9bic Anniversary Live ~POP FACTORY~ Live Report

Male idol group 9bic, whose concept is 'princes living in the present,' held their '9bic Anniversary Live ~POPFACTORY~' at Nakano ZERO Hall on Saturday, July 11. The concert clearly marked the culmination of their second year under the new lineup and the six-month journey with two support members. Pia Corporation was responsible for the production of this live event. Below is the live report.

The theme of '9bic Anniversary Live ~POPFACTORY~' was 'the place that creates the most excitement in the world.' In this imaginative setting, the seven members took on roles as different excitement manufacturers and researchers, delivering uniquely vibrant thrills to their fans, known as 'Ruihoutai' (Cubic Army).

The stage, filled with ladders, gears, and stacked boxes, was brimming with an industrial factory vibe. A large heart and star monument symbolized that this was a place where love and brilliance were created. After a concept-packed opening movie, the five current lineup members emerged from behind a gauze curtain, seamlessly transitioning into the performance. On cue from the narration's 'It’s Show time!', they launched into the lead song of the show, 'Tokimeki Factory.' Their powerful dance moves, smooth formations, and confident presence celebrated how each member had grown stronger through their experience in the seven-member lineup.

They continued with 'proof,' featuring performances using prop boxes, followed by 'Tore Tate Romantic,' where their charm, polished at release events, shone brightly. From the very beginning, their idol essence exploded. When last year's anniversary song 'iDREAM' was introduced, cheers erupted throughout the venue. The sight of the five members lining up in a straight line at the start of the song was as heroic as a team of superheroes saving the world. Exchanging glances with each other and affectionately scanning the audience, each member clearly conveyed their joy in being idols in this number themed around 'idols and dreams.'

After a VCR introducing the excitement-producing members, Keiichiro Ichikawa appeared alongside Kotaro Futaba, dressed in a wedding dress. The unexpected staging sent murmurs of surprise through the audience. As if to sweep away the confusion, they launched into their unit song, 'Kekkon Zentai de Oshitemasu!' ('I’m Supporting You with Marriage in Mind!'). The audience was instantly drawn into the rhythm of 'Keikota' (the chemistry name for Ichikawa and Futaba). The high-energy call-and-response created a sense of unity that felt like it hadn’t been years since their last performance. As the chorus hit, the rest of the current lineup rushed in, and they joyfully kicked off the 'POPFACTORY Special Medley.'

One after another, songs spotlighting each member's unique charm unfolded. When Futaba floated a diamond plate into the sky with his self-composed and self-written song 'Bokura no Imperial,' Ichikawa declared 'I'll hold you' in 'secretlove,' knocking down the Ruihoutai. Not to be outdone, Sanami Kashiwa sang 'Minya, shall we have a sweet romance?' in 'Caramel Honey Magical Macchiato,' aiming straight for hearts with calculated charm. The three distinct performance styles were so impressive it made one marvel at their seven years of experience.

The new lineup members were no less impressive. Unazuka Kaito showcased a sharp, powerful dance solo in 'creature,' while Kurosawa Toshinori delicately played the piano in 'Love etude.' Izumi Hayato fully displayed his natural allure in 'Yumekui Vampire.' Yano Ojiro sparkled with innate energy in 'high! Saikou!,' bringing the 'POPFACTORY Special Medley' to a grand, enthusiastic conclusion.

Even after brief self-introductions, their momentum didn’t wane. They crafted a passionate stage with 'Geni Asta,' a song bursting with vitality, followed by 'loveSPLASH,' 9bic’s signature summer tune.

During the MC segment discussing their thoughts on the seven-member lineup, Futaba commented, 'In Etoneige, I’m the oldest, so I feel I need to be responsible, but in 9bic, I’m younger than this person (Izumi), so I’ve been able to act freely.' Ichikawa also shared, 'At first, I was worried if I could fit in, but because they didn’t treat me like a senior, it felt comfortable,' expressing how enjoyable the past six months had been.

Then came the final song under the seven-member lineup: 'Korekara Doushite mo.' As Futaba wrote the lyrics for 9bic, the staging became deeply emotional. Lyrics like 'Even if it doesn’t reach, I don’t want to give up' and 'I’ll prove that I can still fight' felt like messages only Futaba, who had once been part of 9bic, could deliver. The second verse, where parts transitioned from the original members—Ichikawa, Futaba, and Kashiwa—to the current lineup, was tear-jerking just from the vocal distribution. The lighting, matching the members’ colors, seemed to illuminate the future of 9bic’s seven members and their cubic destiny. After giving their all, the '9bic Anniversary Live ~POPFACTORY~' entered its final stretch. They were then drawn back to the current lineup for 'Colorful,' a song depicting the relationship between fans and idols. The sight of their white-based costumes being dyed by colorful spotlights seemed to say, 'We can become any color.' They delivered their heartfelt messages with sincere, unwavering gazes forward. At the end, five members held up light sticks, creating a wave of light together with the Ruihoutai.

Just as the mood seemed to grow quiet, they dropped 'To Iu Yume o Mita,' instantly changing the atmosphere. The audience, who had been seated and listening intently, naturally stood up, and the entire venue united in a frenzy of excitement. The members relentlessly shouted 'I love you,' directly passing their pure feelings to the crowd. The final song was 'Hikoukigumo,' written and composed by Kashiwa. Its refreshing, high-speed rock sound was so energetic it made one believe in 9bic’s advancement. They poured everything they had onto the stage, concluding the main set on a bright, uplifting note.

For the encore, 9bic appeared on stage in their seven-member lineup. They dropped the incredibly catchy 'Kawaii Dake ja Nai Sen' ('It’s Not Just About Being Cute!') and 'Chuukara Ekusutasei' ('Medium-Spicy Ecstasy'), reigniting a vibrant, dazzling excitement. After the support members departed, they moved into 'Anker,' the lead song for the 'Tomeiha Live House Tour 2026 ~PASS THE BATON~' to be held on August 1. Their emotionally charged vocals, rock sound that made one want to raise a fist, and powerfully outstretched hands were worthy of calling this their new frontier. The performance ended on a bright finale, filling the venue with the hopeful light of 'YELL!,' the song that marked the beginning of the new 9bic lineup.

Having surpassed the six months with support members, 9bic now enters its third year under the new lineup. The '9bic Anniversary Live ~POP FACTORY~' vividly reflected how fruitful their time together as seven had been. From now on, they will surely continue to deliver excitement packed with love and brilliance. We believe in the realization of the dreams that await them.

= Setlist =

M1. Tokimeki Factory

M2. proof

M3. to