RIDE ON TIME (連続ドキュメンタリー RIDE ON TIME)

Alright! Finally, it's our first day!

Yeah!

-Can Travis Japan make it worldwide? -Yes!

Let's spread our wings from here.

Can we make the best memories?

Agreed!

JANUARY 4TH, 2024 YOKOHAMA ARENA

The tour showcasing seven members who aim for global recognition, begins.

Travis Japan made their debut in 2022.

"YUME NO HOLLYWOOD"

They have honed their dance skills to compete even in the US,

the mecca of entertainment.

FORMED IN 2012

The members were selected and trained by Travis Payne,

who also choreographed for Michael Jackson.

There we are!

How they made their debut was unprecedented.

They signed with an American record label and released the single globally.

They are the first Japanese artists to debut with a song in the top five.

I think we all had our tough times,

but I'm glad we believed in ourselves.

Why do you always have to say such nice things.

Seven members committed to a life of dance.

We documented their daily lives.

Burning, burning, until we burn out.

We're chipping at our souls.

We can't stop here.

I want to convey the passion we have for dance.

This is documentary series, RIDE ON TIME.

Good morning.

Good morning.

-Good morning. Thank you. -Good morning.

Filming began in June 2023.

My body isn't awake yet.

Okay, thank you for waiting!

Are you all ready?

-Yes! -Okay.

Time to dance, huh?

They are filming their third single's music video.

3RD SINGLE FILMING OF "CANDY KISS" MV

The staff demand high standards from these members trying to master dance.

And cut!

That's good.

You do this move, right?

This move.

If the center is here, can you do that move towards the camera?

-Shizuya. -Yes.

Move back a bit back.

They have been asked to slightly adjust their positioning,

to ensure that all seven members fit in the camera frame.

Shimekake, move a tiny bit back.

Try to balance with Genta and make sure you're seen by the lens...

Okay.

Okay, right there.

They need to meticulously adjust their positions while dancing.

-Looks good. -Okay.

The camera captures...

This moment.

All seven are in the frame.

-Okay cut! -Perfect.

Perfect, perfect!

Perfect.

Please get some water.

It's intense.

Kaito Miyachika is the leader holding the group together.

KAITO MIYACHIKA

He pushes them with his high dance skills and tireless energy.

Chaka is always loud, right?

-He is. -I am not.

You are.

Are you trying to pump everyone up?

It's mostly spontaneous.

Is it not something you do to re-energize the members?

It's not.

It's not?

I just happen to be loud.

Oh, is that so?

No, he won't tell you he does, but in reality, he is thinking about it.

Of course, he is. He's the leader.

Right?

Hurry up and eat.

Okay.

You have two minutes.

Do you love dancing?

I love it.

If it weren't for dance, I wouldn't be here.

It's like...

-We went to the U.S., didn't we? -Yeah.

After going to dance lessons there, I fell in love with it even more.

I want coffee after all.

Me too.

Can I get another one? An iced coffee.

One iced coffee, please.

-I started drinking it when I went to LA. -Oh, really?

I guess I'm an adult now.

The one standing next to the energetic leader is Genta Matsuda.

He's the beloved youngest member.

GENTA MATSUDA

Thank you very much.

For today...

What Matsuda remembers the most from his time in America ...

is the atmosphere at the Grammy Awards.

Well...

Listening to the speeches,

you realize that they are stars, but they display a lot of humanity.

Family is also important to them.

It's probably the most important thing to them.

They love their families, and they weren't shy about expressing their love.

It shows that in the world of the very best,

it's not all about "me."

What does it take to get there?

Eating well and getting plenty of sleep.

Like Shohei Ohtani?

Health comes first.

And family.

Take care of your family.

Ten hours into the studio session, they continue dancing relentlessly.

Cut!

Cut.

This is really tough.

Kawashima and Matsukura's shoes are giving them a hard time.

Oh, I see.

The soles are thick?

Are you okay with those shoes?

The shoes?

They're slippery. They're not a good match with the floor, I think.

It seemed like you were struggling...

Sorry to say.

Just now...

I don't know if you noticed, but I slipped a little.

That's bad.

Can you do it?

-Of course. -No problem.

-Let's do it. -We need to pick up the...

-If we don't hurry... -...my toes might come off.

The one experiencing issues with his feet is Noel Kawashima.

NOEL KAWASHIMA

He's known for his extraordinary physical abilities.

Today, he's in charge of the acrobatic parts of the choreography.

However...

That's impressive.

-They really hurt. -Hurt?

My feet hurt.

Today was the first time I danced in these shoes.

Ah, that's why.

I only tried them on once before.

-You never know until you dance, right? -Exactly.

Ouch...

It's time.

Woah!

That's it!

At 1 a.m., they wrap up the shoot with acrobatics.

You did a backflip?

I did.

You really did.

The music videos will be around forever,

so even if it's a bit tough now,

it's better to push a little and make it good.

-Well done! -Thank you very much!

Kawashima has an interesting side project too.

What are you studying?

-Huh? -What are you studying?

Next month, or maybe the month after?

I'm planning to get a qualification called the "Domestic Travel Service Manager."

-You're getting a qualification? -I am!

-I have to! -Really?

Well, I don't have to, but it's handy to have.

Next year, I want to go up to the "General Travel Service Manager" level.

It would allow me to handle international travel too.

-I see. -But...

It's a bit of a stretch I know,

but wouldn't it be really cool if we could coordinate our own world tour?

They experienced a very valuable time together.

It lit a fire in their hearts and helped them grow.

MARCH-NOVEMBER, 2022 STUDYING IN THE U.S.

Before their debut, the members deepened their bond,

during a seven-month intensive training camp in America.

They took lessons in singing, dancing, and English.

Refocusing on what's essential