BATTLE OF TOKYO

***BATTLE OF TOKYO*** (shortly known as **BOT**) is a comprehensive entertainment project created in 2019 and led by the Jr.EXILE groups. EXILE HIRO is the chief creative officer and in charge of planning and production of the complete franchise. It follows the same structure as the multimedia project *HiGH&LOW*.

## About

As a project focused on Jr.EXILE including GENERATIONS, THE RAMPAGE, FANTASTICS, BALLISTIK BOYZ and PSYCHIC FEVER, it depicts a new story unfolding in TOKYO in two parallel worlds: the real world, *Shin TOKYO* (新TOKYO; *New TOKYO*), and a fantasy world in another universe, *Cho TOKYO* (超TOKYO; *Super TOKYO*).

In the other universe, the groups and its members have alter egos: "MAD JESTERS" (≠GENERATIONS), "ROWDY SHOGUN" (≠THE RAMPAGE), "ASTRO9" (≠FANTASTICS), "JIGGY BOYS" (≠BALLISTIK BOYZ) and "DUNG BEAT POSSE" (≠PSYCHIC FEVER). Additionally, each group is based at a specific location.

## History

### 2019

The project was announced on April 20, on the same day as the formation of Jr.EXILE. The project would initially focus on the 4 groups of the Jr.EXILE unit, with them releasing an album titled *BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~* on July 3 and holding a 4-day live concert with the same title from July 4 to July 7 at Makuhari Messe.

In June, the groups of Jr.EXILE released two music videos for their collaboration songs every week, sorted by "Rounds": ROUND1: GENERATIONS vs THE RAMPAGE ("SHOOT IT OUT"), ROUND2: THE RAMPAGE vs BALLISTIK BOYZ ("Dead Or Alive"), ROUND3: GENERATIONS vs FANTASTICS ("Supersonic"), ROUND4: FANTASTICS vs BALLISTIK BOYZ ("SHOCK THE WORLD"), ROUND5: THE RAMPAGE vs FANTASTICS ("MIX IT UP") and ROUND6: GENERATIONS vs BALLISTIK BOYZ ("BREAK DOWN YA WALLS"). The concept of those music videos revolves around a battle of the groups in both the real world *Shin TOKYO* (新TOKYO; *New TOKYO*) and the space of a parallel universe *Cho TOKYO* (超TOKYO; *Super TOKYO*), and ultimately peaks at *BABYLONIUM,* an entity that connects multiple dimensions that normally do not intersect: Super Tokyo, New Tokyo of the future, and the present Tokyo of our reality.

To promote the album release on July 3, different members of each group were mixed together for interviews and TV appearances. Prior to the live concert, Nikkan Sports released the original newspaper *BATTLE OF TOKYO Shinbun* (BATTLE OF TOKYO新聞), which includes interviews and more content from the members of Jr.EXILE, on July 2.

After the 4-day live concert *BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~* from July 4 to July 7 attracted about 120,000 attendants, it was announced on July 9 that the project would continue as *2020 BATTLE OF TOKYO LIVE* in the next year.

### 2021

On February 25, the first original novel of the project, titled *Shosetsu BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.1* and introducing the story of BATTLE OF TOKYO, was published. The novel is set in *Cho TOKYO*, a metropolis that has rapidly recovered from the devastation caused by the Great Storm. "Rumors of the MAD JESTERS, a group of thieves, begin to circulate in the peaceful Tokyo, where many people live in affluence, controlled by a highly evolved network. And so begins the battle between ROWDY SHOGUN, Astro9, and JIGGY BOYS, all young men with special abilities."

In the same month, it was revealed that each individual team had a new song and music video that would be released in March. MAD JESTER's song would be titled "LIBERATION", ROWDY SHOGUN's "CALL OF JUSTICE" and Astro9's "PERFECT MAGIC", while JIGGY BOYS song title was not yet revealed. The music videos were announced to be a mixture of live-action performance and 3DCG animation.

On April 18, LDH held a press conference announcing the future plans of the project. There, it was revealed that Jr.EXILE would be turned into avatars, and various digital and virtual contents such as animation, games, live performances and music videos would be developed. All in all, BATTLE OF TOKYO would be a "Mixed Reality Entertainment" project. CRAFTAR STUDIOS Inc. would be in charge of the animation production, and the production staff would include Azuma Hiroaki as the video director, Kozaki Yusuke as the character designer and Izubuchi Yutaka as the mechanical designer. Additionally, the first voice actors for the animation were announced: Kaji Yuki for ZERO (Shirahama Alan), Kimura Subaru for PARTE (Sekiguchi Mandy), Ishikawa Kaito for LUPUS (Kawamura Kazuma), Horie Shun for LUCAS (Yoshino Hokuto) and Takeuchi Shunsuke for TEKU (Sekai). Lastly, it was revealed that Jr.EXILE would release their second album titled *BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE* on June 23.

On July 16, the second novel of the project was published.

### 2022

On February 18, the official starting guide of the project was published and on February 22, the third novel was published as well.

On May 31, it was announced that PSYCHIC FEVER would join the project with the alter ego "DUNG BEAT POSSE" after their official debut.

From July 21 to July 24, a 4-day live concert titled *BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE* (based on the album of the same title) took place at Saitama Super Arena with special battles based on others projects such as *HiGH&LOW* and *iCON Z*: "DAY1 BATTLE OF HiGH&LOW", "DAY2 BATTLE OF KINGDOM", "DAY3 BATTLE OF iCON Z" and "DAY4 BATTLE OF SUMMER". Additionally, the fourth novel of the project was published on July 21, the first day of the live performance.

From July 21 to 31, collaborative items with fashion brand *Ground Y* by Yamamoto Yohji were sold.

### 2023

On January 10, PSYCHIC FEVER released the song "RICH & BAD" digitally. The song was used as the theme song for DUNG BEAT POSSE, the group's alter ego in the project.

On January 18, the first DVD/Blu-ray of the project was released, which is the footage of the *BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE* live concert.

On June 13, the fifth novel of the project was published.

On July 19, Jr.EXILE released their third album *BATTLE OF TOKYO CODE OF Jr.EXILE*.

From July 21 to July 30, a 5-day live concert titled *BATTLE OF TOKYO CODE OF Jr.EXILE* (based on the album of the same title) took place at Saitama Super Arena and Kyocera Dome Osaka.

## Members

### MAD JESTERS

**GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE** ≠ **MAD JESTERS**

"*Faster and more elegant than anyone.*
*They'll always claim what they aim.*
*The group of seven phantom thieves MAD JESTERS.*"

Shirahama Alan
≠
ZEROKatayose Ryota
≠
SherRockKazuhara Ryuto
≠
SMASHKomori Hayato
≠
ChatterSano Reo
≠
MASATOSekiguchi Mandy
≠
PARTENakatsuka Yuta
≠
ROSSO

### ROWDY SHOGUN

**THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE** ≠ **ROWDY SHOGUN**

"*Protecting the weak and your darkest secrets.*
*There's nothing they’re unable to protect.*
*The ultimate group of bouncers ROWDY SHOGUN.*"

LIKIYA
≠
HADESZin
≠
GOEMONRIKU
≠
BAILEYKamiya Kenta
≠
MI-YAYonamine Rui
≠
GUSKYamamoto Shogo
≠
MARDUKKawamura Kazuma
≠
LUPUSYoshino Hokuto
≠
LUCASIwaya Shogo
≠
TRAVISUrakawa Shohei
≠
SARUTOBIFujiwara Itsuki
≠
KISARAGITakechi Kaisei
≠
MARINEHasegawa Makoto
≠
q-bRyu
≠
JOESuzuki Takahide
≠
A-NOTGoto Takuma
≠
JUDY

### ASTRO9

**FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE** ≠ **ASTRO9**

"*Solving every problem in this world with entertainment.*
*The group of nine troubleshooters ASTRO9.*"

Sekai
≠
TEKUSato Taiki
≠
ITARUSawamoto Natsuki
≠
HAJIMESeguchi Leiya
≠
KAGURAHori Natsuki
≠
DILLKimura Keito
≠
KANEYagi Yusei
≠
KARASUNakajima Sota
≠
ARIA

### JIGGY BOYS

**BALLISTIK BOYZ from EXILE TRIBE** ≠ **JIGGY BOYS**

"*The cold shadow no one is able to see, takes over the light quietly.*
*The mysterious group lurking in the city JIGGY BOYS.*"

Hidaka Ryuta
≠
ClaudeKano Yoshiyuki
≠
YukiKainuma Ryusei
≠
FloryFukahori Miku
≠
FutureOkuda Rikiya
≠
LibraMatsui Riki
≠
XSunada Masahiro
≠
Skeet

### DUNG BEAT POSSE

**PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE** ≠ **DUNG BEAT POSSE**

Tsurugi
≠
FORCENakanishi Ryoga
≠
MICHIWatanabe Ren
≠
AYASEJIMMY
≠
VincePKohatsu Kokoro
≠
HARUTOHanda Ryushin
≠
HANKICHIWEESA
≠
MALIK

## Discography

* Albums
* Singles
* DVD/Blu-rays

Albums
1. [2019.07.03] BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~
2. [2021.06.23] BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE
3. [2023.07.19] BATTLE OF TOKYO CODE OF Jr.EXILE

Digital Singles
1. [2023.01.10] RICH & BAD - PSYCHIC FEVER

Other Singles
* [2022.02.02] Godspeed - MAD JESTERS
* [2022.02.02] Gold Sword - ROWDY SHOGUN
* [2022.02.02] Space Trouble - ASTRO9
* [2022.02.02] Blade of shadow - JIGGY BOYZ

DVD/Blu-rays
1. [2023.01.18] BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE

## Bibliography

### Books

1. [2021.02.25] Shosetsu BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.1 (小説 BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.1)
2. [2021.07.16] Shosetsu BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.2 (小説 BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.2)
3. [2022.02.18] BATTLE OF TOKYO OFFICIAL STARTING GUIDE
4. [2022.02.22] Shosetsu BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.3 (小説 BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.3)
5. [2022.07.21] Shosetsu BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.4 (小説 BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.4)
6. [2023.06.13] Shosetsu BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.5 (小説 BATTLE OF TOKYO vol.5)

## Concerts/Tours/Events

Concerts
1. [2019.07.04-2019.07.07] BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~
2. [2022.07.21-2022.07.24] BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE
3. [2023.07.21-2023.07.30] BATTLE OF TOKYO CODE OF Jr.EXILE

Events
* [2023.04.29-2023.05.14] BATTLE OF TOKYO×animate in Cho-Tokyo

## Trivia

* The members of Jr.EXILE chose the names and traits of their BATTLE OF TOKYO characters themselves.
* In an interview in 2021, HIRO mentioned that he wants to expand BOT as a platform for all of LDH and make it another business pillar of the company, with artists who have access turning into avatars so that it will serve as a second career for members who have retired from live performances and help introduce newcomers of the company.
* The avatars of the members were created with motion capture system.
* During the *BATTLE OF TOKYO TIME 4 Jr.EXILE* concerts in July 2022, PSYCHIC FEVER were introduced to the *BATTLE OF TOKYO* story as the group DUNG BEAT POSSE. Their storyline and characters were introduced with the *BATTLE OF TOKYO CODE OF Jr.EXILE* release.
	+ The logo of DUNG BEAT POSSE leaked in April 2019 prior to the announcement of the *BATTLE OF TOKYO* project, but was not revealed with the official announcement. With the *BATTLE OF TOKYO ~ENTER THE Jr.EXILE~* live concerts in July of the same year, PSYCHIC FEVER was introduced to the public as a new group and the logo appeared in the screen a few moments before the end of their performance, which led to the assumption that DUNG BEAT POSSE would be the alter ego of the group.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://ddnavi.com/interview/741556/a/
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://realsound.jp/2022/06/post-1041811.html
3. ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2138416/full/
4. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/337709
5. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/335017
6. ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2136778/full/
7. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/335898
8. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/335669
9. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/336053
10. ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2139625/full/
11. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/338786
12. ↑ https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000196354#utm\_source=tw\_BARKS\_NEWS&utm\_medium=social&utm\_campaign=tw\_auto
13. ↑ https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210204-1692804/
14. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/415058
15. ↑ https://ddnavi.com/interview/743881/a/
16. ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2190654/full/
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 https://natalie.mu/music/news/424966
18. ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2190836/full/
19. ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202104180000627.html
20. ↑ https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000202966#utm\_source=tw\_BARKS\_NEWS&utm\_medium=social&utm\_campaign=tw\_auto
21. ↑ https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000064651/
22. ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/592023/
23. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/460458
24. ↑ https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000010050.000007006.html
25. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/479165
26. ↑ https://nordot.app/902531655229636608?c=516798125649773665
27. ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202205260001166.html
28. ↑ https://exfamily.jp/news-detail/27073/
29. ↑ https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000126390/
30. ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/626069/
31. ↑ https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000220125
32. ↑ https://realsound.jp/2022/07/post-1080953.html
33. ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/637185/
34. ↑ https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000153375/
35. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/486027
36. ↑ PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE's digital single "RICH & BAD" to be released on 1/10 (Tue.)!
37. ↑ 【Cover, bonus design unveiled & tracklist updated!!】Live show video product of "BATTLE OF TOKYO ~TIME 4 Jr.EXILE~" to be released on 1/18/2023 (Wed.)!
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000234140
39. ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news\_id=43108
40. ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/525099
41. ↑ https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/3751862
42. ↑ https://www.thefirsttimes.jp/news/0000280064/
43. ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news\_id=42816
44. ↑ 『BATTLE OF TOKYO』でJr.EXILEが約3年ぶりに集結
45. ↑ https://twitter.com/exile\_news\_\_/status/1117685542726987777
46. ↑ https://twitter.com/exile\_news\_\_/status/1147880639577747456

## External Links

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