[ad_1]
On December 31, Arashi performed a live “This is Arashi LIVE 2020.12.31” at Tokyo Dome, and although it was regrettable, the activity was suspended. A national idol group that has been running for 21 years since their debut has come to “Sunday”. The rest period is expected to be at least several years.
◇ ◇ ◇
I was surprised. In December, when the five Arashi responded to interviews like daily sports, they asked, “Will there be a group that surpasses Arashi in the future?” First, Kazuya Ninomiya replied, “No, you won’t come out,” and the members laughed at me. Furthermore, the leader Satoshi Ohno said, “No, I don’t think he will actually appear,” with a serious face, causing an even bigger laugh.
Of course it was an open-mouthed joke, but it was still surprising. ARASHI members are basically humble and discreet. Few members are actively running and the so-called center has not been decided. On the other hand, it is also said that “everyone stands in the center.”
“The reason ARASHI has become so popular is partly due to the human nature of the members who have not gone too far,” said an official from the television station. They have a spirit of concession and each member is respected. In a sense, it’s a very Japanese-style group.
Two years after the announcement of the suspension of activities in January 2019, what was particularly shocking was the scenario in which the other four people supported and protected Ohno, who cut the suspension of activities. Naturally, even though there were many fans and people involved who were sad about the suspension, I felt a strong will to “not turn a leader into a bad guy.”
On August 19, there was a scene where Masaki Aiba told the members “I will definitely do group activities in the near future” on Nippon Television “24 hours TV 42”, who served as the main personality. After the broadcast, we asked four people about their feelings upon receiving Aiba’s words. However, before the respondents turned to Ohno, they moved on to another topic. A person close to him speculated: “I think Ohno was thinking that it would be difficult to answer, so I dared not turn it around. It is a teamwork that can only be done thanks to many years of breathing.”
A leader who always humbly says, “I haven’t done anything” and gets excited about the members. It has been 21 years since his debut, and two years after the announcement of the suspension of activities, it seems that he is grateful not only to the fans and related parties but also to the members.
“No group will appear beyond the storm.” It may not be just lip service, but Ohno’s true intention.[Kei Yokoyama]
[ad_2]
