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Arashi: Household Names
Aug. 14th, 2020 04:17 pmArashi has been my stress reliever since 2006. I met them thru Matsumoto Jun, when Gokusen aired in my country. Back then, there weren't that many videos posted in youtube (and my internet was still on dial up type >-<), but I was still able to watch subtitled episodes of Gokusen coz I couldn't wait for the episodes on television. My research led me to discovering that he acted in Hana Yori Dango. I liked Meteor Garden but wasn't really a fan, but HanaDan got me right where I wanted. I liked their version better. It was short, straight to the point and the humor was suitable for me too. Moreover, WISH got my interest and when I searched for their theme song, I discovered Arashi. MV of WISH was so cute and it helped that it was around December when I discovered Arashi and I was feeling Christmasy. Then, I scoured through YT, DM and CR at that time to find videos of them and I saw Jun singing La Familia and that moment when Jun turned to see the other 4 waving behind him and singing the song with him, made me fell in love with him. I clearly remember Nino (didn't know his name during that time) gently looking at him during the production. AAA 2006 was the first concert that I watched and I was really impressed. I mean, everything was new to me. The moving stages, the smooth transition between songs, how fast they change their costumes, all their prods were lively and they had really good songs too! I loved Itsumademo! Their MC was funny too! I found their costumes laughable but that was the least of my concern, because when I finished the whole concert, I just really felt happiness. It was my first time enjoying every part of a concert.
This is what triggered my loyalty to Arashi up to date. Eventually, I became a Nino-tan after watching him in YTM and his Shukudai tsukkomis. Oh, and Ni no Arashi was a hit for me too! Plus Niji! I'm sucker for people who play instruments and can compose their own songs too!
2008 was a quite a memorable year for me because I remember hated Nino's hair in Step and Go and felt relieved when he finally cut it, in time for the VS Arashi (or Himitsu no Arashi?) press conference. It kinda felt weird when they released truth/Kaze no Mukuo eh and One Love consecutively, and was getting good receptions. Weird coz I was under the impression that J&A didn't mind Arashi that much and they liked to promote their kouhai groups. Then, suddenly they were becoming busier with their 3 variety shows, AnS, VSA and HnA. Aside from that, Jun had a movie, Riida got Maou and Nino got Ryuusei no Kizuna. Then you can imagine my surprise, when Truth/KnM and One Love became the Top 1 and 2 2008 Oricon Best Selling Singles. Suddenly, it felt like all eyes were now on Arashi. Then they had, 24 hr TV, AAA 2008 in Kokuritsu. I was already impressed with their dome tours so the Olympic stadium was mind-blowing.
2009 to 2010 was quite amusing especially with the drama relay. Each member had one drama per season and Arashi just had to consecutively release singles plus it was their 10th anniversary too and everything just seemed flashy and fast paced. Endorsements were also pouring left and right. JAL, Nintendo Wii and AU by KDDI were one of my favorites by the way.
Anyway, my love for this group just steadily grew through the years and it was fortunate for me to join the fandom in 2006 because I was able to witness how to gradually found their way to the top and become National Idols and Household names. I still remember how fans would ask people around the world to keep voting for Arashi whenever a site for voting Japanese talents pops up and we would not stop until we got first place. I also get giddy when seniors groups began talking about them on their own variety shows. Taichi from Tokio once mentioned on a program, how good the sales of Arashi were getting and it seemed like it was big news inside the Jimusho. Of course, who could forget Nakai asking Arashi if the audience in Kokuritsu were CGed. haha! It was a also a moment of pride when more and more celebrities, like Yuzu and GACKT, were recognizing Arashi and became fans. I will always be thankful to Oshima-san of Morisanchuu. She stayed loyal throughout these years, she deserves all the fan service she received and continues to receive from the 5 dorks. Johnnys Countdown also became more interesting as Arashi began having more air time and Arashi even got to host it until they were assigned as hosts for Kohaku.
2010 also saw Arashi's first golden time slot granted by Fuji TV, with VS Arashi ,and also their first weekend variety show was for NTV's Arashi ni Shiyagare. At this time, comm groups were all excited and exhausted at the same time because their projects just got longer. 2008-2014 was the golden age for me because comm groups kept popping up and gives us with lots of materials.
2016-2018, became a lot busier for my personal life but I was still updated with Arashi. Comm groups at this point also started to dwindle because of several purges that also happened. Less materials were offered to international fans but at this point, it was nice to see that their popularity has already stabilized and that they were also able to establish their popularity individually as well. It was an achievement to see Arashi along with Ohno's, Sho's, Aiba's, Nino's and Jun's name high up in the yearly talent power ranking, favorite entertainers ranking and endorsement rankings.
As a fan, we share the same amount of pride with each success Arashi achieves. Even up to this date, when things get hard, I remember Arashi's journey and I remember their persistence and perseverance to succeed. Those 5 were lucky to find each other and it was really obvious how they pulled each other up. It really felt like, no matter what results they got, they stayed true to their core because they got each other backs. I just really love these guys and I am so lucky to have encountered them.
This is what triggered my loyalty to Arashi up to date. Eventually, I became a Nino-tan after watching him in YTM and his Shukudai tsukkomis. Oh, and Ni no Arashi was a hit for me too! Plus Niji! I'm sucker for people who play instruments and can compose their own songs too!
2008 was a quite a memorable year for me because I remember hated Nino's hair in Step and Go and felt relieved when he finally cut it, in time for the VS Arashi (or Himitsu no Arashi?) press conference. It kinda felt weird when they released truth/Kaze no Mukuo eh and One Love consecutively, and was getting good receptions. Weird coz I was under the impression that J&A didn't mind Arashi that much and they liked to promote their kouhai groups. Then, suddenly they were becoming busier with their 3 variety shows, AnS, VSA and HnA. Aside from that, Jun had a movie, Riida got Maou and Nino got Ryuusei no Kizuna. Then you can imagine my surprise, when Truth/KnM and One Love became the Top 1 and 2 2008 Oricon Best Selling Singles. Suddenly, it felt like all eyes were now on Arashi. Then they had, 24 hr TV, AAA 2008 in Kokuritsu. I was already impressed with their dome tours so the Olympic stadium was mind-blowing.
2009 to 2010 was quite amusing especially with the drama relay. Each member had one drama per season and Arashi just had to consecutively release singles plus it was their 10th anniversary too and everything just seemed flashy and fast paced. Endorsements were also pouring left and right. JAL, Nintendo Wii and AU by KDDI were one of my favorites by the way.
Anyway, my love for this group just steadily grew through the years and it was fortunate for me to join the fandom in 2006 because I was able to witness how to gradually found their way to the top and become National Idols and Household names. I still remember how fans would ask people around the world to keep voting for Arashi whenever a site for voting Japanese talents pops up and we would not stop until we got first place. I also get giddy when seniors groups began talking about them on their own variety shows. Taichi from Tokio once mentioned on a program, how good the sales of Arashi were getting and it seemed like it was big news inside the Jimusho. Of course, who could forget Nakai asking Arashi if the audience in Kokuritsu were CGed. haha! It was a also a moment of pride when more and more celebrities, like Yuzu and GACKT, were recognizing Arashi and became fans. I will always be thankful to Oshima-san of Morisanchuu. She stayed loyal throughout these years, she deserves all the fan service she received and continues to receive from the 5 dorks. Johnnys Countdown also became more interesting as Arashi began having more air time and Arashi even got to host it until they were assigned as hosts for Kohaku.
2010 also saw Arashi's first golden time slot granted by Fuji TV, with VS Arashi ,and also their first weekend variety show was for NTV's Arashi ni Shiyagare. At this time, comm groups were all excited and exhausted at the same time because their projects just got longer. 2008-2014 was the golden age for me because comm groups kept popping up and gives us with lots of materials.
2016-2018, became a lot busier for my personal life but I was still updated with Arashi. Comm groups at this point also started to dwindle because of several purges that also happened. Less materials were offered to international fans but at this point, it was nice to see that their popularity has already stabilized and that they were also able to establish their popularity individually as well. It was an achievement to see Arashi along with Ohno's, Sho's, Aiba's, Nino's and Jun's name high up in the yearly talent power ranking, favorite entertainers ranking and endorsement rankings.
As a fan, we share the same amount of pride with each success Arashi achieves. Even up to this date, when things get hard, I remember Arashi's journey and I remember their persistence and perseverance to succeed. Those 5 were lucky to find each other and it was really obvious how they pulled each other up. It really felt like, no matter what results they got, they stayed true to their core because they got each other backs. I just really love these guys and I am so lucky to have encountered them.
