From Ohno to Aiba
I spent a lot of time in Kyoto, so it was rare for us to even meet when we were juniors. (Sho, who was in the tub, asked, “Did you think Aiba was more reserved?”) Yeah, but isn’t he fundamentally calm? Aiba’s 17 this year, right? That’s similar to me when I was 17 (laughs). Also, he has a soft image, and I’ve never seen him get angry. Oh, I’ll make Aiba mad and report it in next month’s issue!? (laughs) Just kidding, Aiba-san, let’s get along for now (laughs). Wait, Aiba’s type AB? …Aiba-san, do you have a split personality? (laughs)
About themselves
It’s different from before when we start appearing on music shows with Arashi. There’s pressure because there’s no one in front of us, but gradually Arashi is starting to feel more comfortable for me. Arashi has also done work as solo artists, so I think there’s a sense that “we should do our own thing” and “as long as we’re not bothering others, it’s okay to do what we want.” So as a group we’re not limited to singing and can do a variety of things, but I think the ideal situation would be for each of us to also be able to do our own unique activities. What’s our goal now? I guess it would be to perform TOKIO songs at an Arashi concert, which we haven’t done much of before.
About debut single
This song underwent a lot of changes before it was completed (laughs). Then, when I listened to the finished demo tape, it was much better than the first time, and I thought it was worth the number of revisions. It’s upbeat and has rapping, and the chorus really sticks in your head after just one listen. I think it’s impactful and easy to remember. But just because it’s my debut song, I didn’t put any special effort into it. It’s the same in the sense that I sang with all my might this time as I have in the past. But since it’s my debut song, I do have some attachment to it, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the impression of the song changes as I sing it over and over again.
From Kazunari to MatsuJun
Eh? You want to hear about how MatsuJun has changed since he became a member of Arashi? (To the other three) Raise your hand if you think MatsuJun has changed. Zero. He hasn’t changed (laughs). I mean, all the members are basically people who think for themselves and don’t really confide in each other. But, I think that’s fine. From now on, you’ll be spending more time together than with family, so it’s actually better to have some mysteries (laughs). So, MatsuJun, instead of saying, “Let’s not have any restrictions,” let’s just maintain a relationship where we can each do our own things and work independently, just like before.
About debut single
The chorus part cheers me up when I listen to it, but overall it’s more of a cool song than a “bright and cheerful” one… how shall I put it? Personally I think it’s a good song and I like it, but what do people around me think? (laughs) Yeah, maybe I haven’t listened to it objectively yet. I’ll definitely go to the CD store on the release date and buy the CD. I guess the members themselves have to contribute to the sales (laughs). Because if the CD sells, we can have an Arashi concert. After all, that’s what I’m looking forward to the most right now.
About themselves
Arashi’s selling points are their dancing and individuality. My selling points are also my dancing and individuality (laughs). To be honest, it’s hard to say anything about our debut. The results haven’t come out yet (the interview was in October). If we release a CD and there’s no reaction… yeah. Also, I wish I had studied speaking more when I was a junior, but for now I want to work hard using these two as my weapons. But I feel at ease with the other members, and it’s great having fun together as a group, so I want to talk more and have us all get to know one another better and become a great group.
From Sakurai to Ninomiya
Ninomiya is surprisingly smart. It’s true that he doesn’t always seem quick-witted, because at press conferences even I sometimes wonder, “What is this guy trying to say?” (laughs). But he has an amazing memory and is very insightful. He’s good at observing things and hitting the nail on the head. And although he may seem unmotivated, he’s actually a very motivated guy. Any advice for Ninomiya? …Ah, I was sitting next to him on the plane to Hawaii, and he was super high tension and kept talking. Even though I was like, “I’m going to get some sleep,” he said, “Just listen.”–so from now on when I say I’m sleepy, let me sleep (laughs).
About themselves
Personally, I want Arashi to be a group where all the members have strong personalities and can thrive anywhere. Rather than forcing ourselves to fit into a specific vibe, when the various 5 members come together we become Arashi. I think we have pretty good teamwork, considering we’re just starting out. The people I can rely on are… Oh-chan in terms of singing and dancing, and Sho-kun, who is a sharp person. What we want to do as a group of five is musicals and concerts. I want to set up a 180-degree stage at our beloved Nippon Budokan and hold an intimate concert where we can meet our fans face-to-face.
About debut single
My first impression when I heard the song was, “It’s low.” The producer also asked me to sing it lower (laughs). My voice is high-pitched, about one key lower than Nishikido’s… my voice has changed though (laughs). So it was quite difficult, but when I listened to the CD, I thought it might be an easy song to get into. I think it would be exciting to play the full version, especially at concerts. But they don’t play the full version on TV, so you’ll have to buy the CD (laughs). There might be an album in the future, though. Personally, I don’t think there’s any need to rush. Right now, I’m just thinking about riding the wave with “A·RA·SHI.”
From MatsuJun to Ohno
When I was a junior, I often worked with Nino and Aiba, and often met Sho in private, but I didn’t have much contact with Ohno. I only had the impression that he was good at dancing, especially ballads. But after joining Arashi, I realized that Ohno is a very interesting person (laughs). I also feel at ease when I’m with him, and he’s like a nice “big brother.” But there’s one thing I wish you’d stop doing. When I’m daydreaming and suddenly notice Ohno is right behind me it surprises me. Ohno, please stop doing that. It’s bad for the heart! (laughs)
About debut single
When I first heard the song, I thought, “The key is too high,” and “My abs are weak,” (laughs). All the producer told me was to “sing it in your own way,” but when I actually tried to sing it, I ran out of breath. Also, there were a lot of patterns, so we had to re-record it many times, and while I was singing, I wasn’t sure how the finished product would turn out. That’s why I’m not satisfied with my singing. I still sometimes sing off-key (laughs). But in the future, I’d like to become a good singer like (Domoto) Tsuyoshi-kun or Inohara-kun, and be able to sing songs like “Ame no Melody.”
About themselves
Ever since our debut was decided, I’ve been so frantic I can’t even remember what I was doing just a moment ago (laughs). And yet, I don’t really feel like I’ve debuted, and I don’t even think about being a part of Arashi. Even when I’m with the other members, it just feels like there are five juniors, and I don’t even turn around when they call out “Arashi!” (laughs). Because of this situation, I just want to do musicals and move people with my dancing, and I don’t have the time to think about the group as a whole yet. However, it’s impossible to paint all five of us in the same color, so I think it would be good for each of us to make use of our own colors, and for those five colors to blend together to create the color of Arashi.
From Aiba to Sakurai
Sho-kun is someone who can draw a clear line between what to do, and has a clear attitude of “when it’s time to be excited, I’m excited” , and “when it’s time to work, I work,” and he doesn’t slack off. Whenever everyone is sleeping in between dramas, he’s the one who wakes them up and says “it’s almost time,” and he takes charge. But he also eats a lot (laughs). When all five of us eat together, Sho-kun is the last one to finish, and he eats an enormous amount, eating evenly and neatly (laughs). That’s right, he eats in a healthy way. Also, he likes pizza. He looks so happy when he’s eating pizza (laughs). So, I hope we can continue to support each other in the future, Sho-kun (laughs).
About themselves
None of us are the type to say “Forward! Forward!” (laughs). Even in variety shows, we’re the type to stay quietly on the sidelines and occasionally come out and show off our angel wings (Sho-kun’s shoulder blades) (laughs). When it’s time to do something, we do it, and each of us has the motivation to do what we want to do, but we don’t act pushy. That’s why even on “Meccha 2 Iketeru”, we were outdone by Egashira 2:50-san. As for the relationship between the five of us, well, there hasn’t been any change so far, and because of our age, I tend to spend more time with Ohno-kun. But we’ve been filming the drama together from morning until night, so I think we’ve started to come together as a unit.
About debut single
“A·RA·SHI” has three different styles: rock, ballad, and rap. The A-melody is divided, B-melody is Ohno-kun, and the chorus is everyone else… and I rap. I usually only listen to rap music, but it was difficult to do it. There were parts where the words sounded unnatural when I accented the rhythm, so you can see the results of my efforts on the CD (laughs). If I were you, I would listen to this song on my way to school in the morning. If I listen to it first thing in the morning, I’m likely to fall asleep again, and if I listen to it on my way home from school, it’ll make me feel like, “You guys are getting a little too excited, aren’t you?” (laughs).
