[ARASHI] The 39th thread - Hiatus + ARASHI 5×20 FILM “Record of Memories”

[KarenPang]

J-pop stars ARASHI release English surprise before hiatus

Japanese pop sensation ARASHI has a big surprise for fans as they near their planned hiatus at year's end: a collaboration with Bruno Mars on their first all-English single.

The band told The Associated Press the multi-Grammy Award-winning musician delved into their back catalogue to understand their unique sound while working on the single that was released last week.

“He took into consideration that we are going on hiatus,” said Jun Matsumoto, adding he feels their song, “Whenever You Call,” will appeal to both their hardcore fans and “those who do not know about us.”

“We have been releasing music only in Japanese,” Sho Sakurai explained. “In that sense, foreign audiences who can understand Japanese could recognise us. But this time we sang the song in English. Bruno provided us the opportunity to reach out to a foreign audience.”

The group, which also includes Satoshi Ohno, Masaki Aiba and Kazunari Ninomiya, embodied their name — ARASHI means storm — by becoming one of Japan's boyband legends and maintaining their crown for more than two decades.

Their greatest hits album “5x20 All the BEST!! 1999-2019″ sold 3.3 million copies and was last year's bestselling album worldwide, surpassing both BTS and Taylor Swift.

The band has released over 400 songs, sold over 41 million records and performed for 14 million people, according to their label, and they've also had parts in movies, Japanese dramas and shows, and commercials.

Despite their success, ARASHI shocked fans by announcing their hiatus, halting all band activities at the end of this year.

The Netflix documentary about the band shows it wasn’t an easy decision. In “ARASHI's Diary -Voyage-,” Sakurai said his hands were “trembling” as he wrote down potential options, including disbanding and hiatus.

Naturally, questions about their life after hiatus have been dogging the band, but they said they don’t really know. “I haven’t been exactly thinking about it (the future) nor have time to think about it. (The upcoming) three or four months will be an extremely busy time for us so we are unable to think that far,” Aiba told AP.

Sakurai hinted the members might not pursue solo music careers after the hiatus.

“There are things that won’t be accomplished if there aren’t these five members. To simply put, it’d be like singing, dancing, connecting through music, et cetera,” he said. “I think these things are difficult to pursue individually.”

As for the most memorable moments from their career, Aiba fondly recalled concerts in Japanese National Stadium and Hawaii. Matsumoto described a trip to Los Angeles around two years ago, when they revisited and took identical photos at places they visited 20 years ago.

With about three months left until their hiatus, the band is keeping busy despite the coronavirus pandemic.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/j-pop-star...075046762.html

[KarenPang]

Interview that the Grammies did with MatsuJun

https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/...uno-mars-j-pop

[KarenPang]

A.B.C-Z's Kawai mimic MatsuJun yet again

https://twitter.com/Jkawaifumito/sta...64648179294208



What the ...

Last night's Arashi ni Shiyagare

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Ra4y1j7eM

Guests :

- Kawaguchi Haruna
- Tamaki Hiroshi
- YOASOBI

[KarenPang]

Taken by my friend today





Nice

[KarenPang]

Yesterday's Aiba Manabu featured DAIGO & comedian Sawabe Yu

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mv411C7Gm

Contents of yesterday's Aiba Manabu - Toast 1 Grand Prix which all 3 men compete with sandwich recipes which were submitted by viewers

LOL

[KarenPang]

Nino will be featured on tonight's TOKIO Kakeru



https://natalie.mu/music/news/398430

[KarenPang]

Nino on last night's TOKIO Kakeru

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1gv411y7kf

[KarenPang]

V6 will be featured on 22nd Oct VS ARASHI 3 hours special episode !

Their upcoming appearance together as a group will be their 1st one in 5 years in celebration of their 25th anniversary

https://twitter.com/vsarashi2008/sta...21630985154562

[KarenPang]

Last night's Sakurai Ariyoshi The Yakai 2 hours special episode

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1PV41127pX

Other than Nino , last night's episode also featured :

- Kuroki Haru
- Tsumabuki Satoshi
- Satô Ryûta

Sakurai went on an epic road trip with Tsumabuki & Sato , xD

Last night's VS ARASHI

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV18i4y1E7Gc

Plus One Guests :

- Hirata Mitsuru
- Suruga Taro

[KarenPang]

In Shibuya



https://twitter.com/arashi5official/...65465309941760

[KarenPang]

Whenever You Call ; Sakurai promo shot



https://twitter.com/arashi5official/...67731278430210

[KarenPang]

Whenever You Call ; MatsuJun promo shot



https://twitter.com/arashi5official/...15020786409473

[KarenPang]

Nino's infamous disaster outfit moment on VS ARASHI is back , xD





What the , xD



Cat dog or dog cat ? LOL

Not the worst outfit Nino wore on VS ARASHI by far . I've seen much much more worst

The 1 of Nino wearing that ridiculous Kamen Rider inspired mask is still 'tops' -_-

[KarenPang]

Whenever You Call PV Dance Version



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7zVNRZE7ns

[KarenPang]

Japan Post has released images used for the upcoming 2021 new year card campaign featuring ARASHI

https://www.shop.post.japanpost.jp/s...SpRi0rM_Pae5B0

[KarenPang]

ARAFES 2020 at NATIONAL STADIUM will be streamed online on 3rd Nov , on the same day as both the releases of A.RA.SHI & This is ARASHI

2 different broadcasts will be aired on 3rd Nov

- 4.30pm ; fanclub members only
- 7.30pm ; non fanclub & fanclub members

https://news.line.me/issue/oa-sports..._campaign=none

Not surprised & I wouldn't be surprised if not streaming sessions will crashed with ARASHI having almost 3 million fanclub members

The 7.30pm timeslot , good luck for that man

[KarenPang]

More details on ARAFES 2020 at NATIONAL STADIUM

Part 1 will only be available to FC members (4:30 pm) while general viewing starts at Part 2 (7:30 pm).

The unattended concert will be pre-recorded and streamed online via Johnnys Net online. The 2-Part concert will have different setlists.

According to the online concert site, there will be no archive footage. Tickets can be purchased until 30 mins before the start time. There are 3 price tiers: Y4800 (Arashi FC members); Y5,300 (Johnnys FC members); Y5,800 (non FC).

https://aramajapan.com/news/grab-you...oncert/109383/
https://online.johnnys-net.jp/s/jno/...S2020?ima=3413

Instagram video commentary

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1PZ...37350834636906

Twitter video commentary

https://twitter.com/arashi5official/...85091943047169

The reason why the concert is pre-recorded & will not be done live is because J&A does not want fans to head down Kokuritsu Kyougijou on 3rd Nov

And the last few days in Tokyo , COVID-19 cases have surged yet again :x

[KarenPang]

Special Twitter account been set up for the impending ARAFES 2020

1st tweet

https://twitter.com/ARAFES2020/statu...94496310382592

[KarenPang]

Last night's VS ARASHI

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Y54y1k7Tm

Plus One Guests - Bananaman's Himura & Speedwagon's Ozawa

Lol them again

[KarenPang]

Latest JAL CM featuring ARASHI



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtnFvgv86Ms