EBiDAN to Make Their First Appearance at NHK's Kohaku: What Does This Mean for Momoiro Uta Gassen?

The performers for the 77th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, which will be broadcast on New Year's Eve, were announced yesterday. EBiDAN, a male artist collective under Stardust Promotion and a junior group to MCZ, has been selected for its first appearance on the White Team.

EBiDAN marks its 15th anniversary this year and consists of 10 groups with a total of 67 members, including BULLET TRAIN (Cho Tokkyu), M!LK, SUPER★DRAGON, and BUDDiiS. It was also announced that M!LK will appear on its own as well, returning for its second consecutive year as an individual group.

EBiDAN has attracted considerable attention this year with its smash hit "Yes! Tokyo," which sold over a million copies in its first week and has topped the Oricon weekly streaming chart nine times. Even members of Stardust Planet, including MCZ, have joined the trend by using the song on TikTok, generating widespread buzz.

Meanwhile, Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu, a sister group to MCZ whose activities are scheduled to end next spring, had been hoping for a Kohaku appearance as a final opportunity. Unfortunately, the group was not selected.

EBiDAN groups, including Cho Tokkyu and BUDDiiS, have regularly appeared at Momoiro Uta Gassen, MCZ's annual New Year's Eve event.

This year, the 10th edition of the event is scheduled to take place at Ariake Arena for the first time, on the same day as Kohaku. However, the performers, start time, and streaming details have yet to be announced.

Momoiro Uta Gassen usually runs from early afternoon until around 7 p.m., while Kohaku goes live at 7:20 p.m. from NHK Hall in Shibuya. With Kohaku rehearsals taking up much of the day, it may be difficult for EBiDAN members to make it to Ariake. If more than 60 EBiDAN members are unable to participate, significant changes to the lineup will be necessary.

Mononofu have already begun speculating on X, with one commenting, "I honestly have no idea what kind of lineup Momoiro Uta Gassen will have this year."