Four years of anticipation. Four years of power. Three artists from the same generation showcasing the “present” and “future.”
Shugo Nakamura, Tasuku Hatanaka, and Makoto Furukawa—three voice actors signed to the Lantis label—held the live event Lantis MENS GIG “A・C・E” 2024 at Zepp Shinjuku on October 13. Originally scheduled for 2020, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was revived in response to overwhelming public demand. Under the theme “A・C・E,” which stands for ATTRACTIVE, CURIOUS, and ENERGY, the three artists delivered passionate performances to a packed audience.
The concert opened with a lighthearted introduction from the trio, instantly bringing smiles to the audience. The first to take the stage was Hatanaka, accompanied by dancers. He performed “Promise for the future,” a song with sharp electro sounds and a hard-hitting beat that served as the second ending theme for the tokusatsu drama Ultraman Z. He followed it up with the lively “It’s time to fly!” After performing this self-produced, laid-back track, he paused to greet the audience and remarked, “Holmes is in A・C・E, right? So, we’ve got to do this song!” The crowd erupted in excitement as he shifted gears with the gothic dance tune “DYING WISH,” the opening theme for the TV anime Moriarty the Patriot.
Next, Hatanaka invited Nakamura to the stage for a special collaboration performance of “Kaze wo Tsukuru.” With a smile, Nakamura remarked, “Singing together turned out to be even better than I imagined,” as he left the stage. Hatanaka then called the dancers back for his final song, the dance number “Manatsu BEAT,” a killer tune that brought the warmth of summer back to the cool autumn air.
Furukawa took the stage next, filling the venue with vibrant sounds as he performed “Kaleidoscope,” accompanied by dramatic strings. The following track, “Incomplete,” was an urban groove dance tune that had the audience swaying to its blend of glamor and allure. After the song, Furukawa shared his excitement about the performance, asking, “Why is it always impossible to sleep before a field trip?” He then launched into the standout number “Place Your Bets,” a jazz-infused track that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Hatanaka returned to the stage for a special collaboration with Furukawa on “Doukeshi to♠︎,” characterized by shimmering piano notes and big band elements. Their duet felt like a playful conversation, and afterward, they remarked on how wonderful it had felt to sing together. After Hatanaka left, Furukawa performed “Ash Glass,” a dramatic piece where a melancholic guitar melody intertwined with a lively rhythm, enveloping the venue in his musical world.
Nakamura then took the spotlight, igniting the venue with “WINNER,” the colorful rock ’n’ roll ending theme for the TV anime Blue Lock. The audience’s voices joined in, transforming the venue into a true live house. “It’s amazing to perform live with fellow artists from the same generation at Lantis!” he exclaimed. He followed this with a soulful rendition of “Oh No!!,” marked by lively horn sounds and an infectious beat, prompting the audience to raise their hands in response.
During the collaboration segment, Nakamura invited Furukawa back on stage for “Chocolate,” a song with a bittersweet, seductive sound. Their mature duet, accompanied by guitar and bass, created a playful back-and-forth. “How was that? Pretty sexy, right?” Nakamura asked with a smile, to which Furukawa replied, “It was amazing. Such a great song!” After Furukawa exited, Nakamura returned to the spotlight with guitar in hand, launching into the riff of “Imitation.” This straightforward rock ’n’ roll number radiated raw emotion, filling the venue with passion. For his finale, he performed “JUMP,” the ending theme of the TV anime Skate-Leading Stars. This emotional piano rock track, bursting with energy, stirred the audience, whose voices rose in unison, uniting the entire floor.
Hatanaka and Furukawa rejoined Nakamura on stage to introduce the merchandise and share their thoughts on the collaboration performances. They then covered the iconic “Butter-Fly,” the theme song of Digimon Adventure. The audience’s voices blended with theirs, creating a sense of unity in Zepp Shinjuku. The concert culminated with “Never-Ending,” the theme song of Lantis MENS GIG “A・C・E” 2024. With expansive guitar sounds leading the way, this refreshing rock number embodied glamor and hope. Their harmonized voices, full of exceptional skill and positivity, resonated throughout the venue, reflecting the potential of “A・C・E.” As the joyful evening came to an end, the audience left with smiles, looking forward to the day when the three artists would come together again.
Official Writer: Nachi Ebisawa
Official Photographer: Hanna Eto (SHERPA+)
Setlist
- Promise for the future / Tasuku Hatanaka
- It’s time to fly! / Tasuku Hatanaka
- DYING WISH / Tasuku Hatanaka
- Kaze wo Tsukuru / Tasuku Hatanaka & Shugo Nakamura
- Manatsu BEAT / Tasuku Hatanaka
- Kaleidoscope / Makoto Furukawa
- incomplete / Makoto Furukawa
- “Place your bets” / Makoto Furukawa
- Doukeshi to♠︎ / Makoto Furukawa & Tasuku Hatanaka
- Ash Glass / Makoto Furukawa
- WINNER / Shugo Nakamura
- Oh No!! / Shugo Nakamura
- Chocolate / Shugo Nakamura & Makoto Furukawa
- imitation / Shugo Nakamura
- JUMP / Shugo Nakamura
- Butter-Fly (Cover) / Shugo Nakamura & Tasuku Hatanaka & Makoto Furukawa
- Never-ending / Shugo Nakamura & Tasuku Hatanaka & Makoto Furukawa
The setlist is available on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RbK64OiPnM0TEHAoS5LPw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/jp/playlist/pl.u-EdAV79esDr1dNvW
PROFILES
Shugo Nakamura
Debuted as a voice actor in 2015, playing the role of Teru Tendo in the game “The Idolmaster: SideM”. Currently playing roles such as Ryota Miyagi in THE FIRST SLAM DUNK and Gin Gagamaru in Blue Lock. In 2019, he made his artist debut and energetically embarked on a nationwide tour, performing at five venues. He writes and composes the majority of his songs, and his heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies have garnered attention from his peers. He will celebrate the 5th anniversary of his artist debut on October 30.
Official website: https://shugo-nakamura.com/
X: https://twitter.com/ShugoAbc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakamura_shugo_official/
Tasuku Hatanaka
In 2006, he made his voice acting debut as the voice of Edmund Pevensie in the dubbed version of the movie The Chronicles of Narnia. Since then, he has participated in numerous dubbing and anime projects. In July 2017, he debuted as an artist with his first single, “STAND UP,” released by Lantis. He is actively engaged both as a voice actor and an artist, contributing to anime and dramas such as Moriarty the Patriot and Ultraman Z.
Artist page: https://www.lantis.jp/artist/hatanakatasuku/
X: https://twitter.com/tasuku_kenpro
Makoto Furukawa
Furukawa Makoto is known for many roles, including Miyuki Shirogane in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Saitama in One-Punch Man, Shaddiq Zenelli in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and Spinel in Pokémon. He received the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 14th Seiyu Awards. He debuted as an artist with his 1st single “miserable masquerade,” released by Lantis on July 4, 2018. On November 12, 2023, he held his first solo concert “Furukawa Makoto 1st Re-Live ‘Call’ in the BOX.”
Artist page: https://www.lantis.jp/artist/furukawamakoto/
X: https://twitter.com/M_Furukawa929
