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Posted by J_Global468 pts Wednesday, May 22, 2024
LIVE REPORT: AmBitious OdoROK! DANCE TOUR
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Written exclusively for Tokyohive by Kat Gruss.
There is nothing better than a well-danced show. When the backing track and choreography meld with a vocal performance, the resulting combination can leave audiences stunned and in disbelief of what they just watched. Of course, a good idol concert doesn’t necessarily need the perfect dance moves to be perfect overall, but it is an important tool for leaving a lasting impression on the audience, and one which a particular new group out of Kansai wields incredibly well.
On May 19th, 2024, fans of the STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Junior group AmBitious gathered at Zepp Haneda on the final day of their OdoROK! DANCE TOUR. Formed not that long ago on October 22nd, 2021, AmBitious has been nonetheless very busy; successfully performing in concerts and stage plays since their formation, culminating in OdoROK! as their first national tour as a unit.
What impressed the most about AmBitious’ tour was their dance ability. They set high expectations for their audience from the first moments of the hour and a half show, and never once stopped dazzling with their palpable performance skills. AmBitious’ original song, Reach for the sky, was one such number that highlighted their impeccable dance ingenuity, with footwork so in sync that, if you had lined them up in a straight line, it would have appeared as if there were only one person on stage; truly a testament of their hard work as a unit.
The kind of style that AmBitious achieved throughout the concert also highlights a stylistic variety that leaves a strong impression there is more to them than meets the eye. While much of their choreography naturally leans toward a more of-the-moment hip-hop base, the dance solo by member Yuri Oka and subsequent group performance of timelesz’s Meiwakiyaku leaned more contemporary. Oka’s flowing movements radiated a heartbreaking emotional vibe before the rest of the group joined him on stage; with moves soft and delicate like a foil to the harder hitting moves seen earlier in the show.
Another moment of excellence was following AmBitious’ medley of Kansai songs toward the latter half of the show, which included a dance break that gave each member a chance to shine and show off, and a chance to those perhaps watching them for the first time to take a deeper dive into their expressive personalities.
Another facet of their concert that stood out was the inclusion of acrobatic tricks throughout the concert run time, with Leo Nagaoka at the forefront of such capabilities. During their performance of former Junior unit B.A.D.’s V.I.P., Gaku Kawashita helped lift Leo into the air for a heart-stopping backflip. These professional stunts, scattered as they were throughout the show, are certainly capable of differentiating them from other up and coming young talent.
The songs included in OdoROK! further defined the type of unit AmBitious aspires to be, which is above all one that is fiercely proud of their Kansai roots; particularly evident in their conscious selection of flavorfully wacky and fun songs that never goes too far so as to detract from the concert’s artistry or professionalism. It's something the fans present clearly respond to as well-- during one call and response segment set to WEST.’s debut song EEJYANAIKA, the fans embraced the Kansai love with enthusiastic participation as they shouted the lyrics back at AmBitious.
It isn’t to say that this group is only happy and energized; after all, AmBitious dedicated a significant portion of their setlist to tracks that allow them to get down and groove to thumping speakers, such as Snow Man’s Cry out and AmBitious’ own original song Ride. The special effects they utilized further enhanced the visual aspect of the staging, but the choice itself imparted an additional shade to their already colorful personalities. This fluid nature allowed AmBitious to appeal to a broad range of entertainment fans between all the contemporary, hip-hip, poppin’, and tutting; every block of the show introducing something new to uncover.
Another unique callback to their Kansai roots is how effortlessly AmBitious seems togel. While their performance synchronicity is strong, it’s the talk sessions and transitional interactions that reveal their bonds as a nine member unit. There wasn’t a dull moment listening to the boys talk, each one jumping in quickly to continue the flow of the conversation; a clear testament to the depth of solidarity they’ve built in their short time together.
But of course one cannot write about the concert without mentioning how conscious AmBitious is toward entertaining their fans on a personal level. The open-concept, standing-only setup in play at the Zepp Haneda was not without certain inconveniences, yet AmBitious made sure their fans felt appreciated in a variety of little albeit impactful ways. Whether it be a participatory dance tutorial for their original song Reach for the sky or simply taking extra time to ensure that every seat in the house felt seen, the members displayed an awareness beyond their years of how small gestures help strengthen the bond between fan and idol.
AmBitious took every opportunity to make OdoROK! the best it could be. The song selection and choreography showed off their dance strength and unique group edge while navigating the humility and accessibility that characterizes a classic idol. AmBitious is full of talented individuals who, curated as they are by the likes of SUPER EIGHT’s Tadayoshi Ohkura and Ae! group’s Ken Kojima, have real potential to evolve into a cohesive unit that can take the world by storm. There is no doubt in our mind that AmBitious has what it takes to be a group known around the globe, and we cannot wait to see what their future holds.
VIDEO: A behind-the-scenes look at AmBitious' OdoROK! DANCE TOUR courtesy of Ken Kojima of Ae! group and the Junior CHANNEL production team, featuring English subtitles provided by dedicated fans!
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