The debut of Zessei on November 10 signals a deliberate and concept‑driven shift within Japanese entertainment publishing. Edited by SUPER EIGHT’s Tadayoshi Ohkura under J‑pop Legacy, the magazine approaches STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s Junior talent through a highly selective and visually rigorous framework, reaffirming the relevance of print at a time when its cultural presence is rapidly diminishing.
“In an era of digital feeds and fleeting swipes, Zessei is designed to be held.”
At the press preview in Tokyo, Tadayoshi appeared with ACEes’ Ryusei Fukada and Kansai Junior member Takuya Nishimura, outlining the editorial intentions behind the project.
He described Zessei as a space where Juniors are captured not simply as performers but as subjects of aesthetic study—photographed with precision, contextualized through thoughtful layout, and chosen through his own evaluative criteria.
Despite maintaining an active performance career, he remains deeply embedded in the production process, citing the archival value of print as central to the magazine’s purpose.
The inaugural issue reflects that philosophy. ACEes headline the cover feature with a Los Angeles shoot that emphasizes scale and emerging identity, while the Kansai Junior back‑cover selection adopts a more composed, mature tone.
Senior artists—Shunsuke Michieda (Naniwa Danshi), Ren Nagase (King & Prince), Daigo Nishihata (Naniwa Danshi), and Yoshinori Masakado (Ae! group)—appear in features shaped by shared history and cross‑group resonance. Tadayoshi also participates in a dialogue with Fuma Kikuchi (timelesz), bringing attention to the evolving expectations placed on idols as both performers and creators.
Each issue of Zessei will operate under a different conceptual directive. Tadayoshi rejects the idea of a fixed editorial identity, preferring a publication that evolves according to theme and talent rather than formula. This elasticity, he argues, is necessary for capturing the rapidly shifting visual and personal trajectories of Juniors.
To commemorate the launch, an exhibition at Laforet Museum Harajuku (November 10–30) provides an immersive extension of the magazine: more than 200 alternate cuts, production artifacts, interactive editorial displays, and public installations that externalize Zessei’s visual language.
The exhibition reinforces the magazine’s commitment to materiality—inviting visitors to engage with the work spatially, not only on the page.
The title “Zessei” merges the notion of “peerless beauty” (絶世) with the generational marker “Z,” situating Juniors at the intersection of youth culture and visual excellence. Tadayoshi highlights the transformative nature of photographing them—artists known for their playful personas shift instantly into striking visual subjects once the camera frames them.
He concludes that Zessei is not intended as an all‑inclusive platform for every Junior but is intentionally curated, with inclusion determined by thematic relevance and editorial intent rather than obligation. Future issues will shift dramatically in structure and tone, guided by experimentation and editorial clarity.
Zessei can be purchased globally through the FAMILY CLUB.STORE, offering international fans full access to its photography, interviews, and curated features. While the magazine is currently available only in Japanese, its arrival at a moment when long‑standing titles like Duet have closed their print chapters positions Zessei as a successor capable of reshaping what idol‑focused editorial culture can become moving forward.
Conceived as both an archival artifact and a commentary on contemporary idol aesthetics, Zessei establishes itself as a publication defined by intentionality, visual rigor, and a renewed investment in the possibilities of print.
Interested in bringing Zessei into your own collection? Continue reading for details on how to enter the giveaway.
TO ENTER:
- Like & Repost
- Comment or Quote with your favorite Junior(s) and why!
- 🌟 BONUS: Tag a friend or two who you’d watch a concert with!
Terms & Conditions:
- Eligibility: The giveaway is open to all residents aged 18 and above, worldwide, except where prohibited by law. If aged below 18, parental consent is needed. Dumpling Box administrators cannot join.
- Entry Period: The giveaway will end on November 17th, 2025. All entries must be received by November 17th, 23:59 JST.
- Winner Selection: The winner(s) will be selected randomly from all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The draw will occur within 2 days after the end of the Entry Period.
- Winner Notification: The winner(s) will be notified via a mention/tag on the Dumpling Box X Account within 2 days of the draw. The winner(s) must respond within 36 hours to claim the prize. If no response is received within this time, an alternate winner(s) may be selected.
- Privacy: Any personal information collected from participants will be used solely for the purpose of administering the giveaway and will not be shared with third parties.
- Exchange: The winner(s) cannot exchange the prize for cash.
- Shipping/Receiving: Dumpling Box will cover shipping costs. However, Dumpling Box is not responsible for any costs, fees, or issues that may occur post-shipping.
- Sponsor: The giveaway is sponsored by Dumpling Box.
If you want to pick and choose your own goods to personalize your tour goods even more, and you’re residing abroad, you can get your goods through FAMILY CLUB.STORE GLOBAL officially and have them shipped to your address overseas!
Make sure you check it out and grab your own goods if you’d like while they’re on sale! Or other goods you might be interested in!
Check out the photo cards and stickers along with Zessei, too!
What is FAMILY CLUB.STORE GLOBAL?
STARTO ENTERTAINMENT is set to electrify fans around the globe even more with the thrilling announcement that the “FAMILY CLUB.STORE” is expanding into the global e-commerce arena with the launch of “FAMILY CLUB.STORE GLOBAL.” This exciting development will allow fans worldwide to purchase their favorite merchandise with ease, starting this September.
The site will be accessible in English and Chinese (both Simplified & Traditional characters) at launch, bringing the charm of Japanese idols to a global audience more quickly and conveniently than ever before!
Previously restricted to domestic shipping within Japan, through their own official sites, the new international platform will now serve the passionate global fanbase of STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. Fans everywhere can soon enjoy the charm of Japanese idols delivered right to their doorsteps in the fastest and most convenient way possible when it comes to global shipping.
As of right now, items purchased on the site can be delivered to any territory covered by EMS. See EMS website for more information: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/ems/country/index_en.html