The Tokyo performances of the popular junior group B&ZAI's live tour "B&ZAI LIVE TOUR 2026 -ROCK'N'DOL-" were held at Tokyo Garden Theater (Koto Ward, Tokyo) on February 26th and 27th. In a press conference held after the performance which began at 1pm on the 27th, it was revealed that the surprise announcement of the Budokan performance was made possible thanks to the efforts of SUPER EIGHT's Okura Tadayoshi.
When the press said to him, "You were crying (at the performance), Hashimoto-kun," Hashimoto Ryo replied, "When we formed B&ZAI, the dream I had was to perform at Budokan with everyone, so I really wanted to see Yabana (Rei) playing bass at Budokan, and when I thought about that dream coming true, I just couldn't contain myself."
When asked why he felt this way, he said, "Yabana-san has been supporting us as the band leader of B&ZAI, and he told me about the good points of bands and how overseas bands have such wonderful things and history, and he told me I should watch a DVD of TOKIO seniors, and when I did, I thought, 'Budokan is awesome!' So I had those feelings and that's what led me to wanting them to perform there. TOKIO's influence is huge."
Yabana revealed that all the members went to see SUPER EIGHT's Budokan performance in November last year, saying, "There was the Japanese flag, and we were all shocked and thought, 'This is the Budokan,' so I'm pretty excited to find out that we'll be doing three shows at that venue."
Mototaka Katsuki commented, "This time, the title is Rock 'n' Doll, so we're carrying the rock element, and of course we've created a performance that also carries the idol element that is unique to this agency. I do feel a sense of responsibility being able to perform at the Nippon Budokan, which has the name Japan attached to it, but for now I just want to bask in the feeling of joy."
Hashimoto said that Okura, who was at the venue that day, told her, "I cried." She revealed, "Okura-kun cooperated with us at the Nippon Budokan this time, and we decided to perform at B&ZAI... I just heard it from him," and expressed her gratitude, saying, "It was the best present I've received."
TOKIO and SUPER EIGHT, who were active as bands, also performed at the Budokan. Hashimoto said enthusiastically, "I think that by having B&ZAI perform here, we can show that we are idol bands, and that's what we should do, so I want to follow in the footsteps of those cool guys."
Drummer Kawasaki Seiki began by saying, "This is actually the first time I've released this, but..." He continued, "The drum set I'm using now was handed down to me by TOKIO's Matsuoka (Masahiro). That's why, being able to play at Budokan with that drum set, I want to carry on my senior's will, and put in a little more emotion when I take to the stage."
Suzuki Yuujin inherited a guitar from Shigeru Jojima, and Yabana happened to buy the equipment that Nagase Tomoya had sold a few years ago. Yabana said with deep emotion, "We really owe a lot to our brothers' equipment. I'm glad that we were able to bring it back with our own efforts, so that we could go to the Budokan and play it once more."
The title of this tour incorporates the spirit of rock and idols, and Hashimoto, who named it, said with enthusiasm, "We've performed at Budokan with Rock 'n' Doll aloft, and now all that's left for us to achieve is our debut, so we want to do our best."
Finally, they addressed the fans, saying, "To all B&ZAI fans, to all BaetZ (fan name), we are performing at Budokan. It's because of your daily support, so thank you very much. After we perform at Budokan, we definitely want to make our debut as a group of eight, so we would be thrilled if you would all support us!"
