寝ても覚めても嵐

Post-sale #6

For Margarita, whose fave member is Sho-kun:

[2000.06] duet

[2000.06] duet

scan: mellowdee

When I heard that we'd be doing a concert, I immediately thought about how my solo would be. Among the songs I've always wanted to have a go at, I decided on Can't Take My Eyes Off You, since I figured it'd be more fun to do a song that everyone knows. Also, I wanted to do something fun together with the audience, so I suggested we do Para Para. MatsuJun wanted to do a Japanese-style number, and with that it was decided that we'd do one with Japanese drums. We practiced for around five hours, with all of us getting blisters on our hands. As for Ohno-kun's solo, it was decided that we'd dance backup for him. It was my first time to dance backup for a fellow member, but I was really happy to be able to support Ohno-kun. Anyway, I think our concert was kinda like our debut single A.RA.SHI, with its many different elements. It's a different kind of intensity compared to when we were Jrs.

Post-sale #5

For Angela and Jamielou, whose fave members are Nino and Sho-kun, respectively:

[2005.11.21] oricon style

[2005.11.21] oricon style

scan: shinigamitabris

Questions for Arashi from oricon style readers

PART I: Solo edition

#3 NINOMIYA KAZUNARI

#5 SAKURAI SHO

Q1 How do you relieve stress? (24, male, Fukuoka)

A I don't build up stress. As my mom was fond of saying: "If you're going to save up stress, save up some money instead" (laughs).

A Hang out with my friends and just goof around.

Q2 Who is the fastest learner during dance lessons? (21, male, Mie)

A Sho-kun......'cause just right now Sho-kun was pointing to himself. Well, but of course it's me. I don't think I'm fast myself, but I'm the one who takes breaks the most during lessons. 

A Nino. He learns quickly, and forgets rarely. He can also still remember correctly the moves to songs from several years ago.

Q3 Is there anyone among the members who make you go, "I honestly do not know what the heck this guy's thinking"? (29, male, Osaka)

A If I have to give a name, I guess it'd have to be Aiba.

A For the most part I pretty much get them. Ohno-kun sometimes says and does crazy stuff. If you mean the one whose next move you can't guess, I guess it'd have to be Ohno-kun.

Q4 How do you spend your days off? (22, female, Kanagawa)

A Depends on the day. There are times when I play video games; other times I compose music and write stuff.

A If I get a break of around two and a half days I'd travel, but if I have only a day I do almost nothing. The most I do is go shopping.

Q5 If you were to tell us three latest big news, what would they be? (18, female, Chiba)

A (1) Aiba-kun's stage play has ended. (2) Matsumoto-kun's drama series has started. (3) Leader's stage play has ended.

Q5 Tell us three latest big news. (22, female, Aichi)

A (1) I went to Thailand. (2) I went to Beijing. (3) I'm doing a movie!

Q6 If you were to compare the other members to weather, what would they be? (18, female, Niigata)

A I can't possibly compare the five of us to weather!

Q6 If you were to tell us something about a member that you and only you know, what would it be? (22, female, Aichi)

A I've been to Ohno-kun's favorite restaurant. It's a great place. Just as expected!

Q7 What's the first song you want to listen to in the morning? (17, female, Kanagawa)

A Acacia by Remioromen. It's refreshing.

A Something by, say, Jack Johnson would be nice, don't you think?

Q8 Are there times when you feel, "I sure am getting old..."? (22, male, Nagasaki)

A Nope. I don't live that recklessly!

A Nope. I'm still 23, and still want to have a go at it (laughs).

Q9 Among stuff you've bought recently, what has been a definite hit with you? (25, male, Yamagata)

A My notebook and mechanical pencil, 'cause I've been writing a novel lately. 

A I bought a laptop to use on breaks during the movie shoot. I do stuff like compose songs and exchange e-mails with friends abroad with it.

Q10 What's the one thing you really want to do this year? (20, female, Osaka)

A I think I've done what I wanted to do. If I have to say, well, in planning to do something, you have yet to actually do what you have to do, so I want to do that!

A I want to buy a bicycle! After filming for the movie ends, I'm going to start commuting with a bike to stay healthy. What? Hey, I'm not getting old (laughs).

Post-sale #4

For Miah, whose fave member is Leader. Thanks for buying.

[2002.08] duet

[2002.08] duet

scan: mori1104

People I look up to

Yes, there are people I respect, and that's everyone in the whole wide world (laughs). I mean, I think everyone's better than me. I'm probably the nadir of the entire human race...like KARE [the character he played in last year's PLAYZONE] (laughs). Joking aside, I do think that each and everyone has something that's worthy of respect.

Among those close to me, I really look up to my mom. I mean, even at my age, I can still talk easily with my parents. I've been listening to tales of their past trials and tribulations recently, and they were all stories that just made me go, "Wow, amazing!" My respect for them is renewed once again.

Yup, I really get along well with my mom. I can talk with her about anything, be it personal or work stuff, or just plain worries. In turn, my mom also consults with me about her problems. In a way, she's like my best friend.

Friends

I've been hanging out a lot these days with this guy who's a bit older than me, who works as a regular salaryman. He's a friend of someone from my neighborhood, and that's how we became close. The other day we were like, "I wanna eat bento outdoors," and so he, his girlfriend, and I got together by the river in our neighborhood. I took pictures of the two of them and stuff, which made me feel a bit lonely (laughs).

He's also in a band, and he's got some honest-to-goodness recording equipment in his house. At first we were composing songs together and seriously recording them and all, but lately we've gotten bored with recording music. Right now we're recording a short radio play. We've split it up between male and female roles, and say lines like, "Would you like some wine?" "Certainly..." It's ridiculous, and we really get such a kick out of it (laughs). Hey, it's not everyday you find someone who's willing to do crazy stuff with you. For me he's invaluable.

Arashi members

They're an irreplaceable presence in my life; it's like I wouldn't know what to do if they weren't around! We're always goofing around together. If ever they just up and disappear...I'd be devastated, and surely cry my eyes out (laughs).

Post-sale #3

For naj, whose fave member is MatsuJun. Thanks for buying.

[199X.XX] ?

[199X.XX] ?
scan: arimi_skywalker

Top three things I'm into right now: sleep, play, and learn.

First, 'sleep'. Lately, I get really giddy whenever I look at a futon. It fills me with feelings of joy (laughs). I'm happiest when I'm sleeping in a futon. One really needs a futon to sleep like a log. But when I'm exhausted, there are times when I don't reach the futon and just fall asleep on the sofa.

As for 'play', I'm always like watching videos and playing video games with fellow Jrs. The ones I've been hanging out with a lot these days are, as expected, Aiba-kun and Yokoyama-kun, who are in the movie with me. The three of us have pretty much different personalities --- there's like the spaced-out one, the noisy one, and the quiet one (laughs). But it's always fun when the three of us are together. It would be great if we could go shopping together though...

And lastly, 'learn'. I'm learning a lot on the job lately, mainly movie acting, dance, and talk. About acting, reading the script by myself gets me thinking about lots of different stuff, and I feel that I've improved quite a bit, but I wonder if that's really the case (laughs). I still have a lot to learn about talk. It's hard 'cause you really need to kick your mind into high gear, but it's a must when appearing on variety shows, so I really want to get better at it. When I finish working on the movie, I'm going to work harder on dance and talk.

By the way, 'juice rock-paper-scissors' is all the rage on the movie set nowadays. The staff and like everyone play rock-paper-scissors, and the person who loses buys juice for everyone. I haven't lost yet, you know. Also, it's not in my top three, but recently I've been watching SMAP's SU everyday. I never get tired of it even if I watch it every single day; it's that fun.

Post-sale #2

For maila, whose fave member is MatsuJun. Thanks for buying ^^ Added to post-sale #1: Toma's interview, because Toma loves Nino

[199X.XX] ?

[199X.XX] ?
scan: arimi_skywalker

MATSUJUN'S HERO: SON GOKU FROM DRAGON BALL

I first learned about Goku in second grade. I was at a friend's house, flipping through his copy of SHONEN JUMP, when I just happened to open it at a DRAGON BALL page. And just like that, I was hooked. I sure did my share of pretending to defeat the enemy by focusing my energy through "Kamehameha~!!" (that's the pose on this page). I came to buy SHONEN JUMP every week, and I also own most of the collected volumes. The art is great, and all the characters are just fascinating. I think the reason why I'm especially drawn to Goku out of all of them is because he's a hero who combines both cheerfulness and superhuman strength. You really make people get all worked up when you're that strong. And every time he overcomes a challenge, he just becomes more and more mature, in a cool way. All 42 collected volumes are really amazing. Just try and read them yourself. You'll get all excited and enjoy them without ever getting bored.

As for me, I'm a pretty weak guy (!?), so I've never really done combat sports or anything like that. If ever I get superhuman powers just like Goku...hmmm, I wonder what I'd do...I think I'd worry instead. Well, even though there's no way I could ever match Goku in terms of physical strength, I want to be strong in spirit just like him, even if just a little. That's right --- I want to be a strong guy who is always cheerful and never shows weakness to anyone; I really do.

Post-sale #1

For kitin, whose fave members are Nino and MatsuJun. Thanks for buying ^^ ETA: Toma's interview per ryusa's request

[199X.XX] Wink up

[199X.XX] Wink up

scan: I forgot, sorry

Theme of the issue: LOVES!

KAZUNARI NINOMIYA

I love...women! (laughs) I have an older sister, and actually my relatives are pretty much all female. My first cousins are all female, and on top of that even my second cousins are all female. That's why when our family gets together, I'm the only guy around.

("Really? Aren't you actually a girl too, Nino?" asks someone in the room [where the interview is taking place])

Well, actually...kid~ding (laughs).

If I were born again, which one would I like to be? Hmmm, let me see. I've already experienced being a guy, so being a girl the next time around does seem interesting, doesn't it (laughs). But I'll probably turn out to be quite a slacker girl, who won't be spurred to do anything no matter what (laughs). I definitely won't be putting on stuff like makeup; I'm not interested in fashion so I'll probably just wear a t-shirt with shorts all the time, and my hair would be all tousled...geez, sounds like someone who won't be popular with the boys (laughs).

Speaking of things I love, there's really only gaming, right? If I didn't have this job, I'd want to be a writer for a gaming magazine. I'll have the chance to play the games I like, and not having to move around while doing your job is very appealing to me (laughs). Look, because a gamer is someone who doesn't move. The only gamer who does is probably just Yuzuru-kun * (laughs). That's right, the other day while playing games, Yuzuru-kun fell asleep while still gripping the controller. He's the real thing (laughs).

MATSUMOTO JUN

Right now I'm totally into this game called Derby Stallion! When we were doing the stage play, we got together with the staff and played it together in our dressing room. The person who was into it the most was Nino, of course (laughs). Ever since I became a Jr., I really haven't had much time to play computer games, but it's really fun when you do it after a long time, isn't it.

But definitely for me, chatting with everyone is more fun than gaming. Like yesterday, Aiba-kun and I were just talking the whole time. The Jr. are all good guys, and I love them all. During the concert tour, Nino, Ikuta, Yashiro *, the gang and I played in the pool of the hotel where we were staying at, and it was so fun~! We played tag and stuff in the pool, and it's really fun to do physical play, isn't it. This summer I was busy with the stage play, but I still got to to swim in the pool and do some shopping, so it was a really great summer.

As for food, my favorites are yakiniku and sushi. What, I've been saying the same stuff as Osaka-kun *? Osaka-kun and I live near each other; I wonder if it's just the nature of the folks living in our area (laughs). I have an idea! Next time, won't Wink up feature a "Jr. Showdown: Sushi and Yakiniku Pig-Out Battle" photoshoot? (laughs) 

IKUTA TOMA

I love...Nino! Nino may be terribly blunt in his way of speaking, but he's really very kind. I'm not too keen on his always pinching my cheeks though...(laughs). However, my skin has gotten so soft because of it (laughs).

Just recently, I went over to sleep at Nino's house. I was watching Nino play computer games, and before I knew it I was dozing off on the sofa. Nino then gently woke me up and told me to sleep in the futon.

(Sitting beside Toma, Nino wears a smug expression)

After hearing all this you might think he's an extremely kind person, but nothing could be further from the truth (laughs). It's because that day, he actually promised that we'd set off fireworks on the veranda afterwards, but instead he totally ignored that promise and my very existence, and played games the whole day through (laughs). Ah, I really wanted to set off some fireworks!

("Hey I can't help it; I'm an all-out gamer. Maybe next time, okay?" says Nino calmly from beside him.)

Well, even if he's like this, I still love him. I wonder if I'll have a kouhai of my own soon...I may look like this, but I think I'm pretty good at being a mother hen. Everyone, please join Johnny's right this instant! I'd be grateful if you weren't taller than me, though (laughs).

* former Jr.

Downloads

CONCERTS
Johnny's Starship Countdown 2003-2004 Backstage

DRAMAS
Akimahende!
Nekketsu ren'ai-dou

MOVIES
Boku wa imouto ni koi wo suru (iPod)
Kiiroi namida audio commentary

MUSIC
ARASHI NO.1 (ICHIGOU) -Arashi wa arashi wo yobu-
2006.01.24 Extra Storm in Winter '06 "THE SHOW" Sakurai Sho (mirror)
More albums in lossless FLAC format
Concert-only songs
Nino's perfs on Magomago Arashi

RADIO

Arashi - Aiba Masaki no Recommen! Arashi remix
Arashi - JUN STYLE
bay storm
SHO BEAT

Guest appearances

TV
Ai LOVE junior

C no Arashi!
034 2003.02.26 (mirror: .001 .002 .003)
038 2003.03.26 .001 .002
046 2003.05.21 .001 .002
049 2003.06.11 .001 .002
050 2003.06.18
More C no Arashi!

D no Arashi!
041 2004.04.14 .001 .002 .003
045 2004.05.12 .001 .002
046 2004.05.19 .001 .002
049 2004.06.09 .001 .002 .003
052 2004.06.30 .001 .002 .003
055 2004.07.21 .001 .002
060 2004.08.25 .001 .002
088 2005.03.16 .001 .002
089 2005.03.23 .001 .002
096 2005.05.11 .001 .002
More D no Arashi!

G no Arashi!

MUSIC STATION
2003.02.14 Kimi ga iinda/Tomadoinagara
2004.02.13 PIKA**NCHI DOUBLE
2004.08.13 Hitomi no naka no Galaxy

The shounen club

USO!? Japan

001 2001.04.14 .001 .002
002 2001.04.21 .001 .002

Utaban

Others
2000.12.31 Gakibara teikoku 2000!
2004.07.10 Ai no apron 3
2005.11.12 MUSIC FAIR21

2007.03.23 Zoomin!! SUPER
2007.04.06 Hanamaru cafe

Nurseman special promotion (date unknown)

To the other side of the wind!

♥ Thank you, Yoshikazu-chan:

I became an Arashi fan after passing the 50-year-old mark, but they have saved me time and time again. Whenever I felt troubled or depressed about work and relationships and such, their presence gave me strength and courage. I am still quite a novice as a fan, so in no way can I analyze nor critique them. That is why my newly-finished book "Why I came to like Arashi" is not one of analysis or research, but one that tells the story of how I came to like Arashi. Whenever I felt tired from dealing with people, I only have to look at Captain, Nino, MatsuJun, Aiba-chan, and Sho-kun laughing on my TV screen, and I am comforted. Whenever I watch their high-quality performance on their concert DVDs, I also feel like, "I've gotta work hard too!" Unfavorable winds always blow in everyone's lives, not just in mine. In times such as these, Arashi said these to us: instead of worrying amidst the ill wind, let's imagine things going well. I have seriously been saved by these words. These past few years Arashi has been moving only forward at full throttle, and the headwinds will probably get stronger by just as much. During just such times, I want to be the wind at their backs. Arashi! Cross the mountain that is looming right in front of you......to the other side of the wind, to the other side of the wind......!

× The address of Shuukan Gendai, just in case you have some live strains of Anthrax or other biological warfare sitting in your fridge and feel like sending it to them. Or if you're a hacker extraordinaire and would rather send them a virtual virus: [email protected] [email protected] (Just kidding. Sort of.)

☆ This is a critique of the actual article by a fan (and cancer survivor). She wrote that she wants overseas fans to know as well since Arashi has their Asian tour coming up:

The problem is the marijuana thing. But, if you really think about it, if anything Ohno-kun is the victim here.

This involves the law, and its effect seems to be really profound, so I want fans to clearly understand the situation he was in. While saying that, I am only analyzing from bits and pieces of information, but from those I tried to analyze as best as I could, and as much as possible I want to support him objectively and not just emotionally.

During this time, they say Ohno-kun was drunk. The article is written based on the testimonies of "two women". They say that when he was dead drunk, someone said "Look what I've got" and brought out the marijuana and they took their turns smoking it, him included.

Point 1: It is in the women's testimonies that the dead drunk Ohno-kun did not seem to know that the thing that that someone brought out was marijuana, and they think he learned only after getting high. Yet these two women knew that it was marijuana before he smoked it. While knowing beforehand, isn't it a crime to make someone who is dead drunk and clueless smoke it? It surely must have had profound negative effects on his body, and from this one can say that Ohno-kun is a victim of bodily injury.

Point 2: This magazine article is written based on the testimonies of these two women. Why did the editors of this magazine, after hearing their story that marijuana was smoked, not report to the police, but instead write an article which questions Johnny's and Ohno-kun who smoked unknowingly? I mean, this magazine knows the women who knowingly smoked marijuana, so they should have notified the police immediately. Shouldn't they be charged for withholding information?

Point 3: The biggest offender is probably the "someone" who brought the marijuana. These two women know that person, so yet again, why did this magazine not report that to the police?

Point 4: There is only the women's testimonies to back up the story that marijuana was smoked. It seems that no other evidence exists.

Point 5: I don't know legally how much responsibility is placed on actions taken while drunk, but being drunk can make one unable to make clear judgments, so in such circumstances, no matter how you look at it, it was the people around him who knew it was marijuana and made him smoke it who are the ones at fault.

It is possible that Shuukan Gendai holds some other information, but whatever comes out, let's think about it calmly. Even if Ohno-kun himself thinks he's alright, I think he'll probably be sad if the fans are sad.

Edit: I posted this not because I believe Leader smoked that weed (it's innocent until proven guilty for me; it's hasty to believe the allegations of nameless, faceless "Girl A" and "Girl B"), but because orgelpyon-san (thank you very much!) did a good job of pointing out the loopholes in the story. They say Shuukan Gendai still has more pics, including possibly the money shot. However, I've been reading up on the Cannabis Control Law ever since the gravity of the whole marijuana involvement sank, and correct me if I'm wrong, but even if the story turns out to be true, it's highly unlikely that Leader will go to jail:

大○に使用罪はありません
http://asayake.jp/modules/report/index.php?page=print&storyid=719
http://asayake.jp/modules/report/index.php?page=print&storyid=758

The Cannabis Control Law states: "No person other than a cannabis handler shall possess, cultivate, receive, or transfer cannabis, or use cannabis for scientific research." This law does not cover usage. That is, unless one is caught with the drugs in his/her possession, or the plants growing in his/her property, he/she cannot be charged with a crime. A person could be arrested for suspicion of possession/cultivation, but the women's testimonies, if to be believed, clearly state that the pot was not Leader's. It would be unreasonable to nab someone who is not a habitual user for suspicion (not to mention for something that happened years ago).

I still can't help but worry though...someone finally dared to mention it on TV for the first time. Johnny's shroud of silence is keeping everyone on tenterhooks. The antis are unfortunately still at it. Monday is supposed to be fun ZERO/Shukudai-kun day dang it, not dread-the-new-issue-of-Shuukan-Gendai day. Forget about joking, someone send them Anthrax already, if only to restore my peace of mind (kidding again)

● Anyone here a lawyer or law student? Here's a link to an English version of Japan's Cannabis Control Law (all the legal jargon is making my head spin). To be honest I didn't think it was going to be a big deal at first...little did I know that the Japanese law has a very strict and unforgiving attitude towards pot (it is only now that I remember what happened to Paul McCartney). Also, please take whatever rumors you read with a grain of salt...Leader nor the other members did not say anything about it during the recent Music Lovers taping. And "news" from Tokyo Sports and Osaka Sports about Johnny's waging war on Kodansha (which I think is a really bad idea) etc. etc.: these papers are notorious for their lack of credibility.

p.s. Just thought of a way for fans in Japan to appease their sponsors for the next few weeks --- increase their sales:
- switch to au (and say it's because of that guy who sings "puru puru puru puru")
- eat nothing but Tongari Corn and Nino's noodle thingy
- drink nothing but Pepsi Nex and Shava Dava
- move to a new apartment using Able
- buy a Toyota

2008.07.19-08.03 TV PIA

Tonight Leader is going head-to-head with My Neighbor Totoro, which always gets high ratings (> 20%) every time it is shown on TV...Leader, I will have newfound respect for you if your ratings manage not to drop below 10% against this proven ratings-crusher (good luck~).

[2008.07.19-08.03] TV PIA

TV PIA, 19 July - 3 August 2008
scan: supia

7.25 With the death of his best friend, Naoto (Ikuta Toma) finally realizes what the murderer is accusing him of, and that is Naoto's dark memory during his junior high days......Meanwhile, a suspicious man in the form of Ikehata (Musaka Naomasa), a reporter from a weekly magazine, makes contact with Ryo (Ohno Satoshi). (4)

8.1 Another tarot card is delivered to Naoto. Afraid that the next murder will take place, he tails the prime suspect, Yamano (Shimizu Yutaka). It leads to nothing, but it occurs to him that the name of a particular person comes to mind from the sender of the cards "Amano Makoto". (5)

Arashi is the tie that binds

TTT_TTT This is written by a single mother whose 6th-grade daughter suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in toddlerhood and presently has adenomatous goiter:

The reason why we, mother and daughter, became Arashi fans

Around April of last year, my daughter started to say that Aiba-kun, who appears on a certain animal show, is "cool".
I was anti-Arashi, and so continued to ignore such declarations by my daughter.
And since she never asked me, not even once, to buy her this or that magazine or CD, I figured her interest was merely a passing one.

However, when she saw this particular magazine on display at a store at around October, for the first time ever she wanted so badly to own an idol magazine.
Yes.
By that time, she has completely become an Arashi fan.
Not only that, her favorite is not Aiba-kun, but Sakurai Sho-kun.

But, as expected of someone who was anti-Arashi, I didn't take too kindly to this development.
Still, I did rent their CDs from the rental shop, but only their albums.

So, the reason why even I myself became an Arashi fan...
At that time, my daughter did not have many friends at school, and it seems that she suffered from some light bullying.
It might also be because of her condition, but when the two of us had a huge argument once,

My daughter appealed to me in tears:

"I've tried killing myself."

"But, I've stopped after becoming an Arashi fan."

She said something like that to me.
To be quite honest, I was surprised.
Outwardly she showed no such signs, and was very bright and cheerful.
Certainly she didn't hang out with friends after school and such, but since I thought our relationship as mother and daughter was going well,

I was honestly shocked by her teary-eyed appeal:

"Mama, you don't try to understand me."

It was from then on.
That I seriously began to consider just what kind of group this Arashi is, that my daughter loves so much.
I carefully read the Arashi books I bought her. I read their articles in magazines.
And so "anti" changed to "understanding", and further transformed to "fan".

In a sense, this was quite a stunning turn of events for me.
I mean, to be "anti" is to find everything about something wrong and disagreeable.
But when one tries to "understand" it and becomes a "fan", everything turns to happiness, and one can only look upon it in a positive way.
I think the biggest surprise was my own personal change.

And now we, mother and daughter, are fans of Sakurai Sho-kun, and we've been able to collect all of their albums and several of their singles.
We constantly listen to Arashi songs, whether in the house or in the car.
Not only that, we've also bought several of their concert DVDs, and watch them while going "kya~ kya~" together.
We also went for the first time to their concert the other day, and have come to spend such a lovely and wonderful time together. ♥♥

TTT_TTT I feel like giving everyone a group hug *virtually group hugs everyone*