Ae! group’s Ken “Kojiken” Kojima took the stage as the group’s representative at the “anan AWARD 2024” ceremony on November 11 in Tokyo, where anan, a leading lifestyle magazine, celebrated stars who have become icons of their era. Kojiken reflected on the magazine’s ambitious buddy photoshoot project, which paired every possible duo within Ae! group, even before their official debut.
“Every shoot was fun and memorable. I even remember each location clearly,” Kojiken shared, highlighting the impact of the experience. Of all the shots, his favorite was the “Richa-jima” pairing with fellow member Keita Richard Kusama. With a smile, he joked, “Aren’t we the only ones in our agency known as a ‘combo with no demand’?” Even in the buddy project, anan embraced the duo, humorously asking in an interview, “How do you feel about being called a ‘combo with no demand’?” Kojiken laughed, with his ever-bright and positive attitude, noting, “The fact they’re asking means there’s interest, right? We’ve become a fresh new style of duo, and that made it so interesting.”
When asked if he’d like more demand for their pairing, he admitted, “It’d be great if it did, but it might make it harder to joke about being ‘a no-demand pair.’” He added, “If there’s ever a ‘no-demand division’ at the anan AWARD, please invite ‘Richa-jima’!”
Before their debut, Ae! group has already won the “Emotional” category at the anan AWARD 2023, a grand feat as a Junior group, and had already become a fixture in live shows and variety programs across the country. In March 2024, Seiya Suezawa of Ae! group appeared solo on the cover of anan as a Junior, an unusual feat pre-debut, and he continued to grace the cover for the group’s debut and second single releases. These achievements earned Ae! group the 2024 “Dramatic” category award, making them the first to win the anan AWARD two years consecutively.
Reflecting on the year, Kojiken shared, “Last year was our final year as Juniors, and this year marked our thrilling debut. When we found out we won, everyone cheered backstage,” he said, proud of their journey. “It’s wonderful to be recognized as ‘dramatic.’ This past year has been eventful for us, from performing at Kyocera Dome as Juniors to achieving our debut—truly a dramatic experience.”
Looking forward, he stated, “We still feel like newcomers. Although our work has expanded across the country, our mentality remains as it was in our Junior days. In fact, I’m even hungrier than I was back then.” As the group enters its second year, and with the world broader, the competition tougher, he added, “With a mindset of ‘approaching it as if it’s our first year all over again,’ we’ll keep growing into an ‘Ae!mazing group’ and set our sights on a third consecutive win, aiming for the grand prize.”
This year’s anan FES 2024 celebrated anan‘s 50th anniversary, bringing together fans of its curated culture, fashion, beauty, and wellness offerings. The event crowned stars who have become “faces of the era,” celebrating people and trends that left a mark.
The ceremony also honored winners in various categories, including the grand prize recipient Snow Man’s Shota Watanabe, Mai Ioki, Kazu Inoue, and Satsuki Sugawara from Nogizaka46 in the Focus category, Eikuu Shiono in the Actor category, Mitsuki Tsujimura in the Creative category, and MEGUMI in the Empowerment category. Voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda and basketball stars Yuki Kawamura and Makoto Hiejima won in the Voice and Athlete categories, respectively.
With the upcoming physical release of their tour Ae! group Debut Tour ～The Best Ae LIVE in the World～ on December 4, excitement for the group’s ongoing journey is resonating throughout the world; the recent voting project where “WANT!!” emerged as the most wanted song from the tour showcased this enthusiasm, as fans actively participated on social media to vote for their favorite tracks.
Ae! group has swept through the country and the world with pride since their debut in May with “《A》BEGINNING,” followed by their captivating second single “Gotta Be.” Their infectious energy, knack for variety and laughter, and unique sound have not only resonated with fans of all ages, but they have also sparked interest in audiences outside the usual idol sphere. With each new release, their fanbase continues to grow exponentially, as listeners are drawn to their unique style and powerful performances.
With the upcoming continuation of their Netflix documentary BORDERLESS, concerts and live events are not the only electrifying experiences where you can connect with the group. The Netflix documentary series adds to the connection between the group and their fans, no matter where or who they are in the world, showcasing the undeniable impact Ae! group has made in the global music scene.
Ae! group is truly deserving of the Dramatic and Emotional award, and more to come.
Go, with Pride.
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