After a busy first year, the rising Junior group B&ZAI is currently running their first nationwide tour: “B&ZAI LIVE 2026 -ROCK’N’DOL-.” On February 27, 2026, following their afternoon performance at Tokyo Garden Theater, they revealed two surprise shows at the legendary Nippon Budokan on May 8 and 9, marking the first time a pre-debut group will host a solo concert at the stage since KinKi Kids (now DOMOTO) in 1995 (a joint junior concert was held in 2007).
B&ZAI is an eight-member unit consisting of Ryo Hashimoto, Rei Yabana, Taiki Konno, Rinne Sugeta, Katsuki Motodaka, Yujin Suzuki, Hoshiki Kawasaki, and Michiharu Inaba. This announcement comes as they complete 100 performances, including at their first live tour, “First Beat,” and major events like OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL in 2025 — a major feat for a group with only a year of activity.
Hoshiki shared his enthusiasm: “At the end of last year, I was organizing photos on my phone and realized we had done so many different things. Even we were surprised at how many sides of ourselves we’d shown. It feels like the culmination of all that. Being able to stand on a new stage like Budokan makes me want to work even harder so people will think, ‘Wow, B&ZAI is even more amazing than I thought.'”
Looking back on the past year, Rei said, “For now, all I can say is that this year, we ate more meals together than with our families.” Yujin added jokingly, “Is there even a word for someone who ranks above family?” Rei continued, “That’s how much we were together, whether we liked it or not. When I look at my photo folder, it’s full of the members — having fun backstage at festivals or messing around in the dressing room. Their faces just pop up everywhere. We might not even realize it ourselves, but maybe we’ve really grown in sync?”
At that point, Taiki commented in a fitting leader-like manner, “Since we’re a band, maybe we connect even more through playing music together,” drawing cheers from the other members. Katsuki added, “I want our manager to calculate how many total hours we’ve spent in the band room. Even during this tour, we made selfish requests and bowed our heads asking to stay in the band room until around midnight,” reflecting on the hard work they’ve put in.
Throughout this tour, B&ZAI embodied the concept of ‘ROCKNDOL’ (ROCK × IDOL), which they arrived at in their pursuit of what makes them unique. As a band, as idols, and as entertainers, the tour title reflects their desire to create a future that is true to themselves. Their stage featured a rich variety of performances packed with singing, dancing, live band music, and comedy.
When the additional Budokan performances were announced, Ryo was seen shedding tears. He expressed: “When I became part of B&ZAI, one dream I had was for all of us to stand on the Budokan stage together. I’ve really wanted to see Yabana playing bass at Budokan. Thinking that it’s actually going to happen… I just couldn’t hold it in.” He continued: “Yabana has supported us as B&ZAI’s band leader. From him, I learned so much about what makes bands great and about amazing overseas bands with rich histories. He even told me to watch TOKIO-senpai’s DVD, which included their Budokan concert. I thought, ‘That’s so cool.’ Because of that, I really wanted him to stand on that stage.”
When a reporter asked, “Were you the one who cried the most today, Hashimoto?” he jokingly replied, “Was I crying?” He added with a laugh, “Ohkura-kun told me too — ‘You cried,’ he said.” Katsuki smiled and said, “He was happier than anyone that Hashimoto cried.”
Ryo then revealed: “For this Budokan show, Ohkura-kun helped make it happen — for B&ZAI. I just heard about it directly from him.” Katsuki added: “The reason we were able to find out as a surprise was because Ohkura-kun kept all the adults involved quiet. No one told us.” Ryo concluded happily, “We received the greatest gift.”
When asked what they want to accomplish at Budokan, Michiharu said: “Being able to perform at Budokan is definitely a goal for us, but it’s also a checkpoint along the way. Since we stand for rock and roll that connects to the future, I hope we can continue discovering what makes B&ZAI unique and find ways to aim even higher.”
Taiki noted: “Budokan has a circular seating arrangement, so we’d like to discuss how to make the most of that.”
Yujin added: “Yabachan and I were band kids. We grew up watching bands, so our admiration for Nippon Budokan is incredibly strong. I’m really excited to stand on that stage.”
Hoshiki revealed: “This is actually the first time I’m sharing this, but the drum set I’m currently using used to belong to TOKIO’s Matsuoka-kun. That’s why being able to play it at Budokan feels like carrying on the will of our senpai.” He added that they have inherited several instruments from TOKIO members, including one from Shigeru Joshima.
Rei also mentioned: “A few years ago, I purchased equipment that used to belong to Nagase-kun.” The other members quickly teased him: “You purchased it?” “So it’s not a hand-me-down!” Rei then explained: “I didn’t contact him personally, but he sold equipment he no longer used, hoping various people would make use of it. By some miracle, I managed to get one piece. It even has ‘Tomoya Nagase’ written on it.” He added that the equipment was actually used by Tomoya Nagase when TOKIO performed at SUMMER SONIC 2025, a festival B&ZAI also appeared at last year.
He concluded: “We’re truly indebted to our seniors’ equipment. We inherited it and, through our own strength, are able to bring it back to Budokan. When you put your emotions into your instrument, it feels meaningful — like we’ve brought it home. Being able to accomplish that with something that belonged to our senpai is deeply moving.”
B&ZAI celebrate their 1st anniversary with local TV specials
To commemorate the first anniversary of their formation on February 16, 2025, the group’s very first terrestrial TV special has been confirmed. They will appear on ABC TV’s “Naniwa de Banzai! Jibun Torisetsu 2.0,” airing for four consecutive sundays starting late at night on March 8.
Set in Osaka, a city completely unfamiliar to them, the program follows their journey as they upgrade their previous “My Instruction Manual 1.0” into “2.0,” documenting their growth along the way.
The special will consist of four episodes. In each one, four members head out across various parts of Osaka to undergo physically demanding training segments.
In addition, the group will collaborate with the drama “Mizushima from the Production Department,” born from the wildly popular “Hoshi no Yotsuya Sanchome Theater,” which has over 77.7 million total views across social platforms. Produced by film director Kohei Taniguchi, vertical PR short dramas themed around the members’ “instruction manuals” will be posted regularly on the program’s official social media.
The broadcast schedule is as follows:
- Episode 1 (Yabana, Konno, Sugeta, Suzuki) — March 8 (1:57–2:27 AM JST)
- Episode 2 (Hashimoto, Motodaka, Kawasaki, Inaba) — March 15 (1:57–2:27 AM JST)
- Episode 3 (Yabana, Konno, Sugeta, Suzuki) — March 22 (12:10–12:40 AM JST)
- Episode 4 (Hashimoto, Motodaka, Kawasaki, Inaba) — March 29 (12:10–12:40 AM JST)
Episodes will be available on TVer, with exclusive streaming containing unreleased footage on TELASA, after the terrestrial broadcast.
Comments from the eight members below:
Ryo: “It was so much fun! We’re not used to filming in Osaka, the home of comedy, so I was trembling at first. But everyone supported us, and we had a really enjoyable shoot. I’d love for people in Kansai to get to know B&ZAI’s peaceful, laid-back vibe and become our friends.”
Rei: “Doing variety in Osaka, the city of laughter, really makes you straighten up! I’m very excited. I hope we can grow while receiving a double ‘baptism’ from both Osaka and television. So please go easy on us! Personally, I’ve long felt close to Kansai — my grandmother is from Shiga and my elementary school teacher was from Kyoto — so I’m looking forward to it!”
Taiki: “I personally love Osaka, so I’m really happy to do a show there as B&ZAI. Experiencing Osaka’s unique vibe was such a valuable experience, and the shoot felt very fresh and truly fun.”
Rinne: “Osaka isn’t somewhere I’m very familiar with, but since this is our first special program, I felt it was a precious opportunity to try a new side of myself. I was inspired by Osaka’s energy and closeness, and I feel like I was able to break out of my shell a little. I’ll use this experience to show an upgraded version of myself and become someone loved by the people of Osaka.”
Katsuki: “Getting pushed around by Naniwa comedians and students really upgraded B&ZAI. The day after filming, my whole body was so sore I hesitated to get out of bed — so please enjoy seeing us give it our all! It’s our first special, and we hope to hype it up with everyone in Osaka and across the country!”
Yujin: “I’ve visited Osaka a few times and always feel it’s such a warm, laughter-filled city. I’ll do my best to make everyone watching in Osaka smile! I want both myself and Osaka to upgrade by experiencing its many charms.”
Hoshiki: “I was nervous from the start and completely overwhelmed by Osaka’s legendary comedians! I was repeatedly saved by their sense of timing and pacing, and I was moved by how they could respond to anything with humor. I feel like I upgraded myself thanks to all the inspiration. I want to apply what I learned to our future activities.”
Michiharu: “It was really fun because everyone worked together as one team during the Osaka recording! When the local Osaka staff laughed along with us, it reassured me and made me really happy. As B&ZAI, we’ll work together to make everyone in front of their TVs laugh too!”
Check out the Juniors on their various social media platforms!
Photo assets © STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. Used with permission.
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