Stage Play 'ZERO RISE' Public General Rehearsal Official Report
Bushiroad Inc. held a public general rehearsal for its new cross-media project 'ZERO RISE' stage play. The story follows young individuals overcoming past mistakes to pursue their dreams through street basketball, with the main performances commencing on May 2nd.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 06:20
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Bushiroad Inc. (Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takaaki Kidani) held a public general rehearsal and press conference for the stage play 'ZERO RISE' today, May 1st, at the Hikosen Theater. We kindly request media outlets to cover this information.
Official Report on Stage Play 'ZERO RISE' Public General Rehearsal Released!
'ZERO RISE' is a new cross-media project presented by Bushiroad, depicting a story where young individuals, cast aside from the spotlight due to past mistakes and circumstances, strive to reclaim their dreams on the stage of an underground street basketball league called 'ZERO RISE.'
Ahead of the main performances starting on Saturday, May 2nd, a public general rehearsal was held on Friday, May 1st, at the Hikosen Theater, which will be the venue. We introduce the highlights along with comments from the cast.
Rule-breaking basketball sparks on stage
The stage play 'ZERO RISE' opens with a match between UNFIXXX, a street basketball team renowned in Shinjuku Basketball, and BLACKSPOT, a team feared as the strongest in Shinjuku for their dangerous play using weapons.
While based on street basketball as a sport, this 'Shinjuku Basketball' allows the use of weapons and physical combat, making it an anything-goes special rule set.
Indeed, from the very beginning, a powerful performance that instantly captivates the audience unfolds. While a ball game progresses on stage, the movements carry a sharpness and tension reminiscent of sword fighting.
The performance, which skillfully combines dance and action with clever ball handling, is a unique and beautiful expression of the game, characteristic of this work. Among them, the one-on-one battle between Madoka (Hiroki Sasamori) of UNFIXXX and Barista (Shota Kawakami) of BLACKSPOT is one of the early highlights. The ebb and flow of their movements, skillfully interspersed, created a breathtaking tension.
The characters appearing in this work are not merely former basketball players. People with diverse backgrounds, such as those who have transitioned from different sports, those who have lived on the streets, and those who have lost their way, gather at 'ZERO RISE.'
Winning means returning to the spotlight, but losing means losing everything. The battles fought under such extreme conditions symbolize the world of this work, strongly impressing its harshness and appeal from the outset.
The story unfolds primarily around UNFIXXX, led by Madoka. Even in casual conversation scenes with teammates like Date (Tomoya Fukui) and Merlin (Kai Otomo), the differences in their circumstances and feelings are carefully depicted. Pay attention to the many lines that subtly reveal each character's background behind their witty exchanges.
In terms of performance, UNFIXXX also takes center stage. Watching with an understanding of the members' commitment to 'ZERO RISE' significantly changes the impression of the same scenes, which is another charm. The stage is set up as a basketball court, with the cast running freely. The sense of realism, as if watching a live sports match, is impressive, differing from typical musicals or 2.5D stage plays. A precise composition can be felt within the free and dynamic movements, indicating a high degree of perfection in the performance.
Of course, UNFIXXX is not the only team appearing in this work. The presence of KINGS+HOOT, a team re-formed on the streets by three childhood friends, adds color to the story. Their performance is light and conspicuously glamorous, but the conflicts behind it are also depicted. The struggles of Miracle (Takamichi Sato), who faces basketball while also pursuing idol activities, and the relationship between Blink (Hiroki Ishibashi), who supports Miracle as a fan, and Sunshine (Yusei Hiraga), who watches over the two, were carefully portrayed. While they share commonalities with UNFIXXX in terms of strong teamwork, a difference in their direction can be seen.
Additionally, at key points, Jigen (Yuuki Kimisawa), the founder of 'ZERO RISE' and known as a former professional league champion, appears. He also plays an MC role within the play, involved in the progress of matches and the story. While maintaining a mysterious and calm demeanor, he is also depicted guiding players with the power of words, making him a crucial character deeply involved in the core of the story.
In the middle, UNFIXXX and KINGS+HOOT face off in a basketball match. As before, the free-running performance across the stage is still present, but in this scene, a more gritty expression leaves a strong impression. The sight of them desperately chasing the ball and fiercely clashing bodies conveys the tension unique to a serious competition.
Official Report on Stage Play 'ZERO RISE' Public General Rehearsal Released!
'ZERO RISE' is a new cross-media project presented by Bushiroad, depicting a story where young individuals, cast aside from the spotlight due to past mistakes and circumstances, strive to reclaim their dreams on the stage of an underground street basketball league called 'ZERO RISE.'
Ahead of the main performances starting on Saturday, May 2nd, a public general rehearsal was held on Friday, May 1st, at the Hikosen Theater, which will be the venue. We introduce the highlights along with comments from the cast.
Rule-breaking basketball sparks on stage
The stage play 'ZERO RISE' opens with a match between UNFIXXX, a street basketball team renowned in Shinjuku Basketball, and BLACKSPOT, a team feared as the strongest in Shinjuku for their dangerous play using weapons.
While based on street basketball as a sport, this 'Shinjuku Basketball' allows the use of weapons and physical combat, making it an anything-goes special rule set.
Indeed, from the very beginning, a powerful performance that instantly captivates the audience unfolds. While a ball game progresses on stage, the movements carry a sharpness and tension reminiscent of sword fighting.
The performance, which skillfully combines dance and action with clever ball handling, is a unique and beautiful expression of the game, characteristic of this work. Among them, the one-on-one battle between Madoka (Hiroki Sasamori) of UNFIXXX and Barista (Shota Kawakami) of BLACKSPOT is one of the early highlights. The ebb and flow of their movements, skillfully interspersed, created a breathtaking tension.
The characters appearing in this work are not merely former basketball players. People with diverse backgrounds, such as those who have transitioned from different sports, those who have lived on the streets, and those who have lost their way, gather at 'ZERO RISE.'
Winning means returning to the spotlight, but losing means losing everything. The battles fought under such extreme conditions symbolize the world of this work, strongly impressing its harshness and appeal from the outset.
The story unfolds primarily around UNFIXXX, led by Madoka. Even in casual conversation scenes with teammates like Date (Tomoya Fukui) and Merlin (Kai Otomo), the differences in their circumstances and feelings are carefully depicted. Pay attention to the many lines that subtly reveal each character's background behind their witty exchanges.
In terms of performance, UNFIXXX also takes center stage. Watching with an understanding of the members' commitment to 'ZERO RISE' significantly changes the impression of the same scenes, which is another charm. The stage is set up as a basketball court, with the cast running freely. The sense of realism, as if watching a live sports match, is impressive, differing from typical musicals or 2.5D stage plays. A precise composition can be felt within the free and dynamic movements, indicating a high degree of perfection in the performance.
Of course, UNFIXXX is not the only team appearing in this work. The presence of KINGS+HOOT, a team re-formed on the streets by three childhood friends, adds color to the story. Their performance is light and conspicuously glamorous, but the conflicts behind it are also depicted. The struggles of Miracle (Takamichi Sato), who faces basketball while also pursuing idol activities, and the relationship between Blink (Hiroki Ishibashi), who supports Miracle as a fan, and Sunshine (Yusei Hiraga), who watches over the two, were carefully portrayed. While they share commonalities with UNFIXXX in terms of strong teamwork, a difference in their direction can be seen.
Additionally, at key points, Jigen (Yuuki Kimisawa), the founder of 'ZERO RISE' and known as a former professional league champion, appears. He also plays an MC role within the play, involved in the progress of matches and the story. While maintaining a mysterious and calm demeanor, he is also depicted guiding players with the power of words, making him a crucial character deeply involved in the core of the story.
In the middle, UNFIXXX and KINGS+HOOT face off in a basketball match. As before, the free-running performance across the stage is still present, but in this scene, a more gritty expression leaves a strong impression. The sight of them desperately chasing the ball and fiercely clashing bodies conveys the tension unique to a serious competition.