BE:FIRST and "ahamo" collaborate to promote young people's challenges in the "Let's move forward even if we're scared" commercial

■ “I think the way to expand into the world that is unique to BE:FIRST is to liven up Japan and have the world discover Japan as a whole.” (SOTA)

A new TV commercial entitled “Let’s move forward even if it’s scary”, a collaboration between BE:FIRST and “ahamo”, NTT Docomo’s pricing plan tailored to the digital native generation, will be aired nationwide from August 12th.

This commercial shines a spotlight on the inner selves of the band members as reflected in BE:FIRST’s new song “Blissful,” bringing them to life as they are and cheering on the young people as they take on new challenges.

Prior to the commercial’s release, a teaser commercial focusing on each member and exclusive interview footage that was only available on the special website were released in advance. Now that BE:FIRST is finally moving forward in earnest towards their global expansion, the precious footage in which each member talks about their thoughts and determination for the new song “Blissful” recorded a total of 4.66 million impressions in just one week after its release, and it became a hot topic, with “#ahamo_BEFIRST” and “#Let’s move forward even if we’re scared” ranking third on X (formerly Twitter) trends.

New TV commercial: “Let’s move forward even if we’re scared”
In the new TV commercial, “Let’s move forward even if we’re scared,” the determination of each member of BE:FIRST for the new chapter comes together and depicts them moving on to the next stage. The members gradually gather from the solo shots shown in the teaser commercial, and at the end, all the members walk onto the stage together. With the words, “There is no road there. No map. No light. But still. We will aim for the world as ourselves. Let’s move forward together,” the members move towards the light, dramatically expressing the theme, “Let’s move forward even if we’re scared.”

Keep an eye out for the various determined expressions of the seven members and the members enjoying the up-tempo, summer-perfect sound of “Blissful.”

■Limited off-shot photos will also be released on the ahamo×BE:FIRST special website and dedicated SNS accounts
Ahamo×BE:FIRST has opened a special website and a dedicated SNS account, X (formerly Twitter). In addition to the main commercial, the special website is currently showing teaser commercials and rare behind-the-scenes shots from the filming. The dedicated SNS account will be constantly updated with news related to this collaboration, such as updates to the special website and limited gift campaigns.

■A giant advertisement has been released that expresses the feelings of all BE:FIRST members!
BE:FIRST OOH posters will be posted in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and other locations nationwide starting September 2nd. You can enjoy the members’ thoughts on their new song “Blissful,” their words about their determination and feelings for going global, and individual shots of each member taken in different locations.

■BE:FIRST Interview
Q. What were your thoughts on filming the commercial and what was your favorite scene?
MANATO:In my personal photo shoot, I actually ran. There was a very narrow and long tunnel, about 1 kilometer (laughs). I ran all the way by myself for about 500 meters. With SOTA, I danced at the highest point of the diving board in the pool. It was about 15 meters high, so the staff was worried that I wouldn’t go too far.
JUNON:For me, it was emotional to lie down in the grassland while the summer insects were chirping. It felt like I was part of nature and it felt great.
Q. How would you like people to enjoy the commercials and other movies?
RYOKI:Rather than just watching cuts of all seven members, you can set aside a day to watch a video focusing on SOTA, and then the next day watch LEO, and the next day watch RYOKI, and so on. You can enjoy it over and over again, and I recommend enjoying it this way.
Q. Please tell us the thoughts you put into your new song “Blissful.”
MANATO:I wanted a song that would get the crowd excited at live shows, and the theme was having fun together with everyone. I’ve always wanted to do a summer tune, a party tune, so I’m happy to be able to deliver this new song to you.
Q. When would you like people to listen to “Blissful”?
SHUNTO:This song reflects the closeness between the members of BE:FIRST, so if you ever have a fight with a friend, listening to this song and reminiscing will bring back good memories.
RYOKI:The seven of us had fun filming in a new place. Our pure hearts are reflected in the video, so I think it conveys how close we are. If you use “Blissful” to make a video of your memories with your friends, I think it will become an important page in your life.
Q. What kind of people are your members like when you hit a wall?
RYUHEI:We see each other most of the time, and no matter how exhausted I feel, he always speaks casually to me, so I think it makes all the difference when he says something fun like that. It’s really saved me.
LEO:The members have always been by my side since the audition, so when I leave them I feel their importance and gratitude once again. We are like family, so sometimes I forget how grateful I am when we are together, but when we are apart or on stage I can feel their presence behind me, so I can always rely on them, and we have a relationship where I can talk to them about anything, so I’m glad I met them.
Q. Please tell us about the challenges you are taking on as you aim to expand globally.
SOTA:There are many ways to expand into the world, but I’ve been talking a lot recently about what is the most BE:FIRST-like of these, and I think it’s about getting Japan excited and having the world discover Japan as a whole. I think it would be the coolest and most BE:FIRST-like thing to do would be to raise the value of “music is fun” in Japan and create a movement that says, “Japanese music is at the top of the world and is on the rise,” so I’m working hard on each and every thing I do to achieve that.
Q. What advice would you give to everyone taking on the challenge?
SOTA:It was the same when I was aiming to go from being a dancer to being an artist; as you consult with others and tell them about your goals, your initial thoughts become distorted by positive and negative words, but in the end, I think your own feelings are the most important, so I want you to cherish the most natural feelings you had at the beginning.