Experience the Magic of Shonen Ninja's Summer Concert

Dumpling Box had the honor of attending the opening performance of the This is Ninja/This is 忍者 summer concert series, and author Miyuu brings you a firsthand look at the electrifying show that lit up Tokyo’s Kanadevia Hall.

The summer belonged to Shonen Ninja as they kicked off their This is Ninja concert series at Tokyo’s Kanadevia Hall on August 14, 2025. Running until August 31, the series features 16 Shonen Ninja members and 21 Fresh Juniors—37 performers in total—ranging from the oldest, Waku Motoki and Aoki Kohei (23), to the youngest, 8-year-old Sen Nishimaki.

Long before the opening notes, the atmosphere was electric. Fans lined up outside the venue, penlights and uchiwa in hand, sharing excited chatter about favorite members and song predictions. Inside, the energy buzzed in anticipation.

The concert opened with a manners video starring Shonen Ninja themselves. Members explained audience etiquette with a mix of charm and humor, instantly drawing the crowd in.

From the start, surprises and memorable moments filled the setlist. The third number, “Taiyo no Egao,” brought all 37 cast members to the stage in an explosion of coordinated energy—a visual feast that embodied Shonen Ninja’s spirit.

The fourth number, Hey! Say! JUMP’s “Beat Line,” showcased the group’s signature fusion of pop and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Hakama-style costumes, wagasa (Japanese umbrellas), geta-tap rhythms, and powerful oke-do taiko beats created a rich cultural tapestry that had the audience erupting in applause.

By the sixth number, SixTONES‘ “DRAMA,” the volume of cheers peaked as Waku Motoki and Sota Uchiyama took the stage. Known as one of the most popular pairings in the group, their chemistry and precision left fans shouting their names long after the final note.

The following number, King & Prince’s “Nanimono,” performed by Koki Kawasaki, Takumi Kitagawa, and Fresh Juniors, wrapped the entire hall in a peaceful warmth. During MC, Koki admitted, “Takumi is such a good singer—I was nervous to sing with him,” drawing affectionate laughter from the crowd.

The tenth and eleventh tracks, “Amazing Summer” and “Merry Very Go Round,” transformed the hall into a carnival of sound and color, keeping smiles on every face.

Eighteen songs in, Nao Oriyama, Yusei Nagase, and Rikuto Toyoda appeared in regal, prince-like costumes for King & Prince’s “HEART.” With hearts, castles, and fireworks projected behind them, the stage transformed into a fairytale scene that had fans screaming with delight.

The MC sessions brought both humor and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Nao revealed that he wrote the “ninja” characters for the show’s title, penning nearly 200 versions after being told the day before the deadline. Vasayegh Wataru admitted he had wondered if the concert could even happen due to the short rehearsal period. Koki lightened the mood by comparing their black-tie, white-shirt MC outfits to “a salaryman break room,” which sent the hall into laughter.

As the show moved toward its climax, the twentieth segment “Uramesiya” stunned the audience with innovative staging. A sheer curtain descended from ceiling to floor, serving as a massive projection screen. Using GoPro camera work, the performance of all 16 members was projected with immersive, close-up perspectives, making it feel as if fans were on stage alongside them.

Without pause, Kis-My-Ft2’s “PSYCHO” erupted in a blaze of sparks and acrobatic stunts—an adrenaline-fueled display of Shonen Ninja’s athleticism and precision.

The setlist was thoughtfully arranged to give space for both group spectacles and intimate sub-unit moments, ensuring every performer shone.

For the finale, “The Shining Star” brought the members back in white coat-style costumes. The sight carried a message: unity, legacy, and readiness to lead the future of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s performance style.

Fans waved penlights high, voices hoarse from singing and cheering. Even as the members took their bows, the applause refused to fade. Stepping out of the hall, many fans clutched merch bags and smiled, the rhythms and images still fresh in their minds.

This is Ninja proved more than just a summer concert—it was a shared experience of joy, culture, and connection between performers and fans.

As the lights dimmed and the echoes of cheering lingered, one thing was clear: every member of Shonen Ninja delivered a performance they could proudly carry into the next chapter of their careers.

The passion, discipline, and creativity on that stage reflected not only how far they have come, but how far they are destined to go.

Whether together or standing on individual paths, the brilliance shown at Kanadevia Hall is proof that their future remains bright—and that the hearts they touched this summer will continue to cheer them on, wherever their journeys lead.