ACEes‘ live performance of their original song “PROLOGUE” was uploaded to YouTube as the first performance officially published since the reshuffling of Junior groups. The video has accumulated an impressive 1.6 million views at the time of this article, and is by far ACEes‘ most viewed video on the platform.
On February 16th, 2025, STARTO Entertainment announced the formation of three new Junior groups amidst a significant reorganization of the agency. These new lineups, created by transcending the boundaries of established Junior groups, have drawn great surprise and attention in the recent months. One of these groups is ACEes (pronounced “Ei-shii-zu”), a 5-member unit consisting of Hidaka Ukisho, Yuto Nasu, Ryuto Sakuma, Ryusei Fukada, and Ryuga Sato.
While the group’s concept hasn’t been explicitly revealed, the nameโwhich seems to be a coined term based on the plural of “ACE,” meaning “pioneer” or “the best”โmakes it clear they are strongly conscious of being “five stars.” Their reveal photo, set in a room resembling a castle and dressed like noble princes, hints at this group image. In other words, they are a group with the orthodox “sparkly prince” idol image as its core.
Just two months after their formation was announced, ACEes stunned the idol world by launching their first arena tour, appropriately titled “PROLOGUE.” With venues across five cities and 20 shows (including Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Fukuoka, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Osaka), the tour drew nearly 252,000 fansโan extraordinary feat for such a new group.
But perhaps what was most impressive was their performance power, full of unity, that didn’t feel like that of a freshly formed group at all. The ability to deliver a stellar performance no matter who they’re paired with speaks to the high level of Juniors who train and work hard every single day.
Throughout the tour, ACEes struck a perfect balance between introducing who they are now and honoring where they came from. Fans who followed them in their previous groups could see how much they’ve grown, and new fans were immediately pulled into their world. There was no sense of hesitationโjust momentum. A group still new in name, but already solid in spirit. And at the emotional heart of the show was their live performance of the original song “PROLOGUE”โa moment that felt like both a promise and a turning point.
When five idols from different paths come together to form something new, expectations are highโbut “PROLOGUE,” rises to meet them with heart, energy, and undeniable hope. This isn’t just a melodyโit’s a mission statement, one brought to life by five distinct voices blending into one unforgettable sound. It tells us who they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re ready to go.
From the opening lines, “Osanai koro egaita, Ano yume mo bokura nara / Kitto kanaerareru, Ima wa sou omounda” we’re reminded that the dreams we held onto as kids don’t have to fade. With each other’s support, they feel more achievable than ever. That’s a theme that runs through the entire track: unity, belief, and the power of starting overโnot from scratch, but from experience.
Ukisho opened the song with quiet intensityโhis voice smooth and low, like the calm before a storm. There’s a groundedness to the way he sings, anchoring the first verse with just the right amount of restraint. He doesn’t need to pushโhis tone commands attention naturally. Watching him, you could tell he was holding the weight of the moment: not just performing a song, but setting the emotional tone for the group’s first step. His bright delivery and movement injected the performance with urgency and flow right off the bat.
Fukada‘s parts always feel like they’re coming straight from the chest. His voice carries a warm emotional edge that gives “Prologue” its heart. During his solo lines, especially in the second verse, there was a visible shift in the crowd. His expression, the slight tremble in his vibrato, made the lyrics feel personal, like he was inviting us into the group’s story, not just singing it.
Sakuma brought an almost theatrical energy to his performance. His voice is bright, slightly sharp in the best wayโfull of urgency. When he sang his lines, you believed him. He’s the kind of performer who adds just a bit of tension to a songโpushing the emotion higher, lighting a fire in the middle of the arrangement. He made the stage feel alive.
Nasu‘s voice has a clean, resonant quality that balances out the group’s warmer tones. His harmonies during the chorus were flawless, adding a crisp edge that cut through the music without overpowering it. There’s something refreshing about his controlโhe doesn’t over-emote, but you still feel everything. He’s the kind of singer who brings stability in a storm, and it showed especially in the final chorus.
Ryuga closed out the song with a bright, rising vocal that felt like a sunrise. His tone is lighter, more airy than the others, but it lifts the groupโs energy every time he sings. When he shouted “Me no mae no kimi to zutto,” it felt less like a lyric and more like a promise. He brought a sense of youthful optimism that rounded out the performance with warmth and light.
What made “PROLOGUE“ hit so hard during the tour wasn’t just the song itselfโit was the way ACEes wove their voices together. Each member brought something different: depth, emotion, spark, clarity, and light. They didn’t blend to erase their differencesโthey blended to amplify them. The result was a performance that felt honest, dynamic, and inspiring.
What’s especially powerful is how “PROLOGUE“ embraces the idea of moving forward without forgetting the past. Lines like “Don’t look back, Sousa mayowazu Ready go” and “ima koko kara Start again” capture that perfect moment when fear becomes fuel. It’s not just about debuting; it’s about reclaiming purpose and taking flightโtogether.
The chorus hit like a promise: “Going Going hajimeyou ze, Soudai na Story / Mune ni yadoshita hikari abite.” That “grand story” they talk about? It’s not some distant futureโit’s happening right now, in real time. And they want us there with them as they carve out a new path, hand in hand, dancing into a future none of us have seen yet. The recurring imagery of the planet (“Iki saki wa? Only Top of the world,” “mada mitakotonai New world”) paints a picture of growth, discovery, and yearning. This is Chapter 0 of ACEes, and it’s already full of emotion, ambition, and brightness.
The tone throughout is triumphant and sincere, filled with phrases like “Never be alone” and “We are dreamer, never give up,” which reinforce the emotional support the members offer one another. These aren’t just motivational buzzwords; they’re affirmations of connection and solidarity, especially meaningful in the context of five idols coming together from different groups that each had different histories and themes. The track doesn’t deny the presence of obstacles (“Donna kabe mo, Don’t worry koe susumou”), but confidently pushes past them with a kind of hopeful defiance.
One of the most striking aspects of the song is its self-awareness as a beginning. The title “PROLOGUE“ isn’t just symbolicโit’s embedded in the structure of the song, which feels like a prelude to a larger story. Lines like “ima koko kara Start again” and “kitto mirai wa Never end” blend a fresh start with the promise of endurance, crafting a sense of both rebirth and continuity.
What made the song even more impressive was the choreography around it. With each member holding a microphone, they mostly danced with just one free armโa creative choice that didn’t limit them, but instead made every gesture feel more deliberate and emotional. It was a performance full of tension, beauty, and purpose. You could feel the weight of everything that led them hereโand the excitement for everything still ahead. These 5 members chart forward a brand new pathโnot with doubt and regret, but with determination and happiness.
For fans who have followed these boys in their previous groups, or for those just discovering them now, this song truly feels like a gift. It honors everything that came before, while also daring to dream even bigger. This new chapter isn’t just a fresh start; it’s a powerful fusion of resilience, talent, and optimism. Starting over doesn’t mean erasing the pastโit means building something even stronger from it. As they step forward as one, ACEes‘ bond is forged not by circumstance, but by choice. This is more than just a re-introductionโit’s a Prologue to something extraordinary.
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