“Gal Power” Takes Over New Year’s Eve Airwaves
As 2025 draws to a close, Japan is preparing for a unique New Year’s Eve celebration, infused with vibrant “gal” energy. On December 31st, comedy duo Elf will host a special radio program, “Elf de Gal〆! Owari Age Nara Subete Age! ~Torima Shugo Radio Year-End SP2025~,” broadcast across the JFN national network. This three-hour special, from 1:00 PM to 3:55 PM JST, promises to wrap up the year with an uplifting spirit, embodying the “gal” philosophy that a positive ending makes everything positive.
The program is a special edition of Elf’s popular podcast, “Elf no Torima Shugo Radio!” (Elf’s Let’s Just Gather Radio!), known for its casual and inviting atmosphere. It aims to inject a dose of “gal” power into the end of 2025, regardless of the year’s ups and downs.
Star-Studded Lineup and Engaging Segments
The special broadcast will feature an exciting array of guests and interactive segments. The 1:00 PM hour will welcome HIROKI from the iconic rock band ORANGE RANGE, who recently garnered significant attention with the Reiwa-era music video for their hit song “Ikenai Taiyo.” HIROKI will participate in the “Torima Danshari 2025” segment, offering sharp advice to listeners on their year-end dilemmas.
Later, the 3:00 PM hour will host the highly anticipated “Reiwa Gal Summit.” This segment brings together a diverse panel of “gals” from different generations: Yuna-chi (elementary school) and Ryua (middle school) from the popular elementary school gal media “KOGYARU,” alongside high school model Aisa from the renowned “egg” magazine. They will discuss predictions for 2026 trends and offer their unique perspectives and proposals to society. This cross-generational dialogue highlights the evolving nature of gal culture in Japan.
Listeners are also invited to participate in the “Gal de Me Award 2025,” where they can share their personal achievements and moments of pride from the year, with Elf’s Arakawa humorously presenting awards. The show will also feature a generous selection of “Minna no Age Gal Song”—uplifting tracks chosen by listeners and street interviews. Popular segments from Elf’s podcast, such as “Gyache no Kakugen” (Gyache’s Maxims) and “Haru ni Iwasatitai Hitokoto” (A Word I Want Haru to Say), will also be included, ensuring a jam-packed and entertaining broadcast.
Meet the Hosts and Guests
Elf
The comedy duo Elf, consisting of Arakawa (left) and Haru (right), formed in April 2016. Based at the Yoshimoto Manzai Theater, they are celebrated for their fast-paced manzai (stand-up comedy) routines, characterized by Arakawa’s distinctive “gal” persona and Haru’s precise retorts. Their talent has earned them the Encouragement Award at the 18th New Comedian Amagasaki Awards in 2017 and four consecutive appearances in the finals of “The W,” Japan’s No. 1 Female Comedian Championship.
ORANGE RANGE HIROKI
HIROKI is the vocalist of ORANGE RANGE, a five-member rock band from Okinawa. Since their major debut in 2003, the band has consistently released numerous hit songs, celebrated for their unrestricted and highly musical style combined with exceptional popularity.
Aisa
Born on October 29, 2007, from Chiba Prefecture, Aisa is an influential figure with over 1 million followers across her social media platforms. She began her entertainment career in elementary school, became a Popteen model in middle school, and currently serves as an exclusive model for “egg” magazine. Her appearance on a popular ABEMA romance reality show further boosted her profile, leading to numerous modeling gigs for apparel brands and fashion events.
KOGYARU’s Ryua and Yuna-chi
KOGYARU, launched on April 1, 2023, is the sister media to Japan’s “egg” magazine, focusing on elementary school “gal” models. Operating primarily through its web version on social media, KOGYARU has amassed over 500,000 Instagram followers in just two years. Beyond modeling, they made their artist debut in December 2023 with the song “SHIRANKEDO,” which has garnered over 12 million views. Their diverse activities, including live performances nationwide, are driving the next generation of “gal” culture.
How to Tune In
The “Elf de Gal〆! Owari Age Nara Subete Age! ~Torima Shugo Radio Year-End SP2025~” will be broadcast on December 31, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:55 PM JST across 28 JFN affiliated stations nationwide. Listeners within the broadcast areas can tune in for free via radiko.jp, which also offers a one-week catch-up service. For those outside the broadcast areas, a premium subscription to radiko (Radiko Premium) allows nationwide listening, also with a one-week catch-up option.
Further program information can be found on the official program page: https://audee.jp/news/show/142000
For more of Elf’s “gal” charm, their regular podcast “Elf no Torima Shugo Radio!” updates every Wednesday at 6:00 PM JST. You can find all their links here: https://linktr.ee/elf.shugoradio
Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation and share their excitement on social media using the official program hashtag: #とりま集合ラジオ.
The Evolving Spirit of Kawaii Culture
This year-end special is more than just a radio show; it’s a vibrant snapshot of contemporary Japanese “gal” culture, a dynamic subset of Kawaii that emphasizes self-expression, confidence, and a positive outlook. The inclusion of “KOGYARU”—elementary school-aged “gals”—alongside established models like Aisa and veteran artists like HIROKI, demonstrates the broad appeal and generational evolution of this style. It highlights how “gal” culture continues to reinvent itself, influencing fashion, music, and lifestyle, and extending its playful, confident spirit to a global audience eager to embrace diverse forms of Kawaii. This program, with its blend of humor, music, and intergenerational dialogue, will surely provide an “age” (uplifting) send-off to 2025, echoing the enduring and adaptable nature of Kawaii culture worldwide.
