Naniwa Danshi ASIA TOUR 2024+2025 '+Alpha': Taipei Highlights

Naniwa Danshi continues to spread their +Alpha charm as they kick off their very first Asia Tour with their first stop in Taipei—two concerts scheduled on November 30 and December 1!

Following the tour, NANIWA no NIWA in ASIA, a limited-time pop-up store was also set in Taipei with exclusive new merch for Nanifams to enjoy!

Along with the local Taiwanese Nanifams, international Nanifams from all over the world joined the concert! Dumpling Box had the chance to gather the experience of some international fans on both days!

From the airport to the venue, there were Nanifam everywhere dressed in +Alpha merch, busy doing oshikatsu, with their nuis and ita bags!

At the Taipei Arena, before the concert, people also bought merch and took pictures with posters displayed outside the arena walls. To promote the concert, the organizers in Taipei prepared a concert promotion truck and subway poster to promote Naniwa Danshi in Taiwan.

From start to end, the experience everyone shared was very similar in a positive way! They had a pleasant concert experience in the Taipei Arena, from ID verification to collecting concert merchandise and bag checks, the staff was efficient in ensuring the process went smoothly.

Some people who had the chance to attend the +Alpha tour in Japan preferred the concert atmosphere in Taipei more. Unsure of what caused the change but the fans in Taipei were more hyped up and loud which intensified the concert experience even more!

The concert—both days—was each an experience of their own, unique to each and every person at the venue. The show opened with “NEW CLASSIC,” immediately captivating the audience with their synchronized moves and polished charisma. Songs like “Join Us!” and “Kick Start” kept the energy high, as the group danced their way from the main stage to the center stage, engaging fans across the arena.

The stage design, while effective, left some fans wishing for even more opportunities for idol and fan interaction. Despite this, the atmosphere was electric, with Taiwanese fans displaying a unique energy that some attendees noted surpassed the already vibrant Japanese concerts.

Along with the mesmerizing opening, the group also unveiled their newly designed black outfits accented with member colors, designed specifically for the Asia Tour by the group’s youngest, Kento Nagao.

The newly designed tour costume by **Kento Nagao** | **Source: topicool.jp**

Similar to the difference in the hype, a change in scene was seen in the case of waving penlights as well! Japanese fans prioritize their oshi, for example, some people would just have the color of their oshi turned on the whole time. However, in Taipei, fans switched their penlight colors according to the members who were standing in front of their sections or were talking on the main stage.

At times there was an obvious red ocean in front of Daigo Nishihata and an obvious green ocean in front of Ohashi “Hassun” Kazuya in the next section. This scene is also seen in Japan but not as grandly as noted by the attendees. Compared to the Japan tour, there were no carts so members had to run or walk past each section.

There were some lucky sections in the arena with raising platforms where each member would stand for some songs. Whenever a member would be close to a section, people would change their penlight to their respective member color.

It was a very beautiful sight—like a pretty rainbow—and it was like the members were singing to their own crowd. Even as they walked along the path of the stage, the audience was very generous in changing the colors of their penlights in general.

As for language, if you are familiar with the world tours of K-pop groups, you’ll see that they’re often accompanied by translators or interpreters with them to overcome the language barrier. But for Naniwa Danshi, they had no translator onsite.

The boys pushed through the concert and engaged with the audience with their passion for English and Chinese phrases. They also changed some words in their songs to Mandarin. Not only that, They sang the whole ending chorus of “UBU Love” in Taiwanese Hokkien! Everyone in the audience could feel how much Naniwa Danshi had prepared themselves to adapt to the language used in Taiwan.

The set list was slightly different compared to their tour in Japan. They really put in the effort to arrange the setlist specially for the Asia tour. It wasn’t just a collection of songs, it was a journey through Naniwa Danshi’s artistry, growth, and genuine connection with their fans.

Since it’s their first overseas concert, they had a special medley which included their Junior songs like “Bokuzora~Ashiatononaimirai~” and “Naniwa Lucky Boy” and B-side tracks like “Seishun Rhapsody.”

Ballads like “I Wish” and “Bokuzora~Ashiatononaimirai~” provided moments of reflection and emotion. During “Bokuzora~Ashiatononaimirai~,” Ohashi’s line, “na isshouni ikou,” was done in Mandarin, and brought a sense of unity, echoing the theme of diversity and connection that underpinned the entire concert. The emotional weight of these performances has left the fans feeling deeply moved.

They also performed the unit songs!

“Ururirurarirari,” with its whimsical choreography and the appearance of colorful alien-themed visuals, added a playful touch to the concert. Ohashi’s solo during the song, filled with his signature vocal flair, became a standout moment that left the audience mesmerized.

Right after that, it was “Koiyakedome” by Ryusei “Ryuche” Onishi and Daigo. They came out in umbrellas in their cute tweed outfits. Everything about the performance was just cute from start to end. They also translated both of their catchphrases in the song into Mandarin.

And last, but not least, for “Precious One,” Shunsuke “Mitchy” Michieda and Joichiro “Jo” Fujiwara created an intimate moment, with Mitchy playing the guitar and Jo adding harmonica melodies. Their playful interactions and soft harmonies were met with cheers and laughter, showcasing the group’s close bond.

Like in the Japan tour, the group made everyone play a playful game of balloon-tossing contest involving their nui-themed inflatables. Fans cheered as Mitchy emerged victorious, earning Xiao Long Bao as his prize. The group also shared heartfelt letters in Mandarin, expressing their gratitude and reflecting on their favorite Taiwanese foods, including a humorous revelation that Mitchy had braved the notorious stinky tofu. Whereas everyone thought that it would be Ohashi to try out the unique dish. About the dish Mitchy said, “When you get used to the smell it’s actually really tasty.”

At the end of the encore, the lights went up, and the doors started to open, but people kept cheering and clapping “Naniwa Danshi” in unison. Some people got up but most of the fans did not want to leave, hoping there would be more to the last day of the Taipei shows. The announcement already started but a lot of people were still waiting to see if there was more, and there was!

Naniwa Danshi came out in their +Alpha tour shirts and sang “Chuki Chuki Hurricane.” Everyone was ecstatic. People were dancing along while seated, light sticks in hand. The animation for the song was also being played on the big screen! I heard that they did not perform this on Day 1 so we all felt very special.

When they finally left the stage, some Nanifam were still cheering in unison. But eventually, the announcement came up and people started to leave. The audience was still hanging around for a while and all heard Kento say something through the mic.

After the show finally ended, people were seen helping themselves to the confetti, one with a picture of Naniwa Danshi and another with messages written by them but this time written in Chinese.

Fans were handing out some of them to other fans who didn’t get any. There were still Nanifam around the arena taking photos, basking in the afterglow of the show. Everyone helped each other to take group photos, bonding over their love for the boys.

Overall, fans left the concerts with hearts full of joy, inspired by Naniwa Danshi’s genuine effort and passion. Many described the shows as not just performances, but as unforgettable memories that will remain with them for a lifetime. Whether local or international, every fan who attended felt the undeniable magic of Naniwa Danshi’s first Asia Tour stop in Taipei.

Naniwa Danshi’s next stop on their Asia tour is in Seoul, South Korea! The concerts are on January 11 and 12! Wonder what new experience is waiting for the fans over there and for Naniwa Danshi!

Hope everyone enjoys the shows! If you are going, don’t forget to share your experiences with us! Have fun, everyone!

A massive thanks to the fans who attended—@acimberry, @aliakazumichan, @taengoo_lady, @honeybunny08—and shared their experiences with us! Thank you always for your support and love for the boys!