The Hibana World Tour (powered by Crunchyroll) made its electrifying stop in Singapore on May 21, 2025, marking J-pop sensation Ado’s first-ever concert in the Lion City — and what a debut it was.
From the moment the doors opened to the final encore, the night was an unforgettable spectacle of stunning visuals, searing vocals, and a message of self-belief that lit up the Singapore Indoor Stadium like wildfire.
The 22-year-old singer, best known as the voice behind Uta from One Piece Film: Red, played to a sold-out crowd. Fans began queuing as early as 7am — three hours before official merchandise sales began — and by the time doors opened at 6pm, the line snaked well beyond stadium grounds.
Plushies, penlights, and other collectibles flew off the shelves within minutes, with Ado’s signature plush toy reportedly retailing for around S$75 to S$80.
Inside the venue, energy buzzed through the air. Concertgoers, some dressed as Ado and other anime characters, waved glowing light sticks that shimmered in her trademark shade of deep blue. Even before the show started, the stadium pulsed with anticipation.
At exactly 8pm, the lights dimmed. A cascade of glitchy visuals flooded the screens in blue, black and white. Spotlights slowly illuminated each band member — guitarist, pianist, drummer, and bassist — showcasing their musical prowess in a powerful intro.
Then, centre stage, a large cube lit up in electric blue. As the cloth covering it was removed, Ado’s silhouette appeared, enclosed within what she refers to as “The Cage,” and the show truly began.
She opened with her breakout hit Usseewa, a rebellious anthem about defying social expectations. Her vocal delivery was nothing short of jaw-dropping — effortlessly switching between sharp highs and deep, guttural lows — conveying every ounce of rage and frustration the lyrics were meant to embody.
Ado paused briefly to introduce herself and ask if the crowd was ready. The response was a deafening roar of cheers and waving light sticks. Then came the onslaught of fan favourites and hits, performed in the following order:
- Lucky Bruto
- Gira Gira
- Show
- Kura Kura
- Readymade
- MIRROR
- Charles (balloon cover)
- Elf
- Value
- Stay Gold
- RuLe
- Utakata Lullaby (followed by a formal band introduction)
- Aishite (Kikuo cover)
- Gyakkou
- Hibana (DECO*27 cover)
- Episode X
- Odo
Before the encore, Ado performed Odo, stating it would be her final song. But the audience had other plans. As chants for “Encore!” rang out in unison, accompanied by a sea of light sticks, Ado re-emerged from the shadows.
Her encore began with ROCKSTAR, followed by a hauntingly powerful cover of Sia’s Chandelier. In a rare moment of intimacy, Ado addressed the crowd, sharing the personal story behind her journey.
She spoke about how performing live had once felt like a distant dream. Starting out recording vocals in her bedroom closet with only the glow of a laptop screen, she often had to apologise to her mother for singing too loudly.
She recalled moments of self-doubt, of criticism, and of feeling utterly alone. Yet somehow, that spark — Hibana — kept her going.
She revealed the reason behind the tour’s name: “Hibana” means “spark” in Japanese. Ado said she hopes to become a flame — to light something in the world, even if it eventually consumes her.
Her speech struck a deeply emotional chord with the crowd, especially as she reflected on how surreal it felt to be recognised in Singapore and to witness the crowd respond with synchronised penlight colours, a nod to Japan’s wota concert culture.
To end the night on a high, she gave one final gift to the audience — a rousing performance of Shin Jidai (New Genesis), her hit from One Piece Film: Red. As the last notes rang out, Ado thanked the crowd for their love, energy, and for making her Singapore debut one to remember.
Her identity may remain a mystery, hidden behind silhouettes and cages, but Ado’s voice and message — of loneliness, resilience, and hope — connected in a way that transcended language, borders, and even the stage itself.