(warning: full of epic, awesome stuff; as usual lots of sparkles and glitters and rainbows)
I have been on hiatus since April this year. Though I have not missed any Arashi news, this blog has. So, to make up for it, I'm gonna compile the most newsworthy among Arashi news.
April
- With the ending of Arashi no Shukudai-kun (Arashi's Homework), it was replaced by Arashi ni Shiyagare (Let's Make A Damn Storm). In this new variety show, various guests will come to the show to teach Arashi stuff related to their own field of work. However, the catch is, Arashi members are not informed beforehand who will be the guests and they also do not know beforehand what they are supposed to do.
- Arashi released their song "Monster," theme song to Ohno Satoshi's drama "Kaibutsu-kun."
- All members of Arashi for Mario Wii.
May
- Arashi lands the #1 spot again the the Global Track Chart for "Monster," with first week sales of 543,000 copies.
- It was confirmed that Matsumoto Jun will be starring in his very first Getsu 9 drama (Monday, 9pm slot) with Takeuchi Yuko (Nino's idol).
- Matsumoto Jun guesting in the last episode of Kaibutsu-kun.
- Release of new AU KDDI cellphone commercials.
June
- Announcement of Arashi's new single, "To Be free." The theme song to Sakurai Sho's Mitsuya Cider commercial.
- Release of Ohno Satoshi's KFC commercial
- Survey: #1 on Goo Rankings ~ Johnny's Groups That Everyone Will Recognized By All The Member's Faces.
- Announcement of Ohno Satoshi's Kaibutsu-kun having a film version.
- "Monster" featured in New York City's #1 Radio Show Z100.
- Kazunari Ninomiya got into an accident.
- Announcement of Arashi releasing a full length album.
- Arashi fans crashed CDJapan's server on June 04. According to CDJapan's tweet, "Today will be remembered as the day Arashi fans crashed CDJapan's server and we will power up our servers even further to match their POWER."
- Announcement of a new film for Sakurai Sho with Aoi Miyazaki. the title is "Kamisama no Karte."
- Announcement of Ohno releasing a song from his drama "Kaibutsu-kun."
- Oricon Ranking: Arashi are Double DVD First Week Sales Champions as "Singers" and "Actors."
- Monster ranks first at Oricon star's "Spring Drama ☆ AWARD 2010" = favorite theme song
- Masaki Aiba gracing Anan magazine for the June 23 issue.
- Announcement of Matsumoto Jun in Anan magazine again, for July 21 issue.
- Arashi's Sakura Sake no 4 in Music Station Ranking of winning song for the World Cup.
July
- Release of "To Be Free" PV and also "The Making Of"
- Teaser release of Matsumoto Jun's drama NatsuNiji
(
Tsundere + Jun spells EPIC WIN.
)
- Announcement of the release of Nino's "Gantz" movie to France and other countries.
(
Excited! Nino is so damn HOT in this movie!
)
- Best drama ratings in the first half of 2010: Saigo no Yakusoku included in the top 10!
- Announcement: Arashi singing the theme song of Jun's drama. The title of the song is "Love Rainbow."
- CDJapan poll results: #1 ~ Most Favorite Johnny's Group
- Oricon weekly chart (after "To Be Free" was released). #1 - To Be Free w/ 425, 978 copies sold. Ohno's Yukai Tsuukai Kaibutsu-kun is 2nd with 142,802.
- Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Awards. Best Drama: #2 Kaibutsu-kun. Best Actor: #1 Ohno Satoshi (Kaibutsu-kun)
- Matsumoto Jun in Anan Magazine.
- Release of Arashi's album cover and songlist. The album is entitled, "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei" (The scenery I'm looking at)
(this is my own copy... it arrived in the office and I was freakin' excited I opened it immediately.
)
- Start of Matsumoto Jun's Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku. Episode 1 w/ 15.7% rating.
- Announcement of Arashi singing the theme song for Nino's another movie, Ohoku. The song's title is "Dear Snow."
(I'm excited for this! I died when I saw the GIF!
)
- Commercials of Arashi's new album were released.
- Arashi's new song (featured in the album) is used by Japan Airlines for their commercial.
Click to view
August
- Release of the new album. First day sales of Boku no Miteiru Fuukei: 275, 081!
- 65th Drama Academy Awards: Best Drama- #2 Kaibutsu-kun, Best Actor- #1 Ohno Satoshi, Best Song- Monster by Arash
- Release of Ohoku's full trailer
- Arashi's new album makes CD stores jam.
- Matsumoto Jun interviews Angelina Jolie for her new movie SALT.
(Two amazingly beautiful people. Seriously, why is Jun so pretty?
)
- Arashi's new album first week sales, 731,000 copies.
- Announcement of concert: Arashi 10-11 Concert Tour: Scene ~ The scenery you and I are looking at.
- Release of concert goods list and prices.
- Arashi's new album, Boku no Miteiru Fuukei, No. 1 on the Global Track Chart.
- Announcement of a new drama for Ninomiya kazunari.
- Survey: Arashi chosen as Best holiday Buddies
- Music Loves aired an Arashi special where audience was restricted to male fans only.
- Start of the concert at Kokuritsu National Stadium.
- Sakurai Sho interviewed Nobel Peace Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev.
- CDJapan sending out email regarding Arashi's new releases.
And the two biggest news: one involves the government and the other involves Japan Airlines.
Japan Airlines launches Arashi Jet.
Japan Airlines, which is currently undergoing reconstruction due to its financial troubles, is looking to boost its business with Arashi's help. The airline has commissioned a single "Arashi Jet," which is basically a Boeing 777 whose fuselage is decorated with a 5-meter-tall, 20-meter-wide seal bearing the images of Arashi's members, along with the title of their latest album, "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei."
(oh god, Arashi, you are amazing!
)
The plane took its first flight on Sunday at 1:30pm, flying from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Osaka. The plane is expected to be primarily used for domestic flights, serving the routes between Haneda and three other airports: New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Itami Airport in Osaka, and Fukuoka Airport in Fukuoka. JAL plans to use the plane until January 2011.
Click to view
In addition to the Arashi Jet, JAL will be selling the "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei" album (with a specially designed cover) in-flight on several of its domestic routes.
(this version is really cute!
)
Source: Tokyograph
Nippon no Arashi: An Arashi-themed textbook?
Recently Arashi began appearing in the skies with their own jet, and now they are going to be appearing on the desk of every child and teenager through a textbook appearance. It sure seems like Arashi is taking over Japan one product at a time.
(the book is so beautiful, I want one!
)
A book called “Nippon no Arashi” has appeared in every elementary, junior high, and senior high schools in Japan recently. A letter that was sent along with the books explained that the goal of the book is to teach the children of Japan of its beauty and culture, and to encourage them to travel the country. The book is not for public sale though, as Arashi actually volunteered for this project.
In the book, Arashi is featured as tour navigators, presenting each chapter on different parts of Japan. For example, Sho visits a rural town in Aichi Prefecture and helps with the farming. The book has many photos of the members getting a hands-on experience and spending time with the locals. There are no interviews in the book, however, there are detailed reports written by professionals who observed Arashi’s activities.
The book was published two days ago, and two copies of “Nippon no Arashi” have been sent to each school, and they will be placed in the school’s library. While Arashi is on the cover, the real stars of the book are the locals, who are featured along with the lengthy articles. This book isn’t a fan book at all, it’s an educational book hoping to get children more interested in their country. While many may not understand that concept, this is one book that will certainly touch the hands of many children for years to come.
With the release of this type of book, this is a strong testament to the popularity of Arashi in Japan, something even the government recognizes.
While it was told to us that this book is not for sale, there was a press conference back on April 8 in which the publishers requested TV stations from China and Korea market the “sightseeing navigator”, which plays an active part in promoting Japan overseas. Using Arashi as the face of Japan is the company’s catchphrase logo.
Twitter account GAKUJI received their copy four days ago (9/1) and uploaded the photo of the book. While they don’t explain the book, they did provide the link to the press conference with Arashi.
At a press conference the members each had a message:
“I am Sho SAKURAI, and I am very excited to be appointed as the Japanese Tourism Promotion Representative. I will make every effort to encourage you to visit Japan by introducing all the wonderful destinations in our country. I will be waiting for your visit here in Japan, so come enjoy endless discovery.”
“I’m Aiba Masaki and I was appointed as the sightseeing navigator. I did my best to show everyone Japan’s charm, so everyone hold on tight! I’ll see you all in Japan!”
“I’m Arashi’s Matsumoto Jun. I am a sightseeing navigator. We had two concerts in Korea and it’s a country I like very much. This time I want everyone to see the good of Japan. Everyone, Japan is waiting for you all!”
“We couldn’t call for a meeting place today, I’m sorry about that. I’m happy that Arashi has been appointing as the nation’s sightseeing navigators. There are many various things to discovery when traveling, and I think there is a moment in one’s life to look at yourself and make big changes. One of my hobbies is fishing, and I traveled around looking for fishing spots. I was touched by our island’s beauty and the warmth of every person as I traveled. I hope that people from overseas will know about his book, and through us, help them see the beauties of Japan.”-Ohno Satoshi
“I’m Ninomiya, a sightseeing navigator. I apologize for not being able to set up a meeting place. This is a chance for me to introduce the wonderful places of Japan, domestically and internationally. Even though I’ve been living here all my life, I discovered something new everyday. Wouldn’t you like to discover something new with someone all over Japan as well?”
Source: Tokyohive
You know you had it big when your country's flag carrier has your face on their aircraft and when your government asks you to promote tourism and put you in textbooks that will be read by thousands of Japanese students year after year.
Seriously, ARASHI IS JUST AMAZING!!!
YOSH! THAT'S ALL FOR NOW!