FanThanX Festival | Shinsei AKATSUKI

Assorted releases from the Shinsei AKATSUKI Fan ThanX Festival Campaign (September 30th).

Cultural Sensitivity Notice: Ibuki's entrance into AKATSUKI has insensitive parallels to the history between Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, specifically the annexation of Ryukyu into Okinawa from 1872-1879 onward. Click for more information

AKATSUKI is a unit embodied by 和 (wa, lit. harmony, but also a self-designator for Japan and Japaneseness, as well as the concept of "for the collective good") and 和風 (wafu, Japanese style). During the Meiji Restoration, the philosophy of 和 was central to Japan’s efforts to assimilate new territories under a shared Japanese cultural identity. Ibuki's membership in AKATSUKI bears parallels to that assimilation, as the Ryukyu Islands was one of the territories absorbed into Japan. Ibuki's character motivation of pursuing 本当の和風 (true Japanese-style) contains parallels to assimilation policies within Okinawa after 1879.

Additionally, having Ibuki join the self-proclaimed "war unit" contains parallels to the military relationship between Okinawa and Japan during the early 19th century. The Ryukyu Disposition was driven by military interests, particularly securing Japan's southern borders from other nations. In Okinawan schools, national pride was linked to serving Japan’s military goals. This had devastating consequences, particularly during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.

Read the full-length analysis here: Unpacking Shinsei (新生) AKATSUKI; An Extended Translation Note and Analysis.

Story

Souma is shocked to learn Ibuki has been entrusted to compose a song to be used for WILDLAND.
Although Souma is burning with rivalry towards his junior’s successes, Keito unexpectedly entrusts him with an enormous task: organizing the fan thanksgiving event.

Event Quotes

Kiryu and I have far too much stage time.

I get how yer feelin’ Lil’ Miss, worryin’ and all.

There's no reason not to fight, y’know~

Why did he not say a single word to me?

Twitter Account Takeover

During Fan ThanX events, members of the chosen unit take over tweeting from the @es_fan_thanx event account in-character. Below are Shinsei's tweets.

Finally, it is AKATSUKI's turn. Our takeover begins from here, so please look forward to it ♪ #紅月 3:06 AM - 29 September 2025
We've recorded a new song. I want all of the fans to hear it as soon as possible #紅月 5:32 AM - 30 September 2025

im not real good at this kinda thing, but ive been getting pushes from hasumi-no-danna to post somethin.

still, i couldnt come up with anythin good, so if i can just post this and you cut me some slack for the time being, thatd be great. #紅月

 12:16 AM - 1 October 2025

It's been getting a lot cooler out, huh~?

Lately, I've been going on early morning jogs as part of my daily routine! I'm on my way back from that now, so~ Good morning~ ☀️ #紅月

12:16 AM - 1 October 2025
For the new song Taki wrote, I challenged myself to write song lyrics for the very first time. However, coming up with lyrics is quite hard. When I look at the lyrics Hasumi-dono and Kiryu-dono wrote, I thought that I should be able to do better too. I will work at it every day #紅月 6:17 AM - 4 October 2025
Let us make everlasting memories in Kyoto together. All of us in AKATSUKI are awaiting it #紅月 5:13 AM - 6 October 2025

I’m gonna grab something to eat with Hiiro-san today~♪ I was thinking my favorite hamburger shop would be good~ Tell me if you’ve got any good recommendations for restaraunts~♪ #紅月

10:05 PM - 8 October 2025

just finished up practice for a drama. looks like things are goin good #紅月

6:24 AM - 10 October 2025
The time for we AKATSUKI to post has come to an end… Well, it was supposed to be, but Hasumi-dono has requested an extension. Please wait momentarily for a post from Hasumi-dono ♪ #紅月 4:02 AM - 11 October 2025
I believe starting tomorrow, AKATSUKI, Rabbits and Esupuri will be taking turns posting. Look forward to it. #紅月 4:05 AM - 11 October 2025
I’m heading back to the dorms from work~ You can’t really see the stars from the city, huh~? Still, we all look at the same sky, we just see different things~ #紅月 7:13 AM - 14 October 2025
I saw Daikichi-dono while he was out on his walk, but he seemed a little portly. I do wonder if it is shedding season. #紅月 6:16 PM - 16 October 2025
i heard that postin what i ate today would be enough as a contribution. so then, i grabbed mackeral pike for dinner tonite. its a real great source of protein yknow. #紅月 7:55 AM - 22 October 2025
When I finished with work, I caught up on some of the manga I'd had lying around. It was a very satisfying piece of work, the ending left a very pleasant aftertaste for me. #紅月 6:13 AM - 24 October 2025

Final Thank You

To the fans who have always supported AKATSUKI, let me be the first to express my gratitude. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart. This was the first major event we’ve had ever since we became four, so it’s a relief that we were able to pull it all off successfully. I’m grateful for everyone who ended up making the journey all the way to Kyoto as well. I can’t say I’ll ever forget the sight that day. I am forever grateful for the support AKATSUKI has.

Yo, how’s everyone doin’? Thanks for supporting us AKATSUKI. For all my time as a member of AKATSUKI, I’ve gotten to see all sortsa sights. It’s all been thanks to my pals and all of you fans and your words of support that I’ve been able to go through a lotta growth and be able to stand on stage as an idol. I’m gonna keep countin’ on you all too, hear me? ♪

Actually, I was primarily in charge of the Fan Thanksgiving project. At some points, I was putting too much pressure on myself, intent on ensuring not to let everyone down, but… thanks to my comrades and the warm support given to me from all the fans, everything worked out perfectly. From here on out, I want to continue evolving, just like a beautiful butterfly!

Everyone who supports AKATSUKI! Thank you always! To everyone who sends us tons of messages on social media, and to everyone who comes to the event venues and lives to cheer us on, I love you so much!1 ♪ And I love my seniors in AKATSUKI too! From here on out, I'm gonna keep doing my best to repay all the support you give us~!

Translation Notes

  1. ↑ He uses 大好き (daisuki) here.