Few stories feel as raw, heartfelt, and determined as Ae! group’s. The five-member unit from Kansai—Yoshinori Masakado, Seiya Suezawa, Keita Richard Kusama, Ken Kojima, and Masaya Sano—has built a reputation for being unlike anyone else. They play instruments. They crack jokes. They act. They create. And above all, they feel real.

Netflix’s BORDERLESS takes us inside that reality—offering a rare, unguarded look at the journey that shaped Ae! group from their uncertain beginnings to the moment their dream finally took flight.

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From the starting line

Premiering on Netflix in May 2024, BORDERLESS: Ae! group’s Debut Journey (also known as BORDERLESS – The Miracle Leading to Ae! group’s Debut) traces their path from formation to debut across five emotional episodes. Narrated by Daigo Nishihata of Naniwa Danshi, the series follows Ae! group’s evolution since their 2019 debut as part of the STARTO Junior lineup.

Through a mix of rehearsal footage, interviews, and candid conversations, viewers see the group at their most human—exhausted, laughing, sometimes frustrated, but never defeated. Masakado describes Ae! group’s spirit as “borderless,” a word that perfectly captures their refusal to be confined by category. They move fluidly between rock band energy, comedic chaos, and polished idol performance—each member bringing a different flavor to the same table.

The story builds toward their long-awaited major debut on May 15, 2024, with the single “《A》BEGINNING.” More than a chart-topping success, the song became a symbol of resilience—of years spent in the background finally paying off. Suezawa reflects on how their mix of experiences across theater and music gave them strength, while Kusama opens up about learning to embrace mistakes as part of the “miracle” that made them who they are.

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But the story doesn’t stop there. Riding the global success of the first series—streamed in over 190 countries—Netflix released a follow-up: BORDERLESS: Ae! group’s Debut Tour (streaming on Netflix) , which premiered on November 28, 2024.

The sequel captures the intensity of their eight-city Ae! group Debut Tour The World’s Best AeLIVE, which brought together more than 370,000 fans nationwide. Between the cheers and the exhaustion, we see a different kind of growth—one born on the road. Backstage laughter, long bus rides, and quiet late-night reflections all blend into a portrait of five people who are still figuring out how to navigate fame while staying true to the same bond that got them there.

Kojima puts it best: “We’re a group of people who don’t understand why… but that’s why we make something good.”

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What makes BORDERLESS stand out is its sincerity. There’s no airbrushed version of success here—just the honest, sometimes messy process of chasing a dream. It’s a reminder that idols are more than the spotlight moments we see; they’re artists who fall, get back up, and keep moving.

Ae! group’s story resonates because it’s familiar. It’s about hope, frustration, laughter, and the quiet belief that even imperfect steps can lead somewhere extraordinary. As Sano shares, “It’s about overlapping your struggles with ours.”

BORDERLESS isn’t just a documentary—it’s a reflection of what it means to keep believing, no matter how far the finish line seems.

Both seasons are streaming now on Netflix, offering a glimpse into the unfiltered heart of Ae! group—five artists redefining what it means to be “borderless.”