The idol group ≠ME began its first arena tour, titled "喝采パレード," with two shows at the Tokyo Garden Theater on May 4, 2026 [1].
This milestone marks the group's transition into larger venues as they enter their eighth year [1]. The tour serves as a strategic promotion for new musical releases and a recent drama tie-in, signaling a growth phase for the ensemble produced by Rino Sashihara.
During the two performances on the first day [1], the group debuted the song "ここでファーストキッス," which serves as a theme for a drama [2]. In addition to the theme song, the group performed five new songs [3]. The official statement from ≠ME said that the concept for the tour is "space travel" [3].
Moeko Kani, the leader of ≠ME, expressed her gratitude during the event. "I am truly filled with gratitude for being given such a wonderful opportunity," Kani said [1].
Producer Rino Sashihara, 33, also commented on the scale of the achievement. Sashihara said the event was a "dream-like occurrence" [4].
The tour arrives as the group celebrates the completion of seven years and moves into its eighth year of activity [1]. The opening day featured both day and night shows to accommodate the audience at the Tokyo venue [1].
“"I am truly filled with gratitude for been given such a wonderful opportunity,"”
The shift to an arena tour indicates that ≠ME has reached a critical mass of popularity required to fill larger venues. By timing the tour with the debut of a drama theme song and five new tracks, the group is leveraging cross-media promotion to expand its reach beyond its core fanbase during a pivotal anniversary year.
