Concluding my one-year experience with Johnny's.
I've been a KAT-TUN for nearly a year now (minus January), and a Johnny's fan for about the same time. I've moved from KAT-TUN to NEWS (briefly), KinKi Kids to Johnny's Jrs. (mostly Tokyo). My first contact (I consider them alien life-forms xD) with Johnny's began with Nobuta wo Produce, which without the narrative would have been quite boring. ANYWAY. I was introduced to the ridiculousness that is Johnny's Entertainment, and while I think a friend of mine defriended me because of it, I can't seem to pull away.
WARNING: If you're a rapid fan of JE and can't stand anyone criticizing your idols, please don't read. Most of this is what I concluded from the information I've read and may not be correct, but they're my opinions and please do respect that. Again, I don't claim to own to anything of JE. Except a few CDs.
Recommended songs are not necessarily my favorites. These are songs that I think really represent the group, whether I like the song or not.
from the beginning...
The main reason I consider JE ridiculous is because of the large banners seen in Tokyo streets. They're larger than actual people, and I used to point and laugh. Haven't went to Japan since I became a fan, but I think I'd still laugh...Off topic. Also, my mom used to be a SMAP fan, and anything my mom likes, I laugh at. Which resulted in me laughing at JE in general from the beginning.
KAT-TUN's stage...
A lot of Johnny's fans seem to find KAT-TUN's songs loud or noisy, but as a hard rock/metal fan, KAT-TUN's songs are actually quite mild. I started to listen to them as a rest from all the screaming and emo, because Japanese=Plutonian (see subtle joke in my friend page) in my brain. Then enter the Cartoon KAT-TUN show, and soon I'm converted. :p
The thing is, Johnnys aren't known for their talent. Actually, I think most of them are talentless to begin with. They do make up to it with hard work though, and that's probably the most important difference between Japanese idols and Taiwanese ones. Not that Taiwanese ones don't work, but compared to those Johnnys, it's pretty much like they don't. From what I see (I don't really pay attention to Taiwanese idols, but occasionally they go on the news when there's nothing else to report), Japanese idols are on a completely different level, Johnny's especially so.
KAT-TUN is, pardon me for saying so, the perfect example. The only person who I can see has anything resembling talent is Akanishi's singing, but his voice is unsteady and he's also one of the...less hard-working ones. Oops? Aside from the beginning when he wanted to be a baseball player, Kamenashi is an all-out hard worker. Taguchi had a terrible voice (which still cracks at times), Tanaka went into rapping, Nakamaru studied beatboxing alone, and even though Ueda can't seem to focus on one thing, he tried guitar for a while and his singing improved quite a lot too. And, well, they held out for eight years. Most junior groups got separated before an eight year mark, some of them were hitting twenty without a college degree and a proper job, but they managed to come through.
However, I think KAT-TUN has one major problem. Most of them don't seem to realize that they're idols - Akanishi plainly denies being an idol, which is, honestly, ridiculous. If he wasn't, he wouldn't even have ten percent of the jobs he gets now. It's not like there's anything wrong with being an idol - but KAT-TUN's general disregard toward this aspect has me baffled.
Sure, they held on for eight years. But the agency is actually quite kind to them already - they weren't separated, they were given concerts (more so than any other Jr. group ever), and they were actually introduced as KAT-TUN in both Johnny Sport Events and most importantly, 2005's Johnny's Countdown. At the era when Johnny's Countdown included every debuted group (still bitter about this), among 100+ people they were introduced as KAT-TUN; even if they haven't debuted, that was enough of a major sign to show the agency is investing in them. I'm glad they were pushed back - it cuts down their vanity.
Slowly, I've come to focus on Nakamaru only. He's their local MC, but while he's okay with talking to others and addressing what's on the script smoothly, he's incredibly clumsy when others confront him. He's also kind of wimpy and shy, and he's fun to watch. Probably also the less-vain ones of KAT-TUN, if only because he doesn't have as much fans. It's what makes me like him :)
And they're kind of stupid. (ex. Akanishi can't read kanji.) But it's because they're kind of stupid that makes them fun to watch.
Strange enough, I can't really talk about each other members. I mean, I've spend most of this year getting to know KAT-TUN, so you'd think I have a lot to say, but I can't really think of much. They have so many only!fans (fans that only like one or two of the members), and they're so full of wank that I'm burnt out thinking of things to write. Maybe some other day I'd find the energy to think about them throughly.
Recommended Songs: GOLD, Harukana Yakusoku, Peak, Keep the faith
the very brief NEWS experience...
I have a cousin who really, really loves Yamapi, and therefore NEWS. My first impression of Yamapi is a guy with a larger-than-life face on a poster and pop-up eyes that made me believe he's very near-sighted. Turns out he is near-sighted, but that wasn't the point...Just, since I got into Johnnys via Nobuta wo Produce, I also paid a little attention to Yamapi.
A must-see for all fans is Jounetsu Tairiku. Johnnys has near no influence on that show, so in order to prevent image damage, they rarely allow their idols to be on that show. But because of that, Jounetsu Tairiku really shows us what these people are like, without the sparkles and scripted situations that Johnnys is famous of. And to be honest, I think Yamapi is (or was, it's been a year and more) not ready to take that final step to become a top idol. It's like he doesn't know what he wants yet, or he's still afraid his fans would abandon him, or he's afraid being in Johnnys isn't what he's supposed to be doing. It makes him kind of dull. As an idol, that really doesn't matter, but as an entertainer I really don't think he's interesting enough for me.
That aside, NEWS/NewS is a very odd presence. Ever since their debut, Johnnys has been trying very hard to get them to the top. Pulling Yamapi from 4Tops, snagging Nishikido (and that other guy) from Kanjani8, then increasing their vocal talents with a very new Tegoshi Yuya. I really don't think they have the ability to take over Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve, but for some reason the concert was handed to them from KinKi (sore about this as well...). Their singles aren't even selling very well, but it's happening anyway. It's obvious the agency is trying very hard, though I don't really get why.
Right now, Yamapi is well-known, Nishikido has fans from both Kansai and his dramas, TegoMass has their own fans...but out of a six member group, Koyama and Shigeaki really don't shine. Sure, they both have their stage shows, but stage shows in Johnnys mostly mean there's nowhere else for them to go. Shigeaki's quick-witted and probably really smart as well, and yet so far the smartest we've seen him is his writing - as an idol, writing really isn't how you get famous. As for Koyama, even though he graduated from Waseda's language department, his language skills is really...doubtful. His MC is also one of the weaker ones, and even Johnnys hasn't given him anything other than Shounen Club. (Still, he's probably my favorite from NEWS, if only because he's all 'member-ai' over everything.)
NEWS has a boy-next-door image, yet they're also really trying too hard to change that image (*cough* Yamapi's new solo*cough*). My opinion? None of it is working. They should try to collect themselves first before trying to change.
Recommended Songs: Cherish, Hoshi wo Mezashite, weeeek, Miso Soup (TegoMass)
actually impressed by KinKi Kids...
Watching Nakamaru's first drama Sushi Ouji!, I got to know Domoto Koichi. It wasn't really the best drama ever, but Koichi's performance was interesting, and I liked his voice. Plus the drama song "Namida, Hito Hira" was amazing, and that was my doorway to KinKi Kids. Also, I can't help but giggle at their group name, allowing me to remember them more easily.
What's really interesting is that Johnny found two people with the same family name and banded them together ever since first audition. Usually juniors come in and test out different groups before being placed into one, but with KinKi they were put into the same room upon first meeting and throughout their junior period remained only in this one combination. Makes me wonder what Johnny saw in them at such an young age.
With only two people in the group, there's only three combinations in total - both people together, or each on their own. Without the wide-range in-group interaction Johnnys is famous for in other groups, debuting two people groups is quite a large risk. If they didn't have anything else to sell, the group could easily fail.
Thankfully, KinKi Kids were lucky enough to start out with great songs, and later create their own. Take their debut song for example - during an era when electronic sounds were popular, the songwriter insisted on a minor tune because he believed KinKi suits it better. Not only was the songwriter right, he also wrote the song from a point that the song can still be sung ten years after KinKi's debut; it's rare that such far thought can be put into writing a song. Over the years, they also wrote a lot of their songs - Tsuyoshi is one of the more talented Johnnys, and Koichi's not bad either. "Ai no Katamari", the song voted as fan's favorite on their ten year anniversary album, was written by the two together. It's one of my favorite songs ever. ♥
They're also the only Johnnys group with albums selling better than singles. With people that only want to listen to their songs, albums are much more reasonable and easier to understand. In recent years, they're constantly trying difficult songs, though occasionally I think they're trying too hard - with songs that are too difficult to perform live (ex. Secret Code), even as their fan I have to disagree on these songs.
Each of them focus on their solo activities more right now. Maybe it's because the agency thinks KinKi already went beyond their peak, but as individuals they each have their own obsessive fans. Because of this, on their newest DVD, three ways of viewing were provided for some songs - KinKi viewpoint, Koichi viewpoint or Tsuyoshi viewpoint. In a way, this is destroying their balance, and I frankly hate the way some fans can dislike one artist while loving the other. Sure, you don't have to love them both, I personally prefer Koichi - but what's wrong with acknowledging both their abilities? Tsuyoshi is an amazing person; his self-designed t-shirts, shoes and glasses are all things I'd kill to buy (but unfortunately aren't for sell).
Koichi is one of the best dancers in Johnnys, even with his age (haha xD). Tsuyoshi is one the best musicians, and he has amazing guitar skills (though Koichi is kind of forced to learn to guitar as well because they have duet performances).
Are they artists? It's hard to define them. As long as they're still in Johnnys, it's simply easier to categorize them as idols, but the way they're promoting themselves isn't exactly idol-like either. All of this is worth discussing, but in the end, it's just everyone's personal opinions.
It's also interesting how both of them dislike cameras. While all other Johnnys rush to the camera, KinKi tries to hide all the time. Whether it's Johnny's Countdown or other end of year special lives, unless they're scripted to be filmed, both of them would be hiding behind something. They've actually been scolded for hiding, but neither of them changed. These ninja tactics move over to real life, and both of them rarely get caught in rumours. Maybe that's why they have so many female backdancers, because Johnnys trusts them to not take any of them home after a show. XDD
They have a long history and therefore a large amount of songs. I tried listing a few that stood for them. Key word: tried.
Recommended Songs: Glass no Shounen, Ai no Katamari, Ne Ganbaru Yo, Bonnie Butterfly, Eien no BLOODS, Namida Hito Hira...
hell pit aka Johnny's Jrs., including M.A. and others that disbanded...
Every Johnny idol was an junior once. Before debut, they're all categorized in Johnny's Jrs., no matter what age they are. As a Jr., they're on a different scale of payment, though I really do hope the older ones are on another pay roll; imagine being thirty years old and earning as much as a teenager.
It used to be an unmentioned rule that Johnnys debut at the age of twenty, but that rule was broken. Before them, SMAP, TOKIO and V6 were sort of debuted by the group they were closer with and they pretty much all knew that they were going to debut soon. KinKi Kids debuted way before they hit twenty, which caused a lot of problems because they were super popular then and gets ambushed on their way to school - Koichi had to be late for school every day to avoid the crowd. But then Arashi debuted with none of the members of age. For Tackey&Tsubasa, they also debuted around the age of twenty because they thought 'it was time'. Next is the messy mix of NewS, Kanjani8 and KAT-TUN - they shared the same stage for quite a while, but KAT-TUN hadn't debuted while the agency was trying very hard to promote NewS.
After that came the extremely confusing Hey!Say!JUMP. Every member was born within the Heisei era, meaning their oldest member is the same age I am. For some reason, they were well received on their 'test' CD, and so the agency grouped up ten kids and decided to debut such a group. A lot of fans dislike them because they broke up another junior group, and others just think they're too young. But all considered, I suppose Johnnys just wanted a 'fresh' feeling, and they do feel fresh. Just, in my opinion, not much else.
Being a junior means idol!training. They were given microphones when they're ready, then asked to talk if they have the heart for it, or made fun of or ridiculed or asked to do various other things that would help them find what they're good (or just better) at. After usually five to eight years, they're already natural when it comes to appearing on stage and skilled with the whole entertainment system.
The failure of 4Top's debut disappointed many fans. Especially Ikuta Toma, who is still active in dramas and actually really popular right now. Even so, he's still in the Jrs. category, except it's not like he's really waiting for debut or training anymore. There was some brief thing about Johnny's Srs., but mostly they just become solo workers. At least Toma's doing pretty well by himself compared to most other elder juniors...I mean, look at M.A., with a member leaving after realizing they're going nowhere. Or Yamashita Shoon, who unfortunately was born eleven days (or nineteen if you count those few days) before the Heisei year and therefore couldn't debut with his fellow friends. Where's he going? Most likely, at least for now, nowhere.
I get the system. I mean, everyone wants money, and it's not business without profit. Still, can't help but feel sorry for those that worked so many years, especially considering how they probably don't have many other skills to earn a living. Most of them gets stuck in performing on stage shows because the whole cast is controlled by Johnny in those.
I got into Johnny's Jrs. through Shounen Club, as most people do because the show is broadcasted on NHK and therefore worldwide (mostly). They perform songs from debuted groups and some of their own (if they're lucky), while trying their hardest to appeal to the audience. Some other juniors also appeared in dramas, almost all of them work on stage shows and everyone has to backdance for their senpais. In HSJ's case, older juniors had to backdance for younger kids. Eh.
Most of them are really a lot of fun though, because they're really willing to do anything to get people to notice them. Even watching the debuted groups during their junior period is really fun, seeing how much they managed to ridicule themselves. Or how much they fail at hosting even though they try (remember MC!Kame?). And everything else, really. They're a bunch of kids that work really hard - how much else could you ask for?
Also, A.B.C.-Z and Kis-My-Ft2. Aside from their terrible group names, they managed to get a concert an year and a half after HSJ's debut. But the fact is for now, they really don't quite have enough fame for them to debut - compared to how well-known KinKi Kids and KAT-TUN was, anyway. I like watching them, but as a fan I don't think they're not really idol!material. So, experiment: can pure hard work turn someone into an idol, or does it still take some minimal of talent?
Another honorable(?) mention is Yara Tomoyuki from M.A. (Musical Academy). M.A. is a dancing unit just like Butoukan, and Yara is one of the top dancers within Johnnys. He's another Jr. that's getting kind of old, but still manages to remain relatively active. He's kind of cool. Please do check out his solo performances if you have the time!
Recommended Songs: SUMMARY, Next Dream, Star Seeker (A.B.C.), Kis-My-Me-Mine (Kis-My-Ft2), Beautiful Mind (Question?), Now and forever (Butoukan)
idols, Arashi...
Eh, first thing, they have a really successful debut song. Even though A.RA.SHI doesn't make much sense as a song title, not only is the title same with their group name, but the lyrics are really simple and catchy. I'm not even really a fan and I can sing "You are my SOUL! SOUL! いつもすぐそばにある" without having to look it up. Unlike Glass no Shounen, it's not one of those songs that remain a classic forever, but Arashi doesn't go for that aspect anyway.
I first learned about Arashi from a male classmate who was a large fan of theirs. Come to think of it, Arashi is the second group I got to know after SMAP (not counting Shounentai because I didn't know they were under Johnnys).
In their early years, they were kind of like NEWS, with the company trying really hard to promote them but nothing really working. They debuted even earlier than NEWS did, but didn't do well in most aspects. Unlike Hey!Say!JUMP who for some bizarre reason got to perform in Tokyo Dome on their debut year, or even NEWS that scrapped by and landed themselves with end of year concerts in the Tokyo Dome, Arashi went from zero concerts to large arenas to smaller arenas. In their first seven years, tickets were hard to sell and one sort of wonders why they were debuted so early.
But they really did earn a lot during this time. With the HJS kids, Kanjani8 and KAT-TUN (and probably NEWS), the ones with enough fame are working on dramas, and everyone works a little in stage shows. But Arashi puts their work into variety shows as well (Aiba in Tensai! Shimura Doubutsen, MatsuJun in Utawara), giving them a broad range of jobs. In terms, they're better labeled as entertainers than any other group. Unlike other groups, they've had nine years to settle down, and right now each member knows their exact place in both their own groups and in the entertainment world.
They've also done two Asia tours and traveled a ridiculous amount. They did three movies together, and at least for the first two I'm pretty sure it's because they're not famous enough that the agency thinks it's profitable for the five to appear together. Any other group, or Arashi as they are now, they're more worth working as individuals in different jobs.
Their climb to fame probably started around the time MatsuJun started Gokusen. Then it's Hana Yori Dango, where he perfected his 'vicious kind nature' look. (My mom preferred the Taiwanese version because of the actor, but that's another story. xD) Maybe it's because of these dramas, but my image of him was the typical arrogant idol (*cough* think Akanishi right now *cough*). But seeing him in Shounen Club Premium (another must see show, no matter who's on), it's obvious he has a clear mind and stable consciousness. His concert ideas are also ridiculously fun. Even though I still don't get why anyone would want to see idols dancing above them (what's there to see beside feet moving around?), he's constantly thinking of ways to get closer to their fans. Though he gets impatient a lot, whenever someone is mentioned as a fan of him or Arashi, he immediately shifts manners - an action that shows how much he values his fans, and really gains my respect.
Ninomiya is famous for his acting, but I haven't seen any of his acting so I can't say much. Still, everyone says he's a genius when he comes to acting, and he's been on the red carpet and all that, so it's probably all true? I really want to watch Ao no Hono (The Blue Light?) though...not because of the actor (sorry Nino!), but because the movie itself sounds really interesting. What I have seen is his appearance on Jounetsu Tairiku, and I find him a fascinating person. He's not completely an idol by choice, but since he's more or less employed as one, he treats his job as 'an idol'. As an international actor in front of the world, he told everyone his job in Japan is 'to sing and dance'; though I see he plays jokes on people, I think this is his greatest joke of all. People are viewing him as a Hollywood star actor, but in this chance to shine, he represents Johnny's Agency by saying his job is to sing and dance. Naturally, people are going to think Johnnys is mostly about singing and dancing; in his life where everything is controlled by his agency, this time the joke is on Johnnys.
I didn't know Aiba's in Arashi, but I really enjoy watching Tensai! Shimura Doubutsen (we get that show on TV here). Ohno I know through Maou and its promotions, but aside from knowing he's the artistic type I don't know much else. Sakurai got to be the news caster for the 2008 Olympics for Japan? It's surprising how an idol manages to climb his way to that place, and he's a usual news caster as well, even though he has an image of being idiotic. And he's a Keio graduate! I mean, I know education isn't everything, but without actually being in the usual Asian education system, it's impossible to understand the kind of pressure people can get. Seems like he's the type that gets more clear-headed under pressure, lucky him. Nyah. Also, Yattaman (Yatter?), anime live action remake! I love live action remakes, no matter how bad it could be. The GeGeGe Kitaro movies were bad, but the animation was perfect and the backgrounds and everything was great. I guess I'm still an otaku at heart ♥
They're also famous for how well their members get along with each other. They've never fought - in fact, they got along so well, Johnny-san gave them a reward to encourage other groups to get along the same way. This has a lot to do with their personalities, and fighting/arguing is sometimes another way to get to know each other, but their soft nature is another of their selling points. The same steadiness goes to their attitude toward rumours; other groups usually do what they like and allows Johnny's powers to do damage control for them, but Arashi confronts their own rumours. Ninomiya controlled the situation by showcasing himself; Ohno Satoshi apologized for even appearing in such rumours because he thought he didn't have enough awareness as an idol. In all of Johnny's idols, Arashi is likely the group that most truly appreciate the place they're in. Ten years; Arashi is just the type to grow popular steadily but surely. I wonder what their tenth anniversary would be like?
I'm scared of the Arashi fandom because with their fanservice, I don't want to imagine what fandom is like. It's the same with KinKi Kids - because there's so much I categorize as fanservice, I feel uncomfortable when people come up with other things for them. But Arashi really is the very definition of idols, and they're proud of it ;)
AH. AND. CONGRATULATIONS TO THEIR SUCCESS THIS YEAR!! Even though the total they made is actually less because there weren't as much DVDs this year. xDD
Recommended Songs: A.RA.SHI, Aozora Pedal, Love so sweet, Kitto Daijoubu, Truth
questionable other groups...
There are so many other groups, but I don't pay them as much attention so I can't go into detail with them. Like TOKIO, or SMAP - I know about them, I occasionally listen to their songs (well, mostly TOKIO, the only band-type debuted group in Johnnys), but I can't exactly list each of their members. At least not in romaji (I can probably do kanji, Chinese characters being easier for me). I know a little about them through various variety shows they may host or attend as guests, and I try to find every Shounen Club Premium episode with subtitles, but in the end there's just too many people for me to remember. I can't even remember everyone in my class!
So. Kanjani8 is the group that had a member taken away and ended up with seven. They're the only senior Osaka group, but they have to backdance for other Tokyo senior groups - doesn't take much to see who's more valued. They had quite a lot of good songs when they first debuted, but now that they're more famous their songs are also getting boring. Might be just me? Their members are really weird. By weird, I mean cracky and insane to the point which I'm not sure if they're actually so or they're trying too hard. Might be a Kansai/Osaka thing. Anyway. They also have some really good stage performers...I think. It's hard to keep track of them when they don't release Taiwanese versions of their CD/DVDs.
Another, eh, two-people group of Johnnys is Tackey&Tsubasa. Remember when I said in the KinKi section that with only two members, if you don't have anything aside from the usual member interaction for Johnnys, it's difficult to be successful? That opposite example of that is Tackey&Tsubasa. Their songs aren't, uh, bad - and sometimes, with famous enough groups, it's not really the song that's important. But the simple fact is, they're not selling as well as other Johnny groups. None of their songs enter the charts, and people aren't paying them attention. Both members were really important juniors before debut, but after debut...heh. They do still have fans, but I don't think they're going to get better as time goes on, especially with so many younger groups competing.
Also. J-Friends. Not exactly just J-Friends, but more like that entire generation of older Johnnys, ending at KinKi Kids. SMAP, V6 and TOKIO are around the same time and even the members weren't sure which group they would debut with, making them at least seem like close friends. We see how they interact in old Johnny Countdown and Johnny's Sport Events. They're not exactly idols anymore (aside from Kimura Takuya, who is ridiculously famous and married with two children, the lucky guy), but they still have their own attractive points. Maybe next year, I'd try to get to know them better :)
Recommended Songs: Sekai ni Hitotsu Dakeno Hana (SMAP), Sorafune (TOKIO), Ambitious Japan (V6), Oh! ENKA (Kanjani8), Next 100 Years (J-Friends)
Kondou Masahiko, Shounentai, Hikaru Genji and others excluded because they debuted before I was born. Although some of their songs are really classics that people should try out.
After writing, I realized that instead of writing my personal experience with Johnnys, I wrote down my thoughts on Johnnys' history. So this turned into some sort of recap on what I learned and other bits of information that I thought interesting. I also kind of found out how much worse my neglected English skills have dropped, so I might start writing again recently to attempt at regaining some of that. *sweatdrops* Not sure what I can do with this, but it was fun. Not sharing this anywhere else in fear of fan!wank. This is probably only interesting to me anyway xD
WARNING: If you're a rapid fan of JE and can't stand anyone criticizing your idols, please don't read. Most of this is what I concluded from the information I've read and may not be correct, but they're my opinions and please do respect that. Again, I don't claim to own to anything of JE. Except a few CDs.
Recommended songs are not necessarily my favorites. These are songs that I think really represent the group, whether I like the song or not.
- Concluding my one-year experience with Johnny's.
aka My version of Johnny's history.
from the beginning...
The main reason I consider JE ridiculous is because of the large banners seen in Tokyo streets. They're larger than actual people, and I used to point and laugh. Haven't went to Japan since I became a fan, but I think I'd still laugh...Off topic. Also, my mom used to be a SMAP fan, and anything my mom likes, I laugh at. Which resulted in me laughing at JE in general from the beginning.
KAT-TUN's stage...
A lot of Johnny's fans seem to find KAT-TUN's songs loud or noisy, but as a hard rock/metal fan, KAT-TUN's songs are actually quite mild. I started to listen to them as a rest from all the screaming and emo, because Japanese=Plutonian (see subtle joke in my friend page) in my brain. Then enter the Cartoon KAT-TUN show, and soon I'm converted. :p
The thing is, Johnnys aren't known for their talent. Actually, I think most of them are talentless to begin with. They do make up to it with hard work though, and that's probably the most important difference between Japanese idols and Taiwanese ones. Not that Taiwanese ones don't work, but compared to those Johnnys, it's pretty much like they don't. From what I see (I don't really pay attention to Taiwanese idols, but occasionally they go on the news when there's nothing else to report), Japanese idols are on a completely different level, Johnny's especially so.
KAT-TUN is, pardon me for saying so, the perfect example. The only person who I can see has anything resembling talent is Akanishi's singing, but his voice is unsteady and he's also one of the...less hard-working ones. Oops? Aside from the beginning when he wanted to be a baseball player, Kamenashi is an all-out hard worker. Taguchi had a terrible voice (which still cracks at times), Tanaka went into rapping, Nakamaru studied beatboxing alone, and even though Ueda can't seem to focus on one thing, he tried guitar for a while and his singing improved quite a lot too. And, well, they held out for eight years. Most junior groups got separated before an eight year mark, some of them were hitting twenty without a college degree and a proper job, but they managed to come through.
However, I think KAT-TUN has one major problem. Most of them don't seem to realize that they're idols - Akanishi plainly denies being an idol, which is, honestly, ridiculous. If he wasn't, he wouldn't even have ten percent of the jobs he gets now. It's not like there's anything wrong with being an idol - but KAT-TUN's general disregard toward this aspect has me baffled.
Sure, they held on for eight years. But the agency is actually quite kind to them already - they weren't separated, they were given concerts (more so than any other Jr. group ever), and they were actually introduced as KAT-TUN in both Johnny Sport Events and most importantly, 2005's Johnny's Countdown. At the era when Johnny's Countdown included every debuted group (still bitter about this), among 100+ people they were introduced as KAT-TUN; even if they haven't debuted, that was enough of a major sign to show the agency is investing in them. I'm glad they were pushed back - it cuts down their vanity.
Slowly, I've come to focus on Nakamaru only. He's their local MC, but while he's okay with talking to others and addressing what's on the script smoothly, he's incredibly clumsy when others confront him. He's also kind of wimpy and shy, and he's fun to watch. Probably also the less-vain ones of KAT-TUN, if only because he doesn't have as much fans. It's what makes me like him :)
And they're kind of stupid. (ex. Akanishi can't read kanji.) But it's because they're kind of stupid that makes them fun to watch.
Strange enough, I can't really talk about each other members. I mean, I've spend most of this year getting to know KAT-TUN, so you'd think I have a lot to say, but I can't really think of much. They have so many only!fans (fans that only like one or two of the members), and they're so full of wank that I'm burnt out thinking of things to write. Maybe some other day I'd find the energy to think about them throughly.
Recommended Songs: GOLD, Harukana Yakusoku, Peak, Keep the faith
the very brief NEWS experience...
I have a cousin who really, really loves Yamapi, and therefore NEWS. My first impression of Yamapi is a guy with a larger-than-life face on a poster and pop-up eyes that made me believe he's very near-sighted. Turns out he is near-sighted, but that wasn't the point...Just, since I got into Johnnys via Nobuta wo Produce, I also paid a little attention to Yamapi.
A must-see for all fans is Jounetsu Tairiku. Johnnys has near no influence on that show, so in order to prevent image damage, they rarely allow their idols to be on that show. But because of that, Jounetsu Tairiku really shows us what these people are like, without the sparkles and scripted situations that Johnnys is famous of. And to be honest, I think Yamapi is (or was, it's been a year and more) not ready to take that final step to become a top idol. It's like he doesn't know what he wants yet, or he's still afraid his fans would abandon him, or he's afraid being in Johnnys isn't what he's supposed to be doing. It makes him kind of dull. As an idol, that really doesn't matter, but as an entertainer I really don't think he's interesting enough for me.
That aside, NEWS/NewS is a very odd presence. Ever since their debut, Johnnys has been trying very hard to get them to the top. Pulling Yamapi from 4Tops, snagging Nishikido (and that other guy) from Kanjani8, then increasing their vocal talents with a very new Tegoshi Yuya. I really don't think they have the ability to take over Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve, but for some reason the concert was handed to them from KinKi (sore about this as well...). Their singles aren't even selling very well, but it's happening anyway. It's obvious the agency is trying very hard, though I don't really get why.
Right now, Yamapi is well-known, Nishikido has fans from both Kansai and his dramas, TegoMass has their own fans...but out of a six member group, Koyama and Shigeaki really don't shine. Sure, they both have their stage shows, but stage shows in Johnnys mostly mean there's nowhere else for them to go. Shigeaki's quick-witted and probably really smart as well, and yet so far the smartest we've seen him is his writing - as an idol, writing really isn't how you get famous. As for Koyama, even though he graduated from Waseda's language department, his language skills is really...doubtful. His MC is also one of the weaker ones, and even Johnnys hasn't given him anything other than Shounen Club. (Still, he's probably my favorite from NEWS, if only because he's all 'member-ai' over everything.)
NEWS has a boy-next-door image, yet they're also really trying too hard to change that image (*cough* Yamapi's new solo*cough*). My opinion? None of it is working. They should try to collect themselves first before trying to change.
Recommended Songs: Cherish, Hoshi wo Mezashite, weeeek, Miso Soup (TegoMass)
actually impressed by KinKi Kids...
Watching Nakamaru's first drama Sushi Ouji!, I got to know Domoto Koichi. It wasn't really the best drama ever, but Koichi's performance was interesting, and I liked his voice. Plus the drama song "Namida, Hito Hira" was amazing, and that was my doorway to KinKi Kids. Also, I can't help but giggle at their group name, allowing me to remember them more easily.
What's really interesting is that Johnny found two people with the same family name and banded them together ever since first audition. Usually juniors come in and test out different groups before being placed into one, but with KinKi they were put into the same room upon first meeting and throughout their junior period remained only in this one combination. Makes me wonder what Johnny saw in them at such an young age.
With only two people in the group, there's only three combinations in total - both people together, or each on their own. Without the wide-range in-group interaction Johnnys is famous for in other groups, debuting two people groups is quite a large risk. If they didn't have anything else to sell, the group could easily fail.
Thankfully, KinKi Kids were lucky enough to start out with great songs, and later create their own. Take their debut song for example - during an era when electronic sounds were popular, the songwriter insisted on a minor tune because he believed KinKi suits it better. Not only was the songwriter right, he also wrote the song from a point that the song can still be sung ten years after KinKi's debut; it's rare that such far thought can be put into writing a song. Over the years, they also wrote a lot of their songs - Tsuyoshi is one of the more talented Johnnys, and Koichi's not bad either. "Ai no Katamari", the song voted as fan's favorite on their ten year anniversary album, was written by the two together. It's one of my favorite songs ever. ♥
They're also the only Johnnys group with albums selling better than singles. With people that only want to listen to their songs, albums are much more reasonable and easier to understand. In recent years, they're constantly trying difficult songs, though occasionally I think they're trying too hard - with songs that are too difficult to perform live (ex. Secret Code), even as their fan I have to disagree on these songs.
Each of them focus on their solo activities more right now. Maybe it's because the agency thinks KinKi already went beyond their peak, but as individuals they each have their own obsessive fans. Because of this, on their newest DVD, three ways of viewing were provided for some songs - KinKi viewpoint, Koichi viewpoint or Tsuyoshi viewpoint. In a way, this is destroying their balance, and I frankly hate the way some fans can dislike one artist while loving the other. Sure, you don't have to love them both, I personally prefer Koichi - but what's wrong with acknowledging both their abilities? Tsuyoshi is an amazing person; his self-designed t-shirts, shoes and glasses are all things I'd kill to buy (but unfortunately aren't for sell).
Koichi is one of the best dancers in Johnnys, even with his age (haha xD). Tsuyoshi is one the best musicians, and he has amazing guitar skills (though Koichi is kind of forced to learn to guitar as well because they have duet performances).
Are they artists? It's hard to define them. As long as they're still in Johnnys, it's simply easier to categorize them as idols, but the way they're promoting themselves isn't exactly idol-like either. All of this is worth discussing, but in the end, it's just everyone's personal opinions.
It's also interesting how both of them dislike cameras. While all other Johnnys rush to the camera, KinKi tries to hide all the time. Whether it's Johnny's Countdown or other end of year special lives, unless they're scripted to be filmed, both of them would be hiding behind something. They've actually been scolded for hiding, but neither of them changed. These ninja tactics move over to real life, and both of them rarely get caught in rumours. Maybe that's why they have so many female backdancers, because Johnnys trusts them to not take any of them home after a show. XDD
They have a long history and therefore a large amount of songs. I tried listing a few that stood for them. Key word: tried.
Recommended Songs: Glass no Shounen, Ai no Katamari, Ne Ganbaru Yo, Bonnie Butterfly, Eien no BLOODS, Namida Hito Hira...
hell pit aka Johnny's Jrs., including M.A. and others that disbanded...
Every Johnny idol was an junior once. Before debut, they're all categorized in Johnny's Jrs., no matter what age they are. As a Jr., they're on a different scale of payment, though I really do hope the older ones are on another pay roll; imagine being thirty years old and earning as much as a teenager.
It used to be an unmentioned rule that Johnnys debut at the age of twenty, but that rule was broken. Before them, SMAP, TOKIO and V6 were sort of debuted by the group they were closer with and they pretty much all knew that they were going to debut soon. KinKi Kids debuted way before they hit twenty, which caused a lot of problems because they were super popular then and gets ambushed on their way to school - Koichi had to be late for school every day to avoid the crowd. But then Arashi debuted with none of the members of age. For Tackey&Tsubasa, they also debuted around the age of twenty because they thought 'it was time'. Next is the messy mix of NewS, Kanjani8 and KAT-TUN - they shared the same stage for quite a while, but KAT-TUN hadn't debuted while the agency was trying very hard to promote NewS.
After that came the extremely confusing Hey!Say!JUMP. Every member was born within the Heisei era, meaning their oldest member is the same age I am. For some reason, they were well received on their 'test' CD, and so the agency grouped up ten kids and decided to debut such a group. A lot of fans dislike them because they broke up another junior group, and others just think they're too young. But all considered, I suppose Johnnys just wanted a 'fresh' feeling, and they do feel fresh. Just, in my opinion, not much else.
Being a junior means idol!training. They were given microphones when they're ready, then asked to talk if they have the heart for it, or made fun of or ridiculed or asked to do various other things that would help them find what they're good (or just better) at. After usually five to eight years, they're already natural when it comes to appearing on stage and skilled with the whole entertainment system.
The failure of 4Top's debut disappointed many fans. Especially Ikuta Toma, who is still active in dramas and actually really popular right now. Even so, he's still in the Jrs. category, except it's not like he's really waiting for debut or training anymore. There was some brief thing about Johnny's Srs., but mostly they just become solo workers. At least Toma's doing pretty well by himself compared to most other elder juniors...I mean, look at M.A., with a member leaving after realizing they're going nowhere. Or Yamashita Shoon, who unfortunately was born eleven days (or nineteen if you count those few days) before the Heisei year and therefore couldn't debut with his fellow friends. Where's he going? Most likely, at least for now, nowhere.
I get the system. I mean, everyone wants money, and it's not business without profit. Still, can't help but feel sorry for those that worked so many years, especially considering how they probably don't have many other skills to earn a living. Most of them gets stuck in performing on stage shows because the whole cast is controlled by Johnny in those.
I got into Johnny's Jrs. through Shounen Club, as most people do because the show is broadcasted on NHK and therefore worldwide (mostly). They perform songs from debuted groups and some of their own (if they're lucky), while trying their hardest to appeal to the audience. Some other juniors also appeared in dramas, almost all of them work on stage shows and everyone has to backdance for their senpais. In HSJ's case, older juniors had to backdance for younger kids. Eh.
Most of them are really a lot of fun though, because they're really willing to do anything to get people to notice them. Even watching the debuted groups during their junior period is really fun, seeing how much they managed to ridicule themselves. Or how much they fail at hosting even though they try (remember MC!Kame?). And everything else, really. They're a bunch of kids that work really hard - how much else could you ask for?
Also, A.B.C.-Z and Kis-My-Ft2. Aside from their terrible group names, they managed to get a concert an year and a half after HSJ's debut. But the fact is for now, they really don't quite have enough fame for them to debut - compared to how well-known KinKi Kids and KAT-TUN was, anyway. I like watching them, but as a fan I don't think they're not really idol!material. So, experiment: can pure hard work turn someone into an idol, or does it still take some minimal of talent?
Another honorable(?) mention is Yara Tomoyuki from M.A. (Musical Academy). M.A. is a dancing unit just like Butoukan, and Yara is one of the top dancers within Johnnys. He's another Jr. that's getting kind of old, but still manages to remain relatively active. He's kind of cool. Please do check out his solo performances if you have the time!
Recommended Songs: SUMMARY, Next Dream, Star Seeker (A.B.C.), Kis-My-Me-Mine (Kis-My-Ft2), Beautiful Mind (Question?), Now and forever (Butoukan)
idols, Arashi...
Eh, first thing, they have a really successful debut song. Even though A.RA.SHI doesn't make much sense as a song title, not only is the title same with their group name, but the lyrics are really simple and catchy. I'm not even really a fan and I can sing "You are my SOUL! SOUL! いつもすぐそばにある" without having to look it up. Unlike Glass no Shounen, it's not one of those songs that remain a classic forever, but Arashi doesn't go for that aspect anyway.
I first learned about Arashi from a male classmate who was a large fan of theirs. Come to think of it, Arashi is the second group I got to know after SMAP (not counting Shounentai because I didn't know they were under Johnnys).
In their early years, they were kind of like NEWS, with the company trying really hard to promote them but nothing really working. They debuted even earlier than NEWS did, but didn't do well in most aspects. Unlike Hey!Say!JUMP who for some bizarre reason got to perform in Tokyo Dome on their debut year, or even NEWS that scrapped by and landed themselves with end of year concerts in the Tokyo Dome, Arashi went from zero concerts to large arenas to smaller arenas. In their first seven years, tickets were hard to sell and one sort of wonders why they were debuted so early.
But they really did earn a lot during this time. With the HJS kids, Kanjani8 and KAT-TUN (and probably NEWS), the ones with enough fame are working on dramas, and everyone works a little in stage shows. But Arashi puts their work into variety shows as well (Aiba in Tensai! Shimura Doubutsen, MatsuJun in Utawara), giving them a broad range of jobs. In terms, they're better labeled as entertainers than any other group. Unlike other groups, they've had nine years to settle down, and right now each member knows their exact place in both their own groups and in the entertainment world.
They've also done two Asia tours and traveled a ridiculous amount. They did three movies together, and at least for the first two I'm pretty sure it's because they're not famous enough that the agency thinks it's profitable for the five to appear together. Any other group, or Arashi as they are now, they're more worth working as individuals in different jobs.
Their climb to fame probably started around the time MatsuJun started Gokusen. Then it's Hana Yori Dango, where he perfected his 'vicious kind nature' look. (My mom preferred the Taiwanese version because of the actor, but that's another story. xD) Maybe it's because of these dramas, but my image of him was the typical arrogant idol (*cough* think Akanishi right now *cough*). But seeing him in Shounen Club Premium (another must see show, no matter who's on), it's obvious he has a clear mind and stable consciousness. His concert ideas are also ridiculously fun. Even though I still don't get why anyone would want to see idols dancing above them (what's there to see beside feet moving around?), he's constantly thinking of ways to get closer to their fans. Though he gets impatient a lot, whenever someone is mentioned as a fan of him or Arashi, he immediately shifts manners - an action that shows how much he values his fans, and really gains my respect.
Ninomiya is famous for his acting, but I haven't seen any of his acting so I can't say much. Still, everyone says he's a genius when he comes to acting, and he's been on the red carpet and all that, so it's probably all true? I really want to watch Ao no Hono (The Blue Light?) though...not because of the actor (sorry Nino!), but because the movie itself sounds really interesting. What I have seen is his appearance on Jounetsu Tairiku, and I find him a fascinating person. He's not completely an idol by choice, but since he's more or less employed as one, he treats his job as 'an idol'. As an international actor in front of the world, he told everyone his job in Japan is 'to sing and dance'; though I see he plays jokes on people, I think this is his greatest joke of all. People are viewing him as a Hollywood star actor, but in this chance to shine, he represents Johnny's Agency by saying his job is to sing and dance. Naturally, people are going to think Johnnys is mostly about singing and dancing; in his life where everything is controlled by his agency, this time the joke is on Johnnys.
I didn't know Aiba's in Arashi, but I really enjoy watching Tensai! Shimura Doubutsen (we get that show on TV here). Ohno I know through Maou and its promotions, but aside from knowing he's the artistic type I don't know much else. Sakurai got to be the news caster for the 2008 Olympics for Japan? It's surprising how an idol manages to climb his way to that place, and he's a usual news caster as well, even though he has an image of being idiotic. And he's a Keio graduate! I mean, I know education isn't everything, but without actually being in the usual Asian education system, it's impossible to understand the kind of pressure people can get. Seems like he's the type that gets more clear-headed under pressure, lucky him. Nyah. Also, Yattaman (Yatter?), anime live action remake! I love live action remakes, no matter how bad it could be. The GeGeGe Kitaro movies were bad, but the animation was perfect and the backgrounds and everything was great. I guess I'm still an otaku at heart ♥
They're also famous for how well their members get along with each other. They've never fought - in fact, they got along so well, Johnny-san gave them a reward to encourage other groups to get along the same way. This has a lot to do with their personalities, and fighting/arguing is sometimes another way to get to know each other, but their soft nature is another of their selling points. The same steadiness goes to their attitude toward rumours; other groups usually do what they like and allows Johnny's powers to do damage control for them, but Arashi confronts their own rumours. Ninomiya controlled the situation by showcasing himself; Ohno Satoshi apologized for even appearing in such rumours because he thought he didn't have enough awareness as an idol. In all of Johnny's idols, Arashi is likely the group that most truly appreciate the place they're in. Ten years; Arashi is just the type to grow popular steadily but surely. I wonder what their tenth anniversary would be like?
I'm scared of the Arashi fandom because with their fanservice, I don't want to imagine what fandom is like. It's the same with KinKi Kids - because there's so much I categorize as fanservice, I feel uncomfortable when people come up with other things for them. But Arashi really is the very definition of idols, and they're proud of it ;)
AH. AND. CONGRATULATIONS TO THEIR SUCCESS THIS YEAR!! Even though the total they made is actually less because there weren't as much DVDs this year. xDD
Recommended Songs: A.RA.SHI, Aozora Pedal, Love so sweet, Kitto Daijoubu, Truth
questionable other groups...
There are so many other groups, but I don't pay them as much attention so I can't go into detail with them. Like TOKIO, or SMAP - I know about them, I occasionally listen to their songs (well, mostly TOKIO, the only band-type debuted group in Johnnys), but I can't exactly list each of their members. At least not in romaji (I can probably do kanji, Chinese characters being easier for me). I know a little about them through various variety shows they may host or attend as guests, and I try to find every Shounen Club Premium episode with subtitles, but in the end there's just too many people for me to remember. I can't even remember everyone in my class!
So. Kanjani8 is the group that had a member taken away and ended up with seven. They're the only senior Osaka group, but they have to backdance for other Tokyo senior groups - doesn't take much to see who's more valued. They had quite a lot of good songs when they first debuted, but now that they're more famous their songs are also getting boring. Might be just me? Their members are really weird. By weird, I mean cracky and insane to the point which I'm not sure if they're actually so or they're trying too hard. Might be a Kansai/Osaka thing. Anyway. They also have some really good stage performers...I think. It's hard to keep track of them when they don't release Taiwanese versions of their CD/DVDs.
Another, eh, two-people group of Johnnys is Tackey&Tsubasa. Remember when I said in the KinKi section that with only two members, if you don't have anything aside from the usual member interaction for Johnnys, it's difficult to be successful? That opposite example of that is Tackey&Tsubasa. Their songs aren't, uh, bad - and sometimes, with famous enough groups, it's not really the song that's important. But the simple fact is, they're not selling as well as other Johnny groups. None of their songs enter the charts, and people aren't paying them attention. Both members were really important juniors before debut, but after debut...heh. They do still have fans, but I don't think they're going to get better as time goes on, especially with so many younger groups competing.
Also. J-Friends. Not exactly just J-Friends, but more like that entire generation of older Johnnys, ending at KinKi Kids. SMAP, V6 and TOKIO are around the same time and even the members weren't sure which group they would debut with, making them at least seem like close friends. We see how they interact in old Johnny Countdown and Johnny's Sport Events. They're not exactly idols anymore (aside from Kimura Takuya, who is ridiculously famous and married with two children, the lucky guy), but they still have their own attractive points. Maybe next year, I'd try to get to know them better :)
Recommended Songs: Sekai ni Hitotsu Dakeno Hana (SMAP), Sorafune (TOKIO), Ambitious Japan (V6), Oh! ENKA (Kanjani8), Next 100 Years (J-Friends)
Kondou Masahiko, Shounentai, Hikaru Genji and others excluded because they debuted before I was born. Although some of their songs are really classics that people should try out.
After writing, I realized that instead of writing my personal experience with Johnnys, I wrote down my thoughts on Johnnys' history. So this turned into some sort of recap on what I learned and other bits of information that I thought interesting. I also kind of found out how much worse my neglected English skills have dropped, so I might start writing again recently to attempt at regaining some of that. *sweatdrops* Not sure what I can do with this, but it was fun. Not sharing this anywhere else in fear of fan!wank. This is probably only interesting to me anyway xD