Ae! group's program "Acchi Kocchi Ae!" will be heading to Okinawa for the first broadcast of the new season! Members' enthusiastic comments are also released.

■“I think there’s a lot of substance out there, both good and bad, so I hope you can enjoy it on terrestrial TV as well as on TVer and TELASA.” (Yoshiki Masakado)

Ae! group’s contact travel program “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” has restarted. It will be broadcast on ABC TV from January 11, 2025.

This season’s “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” is a “Help & Fureai Trip” where you help out and solve problems here and there in various parts of Japan in order to deepen your contact with local people.

The rule of “this card, this card, that card” is still alive and well. Draw one of the four cards that lists helpful spots where you can interact with local people and head to your destination. A new contact trip will start from Okinawa.

Prior to the first broadcast, the members’ enthusiastic comments were released.

In the program, we are looking for people who want to come and help the Ae! group. From small helpings to big ones, such as, “I want to liven up the shuttered local store again!” “Let’s think about how to propose to my girlfriend!” “It’s hard to shovel snow this time of year, so please help me!” We’re even looking for trouble. Details on how to apply can be found on the program’s official website.

In addition, TELASA plans to release the original TELASA-distributed content “A Little Breath, Ae! Time,” which gives a glimpse of the Ae! The first distribution is scheduled for February 1st.

■Ae! group member comments
◇Yoshiki Main Gate
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the traveling location shooting of “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” with 5 people after a long time.
I didn’t think it would feel like it had been that long, but I ended up forgetting a lot of the rules (lol). However, the atmosphere at Ae! and the staff who made me laugh about such things was just like that, and it was a comfortable atmosphere, like the atmosphere in a classroom after summer vacation. I felt a little sentimental at the opening, but the five of us had a great time!
Q: It’s been half a year since the program started. Have you noticed any changes in yourself or the group through this program?
Change…I wonder what it is. When we were shooting on location for the first time, the five of us were eating meals and wandering around, and I wondered if it was okay for us to be so relaxed, but the staff edited it in an interesting way, so I was able to be spoiled for good or bad…I guess I could say it was natural. The fact that we can now shoot on location means that we have gained an additional advantage as a group. That’s what it feels like. I’m looking forward to what’s next!
Q: From this time onwards, the concept of “helping local people” has become stronger, and I would like to help in this way! Is there such a thing?
I hope you can put your special skills to use! I was listening to the “romance” genre, thinking it would be interesting, but I also heard about Richa’s dance class, Sue’s Tap class, Akiya’s songs… So, Kojima and I will be cheering for you (lol).
(Kojima: “That’s not the case with me, I don’t have any special skills (lol)”)
Q: Please give a message to the viewers about the highlights!
I think I was able to connect more deeply with people from various regions. I think each of us has a lot of personality, good or bad, that comes out a lot, so I hope you can enjoy it on TVer and TELASA as well as on terrestrial TV.
◇ Seiya Suezawa
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the traveling location shooting of “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” with 5 people after a long time.
I had forgotten about it at first, probably because it had been a while, but I soon remembered the “slightly loose” feel of the show! (Laughs) Since the location was Okinawa, I was able to have fun and interact with the locals, and it also felt like it had been renovated, which was pure fun.
Q: It’s been half a year since the program started. Have you noticed any changes in yourself or the group through this program?
Nothing has changed…lol. I think the fact that we are able to shoot on location in combinations that are not often found in other programs is a refreshing experience that can only be experienced with this program. It was refreshing because I don’t usually have many combinations with Seimon-kun. I also strengthened my comedy mentality today (lol).
Q: From this time onwards, the concept of “helping local people” has become stronger, but I would like to help in this way! Is there such a thing?
I want to help you be happy! This will also make you HAPPY!
Q: Please give a message to the viewers about the highlights!
I think that not only those who have been watching since the last time, but also those who are watching this time, will be able to see the laid-back, “natural” Ae! group. I think the atmosphere that is unique to this program can only be created by working with staff that I have known for a long time. This is the only program where the five members travel and film on location, so I hope many people will watch it and spread the word. I want to do my best to go to your city again!
◇Kita Kusama Richard
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the traveling location shooting of “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” with 5 people after a long time..
Even though I say it’s been a long time, it hasn’t been that long since the show started, so there was a sense of stability. I honestly enjoyed it!
Q: It’s been half a year since the program started. Have you noticed any changes in yourself or the group through this program?
The five of us said we wanted to go on a trip, and the program fulfilled that desire (lol). I’m happy to be able to travel with the members regularly!
Q: From this time onwards, the concept of “helping local people” has become stronger, and I would like to help in this way! Is there such a thing?
I was moved by the recent location shoot, so I’d like to be part of the watching team, like on my first errand.
Q: Please give a message to the viewers about the highlights!
I think you can see Ae! group’s usual self, not being too careful! You can enjoy various combinations of members, so I think you can always watch it fresh. Please look forward to it!
◇Ken Kojima
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the traveling location shooting of “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” with 5 people after a long time..
During the show’s hiatus, we had a lot of individual activities, and the five of us got together for the first time in a while, so it felt both fresh and nostalgic. There are times when I remember what it was like, and I wonder if I was this free? I thought so and had a great time.
Q: It’s been half a year since the program started. Have you noticed any changes in yourself or the group through this program?
There hasn’t been much of a change (lol), but I wonder if this program has trained me in terms of free location style, such as splitting up into two or three groups… It’s brought about a good change without me realizing it. I think it is.
Q: From this time onwards, the concept of “helping local people” has become stronger, but I would like to help in this way! Is there such a thing?
there is! This is really a “confession”! As a viewer who used to watch TV, I admired the things they did on V6’s program a long time ago. I would like to be involved in some kind of youth. I would like to have a part-time job and have other experiences that can only be had on this program.
Q: Please give a message to the viewers about the highlights!
Since I’m back after a long time, not only people who like Ae! group, but also people who aren’t really interested, can start by joining from “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” I would be happy if people would say, “That was an interesting show.” We will continue to increase the number of viewers, including distribution on TVer and TELASA, and our first goal is to become a program that will have people making “program posters”! If you watch the program and enjoy it, please spread the word.
◇Akiya Sano
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the traveling location shooting of “Acchi Kocchi Ae!” with 5 people after a long time.
It was fun! In our debut year, each of us had more work to do, and the work the five of us had to do was gradually decreasing, so today’s location was a reward, and the five of us just had time to “wander around Okinawa.” It was a happy location (lol).
Q: It’s been half a year since the program started. Have you noticed any changes in yourself or the group through this program?
I seriously don’t think there is anything! It’s been three or four months since we last recorded, and we’ve done a lot of things in that time, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we filmed at a location where you could feel some growth, but nothing happened! (Laughs) Just like the usual Ae! group. “Staff and Ae! Group” It was a great filming location that really captured the atmosphere of this team.
Q: From this time onwards, the concept of “helping local people” has become stronger, and I would like to help in this way! Is there such a thing?
I want to have a part-time job! It was fun to go to the shopping district and find people who were in trouble and help them, but as a new part-time worker, I had to work hard for 3-4 hours…It’s a program that allows me to experience things that I wouldn’t have been able to experience in this job. It was a very valuable time for us as it became one of our life experiences!
Q: Please give a message to the viewers about the highlights!
I think the charm of Ae! is on full display, and it’s fun to interact with people from various places! Ae! Please look forward to the “elementary” or “daily” part of the group!

[First broadcast contents]
All five of us will be heading to Okinawa for a new friendship trip!
The members who came to the beach exclaimed with joy, “We’re back!”
Immediately, he draws a card, and the card Sano draws is “Mensore! Chimumuchimun gathers! Uchinanchu Street”. On the moving location bus, I try to guess the meanings of Okinawan words like “Chimumuchimun” and “Uchinanchu.” If the answer is incorrect, Sano will perform a gag.

The members arrived at the Heiwa-dori shopping street on Kokusai-dori. In a shopping district where tourists and locals gather, five people take on the challenge of “10 Helps.” Walk around the shopping district and help out at various shops with all your heart. At a store specializing in Sata Andagi, a classic Okinawan sweet, if you tell the staff that you would like to help them, the staff will ask you to promote the product. What is the PR unique to Kansai people that Richard, who was selected from among the members, will show off?
Furthermore, they were divided into Team Suezawa & Kojima and Team Seikado & Richard & Sano and worked hard to help in the shopping district. Will they be able to achieve the “10 Helps”?

(C)ABC TV

Program information

ABC TV“Acchi Kocchi Ae!”
Starts on January 11, 2025
Every Saturday 24:25-24:55 *Kansai local
Cast: Ae! group (Yoshiki Masakado, Seiya Suezawa, Keita Richard Kusama, Ken Kojima, Akiya Sano)