MAZZEL

Overview

MAZZEL is an eight-member Japanese boys dance vocal group signed to BMSG. Formed through the audition project MISSION×2, the group made its major debut in 2023 with the single "Vivid".

Career

Formation and debut (2022–2023)

In 2022, RAN and REIKO, finalists of the training audition show THE FIRST and BMSG trainees, were joined by fellow THE FIRST alumnus KAIRYU and SEITO, who had belonged to another dance group, launching the project. After REIKO left, the project merged with open-call candidates and held an audition; in the final round eight members, including three trainees, were chosen to become MAZZEL. On November 22, 2022, SKY-HI announced at a press conference that the new group would debut the following spring, along with RAN's participation.

The audition documentary MISSION×2 began streaming on BMSG's official YouTube channel on January 13, 2023. Unlike conventional audition shows, the members were revealed from the first episode and the series followed their growth. The pre-debut song "MISSION" was released digitally on March 31, and the debut single "Vivid" followed in May. The group held its first showcase, MAZZEL DEBUT SHOWCASE "Vivid", at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA on June 1. In August they released "LIGHTNING" and held their first fan meeting, MAZZEL 1st Fan Meeting -Play at the MUZEUM-, in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. "Carnival" arrived in October, accompanied by showcases in Tokyo and Osaka.

2024

"Waterfall" (January) and "Parade" (March) were released digitally, and the first album, Parade, followed in March. From June the group staged MAZZEL 1st One Man Tour 2024 "Join us in the PARADE" in eight cities nationwide, with additional shows in Kanagawa and Osaka in October. "Counterattack" (June), "Seaside Story" (July) and "MAZQUERADE" (October) followed. In December, KAIRYU, NAOYA, SEITO, RYUKI and EIKI appeared in the stage play AGASA.

2025

Their first show under their own name, Mazeruna! MAZZEL, aired for two episodes in January, and "J.O.K.E.R." was released in February. The MAZZEL 2nd One Man Tour 2025 "Royal Straight Flush" began in April; the final show at Ariake Arena on August 24 was livestreamed for about 90 minutes on the official YouTube channel to roughly 60,000 simultaneous viewers. In August their first regular show on Nippon TV, Mazedan -MAZE OF DANCE- (10 episodes), aired, and "DANGER" was used as the August ending theme of DayDay. In November they released the fourth single "Only You", the ending theme of the drama Therapy Game; after early digital release it earned the group its first No. 1 on Oricon's weekly digital singles (single track) ranking. In December they appeared on the 17th Akashiya Kohaku!.

2026

"BANQUET BANG" was released in February.

Musical style

The members cite a wide range of influences. KAIRYU names Stevie Wonder, Hideaki Tokunaga, Shota Shimizu and Dio; RAN, Michael Jackson; RYUKI, Jung Kook; TAKUTO, Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo and Omarion; and EIKI draws strongly on the music and performances of Arashi. As a dance vocal group, MAZZEL centers its work on performance and live shows.