On July 4, MAZZEL will step onto the stage at Makuhari Messe in Chiba for 9 hours and 30 minutes of music—broadcast live across Japan. The eight-member dance and vocal group is set to appear on Nippon TV’s summer special, 『THE MUSIC DAY 2026』, a massive 生放送 (nama housou, live broadcast) running from 1:30 p.m. to 10:54 p.m.

Ahead of the show, the members shared their thoughts, excitement, and personal stories—including one touching connection between EIKI and Arashi’s Ninomiya Kazunari.

A 9-and-a-Half-Hour Celebration of “Music Stories”

This year’s theme is 「音楽の物語」 (ongaku no monogatari), “The Story of Music.”

The program will air 9時間30分にわたって (ku-jikan sanjuppun ni watatte), meaning “over the span of nine and a half hours.” The grammar pattern 〜にわたって expresses something that continues over a long period or range—a useful phrase you’ll often hear in news reports.

Although we live in an era of earbuds and personalized playlists, the show’s concept encourages viewers to experience music as a shared “story.” With 65 artists participating, the program promises a cross-generational, cross-genre celebration that only television can deliver.

MAZZEL will 披露する (hirou suru, perform/present publicly) their song 「J.O.K.E.R」.

The Message Behind “J.O.K.E.R”

Member KAIRYU described the song as one filled with strong intention. Since early last year, the group has sung about finding “a color that only we have.” He explained that “J.O.K.E.R” represents a kind of strength that overlaps with no one else—a power 僕らにしかない (bokura ni shika nai), “unique to us.”

The grammar pattern 〜にしかない emphasizes exclusivity: something that exists “only in” or “only for” a particular person or group.

Musically, the track combines rising intensity with delicate falsetto. Powerful yet sensitive, KAIRYU says this contrast is one of its defining qualities.

RYUKI highlighted the rap opening, which begins in a low register and features a high word count tightly matched to the beat. When company president SKY-HI first gave them the song, he said he was genuinely thrilled by its technical demands.

Dance, Skill, and the “JOKER Challenge”

What are the 見どころ (midokoro, highlights)?

RAN explained that the choreography consciously reflects street dance culture. Drawing from old-school styles that he and SEITO have practiced, the routine incorporates elements of pop and break. In a dance world filled with hip-hop and contemporary choreography, MAZZEL wanted to showcase old-school as one of their strengths.

The group also sparked buzz online with the “JOKER Challenge.” TAKUTO pointed out that near the end of the chorus, there’s a catchy move that looks like shuffling playing cards. While much of the choreography is intentionally difficult to showcase their dance skills, this card-shuffling gesture—and the hand sign spelling out “J.O.K.E.R”—are easy for viewers to recognize and enjoy.

Black Styling and Three Years of Growth

For this stage, NAOYA described their outfits as chic, all-black looks with sleek silhouettes—slightly mature and fitting for what he called a “festival of music.”

MAZZEL previously appeared on a Nippon TV program titled 『夜の音』, where they opened up about the 葛藤 (kattou, inner conflicts and struggles) they experienced during their first three years as a group.

HAYATO reflected that this will be their first time performing on “THE MUSIC DAY,” and they want to ぶつける (butsukeru, channel/throw) their emotions into the stage. “J.O.K.E.R” was created during a time when they wondered what the future would hold and hoped to introduce themselves to people who didn’t yet know them. That feeling hasn’t changed—they want even one viewer to discover something compelling about MAZZEL.

SEITO added that now in their third year, members are more involved in the creative process. They often 漁る (asaru, search through/rummage for) music and share what they’re listening to, exchanging information about other groups from their generation.

Turning Up the Gear This Summer

MAZZEL recently completed their first arena tour. Looking ahead to even bigger stages—such as dome venues—EIKI said they need to “raise the gear” even more.

With appearances scheduled at major summer festivals like 『SUMMER SONIC 2026』 and 『ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2026』, he sees each performance as a serious challenge. Wearing black for this broadcast and representing BMSG’s second group, MAZZEL aims to switch fully into performance mode and captivate audiences with their music.

His words conveyed clear 意気込み (ikigomi, enthusiasm and determination) for the months ahead.

EIKI’s Story: From Arashi Fan to Performer

The most personal moment came when EIKI connected this year’s theme, “The Story of Music,” to his own life.

With Sho Sakurai of Arashi serving as the show’s host, EIKI shared that he grew up loving Arashi. In his third year of high school, he performed a guitar-and-vocal cover of 「虹」 (Niji, “Rainbow”), a solo song by Ninomiya Kazunari, at his school festival. The overwhelming cheers he received that day stayed with him—and inspired him to pursue becoming an artist.

Recently, after turning 24, he covered “Niji” again as a member of MAZZEL. By coincidence, Ninomiya had originally released the song when he himself was 24. After debuting and being able to perform that song again, EIKI said he felt a powerful sense of destiny—like his own musical story had come full circle.

For Japanese learners, moments like this show how deeply music and personal narrative intertwine in Japanese pop culture.

Learn Japanese from This Article

Key Vocabulary

Grammar Spotlight

1. 〜にわたって (over a period of time)

Structure: Noun + にわたって

Example from the article: 9時間30分にわたって生放送される。 Ku-jikan sanjuppun ni watatte nama housou sareru. “It will be broadcast live over nine and a half hours.”

Use this when describing something that continues across a long time span or range.

2. 〜にしかない (unique to; only)

Structure: Noun + にしかない

Example: 僕らにしかない色。 Bokura ni shika nai iro. “A color that only we have.”

This pattern emphasizes exclusivity—something that exists only in that person or group.

Useful Expressions

• 意気込みを語る (ikigomi o kataru) — to talk about one’s determination
• 思いをぶつける (omoi o butsukeru) — to pour one’s feelings into something
• 音楽の物語 (ongaku no monogatari) — a story of music

Continue Learning

Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.

Curious about the Japanese used here? Our Numbers and Counters: Contextual Counting Systems lesson covers this in depth.

Music programs like “THE MUSIC DAY” are full of authentic, emotional Japanese. By paying attention to expressions like 意気込み and grammar patterns like 〜にわたって, you’re learning the language the way it’s actually used in real life—just as students in Japan encounter it.

これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.