[Arashi] Oricon Style - 16 July 2007

"Haji-Hyoushi (First Cover)"
[Front Interview - Arashi 18/11/1998]
When they first debuted, they appeared suddenly on the front cover!
They took the opportunity when they have just released their CD. Focusing on the personalities of the 5 of them, they had a tryout interview. One and a half months after the press conference for their debut, we see them again, this time saying “we hope that Arashi (storm) will be able to cause a stir” this kind of feeling.

[Johnny’s Junior new group “Arashi” CD release – 11/10/1999]
Reporting this posh debut press conference.
The whole of the press conference held on a cruise ship in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii will also be presented to everyone. During the interview, they made a wish of “we must have being No.1 as our goal no matter what it is, we want to enter the 21st century causing an Arashi-stir”.

About being No.1 when they debuted, they weren’t very anxious about it, not knowing what it really means. After so many years, they finally have a solid thought about their No.1 that year, feeling quite happy indeed.

When your debut song A.RA.SHI was announced No.1, do you still remember?
Nino: Very clearly. When we got to know that we got No.1, we were still in the backstage room in Sendai. Then someone said “No.1, congratulations to you guys!”
Sho: I don’t remember anymore~
Nino: Ah~ that’s because you don’t love our Arashi enough! I can still remember very clearly very clearly. Even now towards ourselves who are always having concerts, that No.1 is something worth treasuring.
Aiba: I don’t quite remember also…
Nino: Till that kind of standard, he isn’t considered a member of Arashi, is he?
Sho: Ha ha ha..! That standard is a bit harsh don’t you think?
Jun: Please pardon me, I don’t remember these things anymore! Maybe I’m not that interested in rankings and stuffs. You can say that I never thought about things like getting No.1, I simply feel that I like being able to have a CD as a group.

What was it like when your group was first established?
Jun: This matter, seems like everyone isn’t very close yet.
Nino: (points to Jun) and he’ll use honorific words even.

(Use honorific words) to which member?
Jun: (points to Ohno) this brat.
Nino: See? Now he’s calling him ‘this brat’ instead (laughs)

Ohno-kun, do you remember anything else?
Ohno: …I’m not very interested.
Sho: How important it is to get No.1 at that time, we didn’t know then. After all these years, we gradually sense the meaning behind it and the realistic feeling, very happy indeed.
Aiba: I even go to the CD shop often. When I see the CD of my group placed on the racks, and it’s right where I always roam, this feeling is totally amazing.
Sho: I went to the CD shop too when the single was released. I saw it on the billboard saying “We are Super Boy!” Try listening to them who can sing out their emotions. Ah~ suddenly all the memories came back ne! It’s the first time seeing such a promotion for us, “whoa!!” very happy to see everything in front of me. In memories, this is about it (smile).

(Smile) To sum it up, even that we got No.1, but we don’t exactly feel much about it
Ohno: Hm, how do you put it, at that time things were going on quite smoothly, so I didn’t understand what it meant. Saying that we weren’t thinking of anything at that time, why not put it as we don’t have the time to think about such things.
Jun: What gave me a realistic feeling was when we did “Typhoon Generation”. When “Typhoon Generations” didn’t get No.1, I realized how important the No.1 is.
Ohno: I feel satisfied if we get the 3rd placing. When people tell us “work hard and aim for No.1”, I’m shocked.
Sho: We got 3rd during Sport’s Day, and we got praised even.
Ohno: Yes indeed, so I’d say that it’s quite good like that. But, there’s no such thing (smiles)
Aiba: I can only get the realistic feeling after lots of experiences.
Jun: Which means you never get any realistic feeling? (laughs)
Aiba: I do!! (laughs)
Jun: But then again, just as I thought, the important things are already engrossed deep in our minds. Although our memories will be replaced by new things, but these memories are carefully kept. Ah~ this thing I said is very meaningful, quick jot it down! (laughs)

Arashi’s Choices
Arashi’s No.1 scenes

Ohno Satoshi
[All are concert-related pamphlets] 12/05/2007
It’s a report of comfortable disposition.
I have a really deep impression about the picture which Ken-chan took for me (21/10/2002). But what gave moved me the most are the concert reports. All of them are reports concerning concerts. When we see these reports, we’re both happy and struck with recollections. And this is a way to read our own performance’s report without prejudice, being able to look back at the concert once again. Working hard as we wipe out sweats, it’s because we’re the ones who are performing in the concert reading the report that we’ll be reading with comfortable dispositions.

Matsumoto Jun’s choice
[No one can stop us, we Arashi will cause a stir in Taipei ‘JvDan’ Arena!!] 21/05/2007
JvDan report left a great impact on me.
Definitely it’s because there are 5 of us together that it left a great impact. Lately, the chance of us 5 getting together is less, but if we’re doing interview we’ll be doing it together. Just by reading some older reports lots of memories will appear too… Talk about the deepest impression, I guess it’s the report regarding JvDan (21/05/2007). Hm, indeed I have a deep impression on this, even “Cool & Soul” lyrics were written again.

Sakurai Sho’s choice
[We can become a member of Arashi, this is just too good] 21/10/2002
I don’t understand why the memories are so strongly anchored.
Talk about Arashi’s style, it is actually a combination of all member’s different personalities. I’ve always had this “Arashi’s calming feeling” thought. This is quite good too. We had gone out together to have a cup or two. That happy gathering is still clear in my memories. Why? I don’t even know myself it is so, but this memory is so srongly anchored.

Ninomiya Kazunari’s choice
[We can become a member of Arashi, this is just too good] 21/10/2002
There’s no senpai-kouhai (senior-junior) difference.
This is something to be happy about. No matter what, although you feel that there might be a senior-junior relationship, but there’s no such thing at all. We’ve let the photographer take photos for endless of times, but till now we’re not tired of it. Perhaps those pictures we took before are not here anymore… and they’re those which we took long long ago. Before we regain calmness, capturing our best side and recording it down. That is also a great thing.

Aiba Masaki’s choice
[We can become a member of Arashi, this is just too good] 21/10/2002
The pictures Ken-chan took for us are superb
I guess it’s Ken-chan~ The reason, because he was the photographer who did this for us. The shooting scene was in a coffee house. Ah! I still remember the incident in Osaka hotel (15/09/2003). Because my shirt has the word “スカジャン(Sukajyan)” printed on it, so I remember. At that time I was still arguing about why I’m the only one wearing this “スカジャン(Sukajyan)” printed shirt (smiles). But if I could only choose one, then I’ll choose Ken-chan.

Member’s Solo Songs

Matsumoto Jun solo – Yabai-Yabai-Yabai
A song chosen for recreation spirit
Before I decide upon this song, I’ve hesistated for quite a while. Although there are a few songs to choose from, but I couldn’t find the best one. “Tell me what you wanna be” How was it? I’ve mentioned this before. It’s also in Arashi Around Asia DVD. How about a jolly song with a nice tune? As I’m thinking of this, I’m listening to other members’ solos. I’m surprised that everyone had already found a suitable song. Rock is fine, nowadays we have this kind of songs everywhere, I might as well just try it out for fun. The melody in this solo balanced up what I would like to do, so I chose this song. The song title too, it’s like that from the start, how yabai~ (smiles)

Answers to fans’ questions:
--In your drama “Bambino~!”, what’s the most delicious food? (18, female)
>>The spaghetti Kozue prepared.

--Because your solo’s name is “Yabai-Yabai-Yabai”, please tell me the troubles you’ve encountered lately. (19, female)
>>Thinking about it, I realized that till the concert starts, I’ve lost my personal time these days! Ah… although I’ve always been quite busy.

--From now, if you wanna change your hairstyle, which type would you choose? (22, female)
>>I won’t set up my hair on purpose, depends on my feelings.

--If you become happy when a girl praises you, what kind of girl do you think she would be? (13, female)
>>How do I put it? If that person has a simple personality, no matter what she says I’ll be very happy. But compared to words, it’s the way to express to the other party that counts, that is the important thing instead, isn’t it?

--Please tell me your thoughts on Summer Concert (20, female)
>>Because in the Asia Tour Concerts, Tokyo, Osaka performances, we are only performing once again what we have done before till now. So now after going through all these and maturing as we grow, we would like to show everyone once again and at the same time, bury this summer of 2007 deep into our minds.

Sakurai Sho – Can’t Let You Go
A song of relating lyrics
Although I’ve actually planned to sing a more natural song, but this song hasn’t got that kind of feeling. This song has the feeling of oldies, I like it very much. The arrangements are by “Cool & Soul” arranger Mr. Kichioka Taku, I’ve arranged some songs with him before, but after we work together officially, I can’t contact him anymore. Not long after, Taku-san gave me the song he finished, because I’m good at raps, so when I heard the demo, I realized that Taku-san changed some of the tunes. So I did some changes to my raps also. This kind of interaction between music is just so interesting. I’m working on this song; not in the perspective of our concert, but as a CD listener. The final product, this song which can relate to most people.

Answers to fans’ questions:
--To Sho-kun who’s very suitable to be a broadcaster in “News Zero”, is there any particular suit that you like or a favourite tie design? (24)
>>I guess there’re no favourites in particular, I choose my tie and shirt colour according to the reports on that day

--So as not to be beaten by Nino, who can still play as a high school kid whom people call as “forever 17”, what do you plan to do in your acting? (18, female)
>>These things can’t be determined now, wait till the drama finishes (laughs)

--Speaking the Kyoto accent in the movie “Kiiroi Namida”, does Sho-kun like girls who speaks the Kansai dialect? (19, female)
>>I like! Girls who only speak the Kansai dialect is very cute ne. Sometimes I’ll meet some very shy girls, but speaking the dialect is showing your love for your home village, so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

--Now, what is THE most important thing in your heart? (17, female)
>>I’ve got lots of these impressions. When everyone goes on vacation together, the DV keeps moving, scenes interchange, the end product is just like showing an imaginative light. It’s also the same now, I’d like to give a DV to the song I wrote myself, so I have been collecting various resources.

Aiba Masaki – Friendship
I want to sing a song to show the relationship between members
Because I’m quite close to thing song’s composer Abe-kun, so he can really understand my feelings and thoughts about Arashi. While arranging this solo, indeed I still hope that we can make out something that can easily be conveyed, so I wanted to make a song to show the relationships between Arashi members, between friends, between the people around us; with this thought, I asked Abe-kun to compose such a song. I have already voiced out the melody I wanted, a song we’ve created while listening to the demo over and over again, editing little by little, finally finishing up the ideal song, isn’t it great? Even if there’s only one person thinking “it’s just great as a human being” when he/she is listening to this song, or maybe there are more people having the same thoughts, it’s my honour.

Answers to fans’ questions:
--What are you doing lately? (21, female)
>>Recently our concert rehearsals went rather late, so before going to bed I will go online, or play games like football and stuffs

--To Aiba who is forever genki, what is your source of energy? (17, female)
>>Even when I’m very busy, I can be happy about some small details, I’ll feel great just by that

--Till now, what’s the best thing about Arashi to you? I feel awesome being an Arashi fan! (14, female)
>>You’re very cute (laughs). We’ve had enough shares of laughter and happiness. Every time someone says this to me, I will feel this is the best Arashi can bring!

--The “it’s this summer indeed!” that Aiba-chan said, when is that? (17, female)
>>I’m talking about our concert. To me, or to Arashi, the most important thing to do during the summer is our concerts, isn’t it?

--What’s the word your pet “Chu” (parrot) remembered lately? (17, female)
>>I thought it a lot of words. But seems like it doesn’t like talking, I’ve never heard it talk

Ninomiya Kazunari - Niji
I wrote a lyric with very limited range
They’ve sent in lots of backup songs continuously, I’ve considered wouldn’t it be better to write a song that tells of a story. Because I haven’t been writing lyrics lately, so I’d like to try, and I chose this tune. I wrote a happy love song, but with the lyrics that not everyone can get used to. In my impression, Arashi songs seem to be quite suitable for everyone, yes? So, I thought that a solo will be good also if it doesn’t apply to every single person. So I wrote this lyric of limited range. The melody is by a composer I like very much, Mr. Tada; so I know his style very well. The ending is always “Ah! So it’s like that?!” ne. Great minds think alike (laughs). In the lyrics the feminine feel has my own style. Ah, to sum it up it’s a really nice song, it’ll definitely be dedicated during a wedding ceremony (laughs).

Answers to fans’ questions:
--Acting as a poor high school student in “Yamada Tarou Monogatari”, please tell me your poorest experience till now! (17, female)
>>I think there’s nothing special about being poor. I will keep my shillings carefully in my piggy bank too (*well I’m not sure if he uses ‘piggy’, but you get the idea). Although I don’t keep shillings in my wallet anymore, but it’s pretty annoying that the bank’s rental doesn’t drop after half a year, so now I’m depending on others to treat me (laughs).

--You’re still acting as a high school student even now, what’s your secret to stay as young as a high school student? (16, female)
>>What is it ne? But then again, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.

--I’d like to be as ‘pro’ as Nino to shoot (*as in say harsh things) people, what should I do? (18, female)
>>About shooting people, I guess it’s better not to be ‘pro’. Because these things really leave a big mess.

--I’ve been waiting on Satoshi-kun (his drawings), what is he working on now? (15, female)
>>A drawing of JvDan Arena (Taiwan) concert rehearsal

--If you can become another member in Arashi, who’d you like to be? Who do you think would be the hardest to play his role? (17, female)
>>Don’t be like that! How can I think of becoming another person?! I will have to refuse this question (laughs)

Ohno Satoshi – Song for Me
I thought about performing live, being able to bring to everyone a great dance
The first thing I picked about “Song for Me” is the tune. The crews let me listen to lots of foreign songs, “we want this feel”, saying “this part should be like this, that part should be like that…” we modified the chosen song little by little, then someone else wrote the lyrics for this song. Does it give the feeling that the tempo is fast? Because it’s a song consisting lots of emotions, so I don’t like spoiling the perfect feel of the song with lots of mushy mushy love-related words. However, although the lyrics are a bit abstract, I really like this kind ‘it’s so fast till my tongue gets entangled’ of singing tempo. In fact when I was in the recording studio I bit my tongue several times ne (laughs). Now I’m planning about the choreography to make people go “WOW!” and I’m doing it seriously, so look forward to it!

Answers to fans’ questions:
--To Oh-chan who says “umai” no matter what he eats, do you have anything that you say “no, I won’t even touch that”? (11, female)
>>Basically I eat everything, but weird things like eating fishes and prawns alive, I won’t ever do that

--How would you want to live your life when you get old? (17, female)
>>I want to live in freedom, and do the things I like

--How do you remember all your dance steps? (16, female)
>>Look at the choreographer carefully, and then practice a lot. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll modify it with my own style and remember it. With these methods I guess (smiles)

--To Ohno-kun who said “I dislike working hard in front of other people” before, what are the things that makes you happy after you’ve put in your effort secretly and people do show their appreciation? What are you working hard on now? (18, female)
>>I guess it’s my stage plays. Now, I’m giving my all for the next summer concert.

--What actions of a woman will make Oh-chan feel that she’s sexy?
>>When she ties her hair into a ponytail, I don’t know why but I like that very much (smiles)