In a world confronted by climate change, emotional burnout, and social fragmentation, intellect alone no longer drives action, emotion must lead. Expo 2025 Osaka, themed “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives,” offers a response rooted in innovation and shared purpose. And at its heart lies the Expo’s most unifying and iconic experience: Under the Midnight Rainbow, the nightly show that transforms the Water Plaza into an emotional beacon.
This show is not just one among many, it is the only moment where all Expo visitors gather together, seated around the central Water Plaza. Every night, up to 2,500 guests leave the individual paths of the pavilions to converge here. By Day 79 of the Expo, the site had already welcomed 10 million attendees, with Under the Midnight Rainbow becoming a daily highlight.
The Emotional Heart of the Expo
The show unfolds outdoors in a 25-minute ritual blending light, water, fire, and multimedia effects into a wordless story that resonates across generations and languages. Guests are seated facing a monumental 18-meter Vertical Arch, the show’s visual and symbolic centerpiece. This structure, with a 200 m² cascade screen, was created in collaboration with Naoki Tanaka, the show’s visionary creative director, as a beacon visible from the entire Expo ring. The arch, accompanied by two massive water screens, forms the stage for a multisensory narrative that is both meditative and spectacular.
A Story of Air, Water, and Memory
The storyline is set on a mystical island where nature still thrives. Local legends tell of a magical night when a rainbow forms around the moon and an ancient celebration begins. Creatures from every corner of time appear, including extinct species, to honor life, air, and water. At the center of this tale is Ao, a young islander, who encounters Dodo, a spirit of the elements. Through Dodo, Ao learns that air and water carry the memory of the Earth, flowing through time for over four billion years. The joyful gathering takes a dramatic turn when dark visions of ecological destruction emerge. Burdened with this truth and the weight of responsibility, Ao receives a song, a symbol of unity and hope for the future.
World-First Nighttime Rainbow Technology
A key innovation of Under the Midnight Rainbow lies in its world-first laser technology, developed through dedicated R&D to create a real, visible rainbow at night. Using advanced optics and prism engineering, this unique effect transforms light itself into a living symbol of harmony between art, science, and nature.
An Emotional Legacy
Designed by ECA2 and Dentsu, the experience was developed over two years by a team of more than 200 professionals, and operates throughout the Expo’s six-month duration. It draws on Japanese and French creative legacies, inspired by animism, anime, and manga, to craft a distinctive emotional language. From concept to delivery, Tanaka’s vision anchored the narrative in Air and Water, elemental forces that connect all life.
Crucially, this show does not rely on usual narration. There are almost no words, no linear plot structure, only a powerful poetic sequence designed to move rather than explain. This reflects a belief shared by the creative team, that people already know what is right, but only act when their hearts are stirred. Under the Midnight Rainbow creates that emotional spark.
The staging is inherently inclusive, designed to be understood through sight, sound, and emotion, allowing guests of all ages and backgrounds to connect with the experience. The show’s sensory balance ensures it touches every viewer, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. It is a quiet revolution, an emotional anchor in a noisy world.
Ultimately, Under the Midnight Rainbow is not just a highlight of Expo 2025, but a landmark in what public shows can achieve. It reframes the role of entertainment as a tool for emotional awakening and global unity. It invites reflection, not spectacle. Its legacy will not be measured in applause, but in the silent shift it leaves in the hearts of those who attend.
Partners
- ECA2 - Creative Advisor, Show Design and Production
- DENTSU - Creative Direction and Production
- DAIKIN & SUNTORY - Show Owners and Sponsors
