20 posts tagged “leader”

◎ Shukudai-kun schedule, courtesy of Date Mikio of Sandwichman:

2008.02.25 Sandwichman
2008.03.03 Satoda Mai

Only a few more days 'til Leader's exhibit...I hope he doesn't mind, but Tada Shinya's account of his premature sojourn to see it is so cute. He's the composer of Itsu made mo, Kaze, Niji, and Still..., and he's an Arashi fan. Arashi even mentioned him becoming their fan in this oricon style interview. He has said many times that Arashi changed his life by picking Itsu made mo, and as a composer he'd be perfectly happy making songs just for Arashi:

Come to think of it, my life has changed greatly
after crossing paths with the group called Arashi.
Back when I did nothing but wander about Tokyo,
riding the subway, demo tape in hand,
I never would have imagined that the day would come
when the super group known as Arashi would sing a song of mine.

To Arashi and their management, who lent their ear
to a song by an unknown singer-songwriter such as me,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You can listen to his music here, and watch him perform live here (← I really like this song)

From rain-soaked Shibuya, I walked up the slope  to the direction of Harajuku.
To go to Omotesando.
Not that I was scrimping on train fare.
Somehow I just felt like walking in that winter town.
I'm saying it again, but I wasn't in any way scrimping on train fare (laughs)

Although it wasn't that great a distance,
that day was quite cold.
For the first time I felt so sorry
for the guys and girls handing out Hot Pepper in the streets.

Even so, I still headed there (laughs)
Yes. To Omotesando Hills.

Why, you ask!?

Speaking of Omotesando Hills...
Isn't it where they're holding the exhibit of Arashi's Ohno-san!!
But...it's so strange...
Arriving at Omotesando Hills...
There's absolutely no feeling of excitement...
Strange. This is strange.
I mean, it wouldn't be strange at all if the whole of Harajuku
is suffused with Ohno-san's color.

Why.

After wandering about Omotesando Hills for a while,
I went over to the reception area, feeling weary,
and asked with what was probably quite a disappointed expression:
"Uhm, just where exactly are they holding the exhibit of Arashi's Ohno-san?"
The receptionist then replied:
"Thank you.
That's next month, February"

"Huh!?"

The Yajiuma morning news I saw while half asleep,
after completing a song in an all-nighter, after continuing days of songwriting.
The news about the exhibit featured there.
The days (and even those I wasn't too sure about...)
and the words 'Omotesando Hills' were the only things that registered (laughs)
I was the very picture of overeagerness.

The receptionist's expression was like, "Just how much does this guy like Arashi?"
but even so, she kindly corrected me, saying it's a month away.
I really gave her a lot of trouble,
and looking back at it now I feel really bad about it (laughs)

So there you have it, I completely jumped the gun,
but I'm sure there were others like me, right!?
(Since I myself screwed up)
If there's someone who did the same thing as me,
please come forward!! (laughs)

Tada Shinya

2008-01-25 23:55

★ Yoshikazu-chan plans to release his Arashi book this spring:

Part 1: The Calm Before the Storm
Everything up until he attended their concert at Kyocera Dome last spring, after overcoming many obstacles

Part 2: Sudden Storm
He tries to figure out why he, before he knew it, became a big Arashi fan all of a sudden

Part 3: Looking Back, It's the Storm
His own personal analysis of Arashi's appeal

Can't wait 'til spring~

YOUNG SONG, September 2005
scan: Tess

I like Kazamidori among the songs in the album. Back in grade school, I had a really good friend, but he transferred to another school. Together we tested how far we can go riding our bikes, we played baseball and soccer etc...I remember those stuff when I hear this song. The words "Let's enjoy today~" in my solo Itsuka no summer is also a priority in my life, so it's easy to put my feelings into it when I'm singing it. The song's lyrics could be looking back at the past, or it could be comparing the past and the present...I guess there are many ways of interpreting it, depending on the listener. The lyrics are deep, and I myself get more confused the more I think about it (laughs).

Er Leader month is over, but here's what Leader said when he appeared as a guest on 2007.09.06 ON8. The DJ told Leader that he was already a "Man of Legend" lol, and she was so looking forward to meeting him. What he said:

Ninomiya Kazunari comes to me and meddles with me, so I have no choice but to pay attention to him.
So it's like you're just going along with him?
Yup, that's right. It's not like I really want to do it...

Lol poor Leader...

As the leader of Arashi, what is it that you want from the members?
Treat me more gently
So you're not treated very gently?
Yup, it's rough treatment. I want them to go easy on me (laughs).

Ninomiya-kun talked about fooling around during rehearsals, and together with Aiba-kun getting scolded a lot by Matsumoto-kun.
Well he doesn't really get angry that seriously. It's more like *imitates MatsuJun* "Hey that's enough" (laughs).
Er that seems more serious instead (laughs).
And then we'd go, "Yes, we're sorry", then end up coming up with another game.
For instance, when you're in the middle of a meeting...
When I feel like we've run out of ideas, I'd like send a message to Nino. Even though he's sitting right next to me. I'd say like, "We sure are not coming up with anything..."
And what does Ninomiya-kun say?
"I know. I want to go home..." (laughs)

In connection with the title Happiness, during which times do you feel happy as an Arashi member, or think, "I sure am happy I'm an Arashi member"?
Lately we've been together all the time because of the tour...Well, I'm happy because we're together all the time (laughs).
So Happiness for Ohno-kun is to be able to be with everyone always.
Right...that's Happiness. ♥

Happy 27th birthday, Leader! Sorry for the belated greeting >< Er this is so not timely anymore (it's Aiba-chan month already!), but here's the last for Ohno Satoshi month, which is from Nino's guest appearance on bayfm ON8 (Onpachi). They had a corner where he was asked to compare the other members to something (Ohmiya moe~). Ohno Satoshi month was fun, thanks for reading! Will catch up and reply soon:

ON8, 11 July 2007
mp3: Arashian Files

Aiba-chan → Chinese [food], then Ramenman

Why: the family business. Nino said that for lunch that day, they had food from the Aiba family restaurant, from gyoza, chili shrimp, to fried rice. They were brought by Aiba-chan's father himself, whom Nino calls by his name Katsuhisa.

MatsuJun → spaghetti

Why: Bambino. Nino: "I think he looks good in any role."

And then Leader:

How about Ohno-kun?

Ohno-san... *long pause* ...everything about him...

Everything about him...

Is weird.

Hahahahaha you're not comparing at all!

No, really, everything about him is weird.

Everything?

Well I don't know if he's weird in the typical way, but that's what I think. Right now we're in the last stages of our concert rehearsals, and...he's like...always wearing a t-shirt that says Hell Taxi.

Hahaha what?! It says that? It says Hell Taxi?

Yup, and when I say "Taxi!", he'd like come over.

Hahahahaha!!! *claps*

We're like doing that the whole time, so Jun-kun would get angry at us. He'd go, "Get serious, will ya?" Me and Ohno-san, we end up fooling around most of the time, so during rehearsals we're made to dance on opposite ends from each other.

Away from each other.

Yup, but whenever we take a break, when I call out "Taxi!", the taxi would come over. Since we end up playing like that, I tell him, "Then don't wear it!" I mean, in the first place, what the heck is a Hell Taxi? Also, he'd always say, "I'll take you to hell today too."

[At this point the DJ is laughing her butt off]

We normally do stuff like that, but I'm thinking most people would find it weird. I mean, if you get into a taxi for real and the driver says, "So, shall I take you to hell today?" You'd be surprised and want to get off, right?

Haha of course, obviously!

You'd think, "Ack, I've gotten into a weird one!"

Yup, exactly.

If you think of it that way, the way that guy thinks is, well, a bit unique. I'm thinking it's sorta rude to call him weird, so maybe it's better to say unique.

Sho-kun → stone

Why: his strong convictions. For Ichimen!, they'd have a meeting around Thursday or Friday, and until then he'd be reading about three different newspapers everyday, comparing and contrasting them, and even on the set of YamaTaro he'd be reading them early in the morning etc. etc. etc. *the talk gets serious*

[At this point the DJ has stopped laughing and is now all serious]

I think he's really amazing...er, Sho-san's gotten serious and all, so shall we cut this part out? Apologies to Sho-san, but let's focus on Hell Taxi!

Hahahahaha!!!

Well, the person called "Leader"...lately it's really getting to be a nickname. Basically it's Sho-kun who leads. And during concerts, it's Jun-kun.

Everyone's got their own roles, in a balanced way.

And during variety shows it's me or Aiba-san.

None of you really overlap each other.

Yes, but who would have thought that after eight years there'd be a taxi driver. And the biggest mystery is that he's the only one who doesn't have a driver's license. All he's got is a PASMO.

Hahaha but despite that he'll take you to hell!

★

Other interesting stuff: it was Sho-kun who came up with the name Time for their album, but Nino, Leader, and Aiba-chan came up with other candidates, like: "What's a piglet doing here?" → "Since there's a pig, let's name it Olympig." ^^;;; I searched for the shirt and found these (seems like a fashionable and expensive brand):

Wink up, August 2001
scan: dunadan (thanks a lot)

The most important thing is family, because family won't let you down. My sis and I fought a lot when we were kids, but now we don't, and I don't fight with my parents either. My mom's a very openhearted person, and I'd be in a pinch if she's not around. I've got absolutely nothing to hide from her. As for my dad, he talks and laughs a lot when he drinks. He does talk even when he doesn't drink, but when he does, he talks too much (laughs). It would be awful if my family weren't around! My mom, it seems that she doesn't remember that much when she goes to see our concerts. She goes like, "My son is capable of this!?", and while she's getting all teary-eyed, the concert is over (laughs). Even when I ask her about it when I get home, she says she doesn't remember. She only vaguely remembers my solo too. It seems she remembers when watching the video of the concert later, going like "Oh they did that~" (laughs). If I were to express the Ohno family in a few words? Naturally, it's unlike any other in the world! Dang, isn't that cool!? (laughs)

POTATO, December 1999
scan: theahhmoment

from Jun to Satoshi

During our junior days, I worked a lot with Nino and Aiba-kun, and I often saw Sho-kun outside of work. It's only Ohno-kun that I haven't had much to do with. I only had the impression that you were good at dancing, especially ballad-type stuff.  But I get this now that we've become Arashi --- Ohno-kun is an extremely funny person (laughs). I can also feel at ease when we're together; you're like a "big brother". There's just this one thing I want you to stop doing. When I'm like spacing out, Ohno-kun surprises me by suddenly being right behind me. Ohno-kun, please stop doing that. It's bad for my heart! (laughs)

about debut single

When I first heard the song, I thought, "The key sure is high," "And here I have weak stomach muscles" (laughs). I was just told by the producer, "Sing it as you like", but once I actually tried to sing it, I couldn't hold out my breath. On top of that, the song has lots of patterns and we recorded it many times, so while singing it I had no idea how it would eventually turn out. That's why I'm not too satisfied with my part, because I still sing off-key sometimes (laughs). But in the future, I want to be a good singer like Tsuyoshi-kun and Inohara-kun, and be able to sing a song like Melody of rain.

about themselves

Once our debut was decided, it has all been so frantic that I can't even remember what I was doing just a while ago (laughs). Because of that, the reality of our debut, the realization that I'm Arashi --- there's none of that. Even when I'm with the other members, it just feels like there are five juniors, and even if someone calls out "Arashi!" I can't turn around (laughs). Given the circumstances, I can only think of what I want to do personally, like "I want to do a musical", or "I want to move people with my dance"; I still have no room to think of the group as a whole. However, it would be unreasonable to paint the five of us with one color, so I think it would be great if each of us can make the most of our own color, and we blend those five colors together to make an Arashi color.

★

I didn't know Sho-kun and MatsuJun actually hung out outside of work during their junior days. Sorry to kaguyahime for being so shitsukoi before m(_ _)m

Edit 12/10: Added POTATO, July 2007. Thanks to jinahbong for posting scans:

Myojo, December 2003

First appearance: Chinen Yuri

Respected senpai = Arashi's Ohno Satoshi
"My mom's a Sho-kun fan, and my sis a Jun-kun fan."

duet, December 2004

[Stuff he's collecting] Arashi CDs. All of us in my family are Arashi fans.
[Music he likes] Hitomi no naka no Galaxy by Arashi.
[Senpai he's aiming to be like] Arashi's Ohno-kun. Because he's a good singer and dancer.

POTATO, July 2007

When I was given the chance to appear at an Arashi concert, I was so very happy to be able to see Ohno-kun right before my eyes before going out on stage! Ohno-kun is such an amazing singer and dancer; he's really cool. I've always admired him, so I was happy to be in the same place as him, and I think I naturally had a smile on my face.

Popolo, August 2007

Watching 8-ji da J on TV, I was thinking I wanted to be cool like Arashi's Ohno-kun, and my mom sent the application to Johnny's for me.

oricon style, 3 August 2007

--- Speaking of which, which senpai do you admire?
Yamada: Koichi-kun. Blah blah blah
Chinen: For me it's Ohno-kun!
Yamada: Ohno-kun's amazing too, isn't he. I was surprised when I first saw him dance. I only knew the usual Ohno-kun, but he's completely different when he's dancing. I was also surprised by the difference.
Chinen: You finally get it (laughs).

Popolo, September 2007

When I went to see Arashi's concert, Ohno-kun's dancing was so amazing that I was blown away. I've watched their con DVDs many times too.

Myojo, October 2007

Q: Why did you become a Jr.?
Because I wanted to be like Arashi's Ohno-kun.

duet, October 2007

I like Dai-chan very much because he's so kind ♪ He doesn't mind even when I sit on his lap (laughs). Of course,  when we talk we're also in tune with each other. Dai-chan is also into Ohno-kun lately, so the two of us are always going like, "Ohno-kun was so cool in Arashi's DVD!"

Gekkan Songs, July 2003
scan: Tess (thanks a lot)

● What was the first CD you ever bought?
A rattlesnake is coming by the Tunnels, when I was I think in third grade. I also liked the jacket design.

● Any musical instruments you'd like to try your hand on?
I'm not interested in instruments (laughs). Oh, but I'd like to try an instrument I can play using my mouth. And learn a cappella a bit.

● What genres do you often listen to?
I listen to Western music a lot, like the Backstreet Boys. Lately I'm listening to *NSYNC. But I'm not really particular about genres.

● During what times do you listen to music?
In my case, it's playing all the time. I'm always listening to it on the train, and even at home it's playing all the time.

● What is music to you?
A constant necessity as we live. Can't live without it.

Trying to catch up with Leader month, sorry for the Satoshi-spam:

JUNON, ? 2000
scan: k1126 (thanks a lot)

My relationship with the members have also deepened over the past year. These days I'm close with Ohno-kun. Sometimes I'd get letters from fans saying, "You've gone from calling him Ohno-kun to Oh-chan?", but I wasn't really aware of that. I mean, there were times when I called him that before. You know, during our first days as Arashi, I talked to him in polite language. We talked in casual language during our junior days, but I have this tendency of using polite language with someone if I haven't seen him/her for a little while. I was nervous when we talked. But now I like call him "omae" * (laughs).

We didn't have any work on Ohno's birthday, so I sent him a message, along with a "Happy Birthday" tune.  I set my phone to 11:59 pm, composed the message in a minute, and after just exactly midnight I sent it to him. But, he didn't reply...so I called him at about 4 am, but he didn't pick up either. I was really sad. Later I learned that Ohno-kun answered calls at that time, but didn't check his mail. It seems that all the other members gave him a call. I intended to be the very first one to greet him, but instead I'm thought of as the last...it's so sad (laughs). Edit 11/22

* "...'omae' can be used by two guys who are close friends talking to each other, but if you say it to a stranger it's pretty insulting." Random: MatsuJun calls Inoue Mao "omae" (they must be really close...).

Wink up, June 2004
scan: I don't know (let me know if you recognize it, thanks)

To the fans

We haven't been seeing each other lately, haven't we. The chances to meet with you have really gotten fewer, and it's a bit sad. We do see each other during concerts, but I want to get together more with you. Also, I'm always trying my best to read your fan letters.

Recently I've just bought a computer, and I often visit the homepages the fans have made about me. I often come across this on such sites: "Ohno-kun said in a magazine that he just bought a computer and is looking at fansites, but I wonder if he really is doing so..." Of course I'm looking, to the point of writing something without realizing it and thinking of sending it to you. I don't get to see you often, but like this, I get to see your fansites, so I'm really glad I bought a computer. I'll continue to visit everyday. Please take care.

To mole-kun

Why are you so hidden? Show yourself. Soon. Ah...you came out. Ah, how cute are you? Wah, why are your forelegs bigger that your hind legs? Why is your fur so short? Why is it that even if you came from the ground, there's no soil sticking to your body? And you immediately dive in as soon as we put you on top of soil. That really is indeed so mole-ish of you, isn't it? Sorry for catching you the other day. Edit 11/22

duet, April 2003
scans: mellowdee

This brown waist bag that Ohno always carries with him is something that has put in its years --- he bought it in Kyoto when he was there for KYO TO KYO. "I've been using it for about five years now (laughs). This bag is enough for anything other than stay-overs."

This jacket, which he wore during the premiere of Nino's movie Ao no honoo, seems to be quite warm. "I said it was cold, and before I knew it my mom had bought me this." Mother is full of love ♪

Inside his waist bag is this MD player. "I listen to it on the train...well it's more like I'm just letting it play rather than actually listening to it (laughs)." By the way, both CDs are *NSYNC CDs.

On the screen of his camera phone is a figure of E.T., which Ohno made himself using clay. "My sis all of a sudden asked me to make it, so I stayed home the entire day to make it. Surprisingly it was quite easy to do."

Saved on the same cellphone is this clay figure of the drawing of the black guy which made an appearance in Arashi's concert last summer. "This would be his first appearance on the pages of a magazine. I've put him in a glass case, and placed him on top of the TV."

Arashi ♥ Spring Q &A

Q1 What stuff do you want this spring?
A digital camera and a computer. I've been taking pictures of my drawings and clay works with a SLR camera, but all that film's gonna be tough. With a digicam, you can check what you've taken right then and there. I also want to properly organize the pictures I've taken on the computer and like edit them and stuff. However, I'm not interested in the internet, so I won't be doing that even if I bought a computer (laughs).

Q2 What fashion items are you looking out for this spring?
Pink and yellow stuff. I wore a pink and yellow costume during our winter concert, and the fans quite liked it. The members didn't, though; they said it doesn't suit me (laughs). That's why, I'm going to work hard for pink and yellow to look good on me (laughs).

Q3 What challenge do you want to take on this spring?
Definitely computer.

Q4 What do you think of when we say "spring"?
Hanami! We've always had work during hanami season, so I've never been to one. During hanami season last year we did PIKA☆NCHI. I want to go this year~.

Q5 If you were to go out on a date this spring, what would you do?
A fishing date by the river. But I feel the conversation won't be lively, more like "Caught anything yet?" "Nope..." (laughs).