B&ZAI’s live performance of their first original song, “First Beat,” has been uploaded to YouTube as the second Junior unit performance to be shared since the major reshuffling—following ACEes’s “PROLOGUE” From the Arena Tour 2025 PROLOGUE.
In a matter of hours, the comment section had become a living, breathing testament to what this group means to its fans. More than a concert clip, the video captured a spark. One that ignited tears, joy, and above all, a shared promise: everyone together, toward happiness.
Originally performed during their debut solo show, B&ZAI LIVE 2025 First Beat, held June 25–26 at Pia Arena MM, this performance marked a new beginning. Eight members—Hashimoto Ryo, Yabana Rei, Konno Taiki, Sugeta Rinne, Motodaka Katsuki, Suzuki Yujin, Kawasaki Hoshiki, and Inaba Michiharu—stood not just as performers, but as people who chose to keep chasing their dreams. From the first beat of Hoshiki’s drums to the final unified shout of “Banzai!” along with their fans at the end of the show, it was clear: this wasn’t just a show. It was a declaration.
“First Beat” isn’t merely a song—it’s a heartbeat, and the whole arena pulsed along with that energy. With vocals layered over live instrumentation—drums, bass, guitars, violin, keyboard, saxophone—it showcased a group unafraid to merge emotional storytelling with band performance.
Michiharu’s violin solo pierced through with youthful urgency, and Rinne’s sax and rap part added a glimmer of defiance. While he may not have the widest or strongest vocal range, “First Beat” gave him a platform that perfectly showcased his strengths—attitude, tone, and delivery. There’s a rawness to his vocals here that cuts through, carrying the kind of undeniable presence and passion that fans have always loved him for.
Ryo’s vocals carried the weight of someone who had something to prove—and did. Katsuki’s keyboard anchored the song like a steady pulse, quietly weaving the group’s dreams into every note. And Yujin’s crisp high notes at the end gave his presence an undeniable boost, placing him confidently among the group’s standout vocal leads. Then, there’s Yabana—his basslines in “First Beat” are so raw and emotional. He’s not just playing—he’s telling us to keep fighting with them, and like always, it’s hard to take your eyes off him.
Konpi’s ever-so-steady presence anchored the entire performance, with a noticeable growth in vocal confidence that brought new depth to his role, while Hoshiki’s explosive drum energy and flair gave the band its steady pulse.
Everyone had a moment. And in those moments, fans saw the group they wanted to believe in. Each of the eight poured their own rhythm, their own heartbeat, into the music—and together, it all converged into one: their first heartbeat as one.
Part of what makes “First Beat” so resonant is its lyrical DNA. From the very first line the song sets its tone as a rallying cry. The members aren’t just singing—they’re owning their story. The song’s lyrics capture the intensity and freedom of chasing your dream at full speed.
The repeated “足掻いて足掻いて足掻いて (struggle, struggle, struggle)” becomes a mantra of resilience, while “真っ白な五線譜に前人未到の history” declares their intention to make unprecedented history—together. The lyrics embrace not only ambition and pain, but the joy of crafting something real, even if uncertain. For a group emerging from one of the most emotionally complex transitions in recent idol history, “This is the First Beat” is more than a metaphor—it’s the start of a future they’ve chosen themselves.
But beyond technical skill, what moved people most was the feeling. Fans flooded the comments with variations of the same phrase: “Let’s all be happy together.” Not just wishing for the group’s success—but pledging to be part of it. Many referenced Ryo’s speech before the song, his tears, and his declaration that B&ZAI would debut together in this agency—and that their past would never be erased. It wasn’t just performance. It was catharsis.
Many were moved by how the group brought their instruments to life—how Michiharu, the youngest, handled his violin with growing confidence, or how Ryo went from lead vocal to rallying presence, engaging each member with warmth and spontaneity.
And perhaps most significantly, the fans never stopped acknowledging that this group is new, but not without history. Many came in supporting a specific member from a previous group, still healing from the sudden reshuffling and unsure of what to expect. And yet, through this live—through this song—they found themselves slowly embracing the others, too. B&ZAI doesn’t pretend the past never existed; instead, the group acknowledges it with open arms, weaving it into their present and future. This is a group formed from many different paths, now choosing to move forward not despite those histories, but because of them.
“This isn’t about erasing. It’s about evolving.”
That feeling was everywhere—from former group fans to new ones drawn in by the passion and unity on display, along with the overwhelming sentiment: “We see your effort. We feel your heart. We’re staying.”
The phrase “Thank you for choosing to stay an idol” appears again and again among fans. Because B&ZAI’s greatest power might not be their music or stage presence—but the very act of staying. Of choosing each other. Of choosing this path. That in itself is a reason to follow them anywhere.
“First Beat” isn’t just the beginning of their story. It’s already become a page fans want to reread again and again. It’s a performance that doesn’t just play—it stays. Long after the final note fades, the beat carries on.
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