Discovering ACEes: A Memorable Experience at Arena Tour 2026

I’ll be honest.

Going into ACEes Arena Tour 2026 “V”, I was still getting to know ACEes.

Unlike groups I’ve followed for years, I didn’t really have an ACEes oshi yet. I knew the members individually from their previous activities, but this was the first time I could really focus on ACEes as ACEes. I wanted to see who they were as a group.

I thought I’d leave Ariake Arena knowing them a little better.

I didn’t realise I’d leave finally understanding what makes ACEes… ACEes.

Ironically, that journey began before the concert even started.

I didn’t realise I’d leave finally understanding what makes ACEes… ACEes.
It didn’t take long to see why.

Hidaka Ukisho naturally kept the conversation moving, often adding to another member’s answer or jumping in with a compliment about someone’s hard work. Rather than trying to stand out, he seemed genuinely focused on making sure everyone had a chance to shine.

One thing I noticed was how naturally the guys praised one another. It was one of those little things that probably goes unnoticed unless you’re looking for it, but it immediately gave me a sense of the group’s chemistry.

Ryuto Sakuma, meanwhile, spoke about helping shape the concert itself, from discussing the setlist to coming up with the idea for the giant staircase that would later become one of the show’s defining visuals. One thing I noticed was how naturally they praised one another.

One comment in particular stayed with me. The members talked about how they often look at one another during performances, almost exchanging silent encouragement as if to say, “Issho ni ganbarou.”

Once the concert began, I started noticing it everywhere.

Quick glances.

Small smiles.

Little moments where they seemed to communicate without saying a word.

I probably wouldn’t have noticed it if they hadn’t mentioned it during the press conference. After that, I couldn’t stop seeing it.

It was such a subtle thing, but somehow it made every performance feel even more genuine.

That feeling carried straight onto the stage.

Before the concert, I’d assumed each member’s special challenge would simply become an individual showcase.

Ryuga Sato‘s saxophone.

Ryusei Fukada‘s taiko.

Yuto Nasu‘s breakdance.

Hidaka and Ryuto‘s aerial silk.

Instead, none of them felt like isolated performances.

Each challenge blended naturally into the next. Rather than competing for attention, every member’s strength became another piece of the bigger picture. The performances never felt like, “Look what I can do.” They felt more like, “Look what we can create together.”

That was probably the moment I started to get it.

If I had to choose one performance that stayed with me long after the concert ended, though, it would be “Let’s Go to Earth.”

As childhood photos appeared across the giant screen, the towering staircase slowly rotated into place behind the members.

Simple.

Beautiful.

Unexpectedly emotional.

Watching the five of them standing at the top of the staircase, surrounded by childhood photos, quietly reminded me of how much each of them had gone through before finally standing on that stage together.

It didn’t need flashy effects.

The moment spoke for itself.

Then, just when I thought the concert couldn’t surprise me anymore…

ACEes reminded everyone that they are also completely, wonderfully chaotic.

Let’s talk about Uma Corner.

Honestly…

What was that? 😂

One minute they were idols.

The next minute they were horses.

Before I could even process that, Ryusei and Ryuto were playing the “Aishiteru Game”, awkwardly complimenting each other before ending up in an unexpected hug while the rest of the members, and the audience, burst into laughter.

It made absolutely no sense.

I loved every second of it.

One of my favourite audience moments came during “Say it! えいし〜♡“.

Before the song even started, the members had everyone practising the call-and-response, first slowly, then faster and faster. So by the time the “Nee nee, itte! Itte!” part arrived, the entire arena instinctively shouted “ACEes!” right back.

I couldn’t help smiling.

It wasn’t just a call-and-response anymore. It already felt like something that belonged to both ACEes and ACEees.

The MC was just as entertaining.

One thing I noticed during the segment was how naturally Yuto kept the conversation moving, often throwing questions to the other members and giving everyone a chance to share their stories. It made the whole MC feel relaxed, almost like watching five friends catching up rather than a scripted segment.

One topic that sparked plenty of laughter was the group’s LINE chat. The members shared how everyone had been commenting on Ryusei‘s and Hidaka‘s dramas. But when it came to getting a reply from Hidaka…

Nothing.

Hidaka sheepishly explained that after the previous night’s concert, he had gone home, taken a shower, and lay down on the sofa for what was supposed to be just a short rest.

The next thing he knew…

It was already morning.

His phone had completely died, leaving the rest of the members wondering why there had been no reply in the group chat.

It was such a relatable story that everyone, both on stage and in the audience, burst into laughter.

The conversation then shifted to fans’ post-concert photos.

Apparently, the members really do look at them.

They joked about how so many fans carefully pose with their concert goods, only to hide almost their entire faces behind uchiwa or towels.

Watching the members recreate those poses on stage was absolutely hilarious.

It also made me realise something.

They really do pay attention to the little things.

Then, completely out of nowhere…

Silence.

Nobody said anything.

For a few seconds.

Without missing a beat, Ryusei laughed and pointed out how awkward it had suddenly become, joking that exactly the same thing sometimes happens backstage too.

You couldn’t script a moment like that.

It was completely natural.

And somehow, moments like these told me just as much about ACEes as any performance did.

Another moment that quietly stayed with me came during “Kotobayori Taisetsuna Mono“.

Towards the end of the opening section, the audience was invited to sing the familiar response, “Koko ni wa aru kara.“

Without hesitation, ACEees filled Ariake Arena with their voices.

It instantly reminded me of something Hidaka once shared on television when talking about performing as one of ARASHI’s back dancers during We Are Arashi. He recalled getting goosebumps hearing the audience sing that exact line.

The moment I heard thousands of ACEees sing it back, that interview immediately came to mind.

It quietly became one of my favourite moments of the afternoon.

And by then, I realised something.

Every part of the concert had taught me something different about ACEes.

The press conference showed me how naturally they support one another.

The performances showed me how well they work as a team.

The MC revealed just how effortlessly funny they are.

The audience participation reminded me how much they enjoy creating the concert together with ACEees.

And then…

Something unexpected happened.

Somewhere between the press conference and the encore, I kept catching myself watching the same member.

Not because he had the biggest solo.