After the stunning appearance at the 38th Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2024 SPRING/SUMMER (“Mynavi TGC 2024 S/S”), Shonen Ninja’s Nao Oriyama and Kansai Junior Hikaru Hakui surprised us with a teaser of a Contemporary Dance MV, revealing the rebranding of the +81 DANCE STUDIO channel into +81 STUDIO.
+81 STUDIO released the full version of Nao and Hikaru’s Contemporary Dance MV on March 5th 2024.
The first video, featuring Nao Oriyama of Shonen Ninja and Hikaru Hakui of the Kansai Juniors, is a beautifully directed Contemporary Dance piece set to “Soranji” by Mrs. GREEN APPLE. It is a stunning piece of art that gives you goosebumps as you watch their performance slowly evolve as it goes on. Not only are both boys talented dancers but the expressions and emotions they convey through their performance is next-level.
There’s something magical about the MV as it takes you through the recent darkness and turmoil, the struggles and frustration evident from their expressions to the light in the dark guiding them forward. The way they express themselves through the MV is almost as if they are trying to represent their world in entertainment- They might be individuals trying to make a name for themselves, struggling and grasping for the light ahead, only to stumble and fall over and over again. Even so, you’re not alone in the dark.
Within the family they belong to, they share the road with many, share the struggles and frustrations. Together, they can believe and bring each other up to new heights as they continue challenging each other on the road toward the light. The light might represent all of us fans, as we are their guiding light in the industry. Just like the boys are our guiding light, always guiding us back to the shore, we fans can be their light in the stormy sea. Just like we shine in the ocean of penlights for them to see at concerts, giving them a view they’ll never forget.
Since the start of +81 DANCE STUDIO in 2021, the studio has ignited a passionate movement, fusing the timeless melodies of classic STARTO artists with the electrifying artistry of our talented Junior trainees. By doing so, they are not merely honoring the past; they are crafting a legacy that resonates with the beating heart of today’s dance scene.
As you watch the videos on the channel, the spirit of classic STARTO music intertwines with the boundless energy of the rising STARTO stars, creating a tapestry of unforgettable moments and leaving an indelible mark on the world of performing arts.
In the beginning, +81 DANCE STUDIO launched with Travis Japan as their solo project channel, an impressive feat as they were still Juniors back in 2021. They challenged each song with ease, showing off their impeccable skills and the wide variety of genres they could do, creating a new space and path for them as a group to walk on. To Travis Japan, +81 DANCE STUDIO had become another weapon of theirs to utilize in their chase towards their yearned dream: debut.
As Travis Japan announced they were leaving for Los Angeles, they also held a graduation livestream on the channel, indicating their time on the channel was over. However, Season One didn’t wrap up then but in July 2022 with the surprise release of their captivating interpretation of “HONEY BEAT” by V6. This remarkable rendition was brought to life through the choreography of member Ryuya Shimekake, adding a unique layer of artistry to the performance. Moreover, the release was accompanied by a music video, creatively directed by then Vice President and former agency talent Hideaki Takizawa, set against the striking backdrop of the Nevada desert in America.
In September 2022, the +81 DANCE STUDIO channel was revived for season Two with the agency’s Juniors as the cast of the channel, as Travis Japan prepared themselves for the next step in their career – their long-yearned dream of debut in October 2022. This season opened up the channel for a broader and more diverse cast of talents but still following the same core idea of fusing the timeless melodies of classic STARTO artists to the new generation of talents. Season Two came to a close in April 2023.
The Second season brought forth a wave of excitement and anticipation among the Junior fans. They eagerly awaited the performances and developments of the talented Juniors they love under the guidance of +81 DANCE STUDIO and the various choreographers they worked with. The energy and dedication of the cast shone through in every upload, captivating audiences with their choreography and mesmerizing stage presence.
The channel became a platform of creativity and inspiration, inherited from Travis Japan, letting their Juniors showcase their own journey and growth as aspiring artists – just like Travis Japan did when they were on the channel. Travis Japan left the channel to their precious and treasured Juniors and friends to further nurture and develop into something blossoming and inspiring. Not only for themselves but for the generations to come.
+81 STUDIO is an exciting new Junior-focused endeavor spearheaded by Tadayoshi Ohkura of SUPER EIGHT.
After a hiatus of nearly a year and the managerial rebranding of the agency, veteran talent and producer Ohkura determined it was time to inject new vitality into the project. His vision aimed to broaden its scope beyond the traditional confines of classical music, transforming it into a larger showcase for the remarkable creative talents within the new generation of Junior cast members.
Although the initial intention was to rejuvenate and expand upon the original concept of +81 DANCE STUDIO and continue the legacy left behind to nurture, there were concerned whispers in the dark. The transition from Season Two to Season Three was perceived as a notable tonal shift, leaving many feeling that the original essence of the +81 DANCE STUDIO channel had been erased.
While there were many who were excited over the rebranding, the decision was made to shift the rebranding to a new, separate channel instead of changing the existing +81 DANCE STUDIO channel. Thus, creating +81 STUDIO, the intended successor of +81 DANCE STUDIO, only now operating under new wings and light. Ohkura’s vision still remains under the +81 STUDIO name, not disregarding the original channel at all, merely allowing the new generation another path to spread their wings and walk on, following the footsteps of their treasured seniors.
+81 DANCE STUDIO will remain as a tribute and memorial to its own era, allowing loyal fans and new watchers to enjoy the crafts the talents at STARTO left as their legacy.
Ohkura earlier posted on his official X account about the MV, saying:
“I had the pleasure of producing a Tokyo Junior, with whom I am not usually involved with, and a Kansai Junior.
I am involved in this project because I believe that their talent and enthusiasm for expression will give hope for the future to me, and to you.
There are still many talents waiting to be discovered. Please continue to support our company.
Let’s create entertainment that moves us to tears!”
Whether it is Juniors honoring their respected seniors or creating their own path forward, the bonds they share and the determination to always improve will never change. They walk in the footsteps of those before them, shouldering the history, only to create new paths for the future generation to later take over.
Check them out on their various social media platforms along with their fellow Juniors!
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