≒JOY’s “Our moon is getting full” Tour Finale Soars to New Heights, Announces Budokan Dream

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≒JOY’s “Our moon is getting full” Tour Finale Soars to New Heights, Announces Budokan Dream

Idol group ≒JOY, produced by Rino Sashihara, concluded their “Our moon is getting full” national tour 2025 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The tour finale culminated in a thrilling surprise announcement: their 4th anniversary concert will be held at the iconic Nippon Budokan in March 2026. This news sent waves of excitement through the audience, marking a significant milestone for the rapidly ascending group.

≒JOY, the third group following =LOVE and ≠ME, has been gaining remarkable momentum. Their 3rd single, “Blue Hawaii Lemon,” achieved a personal best with over 246,000 units shipped, and its music video, centered by Reon Ezumi, surpassed 4.3 million views. This vibrant, summer-themed love song, likened to sweet and sour shaved ice, perfectly captures their fresh appeal.

A Sky-High Journey: From Take-off to Tropical Landing

The “Our moon is getting full” tour, which commenced in August in Osaka, journeyed through seven cities with 16 performances, culminating in the grand finale at Ariake Arena. The evening’s live report revealed a captivating experience, with members transformed into flight attendants, guiding the audience through an imaginative aerial voyage.

Donning stylish CA-inspired outfits, ≒JOY kicked off the show with an energetic performance of “Ima, Tsuki wa Michiru” (Now, the Moon is Full), the tour’s theme song—a cover of a track previously written by producer Rino Sashihara. The synchronized cheers from the audience amplified the excitement from the very start. During “Sweet Sixteen,” members showered fans with signed balls from the center stage and waved from a moving trolley, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere.

≒JOY performing on stage with a full moon backdrop

Following individual self-introductions, punctuated by the playful call of “Attention, please!”, the concert transitioned into a unit song segment. This featured covers of sister groups =LOVE and ≠ME, alongside original unit performances like Aimi Ichihara, Mizuki Oshida, and Yuka Murayama’s “Dadada, Datte.” and Kanoa Amano and Ayumi Yamano’s “0120 Otasuke-san.” These diverse stages showcased the members’ versatility and entertained the audience with various styles.

The mood shifted dramatically in the middle of the concert as ≒JOY appeared in chic, darker-toned costumes. They delivered powerful, serious tracks such as “Muboujin” (Reckless Person), captivating the audience with fierce expressions amidst bursts of flames on stage.

Stage with pyrotechnic effects during ≒JOY's performance

≒JOY members performing on stage in colorful costumes

≒JOY performing on a brightly lit stage with many fans

After incorporating more covers from their senior groups, ≒JOY’s vibrant “sky journey” culminated in a virtual landing on a southern island. They filled the venue with a refreshing ambiance, performing a series of summer tunes including “Blue Hawaii Lemon.” The final sprint saw them unleash signature tracks like “Taiikukan Disco” and “Hatsukoi Cinderella.” Member Ozawa reflected on the tour, stating, “This tour was a challenge where all the members experimented and tried new things!” She then expressed her enthusiasm for future activities before a performance of “Nevagiba! Ikiru.” Against a screen displaying messages to their fans, the members’ clear voices resonated through the arena.

≒JOY performing on a stage with a tropical themed backdrop

Surprise Guest and a Dream Realized

For the encore, members reappeared in yellow happi coats, reigniting the festive mood with “Near-Joy Ondo.” A special highlight was the guest appearance of Kids Giabbit, the beloved mascot of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team, who joined the members on stage to amp up the excitement. This unique collaboration stemmed from Kids Giabbit dancing to ≒JOY’s “Blue Hawaii Lemon” on social media, prompting Amano to mention Giabbit’s original song, “Giabbit Song.” Amano’s subsequent guest appearance at the “Giants Fan Festa 2025 Presented by Fanatics” on November 23rd paved the way for this memorable joint performance.

≒JOY members with Kids Giabbit on stage

≒JOY members posing with Yomiuri Giants mascot on stage

As ≒JOY continued their passionate encore, a surprise special announcement video flashed across the screen, revealing that the “≒JOY 4th ANNIVERSARY PREMIUM CONCERT” would be held at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on March 13, 2026. The members, who had long set their sights on performing at Budokan, were overcome with emotion, shedding tears of joy. Ozawa powerfully declared, “The real challenge begins now. Our goal is to stand on a packed Nippon Budokan stage, so we will do our best!” Ezumi, tearfully asked the audience, “Will you run through our 4th anniversary with us?” before they performed “Kitto, Aoi” (Surely, Blue), a heartfelt song about the bonds with friends chasing their dreams. ≒JOY then delivered a double encore of “Ima, Tsuki wa Michiru,” bringing the “Our moon is getting full” national tour to a magnificent conclusion.

Screen announcing ≒JOY 4th ANNIVERSARY PREMIUM CONCERT at Nippon Budokan

≒JOY members on stage with a large screen displaying travel themes

Setlist for the Evening Show at Ariake Arena

The Ariake Arena evening show featured an impressive lineup of songs, showcasing ≒JOY’s diverse repertoire and energetic performances.

  1. Ima, Tsuki wa Michiru (≒JOY National Tour 2025 “Our moon is getting full” Theme Song)
  2. Oozora, Byun to
  3. Kyou mo Kimi no Yume wo Mitanda
  4. Sweet Sixteen
  5. ♡3 Months♡
  6. Sweetest girl (=LOVE Cover)
  7. Date Zenya Requiem (≠ME Cover)
  8. Dadada, Datte.
  9. 0120 Otasuke-san
  10. Sono Saki wa EXALT
  11. Muboujin
  12. Kono Mama de Momentary (≠ME Cover)
  13. “Bukatsu-chu ni Me ga Au Natte Omotteta Nda” (=LOVE Cover)
  14. “Kimi no Oto Dattanda” (≠ME Cover)
  15. Mahoroba Asterisk (≠ME Cover)
  16. Blue Hawaii Lemon
  17. Peach Tea to Peach Pie
  18. Yumemiru♡Idol
  19. Taiikukan Disco
  20. Waratte Fragile
  21. Hatsukoi Cinderella
  22. Nevagiba! Ikiru

ENCORE

  1. Nia-Joy Ondo
  2. Chokodoku Lion
  3. ≒JOY
  4. Ima, Koi wo Shiteiru
  5. Kitto, Aoi

DOUBLE ENCORE

  1. Ima, Tsuki wa Michiru

Related Information

Stay connected with ≒JOY’s latest updates and music:

Concert Information

≒JOY 4th ANNIVERSARY PREMIUM CONCERT

  • Date: March 13, 2026 (Friday)

  • Venue: Nippon Budokan, Tokyo

  • Further details and ticket information will be announced at a later date.

Profile

≒JOY members in sailor outfits by the sea

≒JOY is the third idol group produced by Rino Sashihara, following =LOVE and ≠ME, created with her vision of an ideal idol group. Formed in January 2022 after final auditions, the group’s name, ≒JOY, was personally announced by Sashihara in March 2022, embodying her wish for members and fans to “feel joy and happiness when they meet.” The group has rapidly achieved significant milestones, including their 1st concert “Hajimemashite, ≒JOY desu.” at Pacifico Yokohama National Grand Hall in September 2023, and their successful 1st Tour “Absolute” from December 2023 to January 2024. Their debut mini-album “Kitto, Zettai, Zettai” topped both the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking and Billboard JAPAN Top Albums Sales, selling over 100,000 units on its first day. In February 2024, they drew approximately 8,000 spectators to their 2nd Anniversary Concert at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. Their 1st single “Taiikukan Disco” and 2nd single “Hatsukoi Cinderella” also secured consecutive No. 1 spots on Oricon and Billboard JAPAN Top Singles Sales. In March 2025, they held their 3rd Anniversary Concert at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, their largest venue to date. Their 3rd single “Blue Hawaii Lemon” in June 2025 set a new personal record with over 246,000 units shipped, and its music video surpassed 4.3 million views. The “Our moon is getting full” national tour, which began in August, culminated in a highly successful finale at Ariake Arena on November 30.

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A New Chapter for Kawaii Culture

≒JOY’s journey from their debut to a national tour culminating in a Budokan announcement reflects not only their artistic growth but also the vibrant and evolving landscape of Japanese idol culture. Their dedication, combined with the unique charm of ‘Kawaii’ aesthetics and powerful performances, continues to captivate audiences. This achievement at a venue as iconic as Nippon Budokan signifies a new chapter for the group and serves as an inspiring example of how Japanese idol groups are pushing boundaries and reaching new heights, potentially influencing the global perception and appreciation of Kawaii culture abroad.

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