Kinki Kids’ new single “Bara to Taiyou” is set to release on 20th July 2016. The composer for this song is The Yellow Monkey’s Kazuya Yoshii and the photographer for their jacket covers is actor Saito Takumi.
The Kinki members combine their individualistic colors in their MV, with Tsuyoshi helming his guitar and Koichi showing his sleek dance. Saito Takumi also tries to link up with the nostalgic feel of the song via his photography.
A live of the song below:
Preorder their new single below:
The Music Day is an annual music festival by Nihon TV. This year it featured some 71 acts spanning 11 hours.
Highlights include: Johnny’s shuffle medley, NEWS and Arashi’s new song.
The show was simultaneously aired on cable channel GEM throughout Asia. Hopefully those with the channel watched it!
NEWS – Koi wo Shiranai Kimi e [NEW SONG!!!!]
Hey!Say!JUMP – Weekender/Maji Sunshine
Sexy Zone – Sexy Zone
Kanjani 8 – Medley
Kinki Kids – Flower/Bara to Taiyo
Arashi – One Love/Happiness
Arashi – Power of the Paradise [NEW SONG!!!!]
Johnny’s Shuffle Medley
NMB48 – Boku wa Inai
SKE48 – Pareo wa Emerald
AKB48 – Love Trip
Nogizaka46/Keyakizaka46 – Dream Collaboration
Kobukuro – Mirai
This year’s Johnny’s Countdown was held in Tokyo Dome and the hosts were the adorkable Arashi. Hey!Say!JUMP and V6 had a concert and Kouhaku commitments respectively so they were filmed separately. Nevertheless, this year was really interesting as fans could choose what they want to see and hear.
Segments and notable moments from the show are summarized below:
No.5: Sakurai Sho & Kikuchi Fuma
Song: Arashi
Sakurai Sho is Fuma’s senior from Keio University and apparently Fuma’s father wrote the lyrics to Arashi’s debut song. Fuma looks so enthusiastic next to Sho but i heard he’s actually a Akanishi shipper?
No.4: Noriyuki Higashiyama & Ohno Satoshi
Song: Nihon Yoitoko Makafushigi
Higashiyama took great care of Ohno before his debut. The song they performed is covered in Arashi’s latest album “Japonism”. Ohno shows some fear before attempting a dangerous backflip which 50-year old Higashiyama did without hesitating.
[Surprise: Yamashita Tomohisa & Kamenashi Kazuya]
[Song: Seishun Amigo]
According to a GirlsChannel report, Yamapi was originally not scheduled for Johnny’s Countdown as he had MV filming overseas. Fans had no option to nominate the duo but they still insisted on sending in requests. The overwhelming response must have resulted in Yamapi’s appearance. Aside from it being the biggest surprise of the night, it was also Kame and Yamapi’s reunion after 6 years so the fans in Tokyo Dome exploded in joy. Kame thanked the fans in the end by giving us a flashback of the Shuji-Akira bromance 10 years ago – a backhug for Yamapi.
Those smiles…I think it would not be exaggerating to say that this scene is worth watching 100 times over!
No.3:Matsumoto Jun & Kawai Fumito
Song: Wish
Kawai is well-known for his dance impersonations of Matsujun and despite Matsujun’s resistance, his impersonations delight everyone.
No.2: Kitayama Hiromitsu & Okura Tadayoshi
Song: (Each other’s songs)
They are apparently good friends!
No.1: Shibutani Subaru & Takizawa Hideaki
Song: Ashita ni Mukatte
These 2 were known as “Takizawa of the East” and “Subaru of the West” during Johnny’s Junior’s Golden Age. I do not know much about this era as it was 17 years ago, but judging from the fan votes here, this pair was huge and still is! “Ashita ni Mukatte” is actually an Arashi song which they often performed in their junior days.
If you want to watch the whole show:
To conclude, this year’s Johnny’s Countdown is a memory worth keeping! Wishing all a Happy New Year!
The biggest news of the night: Taguchi Junnosuke announces departure from KAT-TUN and Johnny’s Jimusho. Taguchi says he’s turning 30 soon and this decision was made for the sake of his future.
Taguchi’s announcement
I am just sad that this once-upon-million-selling-group is disintegrating in this manner.
On to the performances…
Johnny’s Family
Hey!Say!JUMP – Kimi Attraction
Arashi – Sakura/Aozora no Shita, Kimi no tonari/ Ai wo Sakebe
Matsumoto is so dorky in this performance and as usual “Ai wo Sakebe” is a godly performance!
Kinki Kids – Yume wo mireba Kizutsuku koto mo aru
V6 – Wait for you/ 20th anniversary medley
Johnny’s Love Songs Medley Part 1
Kinki Kids – Ai no Katamari
Kanjani8 – Tsuyoku Tsuyoku Tsuyoku
Johnny’s WEST – All my love
Hey!Say!JUMP – AinoArika
Arashi – Love so sweet
Johnny’s Love Songs Medley Part 2
TOKIO – Love you only
KAT-TUN – Kiss Kiss Kiss
Tackey & Tsubasa – Ai ha Takaramono
NEWS – Ai Kotoba
V6 – Ai nanda
I saw Girlschannel users looking forward to NEWS’ “Ai Kotoba” and indeed it’s a GREAT song!
LDH Inc.
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Summer Madness
E-girls – Dance dance dance
48/46 Group
AKB48 – 365nichi no Kami Hikouki / Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby
I prefer the Asa ga Kita song over Kuchibiru. Kuchibiru has a good tune, really colorful like what you’d find in a carnival but the lyrics are simpler than simple, and cutesy just doesn’t work for most members now. Quite honestly, i’m cringing whenever Takamina does the winks and pouts.
HKT48 – Shekarashika
NMB48 – Durian Shonen
SKE48 – Mae no Meri
AKB48 – Heavy Rotation
Nogizaka46 – Ima, Hanashitai dare ka ga iru
Update: Most 48 videos gone but i’ve found alternative sources. Check them out quickly if you haven’t..
This is a special episode to celebrate Music Station’s 30th anniversary. Show was 10hours long and featured many major acts including X Japan, Ayumi Hamasaki, EXILE, 48Group, Johnny’s Family etc.
48/46 Group
Nogizaka46 – Nandome no Aozora ka
Ikuta Erika wows with her piano solo and opera voice. What a talent wasted as an idol!
HKT48 – Melon Juice
SKE48 – Pareo wa Emerald
NMB48 – Nagiichi
AKB48 – Ponytail to Shushu/ Everyday, Kachuusha / Koisuru Fortune Cookie (Kimutaku center)
The biggest winner from this performance is SMAP’s Kimutaku, who was forced into the KFC performance by Sashihara. Despite the annoyance on his face, he performed the full choreography perfectly, impressing netizens with his professionalism.In the end Kimutaku said “Music Station does things like this?”
Other members who attracted most attention tonight…
Many comments from GirlsChannel on Mayuyu’s growing beauty and how she’s shaken off the idol look.
Within 48 fandom, many gushed over cute Paruru’s healthy return to senbatsu. I have to say Paruru’s signature twintails are really cute! Many are calling Payuyu the strongest combi in AKB48.
Johnny’s Family
Johnny’s performances are quite fun this time around as we have live video footage of Arashi from their Miyagi concert, and medleys where the idols are grouped according to their generation. It is quite interesting to see for example, Nishikido Ryo standing next to NEWS, and KAT-TUN performing Real Face with just 4 members. *Heart pinch*
Which Johnny’s generation do you belong to? Mine is Ikemen Generation.
Masahiko Kondo – Gin Gira Gin ni Sarigenaku
Arashi – Hadashi no Mirai/Carnival Night part2/GUTS!
SMAP – Yozora no Mukou /Dear WOMAN / Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana
Boys Generation
Johnny’s WEST – Eejyanaika
A.B.C-Z – Za ABC~5stars~
Sexy Zone – Sexy Zone
Hey!Say!JUMP – Come on a my house
Ikemen Generation
KAT-TUN – Real Face
Kanjank8 – Zukkoke Otokomichi
NEWS – Chankapana
Tackey & Tsubasa – Venus
Ojisan Generation
Kinki Kids – Glass no Shounen
V6 – WA ni Natte Odorou
TOKIO – Love you only
LDH Inc.
GENERATIONS – Brave it out
E-girls – Follow me
EXILE – Choo Choo Train/Rising Sun
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – R.Y.U.S.E.I.
Other acts
Fukuyama Masaharu – HELLO / Sakurazaka
Nishino Kana – Darling
Morning Musume ’15 – Love Machine
X Japan – Kurenai / Forever Love
Beautiful performance though i’m not a fan..
L’Arc~en~Ciel – HONEY
Ayumi Hamasaki – A song is born
Yet another music festival! This was broadcasted on 4th July 2015 and lasted around 7 hours. My favourites this time gotta be Kanjani8’s “Wahaha” and Tackey & Tsubasa’s summer medley.
Johnny’s Family
Arashi – Love Rainbow/Monster/Ao sora no shita, kimi no tonari
Arashi – Troublemaker
Kinki Kids – Zenbu Dakishimete/Speak Low
KAT-TUN – Keep the faith/Kiss Kiss Kiss
Tackey & Tsubasa – Daki Natsu/Ho! Summer
V6 – Wa ni natte odorou/Music for the people/Darling/Ai nanda/Take me higher/Wait for you
NEWS – Kibou~Yell~/Chumu Chumu
Hey!Say!JUMP – Ride with me/Kira Kira Hikare
Johnny’s WEST – Very Happy
TOKIO – Ririkku/Sorafune
Kanjani8 – Mae Muki Scream/Wahaha
Johnny’s Family Medley
48/46 Group
NMB48 – Durian Shonen
SKE48 – Coquettish Jyuutaichu
HKT48 – 12Byou
AKB48 – Koisuru Fortune Cookie
AKB48 – Halloween Night/Heavy Rotation/Aitakatta
Nogizaka46 – Taiyou Knock
LDH Inc
GENERATIONS – Evergreen
J Soul Brothers – Summer Madness/R.Y.U.S.E.I
EXILE – 24karats GOLD SOUL
EXILE – Rising Sun
E-Girls – Anniversary!!/Gomenasai no Kissing You
Crystal Kay & Flower – Koi ni ochitara
Others
Yuzu – Owaranai Uta
Mr Children – Starting Over
This is another music festival aired a few days ago on June 24, via TV Tokyo. It was about 4hrs long and notable acts are below.
48/46 Group
AKB48 – Heavy Rotation
NMB48 – Durian Shonen
SKE48 – Coquettish Juutai chuu
HKT48 – 12 Byou
AKB48 – Bokutachi wa Tatakawai/Koisuru Fortune Cookie
I find Riripo and her wink very cute!
Nogizaka46 – Taiyou Knock
Johnny’s Family
Kanjani8 – Tsuyoku Tsuyoku Tsuyoku/Musekinin Hero
NEWS – weeeek/Chumu Chumu
TOKIO – Love,Holiday/Ambitious Japan!
TOKIO – Love you only
Kinki Kids – Garasu no Shonen/Ai sareru yori Ai shitai/Flower/Hakka Candy
When i saw Koichi, it feels like i’m seeing a Prince!
Hey!Say!JUMP – Seniors’ Medley/Ultra Music Power/Kira Kira Hikare
Liking their new song~
Johnny’s West – Ee ja nai ka/Very Happy/
Hello Project Group
Morning Musume OG – Hold on me!/Love Machine/Koi no Dance Site/Happy Summer Wedding
Morning Musume ’15 – Seishun Kozou ga Naiteru
Others
Golden Bomber – Memeshikute
Golden Bomber – Shin da Tsuma ni Niteiru
Sekai no Owari – Starlight Parade/Moonlight Station
Superfly – Tamashii Revolution/Beautiful
Selected performances below….
Che’nelle – Happiness(with Matsushita Nao on the piano)
FINALLY this song has been performed! I can never get enough of it. Beautiful voice and lyrics, all self-penned by the singer herself!
Johnny’s Family
A full blown Johnny’s artistes collaboration to celebrate Kondo Masahiro’s 35th year of debut.
This is practically a miracle cause Johnny’s artistes are split into 2 factions and they have never collaborated in this manner. The inclusion of SMAP really means alot for the fans as well as for the agency. Erm wait, where’s Yamapi?
In order of appearance:
1. Johnny’s WEST – Ee jya nai ka
2. A.B.C.-Z – Crazy Accel
3. Sexy Zone – Sexy Zone
4. Kis-My-ft2 – Everybody Go
5. Hey! Say! JUMP – Ultra Music Power/Ashita e no YELL
6. KAT-TUN – Real Face/ In Fact
7. Kanjani8 – Musekinin Hero
8. NEWS – Kibou ~Yell~
9. Tackey & Tsubasa – Venus (Tsubasa absent as he’s sick)
10. Arashi – A.RA.SHI
11. V6 – Ai Nanda/Sky’s the Limit
12. Kinki Kids – Garasu no Shonen
13. Tokio – Love you only
14. SMAP – Shake
15. Kondo Masahiro (with backdancing from above people)
Kis-my-ft2 – Thank you Jyan!
Kinki Kids – Kagi no nai Hako
NEWS – ONE ~for the win~
Arashi – Bittersweet
Kanjani8 – King of Otoko
Sexy Zone – Hitomebore
AKB48 Family
The rules for live singing must have been changed cos these girls are sounding as good as their CD. Just take a look at the past years’ FNS performances and you’ll know what I mean. What to lookout for, the Mayuki combo with their Christmas jingle!
In order of videos:
1. Mayuki – Awatenbo no Santa Claus
AKB48 – Koisuru Fortune Cookie
2. HKT48 – Melon Juice(with famous mascot Funasshi)
3. Nogizaka46 – Nandome no Aozora ka
4. SKE48 – 12gatsu no Kangaroo
5. NMB48 – Teppen Tottande!
6. AKB48 – Kibouteki Refrain
LDH Family
E-girls – Mr Snowman / Follow me(with mascot Funasshi)
Exile – 24World
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – R.Y.U.S.E.I
Collaboration Performances
Dream5/48group/Nogizaka/Golden Bomber/T.M Revolution/The Alfee – Youkai Taisou Daichi
Hiromi Go/May J – Let it Go
Exile Takahiro/Gospellers – Mimosa (with Nogizaka Ikuta Erika on piano)
As reported earlier, FujiTV’s “Shin Domoto Kyoudai” helmed by Kinki Kids has been given the axe after recording labels and entertainment agencies came together to protest against the producer’s stance against artistes who lip-synch. The program aired it’s last episode on 28th September.
To celebrate its ending with a bang, Kinki Kids performed their last live with a total of 11 songs, some of them including regular casts Takahashi Minami, DAIGO, Nishikawa Takanori and Toshihiko Takamizawa.
Domoto Koichi:”It has been so long, it’s sad that this program has to end. It’d be good if this program can be revived in some way, even if there’s only 1 time.”
Domoto Tsuyoshi: “It’s really lonely since the chances of us doing music will decrease. But we’ll continue to miss music and challenge new things. It was a time of growth for both of us. Thank you everyone and also Koichi kun.”
Domoto Koichi: “Please lend us your strength. Thank you for supporting us all this while. I’ll look forward to the time when we can meet like this again.”
Starting in October, Kinki Kids will start a new program where they drive a car and explore destinations with guests without planning anything in advance.
Tracklist:
-Garasu no Shounen
-Aisareru Yori Aishitai
-Boku no Senaka ni wa Hane ga aru
-Kanashimi Blue (with Nishikawa Takanori)
-Flower (with Takahashi Minami and DAIGO)
-Inochi no Kiseki (with Toshihiko Takamizawa)
-Ai no Katamari
-99% Liberty
-Hey! Minna Genki Kai?
-Zenbu Dakishimete
-Domoto Kyoudai Theme Song ~Last Live Version~
Beyond sad about this….Kinki Kids don’t even come out to sing that often and now i can only wait till Johnny’s Countdown before i can hear them sing again.
The Japanese version of the duet between “Hans” and “Anna” in movie “Frozen” is now immensely popular nationwide.
Kanda Sayaka, the voice actress for “Anna”, previously appeared on Domoto Kyoudai and performed the song together with Domoto Koichi of Kinki Kids. Nicknamed “Prince Koichi”, fans were ecstatic to see him take on the role of “Hans” and sing lines like “Will you marry me?”. Ultimately, he did do a great job with the vocals but knowing that Koichi is a stoic guy, this performance was just too cheesy and embarrassing to watch. Couldn’t help bursting into laughter when the camera panned to Takamina/Nishikawa/Tsuyoshi at the end.
Takamina and Nishikawa’s epic faces: “We lost our souls.”
Tsuyoshi: “We’re never doing this duet again.”
AllThingsJpop 