering greetings mixed with Cantonese phrases, making clear their commitment to local fans.
“We’ve never been to Hong Kong before, so we’re incredibly excited to meet the Naniwa family there!” beamed Takahashi, with Michieda emphasizing the significance of learning the local culture as they pursue their performances across Asia.
Innovation and cultural engagement stood at the forefront of Naniwa Danshi's promotional efforts. During the interactive Pop-Up event, "NANIWA no NIWA in ASIA," the members took part excitedly, interacting with fans and showcasing their creativity by signing autographs and drafting heartfelt messages. At the event, the band was cheered on as they sampled popular local delicacies, relishing the flavors of their tour surroundings.
Among the questions posed to the members was how they felt about engaging with different languages and cultures. Michieda, who noted similarities between Cantonese and their Osaka dialect, expressed hopes for surprises during performances, skillfully balancing their Japanese heritage with their venture to create meaningful connections with their audience.
While highlights of their Asia tour certainly include music and laughter, the underlying theme remains their desire to build bridges through cultural exchange and share smiles through every interaction. Each concert serves not just as entertainment but as the formation of new ties across borders.
Even with the challenges they face, the group radiates positive energy and determination, truly living up to their idol status. Fujiwara ended the radio broadcast on a hopeful note: “I hope to recover quickly and show you all my energetic self dancing and singing on stage again soon. Thank you for your support!”
