Since we're about half-way through the year now, I thought I'd take a look back at the list of fandom Johnny's-related things I hoped would happen this year (see
here) and see how things have turned out at the half-way mark.
1. Ebi releasing an album
Yay! This happened! It was a great album!
2. On Kisumai's next album, one or more of SMY2 getting a solo song
Obviously this has not happened. -_- If it had happened I probably would have actually ordered Kisumai's album, but at least it's good I saved money from that because Johnny's WEST has announced their first album. ^^
3. An Ebi member getting a lead drama role
Even better, all of the Ebi members are starring in Mahou Danshi Cherry's! I keep wanting to write my thoughts on this drama here, but because it's only a half-hour show, it's hard to pin down how I feel about it. Still, I have mostly positive feelings about the show so far. ^^
4. Yokoo getting any drama or movie role
Yokoo appeared in an episode of Saibanchou, Onaka ga Sukimashita, so this one came true too! (Although I haven't even come close to finishing that drama and actually seeing Yokoo's episode. >_<)
5. V6 appearing as a group on VS Arashi
Still hoping for this one.
6. More Johnny's guesting on VS Arashi in general
Johnny's are still guesting on VS Arashi pretty regularly.
7. A.B.C-Z no Ienai yo becoming a regular show
I am losing hope for this one. T_T
Speaking of A.B.C-Z no Ienai yo, that reminds me of an interesting list I found in the July issue of Popolo. There was a whole big section about Johnny's variety shows, including reader rankings, and one of the rankings was "Variety shows you want to see again". The rank was as follows (I'm not familiar with all of these shows, so sorry if I romanize something weird):
1. You Konto Shichainayo
2. Kiss My Fake
3. Gakkou e Ikou
4. Kanpani
5. Arashi no Shukudai-kun
6. Yanyan JUMP
7. Himitsu no Arashi-chan
8. A.B.C-Z no Ienai yo
9. 8ji da J
10. Soukon
I am pretty glad other fans liked A.B.C-Z no Ienai yo enough to list it here. I am also not at all surprised at You Konto Shichainayo making it. I really hope they make it a yearly or semiannual thing! There's a lot of really popular older Johnny's shows on the list too. ♥ The only one I don't get is Kiss My Fake being on there, especially in the #2 spot, since I found that show so boring I stopped watching after a few episodes, but there are a lot of Kisumai fans, and a lot of Kisumai fans would be regular Popolo readers, so *shrugs*.