Video Interview Ae Group From Debut To Dreams A Journey Of Music Growth And Connection de Genius Japan 2025 Lyrics Lyrics

Genius Japan - Interview Ae Group From Debut To Dreams A Journey Of Music Growth And Connection Lyrics

Interviewed+Written by Genius Japan | November 11, 2024
In May 2024, Ae! group made a surprise appearance on a ship in Dotonbori, Osaka, to celebrate their CD debut. The event attracted over 7,000 people in just one hour since the event's announcement on that day. Ae! group consists of five members, Yoshinori Masakado, Seiya Suezawa, Keita Richard Kusama, Ken Kojima, and Masaya Sano, all from the Kansai region of Japan, who have maintainеd strong popularity since the group's formation in 2019. In 2023, despitе being a pre-debut unit from Kansai Juniors, they embarked on a large-scale national tour with a total of 44 performances in 12 cities, A!!!!!! to Odoroki Zenkoku Tour 2023.

The group's talents are not limited only in the field of music but also in their ability to independently produce a variety of events as a group to entertain their fans. To commemorate the upcoming release of the Ae! group Debut Tour ～Sekai de Ichiban Ae Live～ on Blu-ray & DVD December 4 of the same year, a YouTube live-streaming event was held on November 8. The top 10 #1 Ae Live you want to see, was also announced where fan can vote for songs they wanted to see the most from the original 18 songs in the live performance video.

Ae! group also announced the second season of the documentary series BORDERLESS: Ae! group's Debut Tour. which closely follows the footage of the group's debut tour with 370,000 people having attended in eight cities across Japan, will be exclusively on Netflix starting November 28 in Japan, with overseas to follow.

Genius Japan was given the great opportunity to chat with the members of Ae! group. Please enjoy the interview, which is full of the members' thoughts and visions for the future, as well as the story behind their new single "Gotta Be," as well as exclusive episodes available only on Genius!
── Hello, Ae! group! Thank you for sitting down with Genius Japan. Can you please introduce yourselves to our readers?

Ken Kojima: (In English) Hello! I’m Ae! group’s Super Leader! My appeal point is that I am very, very cool, and my vocal tone is soothing and gentle.

Masaya Sano: (In English) My name is Masaya Sano. I play the drums in the band and have been playing for about seven years. I love music and also enjoy singing. Nice to meet you!

Yoshinori Masakado: I’m Yoshinori Masakado! Our group's strengths and unique points revolve around doing a variety of things, and the “jack of all trades” is kind of our core identity and theme. We incorporate comedy, singing, and dancing in our live shows, and we also play instruments and perform as a band. Among those, the weapon that I personally hold very dear is the guitar, which I've been playing since middle school. I'm really happy that it has become something very important in both my activities as part of the group and in my life. I hope to keep improving my skills with my guitar. I’d love for people to remember me as a great guitarist who’s also a Japanese idol and member of the group.

Keita Richard Kusama: I’m Keita Richard Kusama. In Ae! group, I’m in charge of playing the saxophone, but I’ve also recently taken on the role of the bassist. I’ve only been playing the latter for less than a year, but I’m doing my best. I’m also the only member of the group with mixed roots.

Seiya Suezawa: I'm Seiya Suezawa, the oldest member of Ae! group. One of my strong points is my ability to sing in a high range, so when we perform as a band, I take on the role of the vocalist, and it especially shines when we do rock numbers.

── First of all, congratulations on the release of your new single, "Gotta Be!" As fans immerse themselves in your music, could you share more about the inspiration behind the single and how it all came together?

Masakado: Our debut single, 《A》BEGINNING, had a pretty heavy rock sound, and we got a great reaction to it. Rock and those kinds of adjacent styles have been important to us since our Junior days, and we discussed at length how an upbeat, high-energy rock number could be cool to start our debut career. On the other hand, Ae! group is always taking on new challenges, and we have a lot of songs that reflect that, so for this second single we wanted to branch out and create an uplifting song that encourages others. The second verse contains our feelings about music and the messages we want to convey, and I find it intriguing to see how those differing perspectives resonate with our listeners.
── This single was released in four editions, of which all editions include "Gotta Be" and "Never End" and each edition includes its own coupling song. Could each member share with us your favorite song off the single, and what makes it special to you?

Sano: My favorite coupling song is "Never End." It’s the theme song for the drama Rikon Kouya which I starred in, and it’s a love ballad. It’s the kind of ballad Ae! group has never done before — like a fleeting love song that cries out for an unreachable love, yet still holds hope. Each of the five members' voices is really well showcased, and I really love this song.

Kojima: For me it’s "Say! Ae!" It’s a great song, really upbeat, and it is perfect for call-and-response moments during a live show. You’ll of course enjoy it even if it's your first time at the concert, but if you remember it beforehand, it’ll be even more fun. When listening to it, you can already imagine how exciting it’ll be. Plus, the lyrics are easy to shout out, which I love, and it’s got a bit of an anime song vibe. It’s just fun to listen to, and I think when we all do it together at a concert, it’s going to be even more fun. I’m really looking forward to it!
Masakado: The song Aeteodoru is one we've been singing since our Junior days. It was the second song we ever received. We had a lot of trouble deciding on it during this single’s B-side selection process, but over the years it's become a song that's loved by fans, and though it might sound strange coming from us, it's like a hidden theme song of ours. It's a track that's cherished by many, and in the wake of our debut we had the song recorded with a live band and re-recorded our vocals from those used before. In short, the song has been upgraded to have a much richer sound and evolve into a really powerful track, and with the instruments becoming the main focus, it feels like it's truly showcasing Ae! group's unique color.

Richard: For me, it’s Neon Light. Neon Light has the fastest rap I've ever done, but the overall tempo of the song is also really quick. The song shifts through various tempos, which makes it a really fun track to listen to as well as sing. There’s even a part where Suezawa does some tap dancing, so it’s a song packed with entertainment.

Suezawa: My favorite song from the single is RED ZONE. It's a dance number, and this was a song we considered during our Junior days and became something we aspired to do one day given at that point in time we didn’t think we were good enough. Now that we've debuted, it made its way into our discography, with both the track and choreography stepping up in quality. I’m really looking forward to the day we can perform it live. It’s a kind of dance number that we’ve never had in Ae! group before, and the chorus is quite catchy with an easy melody to sing along to. I’d be really happy if everyone could try to sing along and join in with us!

── Let's travel back to the group's debut. Being the first group to make a debut from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT back in May with the release of 《A》BEGINNING. How was the process of working on the record like?

Sano: Filming the music video was really fun. Having our very own music video was a dream we had been chasing since our Junior days, so finally being able to fulfill that with 《A》BEGINNING was amazing. The scale of the shoot, the number of staff involved, and the overall effort that went into it were completely different from anything we had experienced before, and we were really happy with the results. Thanks to everyone's hard work, I think we were able to create a truly powerful and wonderful music video.
── We learned that You Yokoyama and Tadayoshi Ohkura of SUPER EIGHT had been mentoring members and producing events for Ae! group. What impact did they have on the group mentally?

Masakado: We would say they are our benefactors. In Japanese, there’s a specific word for it, “恩人” (onjin; person to whom one is indebted, often deeply). Without these two seniors, this group wouldn't have existed. To put it bluntly, I don't think we'd even be doing this interview right now. Yokoyama-kun believed in our abilities and told us, 'I'll make sure you guys can make a living from this.' Thanks to him, he made it so we could truly make a career out of being idols. We are truly grateful for everything they have done.

── Since debut, you guys have been very active not only as an idol group but also in various fields such as serving as a brand ambassador to FILA and directing a comedy in the theater. What do you think is the strength of the Ae! group that sets it apart from other boy groups?

Sano: Comedy, for sure. There are plenty of singers and dancers all over the world, and having a band in the mix might be comparatively a little rare, but it’s not entirely unique. So on top of that, we add the flair of Kansai; that Naniwa vibe. We've loved making people laugh since way back, and anyone familiar with Kansai Juniors shows will know the intricate skits that can last up to 20 or 30 minutes. We also have songs in our concert sets that lean toward the comic, and each of us has our own original characters who perform in their own silly styles as well. I think there aren’t many groups out there that have the same strong comedic element while still being legitimately serious about music and facing it head-on.

── According to the Netflix documentary series BORDERLESS, some of you have confessed that you once considered quitting the agency before the group was formed. What motivated you to overcome difficulties as a Jr. trainee and make a successful debut?

Suezawa: For me, I’ve always loved being on stage, and it’s for that very reason there were times both when I wanted to quit and to keep going. I was hungry to be seen, especially as I entered my 20s, and when I’d go for long periods without work, I’d start to wonder if there might be some other path to achieving my goals; but then suddenly I’d get a call for such-and-such concert or show or shoot and everything would instantly snap back into place. The talent family our agency brings together is like no other, and I knew that no stage would ever be the same as the one I and so many seniors I look up to had been raised on. And then, when Ae! group was formed, it was like a tangible sign that perseverance hadn’t been in vain. Every time we were in rehearsals together or meetings about some new job, or when we’d look out into the crowd and see people cheering us on as a unit, I would look around at the other members and think “things are really coming together, dreams really can come true here.” And that feeling became an ever more powerful driving force for me.

── Let's talk a little about the future of Ae! group. You guys performed in front of 50,000 people at the Inazuma Rock Festivalback in 2023. What do you think about the possibility of Ae! group evolving into a rock band instead of an idol group in the future?

Masakado: The possibility of being just a band? It might not be for a while. But the youngest (Sano) said he wants to keep playing even when he’s old. So, maybe 40 years from now, that’ll still be true.

Suezawa: 40 years from now, huh?
Masakado: Wouldn’t it be impressive when we’re all old men?

Suezawa: That’s true.

Richard: Will we still dance?

Suezawa: By the time we’re about 70, we might feel like forming a rock band.

Masakado: Until then, we plan to dance as long as our bodies can hold up.
── On Genius, we also like to fill in fun questions to strengthen the bond between fans and artists. This time, what kind of noodles do you think would best suit each of your personalities?

Kojima: (In English) Sano is "somen." Somen noodles aren’t necessarily flavorful by themselves but can be 'influenced by flavors' and Sano is particularly easy to blend in. Just like these noodles can take on different flavors, he can try out different styles and flow seamlessly in any environment.

Masakado: For Richard, it’s yakisoba. It really has a distinctive personality, just like him.

Sano: Yakisoba is hearty, after all.

Richard:It contains a mix of different elements, and there are lots of hidden ingredients, too.

Sano: (In English) Maskado Yoshinori is "su-udon"

Masakado/Kojima: (In English) Why?

Sano: It’s udon, just plain noodles with broth without anything added. In the end, it’s the most delicious and the thing you want to eat the most. It’s the simplest form that everyone desires, and no one dislikes it. It truly embodies the saying "Simple is best." I think he fits that description perfectly.

Masakado: Ken-chan is pasta
Kojima: (In English) Why?

Masakado: There are so many different sauces for pasta—like carbonara, butter sauce, and basil. In Japan, we have the Japanese-style ones. They all go really well together with pasta. And since Kojima is also a model, he can pull off all kinds of clothes in different colors and styles. He can blend into any element, and no matter what he wears, he has his own flavor, so to speak.

Richard: Compared to other noodles, pasta is solid, and Kojima has a strong, dependable character.

Masakado: Even when he’s wearing various things, he still maintains his core self and can pull it off effortlessly. So, Ken-chan is like pasta.

Masakado: Suezawa-san is soba. He really likes it too.

Kojima: And natto. (In English) Sue likes natto. He has a quick tongue and makes sharp comments. He ages like fine wine, or like natto too.

Masakado: What happened to the soba noodles comparison?

Richard: It’s something that’s approachable for everyone, from children to the elderly.

Suezawa: Is that really how you think of me?

Masakado: You’re delicious both hot and cold.

Suezawa: What do you mean by that?

Masakado: At first glance, when you meet him, you might think, "He seems a bit cool and scary." But as you spend time together, you realize there’s a warm, hidden side to him. He has a dual nature, just like soba; he’s a cool guy.
── As artists, your taste in music must be diverse. Could you share with us some new favourite artists you’ve recently discovered?

Kojima: I've been listening to The Blue Hearts (ザ・ブルーハーツ) since I was in elementary school. They’re an '80s punk band, and I really love them. Recently, I've found myself coming back to their music again. I’ve always been a fan, and now I still really enjoy it. They have a lot of songs that are easy to get into, even for people from overseas, like “TRAIN-TRAIN” and "Linda Linda." However, the songs that really changed my life are 'Kiss Shite Hoshii' (キスしてほしい) and “A Boy’s Song” (少年の歌). I still listen to them now.

── Looking forward, Ae! group still has a long way ahead filled with excitement and mystery. Please tell us about your dreams and goals in the future!

Sano: With my drama airing and the other members focused on their individual projects, we hope to connect with people from all walks of life, not just in Japan but worldwide. We want to aim to be a multi-faceted idol group that anyone, even people who aren’t interested in “idols,” can fall in love with. While pursuing solo work is both fun and challenging, what’s important is what we can bring back to the group.

Masakado: I believe the bond between the five of us is one of our greatest strengths, so I encourage people to check us out on YouTube to see more of who we are beyond just our music. We’re not afraid to give our all physically, and we can also perform as a band, just to name a few, which gives us many ways to express ourselves. So, there are many things we want to do as a group in the future, like going to more festivals like Inazuma Rock Festival and similar. And of course, one of our goals would be to do a five-dome tour one day, and eventually the National Stadium, preferably before Suezawa turns 40.

Richard: Our strength lies in how people can enjoy us from so many different perspectives, and we want to be a group known across Japan, both by our group name and by our individual names. I also hope we can all star in a movie together one day!

Suezawa: There are still a lot of people who don’t know much about us individually or as Ae! group, but we’re only getting started. Our debut single 《A》BEGINNING reflects that — it’s our starting point. Achieving a CD debut was one of our dreams, and with each dream we realize, new ones take shape. Though we might not spell out every dream right now, we’re determined to make them happen one by one. We want to become a group that moves and challenges ourselves beyond the limitations of our own national or regional borders. We want to push past our limits to make our name resonate with people far and wide.

Kojima: I said it before, but no matter if it be soon or not yet for a while, we definitely want to travel and introduce Ae! group to the rest of the world at some point on our journey. I believe entertainment has the power to overcome language barriers, and is truly borderless, just like Ae! group. Although it may take some time before we can visit you in person, our ultimate goal is to ensure Ae! group resonates worldwide. Until then, interviews like this, and our YouTube videos in particular are great ways to get to know us beyond just our music! Seeing our work being shared and appreciated worldwide gives us the confidence to keep going.

── Lastly, any message you'd like to convey to Genius Japan readers and your fanbase?

Masakado: The fact that the spirit of Kansai can be shared with the world has boosted our confidence. We want to cherish our humor and sense of tempo, whether through music, variety shows, or the various tools we use on social media. By building up our own momentum, we hope to attract those who appreciate us, and in doing so, if it catches the eye of someone who likes what they see, that would be great. We want Ae! group to expand within that context. If there's a chance that someone discovers our name or performance through some random opportunity, or if there are those who learned about us by reading this, we would be happy if they checked us out. We want people to think, "There’s an interesting group in Japan." So please recommend us to various people. We would greatly appreciate it!
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