SAM & DJ KOO (TRF), Nogizaka46’s official rival idol group “Boku wa Mitai Aozora” appeared on the special stage of “Dotonbori Bon Odori International 2024” on Saturday, August 17th, in collaboration with Mizkan’s ponzu sauce, also known as Shiropon, made from citrus juice and vinegar, for “Pon Odori ~Mizkan Presents~”. On the stage, holding up the retro and cute “Marupo”, they also debuted the Bon Odori version of “Boogie Woogie!”, the new theme song for Osaka Minami, which was born this summer, and livened up the venue.
“Dotonbori Bon Odori International 2024” is a large-scale Bon Odori event held every year along the Dotonbori River, and this year it will be held for two days, August 17th (Sat) and 18th (Sun). Between August 10th (Sat) and September 10th (Tue), including the day of the Bon Odori, “Minami Flying Expo 2024 Summer Battle with Mizkan” will be held at the same time, with the theme “Osaka people really love vinegar. I don’t know though.” You can enjoy various vinegar drinks and vinegar-themed special events throughout Osaka Minami, centered around the Dotonbori Shopping District and Ebisubashisuji Shopping Street.
Eleven members of “The Blue Sky I Wanted to See” (Akita Rian, Anna Aoi, Ito Yuzu, Kanazawa Ami, Shiogama Nana, Sugiura Eriko, Nishimori Ayaya, Hayasaki Suzuki, Yagi Nana, Yanagihori Karen, Yoshimoto Konana) appeared in their fresh uniforms, accompanied by the Boku Ao call from the fans who rushed to the stage, and performed three songs, “Suki ni Naritanasai” and “Aozora ni Tsuite Kangaeru”, including the 3rd SINGLE “Spare no Nai Koi” released on Wednesday, August 7th, in a special version of the 11 members. When asked about the group, Hayasaki, waving her hands in response to the cheers of the fans, commented, “We are a group of 23 people from Hokkaido to Okinawa, ranging in age from 14 to 23, and we would be happy if you could call us “The Blue Sky I Wanted to See”, commonly known as “Boku Ao”! “. Next, when Akita heard that vinegar is good for the body, she said, “All the members actually tried a drink with vinegar in it, and it was delicious! “I’m from Hyogo Prefecture, so I’ve been to Osaka Minami a lot! I’m so happy!” he said. Furthermore, the members of “Boku ga Mitatai Aozora” struck a pose at 8:08, livening up the Pon Odori stage, matching the special number “8” to the “po” character of ponzu sauce with two circles hidden inside.
When asked how she felt after finishing the live performance in the heart of Osaka’s Minami district, Yanagihori said, “I’ve been to Dotonbori once before for sightseeing, so I’m really happy to have had the opportunity to perform there! Thank you Mitsukan! We’ve been to Osaka for events a few times, and every time we’ve been touched by the kindness and warmth of the people of Osaka, so today I was really happy to feel even closer to them. Thank you everyone!” As she spoke, suddenly the TRF song “CRAZY GONNA CRAZY” started playing, and SAM & DJ KOO (TRF) made a spectacular appearance on a boat into the venue. The members of “The Blue Sky I Wanted to See” couldn’t help but cheer, saying, “So cool!” and “Amazing!”
DJ KOO, who celebrated the 30th anniversary of TRF’s debut this year, appeared on stage in a happi coat and said, “The view (from the boat) was amazing! … I mean, I’m blue! Thank you for appearing on the radio the other day. ” He then said, “From now on, I want to get really excited and have a blast!” SAM commented, “Recently, DJ KOO has been working hard in public (laughs), but since TRF has reached its 30th anniversary, we’ve been doing a lot of things together recently, and I really love Osaka. I used to run a dance studio in Osaka, so I’m happy to be here today.” When asked about his future plans, DJ KOO said, “I’ve been running hard until my 30th anniversary, so I want to keep running even further. But my master, Mr. Komuro, is celebrating his 40th anniversary. I want to keep watching his back and do my best!” SAM commented on the excitement at the venue in Minami, Osaka, saying, “The excitement was really amazing. I want to blow away the heat with Bon Odori dancing!” he said.
In the second half of the event, DJ KOO, who serves as the special artistic advisor of the Japan Bon Odori Association, performed a DJ performance. When TRF’s song “EZ DO DANCE” was playing, SAM suddenly appeared and livened up the venue. As the excitement in the venue reached its peak, the members of “The Blue Sky I Wanted to See” reappeared wearing happi coats and performed a Bon Odori version of the new theme song of Osaka Minami, “Boogie Woogie!”. At the end, SAM said, “I never thought the day would come when I could dance Bon Odori in Dotonbori, so it was really fun!”, DJ KOO said, “I’ve been DJing in many places in Osaka, but today was the best DO DANCE!”, and Shiogama said, “Since it was a Mitsukan event, my high school lunch box included cucumber and wakame vinegared dishes made with simple vinegar! I’m really happy to have been able to participate in this event today. The Pon Odori was really fun, and the people of Osaka are really into it! We will also be appearing at events in Osaka, so if you were interested today, please look up “Boku Ao.”‘ With this comment, the event ended with great success.
■What is “Minami Flying Expo 2024”?
“We’re doing it early! Minami Flying Expo 2024” is a project that will utilize the public spaces of Osaka Minami, centered on Dotonbori, Ebisubashi-suji, and Namba Square, to liven up the entire city with various events led by the townspeople from April 13th (Sat) to October 13th (Sun) 2024, one year before the opening of EXPO2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. In conjunction with the launch, two shopping streets in Osaka Minami, “Dotonbori Shopping Association” and “Ebisubashi-suji Shopping Street Promotion Association”, as well as organizations adjacent to the public space of “Namba Square”, have teamed up to launch the “NDK Liaison Committee”. They will fly the Expo and develop “interesting things” in the city.
■ “Osaka people really love vinegar. I don’t know why, but what is Minami Flying Expo 2024 Summer Battle with Mizkan?”
From Saturday, August 10th to Tuesday, September 10th, a special event themed around vinegar and various vinegar drinks, “Osaka people really love vinegar. I don’t know, but – Minami Flying Expo 2024 Summer Battle with Mizkan” will be held throughout Osaka Minami, mainly around Dotonbori Shopping District and Ebisubashi-suji Shopping Street. Drinks with themes from around the world, such as “Expo Vinegar (soft drink)” and “Expo Vinegar Cocktail (alcoholic)” using vinegar, will be available at some restaurants. In addition, the event is packed with collaboration projects with vinegar, perfect for the hot summer, such as a campaign where you can receive fun charms and stickers from Osaka Minami featuring the logos of famous Osaka signs and famous stores, and 10 yen vending machines.
Official URL:https://minami-flying-expo-summer.jp/
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