At 6 p.m. this evening (10th), 26 members of the 121st Alumni Band from the Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School Band (known as the Orange Devils 121st Class) took to the main stage of the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival, drawing large crowds who arrived early to secure the best viewing spots. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang‑liang also attended, saying that although he had previously only seen Kyoto Tachibana’s performances on television, this was his first time seeing them live. He noted that when Chiayi announced the invitation, many people were eagerly anticipating their arrival.

The Orange Devils 121st Class presented a series of impressive musical pieces, including classic game soundtracks. Their lively choreography, powerful chants, and perfectly synchronized marching—combined with woodwind, brass, and percussion—created a visually and aurally dynamic performance that fully immersed the audience.

Many spectators arrived hours in advance. Ms. Hsieh reached the front row at 3 p.m. and enjoyed the entire show, saying she was deeply moved by the Orange Devils’ energy and found the live performance truly spectacular. Mr. Lin shared that he took the afternoon off just to attend the festival and performance, and by around 5 p.m., the area in front of the stage was already packed, showing the Orange Devils’ remarkable popularity.

Kumagai, captain of the Orange Devils 121st Class, expressed her joy at performing again with the teammates who had trained together for three years. She admitted that returning to rehearsals was challenging since everyone had become busy with their own lives, making coordination difficult. However, being able to reunite and perform in Taiwan again held deep meaning for them. She thanked Taiwan for preparing such a wonderful stage, saying, “We will perform with all our gratitude, and we hope to bring everyone smiles and joy.”

Looking back, the Orange Devils 121st Class first visited Taiwan in 2022, becoming the first foreign performance group in history to appear on the Taiwan National Day stage, which sparked widespread excitement. Years later, 26 alumni reunited to return to Taiwan, hoping to continue the bond of friendship between Taiwan and Japan through music while expressing gratitude to their long‑time Taiwanese fans.

The Chiayi County Government stated that the performance attracted huge crowds, and some spectators expressed hopes for improved live audio pickup and screen projection. The County Government acknowledged these expectations and said such suggestions will be incorporated into future planning to enhance the overall viewing experience at large‑scale festival events.

Chiayi County Government also reminded the public that the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival runs until March 15 and features various lantern zones and domestic and international performances. Visitors are encouraged to take this opportunity to come to Chiayi, enjoy the lanterns, and experience the magnificent fusion of light and culture.