Johnny's vs SMAP Long Battle - The Chronology

[yanie02]

First of all, I hate this picture. They make it like it's a dispute between SMAP & Arashi. Arashi is innocent. They don't know anything, SMAP's battle with the agency has been going on since before Arashi members were born! Lol, okay, that's an exaggeration, since before Arashi made their debut might be correct^^

Comments

[lilly0]

That was an interesting read, thanks!!

I think one point was missing though:
The rumours about the sexual abuse issues. I think they mainly stopped with SMAP getting more popular. Wasn't there also the rumour of Goro getting beaten up by a dance instructor? Didn't SMAP's rebellious side actually result out of that?

Actually I think it's awesome what SMAP did for the other groups and how their own struggle and path actually made a lot of things possible. Who knows, without SMAP their might not be any idols now... no Arashi and no other idol-bands. The agency was pretty much down when SMAP debuted and rose together with their popularity.

Today...
I think it's mostly a battle between the two top women here. If not, we would have heard about it way earlier already. But it all started only a 2-4 years ago. I guess it's a lot about who will inherit the company. I hardly doubt that any of the gorups are in danger, because... there is still a lot of money to get out of them ^^

However, it would be interesting if SMAP really decided to go independent. They already are pretty independent anyway.

Oh by the way, I think it's fun that Mary said Micchi's group can't dance. I mean, I'm not even a Kisumai fan, but they are by far the most skilled dancers, next to A.B.C.-Z. Also, though Arashi is my 2nd fav band (after Smap), I don't think all of them are awesome dancers (Only Jun and Ohno hardly mess up. They are both dancing really well), while I also think Nakai and Kimura are really cool dancers.

[yanie02]

Hmm... i'm not sure I want to bring up the abuse issues. Shuukan Bunshun was sued because they published article regarding the matter and they had to settle the matter in court for years. I don't want my journal to be shut down for writing about it, lol.

Imo, the safest groups are of those under Julie now. Whichever win the game, they are safe, because Nakai is on Iijima's side, and I never see Nakai favour one kouhai over the other. He treats all his kouhai the same.
What I'm worried about is those under Micchi. SMAP has enough reputation so they are maybe safe, but how about the boys who just started their career? Mary and Julie seem doesn't give a damn about the groups under Micchi's care.

[lilly0]

Well, that's understandable of course ^^
(Do you live in Japan?)

I see, I guess, it might be a problem for Yamapi and Sexy Zone... I'm just curious: Who is managing A.B.C-Z and NEWS?

Funny enough both women have a huge group each under their managment and one or two successful younger groups. It's almost like someone wants to spice things up for publicity reasons... Maybe it's just a huge joke and suddenly a third person will appear and take over everything? ^^
Maybe Mary/Julie are feeling stressed because the agency might not care about blood relation and hand the agency over to someone who works the best?

Also as a Kanjani-fan, I know that most of Kanjani's success came from Kanjani themselves, not because they were managed well. (There were a lot of bitter times, like when they didn't get a DVD release, because they sold too well!)

SMAP and Arashi are my two favourite groups... so it feels a bit weird that this whole fraction thing is carried out on their backs :-/

[yanie02]

ABCZ is with Micchi and NEWS is with Julie.

yeah, especially if SMAP/Micchi decide to leave the Jimusho. I don't think they're gonna take the kouhai groups with them, cos it'll create a turmoil. But if they stay, i wonder if Mary/Julie is willing to take care of them with love XD