Happy birthday, Junbug!
In celebration of Matsumoto's birthday today, I am going to talk a lot about him and his squishie nature for his bandmates! ....wait, that's what I do pretty much every post? Oh, right. Well, still. Happy birthday, Junbug!
ARASHI:
♫ - Okay, you guys, you know how I normally hate the namesquishes in fandom? (Ohmiya gets a pass because they did it themselves with Ohmiya SK and all.) I-- I have to admit. I can't not approve of Matsushun. I'll just be over here bawling in the corner, both from amusement and having no standards anymore.
♫ - I was reading this post about Aragaki Yui's appearance on Himitsu (which means SPOILERS if you don't want to know whom she picked) and there was discussion in the comments I found interesting.
There was a comment thread about how someone who wasn't an Arashi fan didn't understand why Ohno was so popular, why so many of the female guests picked him, etc. (since Gakki picked him this time around) and there was the obvious, well, because he's talented in pretty much everything he tries ever. Which is totally true and why I love Ohno, because, man, he is one talented bastard. But another comment said he had a mature attitude and was never desperate on the show and that kind of struck me. Sure, Ohno has his moments like they all do, being whiny or striving to be picked as the favorite or whatever, but that's part of the job. In general, you get the impression that Ohno really actually doesn't care that much about being popular beyond it meaning he has an audience to connect to with his performances and his art. He's not ungrateful, he obviously appreciates his audience a lot, but there is a certain atmosphere to him that's... he could walk away and he'd be fine.
It makes him really, really interesting, I think. And it makes sense, of course, given that Ohno never really had the same burning drive to be famous and had given thought to quitting (I think he was genuinely intending on it at at least one point?) so it's not surprising. Just interesting.
(Also, Gakki calling Jun "tsundere"? It never gets old when people call him that. Seriously.)
♫ - I've been reading Junstyle translations because, oh my god, Junbug and Shunkerbell, you two are subtle like a brick to the face. Oh, sure, it starts out simple enough, a little mention of "my useless friend, Oguri Shun" while you're talking about his movie promotions, but then it progresses to oh, I've been watching you on TV and you've been mentioning me a lot (kikinini has it as: How to say it? You treat me without consideration. Translation: YOU DON'T APPRECIATE ME. Crying forever, Junbug!) when Shun is on the show and Jun's like I wasn't really upset :D all while Shun is BUT I WAS BACKED INTO A CORNER OKAY and it's kind of hilarious.
(kikinini has it as, as Shun explains that the show wanted him to put faces/names into all these negative categories, like talk about all the people he knows, but they wound up cutting most of that stuff, so it just looks like he's talking badly about how he had a bad initial impression of Jun out of nowhere:
JUN: So they didn't air that part.... It was like you were just saying bad things about me.
SHUN: Well, I can't help it.
JUN: Is that so?
SHUN: But, Maa, I say I'm friends with Jun kun everywhere
So I think it'll be okay if it sounded like I was saying bad things about you
So, basically, Shun's defense is, I SAY I LOVE YOU EVERYWHERE ELSE, SO EVERYBODY KNOWS IT ALREADY, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME SLEEP ON THE COUCH AGAIN. I am totally not reading into that last bit at all, shut up.)
And then Shun loves me a whole freaking lot, as they're talking about Surely Someday and Shun's acting career and whatnot:
M) I'm not included to these 5.
S: As I have told with Jun and Toma previously. I can't work with Johnny's unless I work more. I want to film a movie with 5 of Arashi someday.
*SHRIEKS* LISTEN TO SHUN, JAPAN. SHUN, I LOVE YOU FOR WANTING TO BE IN A MOVIE WITH ALL OF ARASHI, I KNEW I LOVED YOU FOR A GOOD REASON. Just thinking about the promotional appearances already has me starry-eyed. (Well, directing them would be fine, but if he really loved me, he'd put himself in the movie, too.)
There are little things that I loved, too, like in the second appearance where Jun is giving Shun shit about how, well, he has been on Shun's show a bunch of times but Shun never comes on his! Shun defends himself with:
Shun: This is because I think JUN STYLE is not the kind of show which usually invites guest.
Jun: Yes, we usually don’t invite guest.
I... see. Junstyle doesn't usually have guests, but Squishie over there will totally make an exception for his BFF. Totally not anything I would take the wrong way or anything.
And I would totally not laugh hysterically at how they just... *waves hands vaguely* They wander through various conversation topics and get off onto the topic of golf and how Shun kind of sucks at it, which Jun gives him crap for, but then says, no, really, it's just because you haven't practiced much and we should fight against each other! (Because Jun scored about the same as Shun when he started out, too.) They have a simulation game right there (since they're recording in a golf lounge, I guess?) and whoever loses has to do a penalty game! (Talking about Surely Someday, Shun's movie, in English.)
The hilarity of this is that they're doing a radio show the entire time and playing golf simulation games and giving each other crap and there's this sense of how they get totally wrapped up in each other and it's not even about the movie half of the time, it's about them being stupid boys who are clearly beaming at each other the whole time. And also how Jun is really mean to Shun about making him try to promote the movie in English and, no, no, DO IT AGAIN, DO IT RIGHT THIS TIME, ALL THIRTY SECONDS OF IT, because that is how you know Matsumoto loves you.
GOD, I LOVE THEM.
In kikinnini's translation of it, they also have this fairly long conversation about their generation of actors and the older generation and all these thoughts about their careers and the whole profession of acting and it's kind of interesting, but mostly what struck me is the feeling that they've had this conversation before and in depth, to the point that Shun remembers some of Jun's responses about his own acting. This is nothing new, they've mentioned before that they talk about this kind of stuff, but it's struck me all over again how well they get along, how they can dick around together or they can have ~*meaningful conversations*~ together or they can get drunk together. Sometimes... sometimes I think maybe I ship Shun/Jun the hardest of all. :x
I love Shun for talking about how he wants, when they're in their thirties, to make this Dream Team-like project, where they get this collection of amazing actors all on the same project, I get the sense that really does want to do something that's really meaningful that way. And Jun, being the supportive Squishie he is, says that he feels Shun is a little like that driving force already, because Shun has introduced him to a whole lot of other actors, that that kind of thing happens often. Shun says, "I think a good talent and another good talent should meet early. Definitely." I think he means in the sense that talented people should get to know other talented people and form fun friendships and create attention-getting projects in order to capture people's imagininations and really bring people together with their entertainment industry.
Which is kind of naive of him (or at least he knows that some people will think that of his ideals) but it kind of makes me love him all the more for it.
My favorite, though.
Is from the 2010.05.22 episode of Junstyle. Just. Out of nowhere, Jun starts talking about Shun, saying he got a text from Shun to play a cellphone game together and how they start exchanging stupid texts with each other and how they've been contacting each other a lot:
[from kikinini again:]
Lately, we contact often ever since that text he sent
We went out eat.
Oguri Shun-kun's mother likes me a lot....
So he calls me whenever he's having dinner with his family.(Laugh)
Asking "Don't you wanna come?"
I'm like "Why do I have to eat with Oguri's family" but I eat with them normally.
I met his dad for the first time the other day.
So I've met his entire family now. Eeh.
That's what I'm up to lately.
Ho and I had a conversation that I feel sums up my feelings on the matter:
BECKY: HE HAS HAD DINNER WITH THEIR FAMILY. HIS MOM LIKES JUN. I was kind of bawling during that.
HOFACE: LOL MEETING THE IN-LAWS
HOFACE: MOM, DAD, THIS IS MATSUMOTO JUN, MY BOYFRIEND.
HOFACE: And then Jun punches him in the arm and Shun's mother says, "Ooooo, I like him! <3"
BECKY: Yes. Because, if they produced a son like Shun, you know they're fruit loops, too.
HOFACE: He's such a nice young man, Shun, not like those boys you went to high school with. He has a proper haircut, you see that.
BECKY: And she refers to him as "son-in-law" every time he comes over and Jun kind of wants to die, but he's too polite to do it at the dinner table.
HOFACE: Shun records it and sets it as his ringtone.
HOFACE: When Jun calls.
BECKY: This one is so polite, too! Not like those other delinquents you used to bring home!
HOFACE: Shun's phone: How's my son-in-law?
Shun: Oh, hang on, it's Jun.
Nino: OH I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS STORY.
BECKY: I can just see Nino's face. His eyes would light up and it would be his new favorite day ever. And Shun wouldn't mean to tell on Jun, it's just that it's such a cute story, he can't help it!
HOFACE: Jun: IF WE WERE DATING, I WOULD SO HAVE DUMPED YOU.
Shun: ...wait, does that mean I'm in or out?
Jun: It means I'm giving you time to write your will.
BECKY: Nino thinks he would totally be a better boyfriend, by the way.
BECKY: He would be happy to get along with Shun's parents.
So, yes. I think maybe I might be shipping this a little again. (Ehhh. Like I stopped.)
♫ - Music Lover [2010.08.22] - Talk: I almost didn't realize there was a talk portion floating around because I'd only seen the performances posted, but I snagged this one as soon as I saw it subbed! And it's really adorable, right from the beginning when they have Kuroki Meisa ask them when they're happy. Their answers? Sho is happy when he's eating. Ohno is happy when he's fishing. Jun is happy when he's drinking with friends. Nino is happy when he's playing video games. Aiba's happy during concerts, as he gives a cool little salute. (And Nino gives him a high five for the cool answer! ♥)
asld;fjkalskj such simple answers! I love how they're the most obvious answers in the world and Arashi is like, yeah, that's right, we're that simple.
AND THEN THEY HAVE A FANGIRL QUIZ. AWESOME.
First question! "Who in Arashi would you want to listen to your problems?" RESULTS: Sho - 44, Jun - 22, Nino - 13, Ohno - 11, Aiba - 10.
I can't disagree that Sho and Jun are the two you'd go to if you wanted actual advice. Nino is kind of hit or miss, depending on how much he actually cares. Ohno and Aiba would both be fantastic listeners, but I have to admit, that they probably wouldn't be great problem-solvers.
AND THEN ARASHI'S ANSWERS: Ohno - 2, Sakurai - 2, Ninomiya - 1.
The host asks, Sakurai-san, you chose Ninomiya-san, right? (To Nino's incredibly smug reaction, it was seriously darling.) Sho says, That's right. "I witnessed it myself: Ninomiya Kazunari advising someone." He says it almost in this way like he's witnessing a rare phenomenon that only happens once in 80 years and I laughed so hard you don't even know.
Nino and Aiba both chose Ohno and I can't blame them. Ohno is totally an awesome listener, I bet. Nino even says, "I'm not looking for an answer." (Ohno's turned-to-stone face, god.) "Just having someone listen to my problems." Aiba totally understands this, too. "If I were looking for an answer," Nino continues, "I'd go to Sho-chan or Jun-kun."
And then Nino is totally not gay for Ohno, not even a little bit. They agree that Ohno is a great listener for when you just want to rant, even if you're not sure that he's even listening. Nino asks what kind of stuff they talk about and Aiba says, well, we went out to dinner the other night just the two of us and Nino just about shrieks YOU ARE FUCKING KIDDING ME and drapes himself dramatically all over Aiba. WHAT?? Sho asks.
"I am always telling him, you know, that I want to have dinner with him. I have never been out to dinner with Ohno-san, just the two of us," Nino whines. He's invited Ohno, like, a million times, but he always refuses! Aiba, because he loves Nino, says they were just walking along with their arms around each other in that one restaurant in Azabu, you know the one-- YES, THERE'S ONLY ONE RESTAURANT THERE, Nino snaps. Ohno, because he loves Nino says, "Well, Aiba-chan and I share a lot." And Sho! Dear, sweet Sho-chan joins in on the bandwagon by saying, THAT'S TRUE THAT'S TRUE THAT'S TRUE, the way those two share is amazing!
I'm pretty sure Nino is going to go cry himself to sleep. Cry perfect, beautiful tears as the moonlight hits him dramatically and just right to really illustrate his ~*pain*~.
Or else he's going to spike all of Aiba's favorite foods from the caterer for a week.
One or the other.
I love the story Sho tells once he really gets going--they were going to meet in Ohno's room for drinks after their 10 year anniversary, all of them, but he was a little late in getting there (about an hour and a half, he said), so Aiba and Ohno were already drinking together. "When I opened the door, the two of them were having a heated discussion. And the two were like... *Sho mimes tearful sniffling* 'Let's do our best...' They were sharing so much! Crying their eyes out and drinking."
Oh, Sho, you've really come a long way in the fine art of learning to tell embarrassing stories about your bandmates on national television! I love you, baby! (Also, I love how they start on talking about who in Arashi you'd go to with your problems and end up on embarrassing drinking stories. A++++, ARASHI!)
And why doesn't Ohno go out to dinner with Nino? Because, a long time ago, they went out together in Ginza and he left without paying, so he can't go out to dinner with Nino until he clears up that debt with Aiba. Oh, so it's settled with Aiba now, then?, Jun asks. Nope, we have to go to Ginza, Ohno says. Right!, says Aiba.
THEN FUCKING GO TO GINZA ALREADY, Nino shrieks and I'm over here in the corner laughing until I cry. WHY DID YOU GO TO AZABU THEN!? And I know of course he's playing it up for the cameras, but seriously. He'll spike Aiba's karaage and yakiniku for a week as part of playing it up for the cameras, too. >:|q
Next question! "Who in Arashi is the most generous?" and even before I see the answers, I'm crying with laughter a little. It is just not Nino's night. AND SURE ENOUGH.
Jun - 48, Aiba - 40, Sho - 8, Ohno - 2, Nino - 2. Beautiful. Jun thinks this is the most hilarious thing ever, by the way.
Arashi's results: Aiba - 2, Matsumoto - 1, Ninomiya - 1. Sho didn't vote because he didn't know who to choose since, when they go out together, they all split the bill. Further results: Ohno and Nino both chose Aiba because, they say, Aiba often just goes ahead and pays for them. Sometimes, Nino says, when he goes to the bathroom or whatever, by the time he gets back, Aiba will have already paid. And, because Nino does not forget what just happened in the previous round, when the host asks Meisa what she thinks of that kind of guy (she thinks that's very cool), Nino says, yeah, but he does it with this ridiculous face whenever you offer to pay first! Aiba denies this and they smack each other and as;dlkfalskj okay, I kind of do want Aiba/Nino antics forever.
Aiba, in return, chose Nino for being the most generous and, well, okay, maybe Aiba will live for going out to dinner with Leader and keeping Nino from being able to do the same. THIS TIME. Aiba says that Nino's been carrying his wallet around lately-- well, he's always had it, but lately he hasn't been hiding it in his back pocket like he doesn't have it with him! Apparently, this is GREAT STRIDES for Nino! And the host says you treat your juniors, right? Jun is like, WHAT? WHO? and I had to laugh because apparently that was REALLY SURPRISING NEWS TO HIM.
Nino is practically bursting with he JUST HAD TO TALK ABOUT IT HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT SO MUCH. How he treated ten Juniors and they really eat A LOT at that age, okay!! Nino's pride at treating people never stops being funny.
NEXT QUESTION: "Amongst Arashi, who seems the most likely to be deceived by a woman?" Bawling.
The answers are beautiful: Aiba - 46, Sho - 26, Ohno - 23, Jun - 3, Nino - 2.
It's amazing that Sho-chan is second, Aiba tries, but Sho is like UH NO WAIT Let's talk about how you were first. Aiba was pretty sure he'd be picked, though, and doesn't seem more than mildly embarrassed--so, the real fun is in who Arashi picked, so what we want to know is that!
Arashi's results: They all chose Aiba. NOBODY IS SURPRISED. Aiba tries to do a bit of damage control, but nobody's buying it. Beautiful.
Well, now that they're done with that, on to the next thing! Arashi has to select a member to do a special romantic line to see if they can make the audience's heart skip a beat. Now, my thought is, they'll hear the type of line that they have to come up with and choose the person best suited to do well with this. "After a date ends, say a line that will make the girl's heart skip a beat." This would probably do well with Jun, maybe Nino. I expect them to discuss who would be good and then-- NOPE, THEY JANKEN FOR IT. Of course. Ohno, Sho, and Nino eliminate themselves right away, then it's between Aiba and Jun, but Jun wins, so it's up to Aiba. Jun, in a move that he's never done before, totally eggs Aiba on with, "Aiba-san, make sure to make her heart skip a beat~"
(No, seriously, Jun has this thing with Aiba in romantic situations/skits and egging him onto grand confessions and stuff.)
Aiba's line is amazing, by the way.
After the date, as they're saying goodbye, he pretends to be unable to find his keys in this really obvious ploy, so let him stay over tonight, okay~?
Beautiful.
It's so perfectly Aiba that I-- I can't even-- I just-- *flaps hands uselessly* I have imagined, like, a bajillion fanfics that have gone exactly like that. Meisa's completely unimpressed face is exactly the reaction I picture, too. Jun has to point out, NOT JUST FOR BEING CUTE, but if your heart skipped a beat! Like, a) this is how Jun shows his love, by bullying Aiba, but also because you know Jun has had that exact reaction that is on Meisa's unimpressed face, like he's been there before with the DO NOT FALL FOR THE CUTE ACT.
It's even more amazing because Jun is making :D :D :D faces the entire time and, when only 22 people (out of 100) say it made their heart skip a beat, he criticizes Aiba's technique--you said it just like normal! It's not surprising! She did tell you, "That is your problem." like... like... asd;lkfjalsk;jfffff, fuck, Matsumoto, if you're going to make it this easy for me to imagine your reaction in that same situation, it's not even sporting anymore!
Next! Say something to a depressed girl after she failed at work! And Jun. Jun offers, shall we have [the audience] press the switches to see who they want to hear from? THAT SOUNDS TERRIFYING, Sho says and I kind of shriek with laughter, because EVERYONE knows what's coming after the previous rounds. Sure enough! Sho - 36, Ohno - 25, Nino - 18, Jun - 17, Aiba - 4.
I actually really liked Sho's answer, that making a mistake at work was okay, that adversity built character, and to keep trying. Oh, Sho-san, no wonder you're my imaginary internet husband! And he got 72 votes! Way to go, Sho-chan! ♥
Then they all agree to make Ohno do it, since he was second, and Ohno is like, ....really? :< But he does it anyway, saying, there are always going to be days like that and the day where you can laugh at this will surely come. In the meantime... let's go fishing together, okay? :|b AND HE GETS 93 FOR THIS. ILU FOREVER, OH-CHAN.
After that, they switch to the male-only audience and they asked the guys some questions as well! First up: Who is the most masculine in Arashi? Jun is SO COMPLETELY HAPPY when he's chosen as the most masculine, like his :D :D :D face can barely be contained as he's doing his little celebratory fist pump.
The reasons they give? Doumyouji from Hanadan, his distinctive way of conduct, but also because he has this sense of having a strong will and responsibility. Which I actually agree a lot with! And then one more reason.
OH I KNOW! Aiba says as his hand shoots up. His eyebrows, right?
CORRECT!
I-- I kind of had to pause the video just to crack the hell up.
I don't know what's funnier, that of course the Matsumoto Professor knew or because it will never stop being funny when people make fun of Jun's eyebrows.
Anyway, next question: When you've just had your heart broken, who do you want beside you (as a best friend)? The #1 answer was Aiba! I completely, completely agree with this. Aiba is totally the guy you want to understand, but also to cheer you up and get you back on your feet with his enthusiasm. The reasons are pretty much in line with my thoughts as well: He seems like he'll give you energy, he'll do something stupid to take my mind off it, etc. (And Jun is kind of super touchy-feely with Aiba when he gets excited about revving the crowd up. ♥)
Third question: Who would you not want to be stranded on a deserted island with? The answer: Nino! He seems like an indoor type, so he won't do anything. He'll just nag and be annoying, so he won't be any help. WHO SAID THAT!? Nino shrieks at the audience and they all cheer and a;sldkfja;lskalk oh my god I want Arashi interacting with male audiences forever.
Well, appearance probably plays a part in this as well, so they asked the girls the same question. The answer? Ninomiya-san again! The cheering from the audience and Nino's crumpled over form and half-laughing, half-pissy face that he does so well, it's beautiful.
The whole thing was just. The greatest thing I've seen in ages, for serious.
♫ - Music Lover [2010.08.22] - Performances: Not that I didn't watch the performances as well! Because those were the first things I swooped down on after they aired, even if I don't really have a whole lot to say about them, they were still fantastic to watch! Music Lovers performances are some of my favorite tv performances ever because you always get to see them interacting with the audience and they always put on these really fun shows, they're always like mini-concerts, and I love them! This one was no exception and as;dlfkjaslkj we got another performance of Movin On'! I still love the fists in the air move for that one. ♥
Troublemaker is also a great song to see performed like this, quite possibly my favorite. The jumping and the crowd going along with it and just... the energy and fun of it! I think I may have liked this one even more than Fight Song. Maybe. Plus, I don't care how many times I've seen it before, that heartbeat move during Troublemaker always gets me. Also, also, also! The heart that Sho and Ohno form with their hands! Locking Ohno out at the end! The replay of it! Ohno crabbing about being locked out! They keep locking him out even when they mimic it again! The audience going, "CUUUUUUTE!" and Ohno snapping "IT'S NOT CUTE!!" I was crying.
I enjoyed Believe a lot as well for... well, you can see it with all the songs, but especially this one! Even when it's not their turn to sing, you can see all of the guys mouthing the words along with their songs, you can just tell how much they're pumped up and how much energy they're getting from peforming in front of a crowd and how much they really do love it up there.
It took me awhile to hunt down the performances in front of the male audience, but it was totally worth it! I have to admit, the first two songs were fun and I loved the way they toned down the flash and glitter and dance moves but were still very much Arashi, but they didn't get me super hyped up. But then Fight Song came on!
OMG OMG OMG YES!! FIGHT SONG!!!
It might be a simple song and a simple dance, mostly just punching the air and jumping a lot, but I don't care, because--especially in front of a pumped up male audience like this--IT IS THE BEST FUCKING SONG EVERRRR!!! <--my eloquent feelings on Fight Song
♫ - To Be Free PV + Making Of: Surprisingly, I don't really have a lot to say about this Making Of, it felt kind of... *waves hand* awfully short? Not a lot really happened. I don't blame Arashi, one of the more interesting things about this video is the way you can really feel how incredibly long this day was for them, how many times they had to sing that one song over and over, how many times they had to try to get it absolutely perfect for the PV, how monotonous the whole thing became. You could really see them dragging by the end of the day and I actually do find that kind of thing really fascinating to watch. (Even if I wanted to give them all a direct IV of caffeine or something.) They were there from 8am to 11:45pm, my brain hurts just thinking about it.
There were some fun moments, though! Ohmiya were being totally touchy feely in the opening minutes, just always on top of each other or leaning against each other for no real reason. Adorable. ♥
About seven minutes in, during one of the rehearsal shots (instead of one they were properly filming), was that Jun goofing off during their choreographed movements? Baby! You're loosening up! I'm so proud of you, sweetie! ♥
♫ - Arashi Den [2010.04.15]: To be honest, I was expecting to be kind of bored by this, because it was basically a history lesson-slash-promotion for Shiyagare, neither of which are usually that interesting on their own for me. (Or ar at least very hit-or-miss.) But this ~45 minute special went by surprisingly fast! Despite that there was nothing really new to be learned, it was interesting to see the way they gave an overview of each member--even if I was a little doubtful about their accuracy at times. It was paced really well, so I didn't feel like it was constantly being dragged out and I didn't even mind the terrible dramatizations because, well, that's Japan for you, really.
And, of course, I had to laugh at the presents they brought out for each of them. Sho gets crazy sunglasses and headphones because he's a rapper. Then it's Nino's turn to receive a gift and they... give him food. (The special food that Clint Eastwood had when he came to Japan, some very high class sushi.) I was lolling so hard. a) Yes, give Nino FOOD and b) give Nino EXPENSIVE food and c) once he's eaten it, it's gone, right? AND THEN HE SAYS AS MUCH. Hilarious.
Aiba gets a safari jacket that's not bad, but they go with food for Jun next. Now, Jun has actually been eating, so I don't find this as hilarious, but it was kind of funny that they clearly had no idea what else to do for Jun, so they made him lobster like Michael Jackson had. And they asked him for a reaction and Jun... as;dlfkjasl;kj oh my god, his impression of Michael Jackson saying, "It's delicious."? I was on the floor, it was so unexpected and hilarious.
One thing I am cranky about, however! When they did Jun's intro before the overview of his history with Johnny's and Arashi and etc., they said he was such a stoic guy (read: bitchy and tempermental) that he even made one of the other members cry! AND THEN THEY DIDN'T ELABORATE ON THIS WHEN THEY TOLD HIS OVERVIEW. Wtf was that, Shiyagare staff? That's just mean!
Overall, this wasn't really ~*amazing*~ and I don't think it would really even help new fans that much, but it was surprisingly interesting and played well on the nostalgia factor. Plus, I grabbed the .ts version of the Monster performance and, oh, man, it was gorgeous, seriously, DivX/XviD and even H.264 can't touch .ts for gorgeous quality on a TV screen. But, also, I am perhaps a little weak to faux military uniforms and a beautiful backdrop like they had here. *___*
♫ - VS Arashi #98 [2010.06.17]: So, this is the episode that was on Nino's birthday and, holy shit, the beginning of this was amazing because I honestly don't know whom I loved more: Jun with his leopard print of Nino's grandma vest. They were both amazing. And this was all within the first minute, too!
Then the most beautiful conversation unfolds. It's Nino's birthday (THEY PUT HIM IN THAT OUTFIT FOR HIS BIRTHDAY? I LOVE THE VS STAFF WITH A FIERY PASSION.) and they do a slow pan up on the outfit and they say, today is a special day! If you don't know, you'll figure it out by our looks! "You mean, who's the happiest one?" Jun asks, because he's kind of a shit. Slow pan up on Nino's outfit. Totally, totally looking the happiest. Really. "That's right. It's who is the happiest one and also the most energetic." It's Nino's birthday! As a present, he wants them to win for him, okay.
Also, they have a very special guest today, someone who neverrrr appears on variety shows and is very important! So you should go change your outfit, Sho says pointedly to Nino.
Nino's reaction? To grab Ohno's hoodie and try to yank it off him, asking to wear it. I love him a lot.
But not as much as I love whoever decided to put him in that outfit, for serious.
Even better, because it's Nino's birthday, of course they make him do the running during Pinball Runner! And he complains, with the vest and the tank top, the weight of the basket (and, I'm assuming, the straps digging into his shoulders) is no joke, you know!
Overall, I can't say there were a lot of stand-out moments during the episode, it wasn't super! amazing! explosive! must! see! episode or anything, but it was certainly a lot of fun! The guest + Sho + Jun during Pinball Runner, discussing how they should call out the numbers during their rotating move, should they link arms and spin Merry-Go-Round style or jump around and around? I loved this show a lot when they were clearly goofing off and deciding to do it jumping style.
Bank Bowling had a great moment--when Jun asks for Sho's word of encouragement? "PASSION FOR YOU!" Sho shouts in English. Totally straight there, Sho-chan. And I totally don't need Sho/Jun makeouts. (And Jun got the red pin! Baby! ♥)
Sho repeating "PASSION FOR YOU!" to Ohno during Bound Hockey was pretty great, too. ♥ I would also like to request Ohno/Sho makeouts from fandom, plz.
Like I said, it was a fun episode and adorable to watch, Kitaoji was actually really fun on the show, when I was kind of expecting him to be a little too hyper or a little too uncomfortable, but he brought this great sense of importance to his person and yet was totally at ease just having fun on the show. Also, Arashi crabbing at the end that the show was totally anti-climactic (because they won in the middle of their Bound Hockey game, so it just... stopped) was hilarious. ♥
ARASHI:
♫ - Okay, you guys, you know how I normally hate the namesquishes in fandom? (Ohmiya gets a pass because they did it themselves with Ohmiya SK and all.) I-- I have to admit. I can't not approve of Matsushun. I'll just be over here bawling in the corner, both from amusement and having no standards anymore.
♫ - I was reading this post about Aragaki Yui's appearance on Himitsu (which means SPOILERS if you don't want to know whom she picked) and there was discussion in the comments I found interesting.
There was a comment thread about how someone who wasn't an Arashi fan didn't understand why Ohno was so popular, why so many of the female guests picked him, etc. (since Gakki picked him this time around) and there was the obvious, well, because he's talented in pretty much everything he tries ever. Which is totally true and why I love Ohno, because, man, he is one talented bastard. But another comment said he had a mature attitude and was never desperate on the show and that kind of struck me. Sure, Ohno has his moments like they all do, being whiny or striving to be picked as the favorite or whatever, but that's part of the job. In general, you get the impression that Ohno really actually doesn't care that much about being popular beyond it meaning he has an audience to connect to with his performances and his art. He's not ungrateful, he obviously appreciates his audience a lot, but there is a certain atmosphere to him that's... he could walk away and he'd be fine.
It makes him really, really interesting, I think. And it makes sense, of course, given that Ohno never really had the same burning drive to be famous and had given thought to quitting (I think he was genuinely intending on it at at least one point?) so it's not surprising. Just interesting.
(Also, Gakki calling Jun "tsundere"? It never gets old when people call him that. Seriously.)
♫ - I've been reading Junstyle translations because, oh my god, Junbug and Shunkerbell, you two are subtle like a brick to the face. Oh, sure, it starts out simple enough, a little mention of "my useless friend, Oguri Shun" while you're talking about his movie promotions, but then it progresses to oh, I've been watching you on TV and you've been mentioning me a lot (kikinini has it as: How to say it? You treat me without consideration. Translation: YOU DON'T APPRECIATE ME. Crying forever, Junbug!) when Shun is on the show and Jun's like I wasn't really upset :D all while Shun is BUT I WAS BACKED INTO A CORNER OKAY and it's kind of hilarious.
(kikinini has it as, as Shun explains that the show wanted him to put faces/names into all these negative categories, like talk about all the people he knows, but they wound up cutting most of that stuff, so it just looks like he's talking badly about how he had a bad initial impression of Jun out of nowhere:
JUN: So they didn't air that part.... It was like you were just saying bad things about me.
SHUN: Well, I can't help it.
JUN: Is that so?
SHUN: But, Maa, I say I'm friends with Jun kun everywhere
So I think it'll be okay if it sounded like I was saying bad things about you
So, basically, Shun's defense is, I SAY I LOVE YOU EVERYWHERE ELSE, SO EVERYBODY KNOWS IT ALREADY, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME SLEEP ON THE COUCH AGAIN. I am totally not reading into that last bit at all, shut up.)
And then Shun loves me a whole freaking lot, as they're talking about Surely Someday and Shun's acting career and whatnot:
M) I'm not included to these 5.
S: As I have told with Jun and Toma previously. I can't work with Johnny's unless I work more. I want to film a movie with 5 of Arashi someday.
*SHRIEKS* LISTEN TO SHUN, JAPAN. SHUN, I LOVE YOU FOR WANTING TO BE IN A MOVIE WITH ALL OF ARASHI, I KNEW I LOVED YOU FOR A GOOD REASON. Just thinking about the promotional appearances already has me starry-eyed. (Well, directing them would be fine, but if he really loved me, he'd put himself in the movie, too.)
There are little things that I loved, too, like in the second appearance where Jun is giving Shun shit about how, well, he has been on Shun's show a bunch of times but Shun never comes on his! Shun defends himself with:
Shun: This is because I think JUN STYLE is not the kind of show which usually invites guest.
Jun: Yes, we usually don’t invite guest.
I... see. Junstyle doesn't usually have guests, but Squishie over there will totally make an exception for his BFF. Totally not anything I would take the wrong way or anything.
And I would totally not laugh hysterically at how they just... *waves hands vaguely* They wander through various conversation topics and get off onto the topic of golf and how Shun kind of sucks at it, which Jun gives him crap for, but then says, no, really, it's just because you haven't practiced much and we should fight against each other! (Because Jun scored about the same as Shun when he started out, too.) They have a simulation game right there (since they're recording in a golf lounge, I guess?) and whoever loses has to do a penalty game! (Talking about Surely Someday, Shun's movie, in English.)
The hilarity of this is that they're doing a radio show the entire time and playing golf simulation games and giving each other crap and there's this sense of how they get totally wrapped up in each other and it's not even about the movie half of the time, it's about them being stupid boys who are clearly beaming at each other the whole time. And also how Jun is really mean to Shun about making him try to promote the movie in English and, no, no, DO IT AGAIN, DO IT RIGHT THIS TIME, ALL THIRTY SECONDS OF IT, because that is how you know Matsumoto loves you.
GOD, I LOVE THEM.
In kikinnini's translation of it, they also have this fairly long conversation about their generation of actors and the older generation and all these thoughts about their careers and the whole profession of acting and it's kind of interesting, but mostly what struck me is the feeling that they've had this conversation before and in depth, to the point that Shun remembers some of Jun's responses about his own acting. This is nothing new, they've mentioned before that they talk about this kind of stuff, but it's struck me all over again how well they get along, how they can dick around together or they can have ~*meaningful conversations*~ together or they can get drunk together. Sometimes... sometimes I think maybe I ship Shun/Jun the hardest of all. :x
I love Shun for talking about how he wants, when they're in their thirties, to make this Dream Team-like project, where they get this collection of amazing actors all on the same project, I get the sense that really does want to do something that's really meaningful that way. And Jun, being the supportive Squishie he is, says that he feels Shun is a little like that driving force already, because Shun has introduced him to a whole lot of other actors, that that kind of thing happens often. Shun says, "I think a good talent and another good talent should meet early. Definitely." I think he means in the sense that talented people should get to know other talented people and form fun friendships and create attention-getting projects in order to capture people's imagininations and really bring people together with their entertainment industry.
Which is kind of naive of him (or at least he knows that some people will think that of his ideals) but it kind of makes me love him all the more for it.
My favorite, though.
Is from the 2010.05.22 episode of Junstyle. Just. Out of nowhere, Jun starts talking about Shun, saying he got a text from Shun to play a cellphone game together and how they start exchanging stupid texts with each other and how they've been contacting each other a lot:
[from kikinini again:]
Lately, we contact often ever since that text he sent
We went out eat.
Oguri Shun-kun's mother likes me a lot....
So he calls me whenever he's having dinner with his family.(Laugh)
Asking "Don't you wanna come?"
I'm like "Why do I have to eat with Oguri's family" but I eat with them normally.
I met his dad for the first time the other day.
So I've met his entire family now. Eeh.
That's what I'm up to lately.
Ho and I had a conversation that I feel sums up my feelings on the matter:
BECKY: HE HAS HAD DINNER WITH THEIR FAMILY. HIS MOM LIKES JUN. I was kind of bawling during that.
HOFACE: LOL MEETING THE IN-LAWS
HOFACE: MOM, DAD, THIS IS MATSUMOTO JUN, MY BOYFRIEND.
HOFACE: And then Jun punches him in the arm and Shun's mother says, "Ooooo, I like him! <3"
BECKY: Yes. Because, if they produced a son like Shun, you know they're fruit loops, too.
HOFACE: He's such a nice young man, Shun, not like those boys you went to high school with. He has a proper haircut, you see that.
BECKY: And she refers to him as "son-in-law" every time he comes over and Jun kind of wants to die, but he's too polite to do it at the dinner table.
HOFACE: Shun records it and sets it as his ringtone.
HOFACE: When Jun calls.
BECKY: This one is so polite, too! Not like those other delinquents you used to bring home!
HOFACE: Shun's phone: How's my son-in-law?
Shun: Oh, hang on, it's Jun.
Nino: OH I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS STORY.
BECKY: I can just see Nino's face. His eyes would light up and it would be his new favorite day ever. And Shun wouldn't mean to tell on Jun, it's just that it's such a cute story, he can't help it!
HOFACE: Jun: IF WE WERE DATING, I WOULD SO HAVE DUMPED YOU.
Shun: ...wait, does that mean I'm in or out?
Jun: It means I'm giving you time to write your will.
BECKY: Nino thinks he would totally be a better boyfriend, by the way.
BECKY: He would be happy to get along with Shun's parents.
So, yes. I think maybe I might be shipping this a little again. (Ehhh. Like I stopped.)
♫ - Music Lover [2010.08.22] - Talk: I almost didn't realize there was a talk portion floating around because I'd only seen the performances posted, but I snagged this one as soon as I saw it subbed! And it's really adorable, right from the beginning when they have Kuroki Meisa ask them when they're happy. Their answers? Sho is happy when he's eating. Ohno is happy when he's fishing. Jun is happy when he's drinking with friends. Nino is happy when he's playing video games. Aiba's happy during concerts, as he gives a cool little salute. (And Nino gives him a high five for the cool answer! ♥)
asld;fjkalskj such simple answers! I love how they're the most obvious answers in the world and Arashi is like, yeah, that's right, we're that simple.
AND THEN THEY HAVE A FANGIRL QUIZ. AWESOME.
First question! "Who in Arashi would you want to listen to your problems?" RESULTS: Sho - 44, Jun - 22, Nino - 13, Ohno - 11, Aiba - 10.
I can't disagree that Sho and Jun are the two you'd go to if you wanted actual advice. Nino is kind of hit or miss, depending on how much he actually cares. Ohno and Aiba would both be fantastic listeners, but I have to admit, that they probably wouldn't be great problem-solvers.
AND THEN ARASHI'S ANSWERS: Ohno - 2, Sakurai - 2, Ninomiya - 1.
The host asks, Sakurai-san, you chose Ninomiya-san, right? (To Nino's incredibly smug reaction, it was seriously darling.) Sho says, That's right. "I witnessed it myself: Ninomiya Kazunari advising someone." He says it almost in this way like he's witnessing a rare phenomenon that only happens once in 80 years and I laughed so hard you don't even know.
Nino and Aiba both chose Ohno and I can't blame them. Ohno is totally an awesome listener, I bet. Nino even says, "I'm not looking for an answer." (Ohno's turned-to-stone face, god.) "Just having someone listen to my problems." Aiba totally understands this, too. "If I were looking for an answer," Nino continues, "I'd go to Sho-chan or Jun-kun."
And then Nino is totally not gay for Ohno, not even a little bit. They agree that Ohno is a great listener for when you just want to rant, even if you're not sure that he's even listening. Nino asks what kind of stuff they talk about and Aiba says, well, we went out to dinner the other night just the two of us and Nino just about shrieks YOU ARE FUCKING KIDDING ME and drapes himself dramatically all over Aiba. WHAT?? Sho asks.
"I am always telling him, you know, that I want to have dinner with him. I have never been out to dinner with Ohno-san, just the two of us," Nino whines. He's invited Ohno, like, a million times, but he always refuses! Aiba, because he loves Nino, says they were just walking along with their arms around each other in that one restaurant in Azabu, you know the one-- YES, THERE'S ONLY ONE RESTAURANT THERE, Nino snaps. Ohno, because he loves Nino says, "Well, Aiba-chan and I share a lot." And Sho! Dear, sweet Sho-chan joins in on the bandwagon by saying, THAT'S TRUE THAT'S TRUE THAT'S TRUE, the way those two share is amazing!
I'm pretty sure Nino is going to go cry himself to sleep. Cry perfect, beautiful tears as the moonlight hits him dramatically and just right to really illustrate his ~*pain*~.
Or else he's going to spike all of Aiba's favorite foods from the caterer for a week.
One or the other.
I love the story Sho tells once he really gets going--they were going to meet in Ohno's room for drinks after their 10 year anniversary, all of them, but he was a little late in getting there (about an hour and a half, he said), so Aiba and Ohno were already drinking together. "When I opened the door, the two of them were having a heated discussion. And the two were like... *Sho mimes tearful sniffling* 'Let's do our best...' They were sharing so much! Crying their eyes out and drinking."
Oh, Sho, you've really come a long way in the fine art of learning to tell embarrassing stories about your bandmates on national television! I love you, baby! (Also, I love how they start on talking about who in Arashi you'd go to with your problems and end up on embarrassing drinking stories. A++++, ARASHI!)
And why doesn't Ohno go out to dinner with Nino? Because, a long time ago, they went out together in Ginza and he left without paying, so he can't go out to dinner with Nino until he clears up that debt with Aiba. Oh, so it's settled with Aiba now, then?, Jun asks. Nope, we have to go to Ginza, Ohno says. Right!, says Aiba.
THEN FUCKING GO TO GINZA ALREADY, Nino shrieks and I'm over here in the corner laughing until I cry. WHY DID YOU GO TO AZABU THEN!? And I know of course he's playing it up for the cameras, but seriously. He'll spike Aiba's karaage and yakiniku for a week as part of playing it up for the cameras, too. >:|q
Next question! "Who in Arashi is the most generous?" and even before I see the answers, I'm crying with laughter a little. It is just not Nino's night. AND SURE ENOUGH.
Jun - 48, Aiba - 40, Sho - 8, Ohno - 2, Nino - 2. Beautiful. Jun thinks this is the most hilarious thing ever, by the way.
Arashi's results: Aiba - 2, Matsumoto - 1, Ninomiya - 1. Sho didn't vote because he didn't know who to choose since, when they go out together, they all split the bill. Further results: Ohno and Nino both chose Aiba because, they say, Aiba often just goes ahead and pays for them. Sometimes, Nino says, when he goes to the bathroom or whatever, by the time he gets back, Aiba will have already paid. And, because Nino does not forget what just happened in the previous round, when the host asks Meisa what she thinks of that kind of guy (she thinks that's very cool), Nino says, yeah, but he does it with this ridiculous face whenever you offer to pay first! Aiba denies this and they smack each other and as;dlkfalskj okay, I kind of do want Aiba/Nino antics forever.
Aiba, in return, chose Nino for being the most generous and, well, okay, maybe Aiba will live for going out to dinner with Leader and keeping Nino from being able to do the same. THIS TIME. Aiba says that Nino's been carrying his wallet around lately-- well, he's always had it, but lately he hasn't been hiding it in his back pocket like he doesn't have it with him! Apparently, this is GREAT STRIDES for Nino! And the host says you treat your juniors, right? Jun is like, WHAT? WHO? and I had to laugh because apparently that was REALLY SURPRISING NEWS TO HIM.
Nino is practically bursting with he JUST HAD TO TALK ABOUT IT HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT SO MUCH. How he treated ten Juniors and they really eat A LOT at that age, okay!! Nino's pride at treating people never stops being funny.
NEXT QUESTION: "Amongst Arashi, who seems the most likely to be deceived by a woman?" Bawling.
The answers are beautiful: Aiba - 46, Sho - 26, Ohno - 23, Jun - 3, Nino - 2.
It's amazing that Sho-chan is second, Aiba tries, but Sho is like UH NO WAIT Let's talk about how you were first. Aiba was pretty sure he'd be picked, though, and doesn't seem more than mildly embarrassed--so, the real fun is in who Arashi picked, so what we want to know is that!
Arashi's results: They all chose Aiba. NOBODY IS SURPRISED. Aiba tries to do a bit of damage control, but nobody's buying it. Beautiful.
Well, now that they're done with that, on to the next thing! Arashi has to select a member to do a special romantic line to see if they can make the audience's heart skip a beat. Now, my thought is, they'll hear the type of line that they have to come up with and choose the person best suited to do well with this. "After a date ends, say a line that will make the girl's heart skip a beat." This would probably do well with Jun, maybe Nino. I expect them to discuss who would be good and then-- NOPE, THEY JANKEN FOR IT. Of course. Ohno, Sho, and Nino eliminate themselves right away, then it's between Aiba and Jun, but Jun wins, so it's up to Aiba. Jun, in a move that he's never done before, totally eggs Aiba on with, "Aiba-san, make sure to make her heart skip a beat~"
(No, seriously, Jun has this thing with Aiba in romantic situations/skits and egging him onto grand confessions and stuff.)
Aiba's line is amazing, by the way.
After the date, as they're saying goodbye, he pretends to be unable to find his keys in this really obvious ploy, so let him stay over tonight, okay~?
Beautiful.
It's so perfectly Aiba that I-- I can't even-- I just-- *flaps hands uselessly* I have imagined, like, a bajillion fanfics that have gone exactly like that. Meisa's completely unimpressed face is exactly the reaction I picture, too. Jun has to point out, NOT JUST FOR BEING CUTE, but if your heart skipped a beat! Like, a) this is how Jun shows his love, by bullying Aiba, but also because you know Jun has had that exact reaction that is on Meisa's unimpressed face, like he's been there before with the DO NOT FALL FOR THE CUTE ACT.
It's even more amazing because Jun is making :D :D :D faces the entire time and, when only 22 people (out of 100) say it made their heart skip a beat, he criticizes Aiba's technique--you said it just like normal! It's not surprising! She did tell you, "That is your problem." like... like... asd;lkfjalsk;jfffff, fuck, Matsumoto, if you're going to make it this easy for me to imagine your reaction in that same situation, it's not even sporting anymore!
Next! Say something to a depressed girl after she failed at work! And Jun. Jun offers, shall we have [the audience] press the switches to see who they want to hear from? THAT SOUNDS TERRIFYING, Sho says and I kind of shriek with laughter, because EVERYONE knows what's coming after the previous rounds. Sure enough! Sho - 36, Ohno - 25, Nino - 18, Jun - 17, Aiba - 4.
I actually really liked Sho's answer, that making a mistake at work was okay, that adversity built character, and to keep trying. Oh, Sho-san, no wonder you're my imaginary internet husband! And he got 72 votes! Way to go, Sho-chan! ♥
Then they all agree to make Ohno do it, since he was second, and Ohno is like, ....really? :< But he does it anyway, saying, there are always going to be days like that and the day where you can laugh at this will surely come. In the meantime... let's go fishing together, okay? :|b AND HE GETS 93 FOR THIS. ILU FOREVER, OH-CHAN.
After that, they switch to the male-only audience and they asked the guys some questions as well! First up: Who is the most masculine in Arashi? Jun is SO COMPLETELY HAPPY when he's chosen as the most masculine, like his :D :D :D face can barely be contained as he's doing his little celebratory fist pump.
The reasons they give? Doumyouji from Hanadan, his distinctive way of conduct, but also because he has this sense of having a strong will and responsibility. Which I actually agree a lot with! And then one more reason.
OH I KNOW! Aiba says as his hand shoots up. His eyebrows, right?
CORRECT!
I-- I kind of had to pause the video just to crack the hell up.
I don't know what's funnier, that of course the Matsumoto Professor knew or because it will never stop being funny when people make fun of Jun's eyebrows.
Anyway, next question: When you've just had your heart broken, who do you want beside you (as a best friend)? The #1 answer was Aiba! I completely, completely agree with this. Aiba is totally the guy you want to understand, but also to cheer you up and get you back on your feet with his enthusiasm. The reasons are pretty much in line with my thoughts as well: He seems like he'll give you energy, he'll do something stupid to take my mind off it, etc. (And Jun is kind of super touchy-feely with Aiba when he gets excited about revving the crowd up. ♥)
Third question: Who would you not want to be stranded on a deserted island with? The answer: Nino! He seems like an indoor type, so he won't do anything. He'll just nag and be annoying, so he won't be any help. WHO SAID THAT!? Nino shrieks at the audience and they all cheer and a;sldkfja;lskalk oh my god I want Arashi interacting with male audiences forever.
Well, appearance probably plays a part in this as well, so they asked the girls the same question. The answer? Ninomiya-san again! The cheering from the audience and Nino's crumpled over form and half-laughing, half-pissy face that he does so well, it's beautiful.
The whole thing was just. The greatest thing I've seen in ages, for serious.
♫ - Music Lover [2010.08.22] - Performances: Not that I didn't watch the performances as well! Because those were the first things I swooped down on after they aired, even if I don't really have a whole lot to say about them, they were still fantastic to watch! Music Lovers performances are some of my favorite tv performances ever because you always get to see them interacting with the audience and they always put on these really fun shows, they're always like mini-concerts, and I love them! This one was no exception and as;dlfkjaslkj we got another performance of Movin On'! I still love the fists in the air move for that one. ♥
Troublemaker is also a great song to see performed like this, quite possibly my favorite. The jumping and the crowd going along with it and just... the energy and fun of it! I think I may have liked this one even more than Fight Song. Maybe. Plus, I don't care how many times I've seen it before, that heartbeat move during Troublemaker always gets me. Also, also, also! The heart that Sho and Ohno form with their hands! Locking Ohno out at the end! The replay of it! Ohno crabbing about being locked out! They keep locking him out even when they mimic it again! The audience going, "CUUUUUUTE!" and Ohno snapping "IT'S NOT CUTE!!" I was crying.
I enjoyed Believe a lot as well for... well, you can see it with all the songs, but especially this one! Even when it's not their turn to sing, you can see all of the guys mouthing the words along with their songs, you can just tell how much they're pumped up and how much energy they're getting from peforming in front of a crowd and how much they really do love it up there.
It took me awhile to hunt down the performances in front of the male audience, but it was totally worth it! I have to admit, the first two songs were fun and I loved the way they toned down the flash and glitter and dance moves but were still very much Arashi, but they didn't get me super hyped up. But then Fight Song came on!
OMG OMG OMG YES!! FIGHT SONG!!!
It might be a simple song and a simple dance, mostly just punching the air and jumping a lot, but I don't care, because--especially in front of a pumped up male audience like this--IT IS THE BEST FUCKING SONG EVERRRR!!! <--my eloquent feelings on Fight Song
♫ - To Be Free PV + Making Of: Surprisingly, I don't really have a lot to say about this Making Of, it felt kind of... *waves hand* awfully short? Not a lot really happened. I don't blame Arashi, one of the more interesting things about this video is the way you can really feel how incredibly long this day was for them, how many times they had to sing that one song over and over, how many times they had to try to get it absolutely perfect for the PV, how monotonous the whole thing became. You could really see them dragging by the end of the day and I actually do find that kind of thing really fascinating to watch. (Even if I wanted to give them all a direct IV of caffeine or something.) They were there from 8am to 11:45pm, my brain hurts just thinking about it.
There were some fun moments, though! Ohmiya were being totally touchy feely in the opening minutes, just always on top of each other or leaning against each other for no real reason. Adorable. ♥
About seven minutes in, during one of the rehearsal shots (instead of one they were properly filming), was that Jun goofing off during their choreographed movements? Baby! You're loosening up! I'm so proud of you, sweetie! ♥
♫ - Arashi Den [2010.04.15]: To be honest, I was expecting to be kind of bored by this, because it was basically a history lesson-slash-promotion for Shiyagare, neither of which are usually that interesting on their own for me. (Or ar at least very hit-or-miss.) But this ~45 minute special went by surprisingly fast! Despite that there was nothing really new to be learned, it was interesting to see the way they gave an overview of each member--even if I was a little doubtful about their accuracy at times. It was paced really well, so I didn't feel like it was constantly being dragged out and I didn't even mind the terrible dramatizations because, well, that's Japan for you, really.
And, of course, I had to laugh at the presents they brought out for each of them. Sho gets crazy sunglasses and headphones because he's a rapper. Then it's Nino's turn to receive a gift and they... give him food. (The special food that Clint Eastwood had when he came to Japan, some very high class sushi.) I was lolling so hard. a) Yes, give Nino FOOD and b) give Nino EXPENSIVE food and c) once he's eaten it, it's gone, right? AND THEN HE SAYS AS MUCH. Hilarious.
Aiba gets a safari jacket that's not bad, but they go with food for Jun next. Now, Jun has actually been eating, so I don't find this as hilarious, but it was kind of funny that they clearly had no idea what else to do for Jun, so they made him lobster like Michael Jackson had. And they asked him for a reaction and Jun... as;dlfkjasl;kj oh my god, his impression of Michael Jackson saying, "It's delicious."? I was on the floor, it was so unexpected and hilarious.
One thing I am cranky about, however! When they did Jun's intro before the overview of his history with Johnny's and Arashi and etc., they said he was such a stoic guy (read: bitchy and tempermental) that he even made one of the other members cry! AND THEN THEY DIDN'T ELABORATE ON THIS WHEN THEY TOLD HIS OVERVIEW. Wtf was that, Shiyagare staff? That's just mean!
Overall, this wasn't really ~*amazing*~ and I don't think it would really even help new fans that much, but it was surprisingly interesting and played well on the nostalgia factor. Plus, I grabbed the .ts version of the Monster performance and, oh, man, it was gorgeous, seriously, DivX/XviD and even H.264 can't touch .ts for gorgeous quality on a TV screen. But, also, I am perhaps a little weak to faux military uniforms and a beautiful backdrop like they had here. *___*
♫ - VS Arashi #98 [2010.06.17]: So, this is the episode that was on Nino's birthday and, holy shit, the beginning of this was amazing because I honestly don't know whom I loved more: Jun with his leopard print of Nino's grandma vest. They were both amazing. And this was all within the first minute, too!
Then the most beautiful conversation unfolds. It's Nino's birthday (THEY PUT HIM IN THAT OUTFIT FOR HIS BIRTHDAY? I LOVE THE VS STAFF WITH A FIERY PASSION.) and they do a slow pan up on the outfit and they say, today is a special day! If you don't know, you'll figure it out by our looks! "You mean, who's the happiest one?" Jun asks, because he's kind of a shit. Slow pan up on Nino's outfit. Totally, totally looking the happiest. Really. "That's right. It's who is the happiest one and also the most energetic." It's Nino's birthday! As a present, he wants them to win for him, okay.
Also, they have a very special guest today, someone who neverrrr appears on variety shows and is very important! So you should go change your outfit, Sho says pointedly to Nino.
Nino's reaction? To grab Ohno's hoodie and try to yank it off him, asking to wear it. I love him a lot.
But not as much as I love whoever decided to put him in that outfit, for serious.
Even better, because it's Nino's birthday, of course they make him do the running during Pinball Runner! And he complains, with the vest and the tank top, the weight of the basket (and, I'm assuming, the straps digging into his shoulders) is no joke, you know!
Overall, I can't say there were a lot of stand-out moments during the episode, it wasn't super! amazing! explosive! must! see! episode or anything, but it was certainly a lot of fun! The guest + Sho + Jun during Pinball Runner, discussing how they should call out the numbers during their rotating move, should they link arms and spin Merry-Go-Round style or jump around and around? I loved this show a lot when they were clearly goofing off and deciding to do it jumping style.
Bank Bowling had a great moment--when Jun asks for Sho's word of encouragement? "PASSION FOR YOU!" Sho shouts in English. Totally straight there, Sho-chan. And I totally don't need Sho/Jun makeouts. (And Jun got the red pin! Baby! ♥)
Sho repeating "PASSION FOR YOU!" to Ohno during Bound Hockey was pretty great, too. ♥ I would also like to request Ohno/Sho makeouts from fandom, plz.
Like I said, it was a fun episode and adorable to watch, Kitaoji was actually really fun on the show, when I was kind of expecting him to be a little too hyper or a little too uncomfortable, but he brought this great sense of importance to his person and yet was totally at ease just having fun on the show. Also, Arashi crabbing at the end that the show was totally anti-climactic (because they won in the middle of their Bound Hockey game, so it just... stopped) was hilarious. ♥