Get ready for a new chapter in BORDERLESS as Ae! group takes their next big step in BORDERLESS Ae! group’s Debut Tour, streaming worldwide on Netflix starting November 28!
On May 15, 2024, Ae! group finally made their debut. With their debut single “ยซAยป BEGINNING” in hand, they embarked on a debut tour spanning eight major cities, starting in May 2024. Having overcome numerous challenges, they took their first steps as debuted idolsโhow did they approach this national tour?
This continuation of the original documentary offers a rare glimpse into Ae! groupโs journey through their first nationwide debut tour across Japan, where they performed live for a massive audience of 370,000. The debut tour represents a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each new episode showcases the excitement, challenges, and unforgettable memories of this pivotal tour, bringing fans closer than ever to the groupโs heart and soul. This series delves into the unique personalities and true selves of the five members as they sprinted through these important days.
During the event, Ken “Kojiken” Kojima and Masaya Sano engaged in playful banter that had the audience laughing, and the Kojimasaya pair showed off exactly why they’re such a tight-knit pair and good friends.
When asked about any new discoveries they made about each other from watching the completed documentary, Masaya shared, โKen Kojima made the costume for my solo performance of “Aishiterutte IwaNight,” which was inspired by a YouTube skit. Iโd never seen him working on it, but he told me, โI put my love into the word โloveโ here, and then Sano wears it and delivers it to everyone,โ which was so sappy, but I was genuinely grateful.โ Ken, blushing, insisted, โI wasnโt trying to show off. Thatโs just how I am.โ
As Kojiken continued sharing memories, the frequent back-and-forth between him and Masaya led the other members to quip, โItโs all just Kojima and Sano here!โ Kojiken then confessed, โI have this playful banter with Sano backstage, which escalates here. Thereโs a scene where I kiss himโฆ but I kind of wish it hadnโt been filmed. Maybe it could still be edited out?โ He admitted, laughing, that it was beyond the usual โidol cheek kiss.โ Masaya added, chuckling, โHonestly, thank goodness there were cameras! If it were just between us, imagine that!โ
Seiya Suezawa, who handled costume production, noted, โFor the opening, I wanted something flashy, so I went with black fur. The budget increase post-debut is amazing.โ Reflecting on a change he made after the Hokkaido performance, he said, โI realized my design looked a bit dark from afar, so I made a new outfit for the next city. I only wore it in Hokkaido, so I hope to wear it again someday. The fact that everyoneโs personal outfit ideas came through perfectly really shows the perks of debuting.โ
Despite this, he joked, โEveryone else clearly told me what they wanted, but Sanoโs approach is just โwhatever you think is best,โ which was a bit challenging.โ Masaya responded with a smile, โIt turned out great. 100 points, 100 points!โ
Kojiken also expressed excitement over the scale of their tour, saying, โThe scale has completely changed. Last year we were performing in halls, and now weโre in arenas, using more elaborate equipment and the arenaโs perimeter.โ Masaya added enthusiastically, โEven the catering got an upgrade!โ Kojiken mentioned his favorite, a salmon and roe dish from Hokkaido, to which Masaya responded with glee, โBoth salmon and roe! Back in our Junior days, it was one or the other, and the plates were ceramic too!โ
Debuting has its perks it seems! It’s well-deserved for the hard-working boys though, and there’s more to come.
Yoshinori Masakado, who served as a coordinator between the staff and the members throughout the tour, reflected, โWe started by discussing what exactly we wanted to do on stage, so this became the most talkative live performance we’ve ever had as a group. Facing the audience on opening night was filled with feelings Iโd never experienced before; it was a unique experience.โ
He added, โWatching this second installment now might help us sort out those memories. At the time, we were just doing our best, thinking through everything as a group of five. The intensity and recklessness we put into itโitโs all packed with the essence of Ae! group.โ
One of the highlights of the documentary is the members’ authentic behind-the-scenes struggles. Keita Richard Kusama shared candidly, โI got to showcase my bass playing, but as more songs were added, I struggled with which ones to practice first. That process was captured in the footage too,โ revealing his honest moments of uncertainty.
The acoustic segment of the tour brought its own challenges. Masaya recalled, โDuring sound check the day before, it became clear we werenโt at a level to perform it live. We nearly decided to cut it, but everyone thought, โWe canโt just drop it,โ and we each put in extra practice. There was this unspoken understanding, a sense of history between us, like, โWe need to pull this off.โ That bond and drive really stood out.โ
Seiya, who also challenged himself to sing while playing guitar, expressed his gratitude to Masaya for teaching him and helping him practice, saying, โSano-chan explained it really clearly.โ Masaya, their resident music student and arranger, proud of his teaching, replied, โI didnโt realize I was such a good teacher. I could charge for lessons!โ
Leader Kojiken chimed in with a bit of regret, โWhile Massan (Masakado) was guiding everyone and Richard was struggling with the bass, I was nowhere to be found in those serious scenes. I shouldโve been practicing too!โ
The charismatic leader was sure somewhere around practicing too, or coming up with new words of wisdom to enlighten the world with.
It’s clear that a lot of love and effort has been put into the documentary, ensuring that the group’s hard work, determination, and passion are shining through properly. While the official physical release of the tour also includes a documentary part, having a series like BORDERLESS available worldwide is different. It gives anyone the chance to dive into the world of entertainment that only groups like Ae! group can give you. You get a first-hand view of how the spectacular and mesmerizing concerts come alive and how much the boys themselves take part in ensuring the magic lasts forever and that their entertainment truly is borderless.
The original BORDERLESS series followed Ae! groupโs remarkable journey over five years, exploring each memberโs growth, setbacks, and successes. Fans were introduced to their unique stories, seeing their transformation from a fresh Kansai-based group into a polished debut-ready unit. Now, with these debut tour episodes, fans can experience the high-energy performances and behind-the-scenes moments that define their long-awaited debut tour, captured on camera for fans worldwide.
As member Richard Keita Kusama mentioned in a previous exclusive, BORDERLESS allows fans and newcomers alike to get to know each member, not just as part of the group but as individuals with unique paths and personal stories. He expressed his hope that fans could โsee how the Ae! group they know today is the result of all the different paths each member has walked.โ
Richard also shared his wish that viewers could find personal resonance in their stories: โI hope viewers will find parts they resonate with, having had similar experiences, so they can overlap it with themselves and think, โI can handle my situation like this too.โโ His reflections continue to enrich the BORDERLESS series, encouraging fans to engage deeply with the group’s journey and connect their own lives to Ae! groupโs experiences.
A Comment from Yoshinori Masakado:
โOn behalf of the five of us in Ae! group, I am very excited to be part of another Netflix project this year. The response from viewers both here in Japan and overseas to the original BORDERLESS documentary was very touching, and we sincerely appreciate the comments, fan letters, and overall reactions from those who got to know us for the first time or just a little bit better through it.
To be honest, Iโm really looking forward to watching this new edition to the BORDERLESS series myself! It may seem strange since the show is about us, but getting to see from a 3rd person point of view what the always-present camera was catching during our tour is very enlightening, if not a bit embarrassing (haha). I am very grateful both to everyone at Netflix and our agencyโs hardworking production staff for pulling this together, and even more so to all our fans for the love and support that makes these special projects possible!โ
With these new episodes, viewers will see Ae! group confronting new challenges as they embark on this major debut tour across eight cities. Backstage interviews and onstage highlights reveal the excitement, vulnerability, and determination each member brings to every performance, capturing their deep appreciation for this milestone. The show is more than a tour diary; itโs a testament to their resilience and the support that has guided them every step of the way.
Episode Release Schedule:
Note: International release dates are being finalized at the time of writing.
Episode 1: Thursday, November 28, 21:00
Episode 2: Thursday, December 5, 21:00
Episode 3: Thursday, December 12, 21:00
Episode 4: Thursday, December 19, 21:00
Get ready to experience Ae! groupโs nationwide tour like never before. The physical release of the tour is set for release on December 4th, in both Blu-Ray and DVD, and you can get a copy from CD Japan! Make sure to grab a copy before it’s too late!
BORDERLESS Ae! group’s Debut Tour will not only give those who didn’t attend in person a first glance at the tour, but also leave a lasting impact, showing fans the heart, humor, and grit behind each city stop. Whether youโre a longtime fan or new to Ae! groupโs world, these new episodes offer a closer look at the dedication and spirit that make them unforgettable.
So don’t miss to catch BORDERLESS Ae! group’s Debut Tour on Netflix when it airs and join the journey that brings their dreams to life.
Watch The first BORDERLESS Here on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81776808
Don’t forget to follow Ae! group on all their official accounts to keep yourself updated with the recent news!
Photo assets ยฉ STARTO ENTERTAINMENT.