dorothy’s blog

Dear all...friends and fans of ARASHI!!

If you haven't already heard or join, here's my proposal to you all!! Please join the real Matsujun's Online Community site, which is not only the greatest and best place on earth to be...but it is were all the latest and greatest details of Arashi are all detailed. Let's all help grow the site and make it the "Go To" site of Arashi's!!

In this site, it has many forums, links to sites to download their songs for free, video clips of their commercials, dramas, shows, live performances, etc. As well, there are links to "Addicted to Asian Dramas" site which has the full lists of "full versions with English subtitles" to Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese dramas you can think of!

Plus, there's the photo galleries of photos of all Arashi photos and more in it!! You can also share your own photos with confidence as the site prevents others from downloading the photos from it.

If you want fun, there's loads of fun waiting for you to participate as "full" membership of the site!! Such activities as the latest and greatest game on earth by Sakurai Sho himself -- is the Quiz Show. He will be running this game for members to partake in from now until January 2010. Registration is still open as of today!! 

Plus many, many more such as: Hot Seat Beware! Game, Give Me A Song starts with the last letter of the previos Song Game, YoVille, Interview the person below you :) Game, Guess the ARASHI song Game....and much much more!! 

Forums contain many details as well...including other members sharing recipe ideas; interests; travel suggestions & blogs; manga & anime sharing; full song lyrics (of songs you yourself like and Arashi's Storm File lyrics); "How to's"....and much much more!

So, my dear friends and fans of Arashi, if you haven't already done so, it's not too late to join, for we always welcome new members to the site!! Once a member, be active, participate in games, posts blogs, forums, start a game of your own for others to join, share your thoughts, share videos (any type ---> not restricted to just Arashi...can be a song you liked yourself or just recently inspired you...share it with others and be a music critic at the same time), etc!! ^o^

As well we take care of our members at our site very well, welcoming others to the site with warm welcome greetings and making sure birthdays are remembered (announced) for others to wish "YOU" a happy birthday. We want to make sure your stay on our site is memorable, unforgettable and be part of your lives as well as ours!! ^o^

Let all be a "STAR" and join Matsujun's Online Community Site NOW!!  
Let's help him rock his site like they have rock the domes in Japan this year so far for their 10th Anniversary Celebration --- with more to come in their 5X10 Concerts series!! Plus having them rock the world with their special TV Challenge Week shows to come in November and their debut in Japan Disney Sea too in November as well!!

Signing up to be a members of the site, is as easy as 1, 2, 3!! No hassles, no problems!! Just simple questions for you to answer and create your account there!!

Link: www.jun-online.webs.com

On behalf of Jun-Online Community site, we look forward to seeing you all there to have fun and become a "Star"! See you all there!!! Thank you in advance for new members joining our site!!

As expected, my dear friends in Arashi continues to dominated the Oricon charts this past week with their collection "All the BEST! 1999-2009." Their album sold 753,000 copies, setting their own personal record for first-week sales. If all goes well, it will be their 1st Million seller of the year & for the group as well as a whole! ^o^ I am super excited for them all & extremely happy they are breaking all records set already for this year alone in their 10th Anniversary celebration!! 

This week, top boyband of Japan - Arashi meaning “Storm,” had released their third singles compilation album celebrating their 10 year Anniversary entitled "All the Best! 1999-2009." The album sold over half a million copies already in just three days of their release date, leading the group to be on its way to be the best selling Japanese artist of 2009. 

Hi all, Here is the latest update info on my dear friends, Arashi!!

On the 27th of July, it was announced that popular idol group Arashi will take over Tokyo Disney Sea for the night of November 20th 2009. There will be a special performance by the five members along with Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. _- Yosh!! Yatta!! ^o^ This year will be their 10th anniversary. Not only are fans anticipating their nation-wide tour, which will kick off at Tokyo's Kokuritsu on August 28th before moving to five major domes across the country, this extravagant event will be the icing on the cake to commemorate their 10th year.

To help fulfill Arashi's Disney dream, Arashi has teamed up with House to create the 'House Premium Night' function. Organizers will select 7050 lucky winners by contest to attend this signature event for free. Arashi will also be appearing in commercials for the promotion. On the day of the event, Tokyo Disney Sea will be operating as normal until 6pm. Afterwards, the lucky winners will be able to experience the "Magical Dream". Arashi has prepared songs for this event and will likely be performing with Mickey, Minnie and other cartoon characters!!! 

Arashi Premium Event in Disney Sea 

★11月20日金曜日★ 20th November 
東京ディズニーシープレミアムナイト 
・嵐特別イベント開催 Special Event
・嵐オリジナル曲紹介 New Original Arashi song

House Food Premium Event

☆スペシャルプレミアムナイト賞25組50名 
パスポートとプレミアムイベント招待、ミラコスタ宿泊

★25 Special Premium Night Prizes (50 people)
Passport, event invitation and hotel Miracosta

☆プレミアムナイト賞3500組7000名 
パスポートとプレミアムイベントご招待

★ 3500 Premium night prize (7000 people)
Passport and event invitation

☆プレミアムグッツ賞3500名 
東京ディズニーシーと嵐のオリジナルクロック（嵐のオリジナルボイス入り）

3500 premium goods ~ Tokyo Disney Sea and Arashi clock with Arashi voices!

キャンペーン期間　8月1日～9月末

Applications dates: 1st August till the end of September.
Cut barcodes from House Food products.

スペシャルプレミアムナイト賞はオープン懸賞。 
ネットとかCMとかクイズに答えて系。 
ハガキやキャンペーン専用サイトで応募。

プレミアムナイト賞、プレミアムグッツ賞はクローズド懸賞。 
必ず買わなきゃいけない対象商品2種類

Arashi by the Disney sea

Arashi has announced the release of a new best album titled "All the BEST! 1999-2009." As the title indicates, the collection will cover their entire ten-year career, and will consist of the title tracks from all of their singles to date.

 

The tracklist begins with their 1999 debut "A-RA-SHI" and includes 31 songs (26 singles plus their double A-sides), plus an additional track written by Arashi to thank their fans. According to the listing on CDJapan, the two-disc album does not contain Satoshi Ohno's solo song "Kumori Nochi, Kaisei." In addition, it is reported that the first press edition of the album will come with a bonus CD containing 10 more songs selected by the members of Arashi. 

Arashi has also scheduled an upcoming tour, which will include three consecutive shows at the National Stadium on August 28-30. Last year, Arashi became just the third artist to do a solo concert there (after SMAP and Dreams Come True). Now, they will be the first ever to play at the stadium for three straight days.

The tour, which finishes on January 17, 2010, will also include the five major domes in Japan. The group expects a total attendance of roughly 760,000 fans over the course of the tour.

Source: tokyograph.com

Greatest hits album release from my dear friends: Arashi, includes all 31 single tracks from "A.RA.SHI" to "Crazy Moon - Kimi wa Muteki -" and new song (Untitled). Limited edition includes bonus disc "Arashi's Selection" includes 10 songs selected by the members. Also includes 40-page booklet.

 

Release Date: 19 August 2009

Track Listing:

Limited Edition

CD 1

1. A.RA.SHI

2. Sunrise Nippon

3. Horizon

4. Typhoon Generation

5. Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi

6. Kimi no Tame Boku ga Iru

7. Jidai

8. A Day in Our Life

9. Nice na Kokoroiki

10. Pikanchi

11. Tomadoi Nagara

12. Hadashi no Mirai

13. Kotoba Yori Taisetsuna Mono

14. Pikanchi Double

15. Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy

16. Hero

 

CD 2

17. Sakura Sake

18. Wish

19. Kitto Daijoubu

20. Aozora Pedal

21. Love so sweet

22. We can make it!

23. Happiness

24. Step and Go

25. One Love

26. truth

27. Kaze no Mukou he

28. Beatiful Days

29. Believe

30. Ashita no Kioku

31. Crazy Moon ~Kimi wa Muteki~

32. New Song (Untitled)

 

CD 3

33. Only Love

34. Natsu no Namae

35. Subarashiki Sekai

36. Yes? No?

37. Cool & Soul

38. Oh Yeah!

39. Be with You

40. Still

41. Re(mark)able

42. Boku ga Boku no Subete

 

Regular Edition

CD 1

1. A.RA.SHI

2. Sunrise Nippon

3. Horizon

4. Typhoon Generation

5. Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi

6. Kimi no Tame Boku ga Iru

7. Jidai

8. A Day in Our Life

9. Nice na Kokoroiki

10. Pikanchi

11. Tomadoi Nagara

12. Hadashi no Mirai

13. Kotoba Yori Taisetsuna Mono

14. Pikanchi Double

15. Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy

16. Hero

 

CD 2

17. Sakura Sake

18. Wish

19. Kitto Daijoubu

20. Aozora Pedal

21. Love so sweet

22. We can make it!

23. Happiness

24. Step and Go

25. One Love

26. truth

27. Kaze no Mukou he

28. Beatiful Days

29. Believe

30. Ashita no Kioku

31. Crazy Moon ~Kimi wa Muteki~

32. 5X10

Currently the limited edition is out of print (sold out) already...since the last time I check today on the CDJapan website and the YesAsia.com website as well. Only item left is the Regular edition. It has become the most popular item next to the hit new releases of the single Albums that come out during certain times of the year...exampe: The upcoming release of "Everything CD/DVD" on July 1 2009 is the next most sought after item of my dear friends, Arashi's!!  Well, if you love them and have not place an order for this new release, please do so and support the Arashi group this way!! Thanks!! Arigatou!!

My dear friend, Matsumoto Jun (松本潤) was born on August 30, 1983. He is a Japanese singer and actor from Johnny's Entertainment Group. He is best known for being a member of the popular J-Pop group Arashi, together with Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, Satoshi Ohno, and Sho Sakurai. Jun has been critically acclaimed in the acting field for his work in various films and television dramas. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Matsumoto is the youngest child of his parents. He has an older sister whose support of Kinki Kids influenced his decision to join Johnny's Entertainment in 1996

Jun is a serious and very dedicated to worker in anything that he has done previously and currently right now too as well. Jun-chan has been declared by his bandmates as a very caring friend for all the Arashi members. He is also known to be the group's "Concert Leader," as he always takes charge in the group's concert planning. ^^ Matsumoto was once designated the "Comedy Leader" of Arashi but has more or less lost that image as he grew up. Now known more for his frank nature and sharp tongue, he has been called "DoS" ("extreme sadist") by his bandmates and openly admits to being rather neurotic and methodical. Despite this, all of Arashi have stated that he cares most for the members and the group itself. He is close to his bandmates and has stated that they have never properly fought since they were brought together by the agency, mostly in part to the peaceful nature of the group's leader Satoshi Ohno and band member Masaki Aiba -- a claim supported by bandmate Sho Sakurai. He is also known for his serious work ethic -- often juggling several projects (music, television, film and radio) at the same time.

Jun began his career in the entertainment industry as a back-up dancer for other groups like many other Juniors in the agency before he was drafted into a five-member group named Arashi in 1999 at the age of 16. He graduated from Horikoshi Gakuen, a renowned high school known for its many performing arts alumnae, at the age of 18 with other contemporaries Kyoko Fukada and Ai Kato whom he counts as his high school senpai. He is best known for being the youngest member of the popular boy band Arashi. Since the group's debut in 1999, it has achieved 20 number one singles, 6 number one studio albums, 1 number one greatest hits compilation album and has sold 9.9 million records in Japan alone to date.

 

 

 

 

 A simple profile of Jun! ^^
Name: 松本 潤
Name (romaji): Matsumoto Jun
Nickname: MatsuJun, Jun-sama, Jun-kun (by all of Arashi), Jun-chan (by his mom), Devil Jun (in his JR days), Do-S (DoS) banchou (Bambino), Junjun (close friends), Jun-pon, Jun-tan, Junnichi (old school friends), Junji
Interests: Music, DVDs, Photography, Reading
Preferred Sport: baseball
Favorite Food: Soba, Dried Plums, Mango
Favorite Colors: White, Black, & Blue

Enjoys: go to the beach and play with dogs… even though he doesn’t have a dog, shopping and buy clothes, likes to change his hairstyle 

His new and personal community website is: http://jun-online.webs.com/ ...Please check it out when you have time and join the fun of his new site!! ^o^

Fun Facts about Jun:
1. Fellow Arashi member Sho Sakurai was once his private tutor. In fact, Sho was the one who encouraged Jun to finish High School.
2. His 17th birthday presents from the members: Electric Massager (Sho), Skateboard (Aiba), Self Portrait (Ohno), 5 Small Turtles (Nino). Jun felt really happy that the members remembered his birthday.
Those turtles Nino gave him are “fine”. Other than changes in size, they were once frozen to death, and were ‘revived’ after being dipped into hot water. Last August 30, 2007 (his birthday) his mother sent him a birthday e-mail. Attached to it was a picture of his turtles and a message along the lines of "Your turtles have grown one year older too."
3. The places he would love to visit are Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Recently he was able to visit both-- Las Vegas, for the filming of Hana Yori Dango Final (2008) and L.A. for the advanced screening of his movie Kakushi Toride no San Akunin (2008).
4. Although often mentioned that his blood type is "A", in technicality his bloodtype is really rhesus negative-- a very rare blood type. (Shocking isn't it!)
6. Matsujun is also nearsighted. On stage, screen, and magazines, he usually wears contacts. Outside his work and during his free time, he is mainly seen by many wearing a pair of glasses.
7. Junjun is a huge fan of American superstar Janet Jackson, often referring to his opportunity to meet his idol during several of his media interviews. He is also a fan of American actors Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and enjoys Kabuki.
8. He considers the founder of Johnny's Jimusho, Johnny Kitagawa the biggest influence in his life.
9. Surfing is one of Jun's hobbies. His so-called mentor is his senpai Tatsuya Yamaguchi of Tokio.
10. In ten years the job he would want to be doing would be to be the host of Shounen Club Premium.
11. Aoki Kotomi, the author of the manga "Boku wa Imouto Ni Koi O Suru", confessed being so excited that she nearly fainted when she found out that Jun was chosen to play the lead role of brother, Yori. She is a big fan of Matsujun and named one of her manga characters "Jun" because of him.
12. Jun often cries while watching movies. When he was younger he watched the movie Forrest Gump with his family. Moved, he could feel the tears coming out already at some points of the movie, but because he was with his family he was embarrassed to cry in front of them. Finally, when he could no longer keep in his emotions, he ran out of the theatre and cried.
13. When he first read the Hana Yori Dango manga, his favorite character was Hanazawa Rui. However, when he was given the role of Tsukasa Domyouji, he revisited the manga again and was able to identify with Domyouji's character so much that he admitted to crying while reading some parts of the manga.
14. His best friend in Arashi is Aiba Masaki. Other Johnny's he frequently spends time with are his kouhais Nishikido Ryo and Akanishi Jin.
15. He didn’t like the Hana Yori Dango curls as much as any of us because of the fashion problems it posed on him. When he was on set, it was fine because he had costumes; but once he was out, he couldn’t find anything in his wardrobe to compliment his curly hairstyle.
16. Little Jun used to idolize Sho Sakurai.
17. Jun used to have a room so messy that sometimes when he slept, he would jerk awake when clothes fell onto his face. Now though, he has a sort of clothesline above his bed, and he just grabs the clothes he wants to wear, saying its a lot more convenient.
18. Jun is very picky about movie/drama scripts, and will only act the roles and scripts that interest him.
19. Sato Atsuhiro is a very respected senpai of Jun. He feels that they are "fated" to be friends since they share the same birthday and hobbies.
20. Jun is the first Japanese male to make it to the cover of the Japanese Marie Claire magazine. The only guys to grace its cover in its 24 year history have all been foreign superstars including David Beckham.
21. He likes dry plums so much that he snatches them away from Aiba.
22. Jun is quite a big fan of Harry Potter franchise.
23. He’s so close to band member Ohno Satoshi that he doesn’t use honorifics anymore while talking to him.
24. His height when he first entered Johnny’s: 150cm.
25. Jun enjoys baths and often spends hours in them, listening to music and relaxing.
26. When he was in 2nd grade, there was an incident wherein he ran out onto the road and was knocked over by a van and was severely injured. Despite this, he was as chirpy and cheerful as he could be. So cheerful that when the ambulance came, he just kept apologizing to the man, saying he was naughty for running out onto the road.
27. Jun became interested in Johnny's when his older sister was in second year of middle school, when she became a fan of Kinki Kids. Jun watched videos of Kinki Kids with his sister, and decided to apply to Johnny's Jimusho. He sent his CV on the day of his Elementary School graduation, thinking it may be of good luck. Usually applicants then receive a letter inviting them to audition, but Jun received a phone call directly from Johnny Kitagawa inviting him to a rehearsal in the old TV Asahi building. He is the only Arashi member who did not have to go to audition.
28. Jun hosts Jun Style, a radio show in Japan.
29. At the Arashi debut event on a ship off Hawaii, he had the job of holding a large flag. However, Sho mentioned later that because the wind was so strong, Jun was almost blown away.
30. He really likes KichiToka workroom's "Sound of Waves" and has watched it over four times.
31. On his off days he likes driving out to the sea. He mentioned in his appearance on "Oshare-ism" that he usually drives there alone, and when he gets bored he rings his friends from the sea to arrange to meet up.
32. He is good friends with his high school classmates, namely Shichinosuke Nakamura (Kabuki actor) and Ryuhei Matsuda.

33. His closest friends that are dear to him are as follows so far: Sho Sakurai, Satoshi Ohno, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, Dorothy Wong, Lee Yu-Wen, Pika-chan, Valerie Kurnia, Angie Matsumoto, Tammy Chaim, Vaso Konstantinidou, Kali Sakurai, Shaigon Tsukiji, Oguri Shun, Mao Inoue, Abe Tsuyoshi, Matsuda Shota, Matsushima Nanako, Nishihara Aki, Sada Mayumi, Ai Otsuka, and many many others...^^

34. 

Filmography

Dramas Jun starred in:
1. Bambino! as Ban Shogo (NTV, 2007)
2. Hana Yori Dango 2 as Domyouji Tsukasa (TBS, 2007)
3. Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari Imakiyo-san (Fuji TV, 2006)
4. Hana Yori Dango as Domyouji Tsukasa (TBS, 2005)
5. Propose (NTV, 2005, ep1)
6. Kimi wa Petto as Momo/Goda Takeshi (TBS, 2003)
7. Yoiko no Mikata as Sawada Shin (Gokusen) (NTV, 2003, 5-min guest appearance)
8. Gokusen as Sawada Shin (NTV, 2002)
9. Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo 3 as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2001)
10. Kowai Nichiyoubi (NTV, 1999)
11. Bokura no Yuuki ~Miman Toshi~ as Mori (NTV, 1997)

12.Myu no Anyo Papa ni Ageru as Yamaguchi Hayato (NTV, 2008)

13. Smile as Hayakawa Bito (TBS, 2009)

14. Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo: Murder on the Magic Express as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2001)

15. Mukai Arata No Doubutsu Nikki ~Aiken Roshinante No Sainan~ as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2001, Cameo)

16. The Worst Dates as Yuusuke (NTV, 2000, ep2)

17. V no Arashi as Matsumoto Jun (Fuji TV, 1999)

18. Kowai Nichiyoubi "Furugiya" as S (NTV, 1999, ep10)

19. Nekketsu Ren-ai Dou "Case 2: Leo A-type Boy" as Nikaidou Akira and "Case 11: Gemini B-type Boy" as Fukunaga Kousuke (NTV, 1999, ep2 & 11)

20. Hitsuyou no Nai Hito as Ohno Takuji (NHK, 1998)

21. BOYS BE... Jr. "Hakunetsu! Renai Shitai Shoukougun" as Yuu (NTV, 1998, ep1)

22.Mou Hitotsu no Shinzou as Kitamura Tooru (NHK, 1997)

23.Bokura no Yuuki ~Miman Toshi~ as Mori (NTV, 1997)

24. Hoken Chousa Shigarami Tarou no Jikenbo Kijin Jiken (TBS, 1997)

Movies Jun Starred in:
1. Hana Yori Dango Final (2008)
2. Kakushi Toride no San Akuni(2008)
3. Kiiroi Namida (2007)
4. Boku wa Imôto ni Koi wo Suru (2007)
5. Tokyo Tower (2005)
6. Pika**nchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy (2004)
7. Pika*nchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy(2002)

8.Shinjuku Tanteidan Shonen (Shinjuku Boy Detectives) (1998)

9. Yellow Tears

Stage Plays Jun has performed in:
West Side Story (2004)

East of Eden (2005)

Stand By Me (1997)

Commercials Jun has starred in:
AU KDDI
Pepsi Nex (solo)
Tongari Corn
C1000
Pino
O'Zack
McDonald's
Coca Cola
Parco
Petit

 

 

The Awards Jun Won so Far:
Year Awards
1. 2007 Best Actor (Bambino[1]), [53rd Television Drama Academy Awards][2]
2. Best Supporting Actor (Hana Yori Dango 2[3]), 10th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 07)
3. 2005 Best Supporting Actor (Hana Yori Dango[4]]), [47th Television Drama Academy Award]

4.. 2002 Best Supporting Actor (Gokusen[6]), [33rd Television Drama Academy Awards]

 In Depth Details about Jun's acting career so far: 1997- present

Jun made his television debut as an actor in 1997 in the mystery-thriller series, Bokura no Yūki ~Miman Toshi~, opposite both members of Kinki Kids and band mate Masaki Aiba. He appeared on the silver screen for the first time a year later in Shinjuku Tanteidan Shōnen but his breakthrough did not come till 2001 however when he was cast as Hajime Kinda'ichi in the third season of Kinda'ichi Shonen no Jikenbo taking over the role from senpai Tsuyoshi Domoto and co-starring opposite Anne Suzuki. Arashi's single, "Jidai", was used as the theme song for the drama and was named "Best Theme Song" at the 30th Television Drama Academy Awards.

Jun gained further popularity as an actor in 2002 when he starred in the first season of Gokusen with Yukie Nakama, Shun Oguri, Tomohiro Waki, Hiroki Narimiya, and Yuma Ishigaki. His portrayal of the troubled but highly intelligent student, Shin Sawada, drew acclaim and won him "Best Supporting Actor" at the 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards. He later returned with most of the original cast to star in the special epilogue episode in 2003. His character also made a cameo in bandmate Sho Sakurai 's comedy series, Yoiko no Mikata, in the same year. Jun took another high-profile role in the live-action adaptation of manga series, Kimi wa Peto, as Takeshi "Momo" Goda, starring opposite Koyuki the same year. Arashi starred in their first film together in 2002 entitled Pika*nchi Life Is Hard Dakedo Happy and came together again for its sequel, Pika**nchi Life Is Hard Dakara Happy, in 2004. He also starred in the film Tokyo Tower as a womanizer with a preference for older women with senpai Junichi Okada in the same year.

In 2005, Jun took the most prominent role of his career to date when he was cast as Tsukasa Domyōji in the live-action adaptation of shojo manga Hana Yori Dango. Co-starring opposite Mao Inoue, Shun Oguri, Shota Matsuda and Tsuyoshi Abe, the series was a success with an average viewership rating of 19.6%. Matsumoto's portrayal as the air-headed and arrogant leader of four heirs to billionaire business empires won him "Best Supporting Actor" again at the 47th Television Drama Academy Awards. The show's success spawned a second season which aired in 2007 and was an even bigger hit with television audiences with an improved viewership rating of 21.7% at the end of its run. The second series were lauded with more accolades when it was named "Best Drama" while Inoue and Jun won "Best Lead Actress" and "Best Supporting Actor" at the Television Drama Academy Awards and the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix respectively. TBS decided to end the series through a film, Hana Yori Dango -Final-, which hit the big screen on June 28, 2008 in Japan. The film stayed at number 1 at the box office for 3 consecutive weekends and stayed in the top 10 for 10 weekends with returns of more than 6 billion yen at the end of its run. The film was also released in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.

In 2007, Jun starred in Bambino! which won him his first "Best Lead Actor" trophy at the 53rd Television Drama Academy Awards. In the same year, Arashi starred in their third film together entitled Kiroii Namida while Matsumoto was cast in his most controversial role to date when he co-starred with Nana Eikura in the independent film Boku wa Imoto ni Koi o Suru as the lead character, Yūki Yori, who falls in love and develops a romantic relationship with his younger twin sister. Jun also continued to choose more varied characters when he took on his first jidaigeki (period piece) role in a 2008 re-make of Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, Kakushi Toride no San-Akunin: The Last Princess, with other award-winning actors Hiroshi Abe, Kippei Shiina, and Masami Nagasawa. He also re-united with Bambino! co-star, Karina, in the special television movie, Myū no Anyo Papa ni Ageru, which aired as part of the 24 Hours TV charity special in 2008. He portrayed a man diagnosed with CIDP struggling to recuperate and return to normal life with his wife and young daughter. This tanpatsu was highly rated with a viewership rating of 25.6%.

Due to his highly acclaimed role as Domyouji Tsukasa in the Hanadan trilogy, Jun was awarded GQ man of the year under the Singer/Actor category.

Jun will be playing Vito, a half-Japanese, half-Filipino character in his new drama, Smile. He will be working with Yui Aragaki and Kiichi Nakai in this drama. The drama is due to start in April 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My dear friend, Sho started his journey in the Japanese entertainment circle when he joined Johnny's Jimusho in October 1995. He was a Johnny's Junior until November 1999. Amongst the five in the group, Sho is the designated "rapper" of Arashi, his rap is known as "Sakurap"- he writes his own lyrics and has a very good English vocabulary. Sakurai also writes some of the rap lyrics of Arashi's songs. He was the first person from the group to hold a solo concert, called The Show, in 2006.

In 2004, Sho graduated from Keio University with a degree in Economics. With that, Sho has become the inspiration for younger Johnny's idols such as NEWS members Tomohisa Yamashita, Keiichiro Koyama, Shigeaki Kato, and Yuya Tegoshi to pursue a higher education after high school. Sakurai is also a known promoter of education for today's youth in Japan; Sho was a spokesperson for Jounan Yobiko, an enrichment cram school, back in early 2005. Sakurai has the highest education among Arashi and has become the inspiration for younger Johnny's idols such as NEWS members to pursue higher education after graduating from high school.

Sakurai is also a known promoter of education towards today's youth in Japan, being spokesperson for Jounan Yobiko, a reknown enrichment cram school back in early 2005. Currently, he is a special newscaster for NTV's News Zero, with a segment every Monday. He was also the main sportcaster for the 2007 Volleyball World Cup . After which, he was given the task to be NTV's main caster for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Sho is Zero Fuji TV news anchor with Koyashi Mao.

Fun Facts about Sho:

* Sho's father is a government official. who happens to study in the same university = Keio – as Sho.
* Sho's mother is a college/university literature professor.

*Sho fave subject in school was japanese and geography

* The members of the Sakurai family is said to have the S.S. as their name initials.
* Sho's closest friends back in school always called him "SakuSho".
* Sho's secret to success in studying for school is to put everything on hold, including his career, and spend at least 1 month in advance strictly studying at home or at the library.
* Sho's favorite TV channels are MTV and Discovery Channel.
* Sho's favorite magazine is GQ and Newsweek.
* Sho likes to read before going to bed.
* Sho doesn't feel comfortable or confident taking his shirt off for photo shoots.
* Sho's ideal girlfriend: sweet, simple, smart-dressed (i.e. no skimpy clothes), non-smoker, non-celebrity with intelligence and an independently thinking mind.
* Sho likes to surf the Internet on his free time.
* Sho has a passion for learning about History.

* Sho doesn’t eat between meals.
* Sho's brother calls him ‘Bambi’ after watching ‘Kisarazu Cat’s Eye.’
* One story told in one of the interviews with Arashi was that Sho talked in his sleep during 2002 Summer Concert. Ohno who was in the same room heard it very clearly at around 6 am saying “let Aiba sleep!” But he himself didn’t know anything about it.
* Another was that when he went hot spring with Myojo for shooting, it so happened that it was the place he went with his family 10 years ago. He called his mom on the spot just because of this.
* During the audition part of the Summer Concert, Sho was super nervous because he can hear fans talking as he sat quite close to them

* Sho loves ‘Frisk’ peppermint sweets very much, will usually finish up a box a day he will read some comics before he goes to bed
* Sho can speak english quite well, remember the arashi in NY? yeah, he's the one who always asked the americans to take their pix ^o^

*Sho adores children so much

*Sho come from an elite family, but he's a humble person.

*Sho has a younger brother and sister which is 5 and 13 years old younger than him.

* Aiba is the only arashi member that call him sho-chan.

* Sho is also known to be a caring Arashi member along with Jun too!

Profiling Sho:

• Name: 櫻井翔 (さくらい　しょう)
• Name (romaji): Sakurai Sho
• Nicknames: Sho-kun / Sho-chan
• Profession: Actor, singer and TV news anchor
• Birthdate: 1982-Jan-25
• Birthplace: Minato, Tokyo, Japan
• Height: 171cm
• Weight: 60kg
• Star sign: Aquarius
• Blood type: A
• Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment
• He admires: Ken Miyake
• Sho joined Jonny: 1995
• Special Talents: Football, knows how to play the piano a little
• Interest: Music, watching movies, photography
• Good points: Handles every single matter properly and well
• Bad points: No patience
• Favorite Brand: GAP
• Favorite Color: Yellow and Black
• Favorite Food: Seafood Pizza
• Food Sho dislikes: Mushrooms
• Types of girl Sho likes: One that doesn't make him feel irritated when together
• Types of girl Sho dislikes: Girls who are too quiet
• Sho's nickname in Johnny Jr.: "Bean"
• Sho's motto: "Every end is a new beginning"
  

TV Dramas Sho have starred in:

The Quiz Show 2 (NTV, 2009)

Uta no Onii-san as himself (TV Asahi, 2009, ep7)

Yamada Taro Monogatari as Mimura Takuya (TBS, 2007)

Yankee Bokou ni Kaeru Special as Yoshimori Masaya (TBS, 2005)

Gekidan Engimono as Ishikawa-ken Gosan-shi (Fuji TV, 2005)

Tokio as Miyamoto Tokio (NHK, 2004)

Gekidan Engimono Unlucky Days - Natsume no Mousou as Kantaku (Fuji TV, 2004)

Ikebukuro West Gate Park Special (TBS, 2003, cameo)

Yoiko no Mikata as Suzuki Taiyo (NTV, 2003)

Kisarazu Cat's Eye - Nakagomi Futoshi a.k.a Bambi (TBS, 2002)

• Tengoku ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko 2 as Toudou Ayumi (TBS, 2001)

Stage Shows Sho have starred in:

1. 2006 - The Beautiful Game (musical) as John
2. 2004 - West Side Story as Tony along with Ohno and Jun

Movies Sho have starred in:

• Yatterman (2009)
• Kiiroi Namida (2007)
• Kisarazu Cat's Eye: World Series as Nakagomi Futoshi a.k.a Bambi (2006)
• Hachimitsu to Clover as Yuuta Takemoto (2006)
• Pika*nchi Life is Hard Dakara Happy as Chu (2004)
• Kisarazu Cat's Eye: Nihon Series as Nakagomi Futoshi a.k.a Bambi (2003)
• Pika**nchi Life is Hard Dakedo Happy as Chu (2002)

Awards:

5th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (2001-02): Best Newcomer - Heaven Cannot Wait 2

Advertisements Sho has advertised in:

Shiseido UNO (2006)

C1000 (2006 ~ )

Nivea 8x4 (2006 ~)

AU by KDDI (2008)

Japan Post (2008)

Toyota

Able rental Company

Jōnan Yobiko

Sho

Sho with kitty tattoo...on face!

 

My dear friend Nino Kazunari  (二宮 和也) was born on June 17, 1983 is a singer, songwriter, actor, television personality, seiyu and radio host. Nino was born and raised in Tokyo, and at the age of 13, he joined the famed Japanese talent agency Johnny Associates. On September 15, 1999, he debuted in Honolulu, Hawaii as one of the five members of the popular group Arashi. He is best known to movie audiences for his portrayal as Private Saigo in the 2006 Clint Eastwood war film "Letters from Iwo Jima".

When Nino joined Johnny & Associates, he was a member of temporary Johnny's Jr. units such as MAIN (which consisted of fellow Arashi members Jun and Aiba, as well as current Johnny's Jr. Toma Ikuta and B.A.D. before the formation of the Arashi group.

Nino made his acting debut in 1998 as a 15-year-old runaway in the television movie Amagi Goe. Almost every year since then, he has been appearing in numerous productions. Nino began to receive recognition in 2002 when he was awarded "Best Actor" in 10th Rendora 110 Award for his lead role in the drama Stand Up!!. Soon, he headlined more dramas such as Haikei, Chichiue-sama and Yamada Taro Monogatari.

In 2002, he made his motion picture debut in PIKA☆NCHI　LIFE IS HARD Dakedo HAPPY, in which he acted with the rest of his Arashi bandmates Ohno, Sho, Aiba and Jun. He played Saigo in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated Letters of Iwo Jima with Academy Award-nominated actor Ken Watanbe. His performance was singled out and praised by RogerEbert.com editor, Jim Emerson, as 'thoroughly winning. Shortly after, Nino debuted as a seiyu and lent his voice to main character Kuro in the animated film Tekkon Kinkreet, which was directed by Michael Arias.

As well Nino has his own radio show called Bay Storm since October 4, 2002. The show is currently airing every Sunday on Japan's BayFM, in which he often plays his own renditions of Arashi's songs as well as songs by other artists.

Fun Facts About Nino:

Name: 二宮和也

Name (romaji): Ninomiya Kazunari

Nickname: Nino

Profession: Actor, singer, songwriter, showhost

Birthdate: 1983-Jun-17

Birthplace: Katsushika City, Tokyo, Japan

Height: 168cm

Weight: 49kg

Star sign: Gemini

Blood type: A

Family: Sister (2 years older)

Talent Agency before: Pony Canyon (1999-2001)

Talent Agency now: Johnny's Entertainment (2002 - present)

Nino joined Johnny & Associates at the age of 13 on June 19, 1996.

Nino once planned to go to America to study directing/producing by December 1999, but Nino gave it up when his debut as Arashi was announced in September.

Nino can play (among others) guitar, bass, piano, drums and harmonica. He is also good at gymnastics and cooking.

Nino's hobbies include singing, guitar-playing, music production, creative writing (songs, fiction, etc), baseball, and videogames.

Nino was the first JE talent to star in a Hollywood movie, Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

 

TV Shows Nino have starred in:

Ryusei no Kizuna as Ariake Koichi (TBS, 2008)

Maou as Kumada Masayoshi (TBS, 2008, ep1)

Yamada Taro Monogatari as Yamada Taro (TBS, 2007)

Marathon as Miyata Shotaro (TBS, 2007)

Haikei, Chichiue-sama as Tawara Ippei (Fuji TV, 2007)

Sukoshi wa, Ongaeshi ga Dekitakana as Kitahara Kazunori (TBS, 2006)

Yasashii Jikan as Wakui Takuro (Fuji TV, 2005)

Minami-kun no Koibito 2004 as Minami (TV Asahi, 2004)

Stand Up!! as Asai Shohei (TBS, 2003)

Netsuretsu Teki Chuuka Hanten as Nanami Kenta (Fuji TV, 2003)

Handoku as Sakaguchi Nobu (TBS, 2001)

Namida wo Fuite as Fuchigami Kenta (Fuji TV, 2000)

V no Arashi (Vの嵐) (Fuji TV, 1999)

Kowai Nichiyoki (NTV, 1999, ep8)

Abunai Hokago (TV Asahi, 1999)

Nekketsu Renai Michi (熱血恋愛道) (NTV, 1999, ep1)

Akimahende as Aoki Taiki (TBS, 1998)

Nijuroku ya Mairi (二十六夜参り) (TBS, 1998)

Amagi goe Takichi (TBS, 1998)

 

Movies Nino has starred in:

Kiiroi Namida/Yellow Tear (2007)

Tekkon Kinkreet as Kuro (2006, voice)

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Pika**nchi Life is Hard Dakara Happy (2004)

Ao no Honoo / Blue Light (2003)

Pika*nchi Life is Hard Dakedo Happy (2002)

 

Commercials Nino has starred in:

AU by KDDI

Pino

O'Zack

McDonald's

Coca Cola

 

Awards Nino has received so far:

59th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor - Ryusei no Kizuna

12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Fall 2008): Best Actor for Ryusei no Kizuna

11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jul-Sep 2007): Best Actor - Yamada Taro Monogatari

10th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 07): Best Actor - Haikei, Chichiue-sama

Hashida award: Sukoshi wa, Ongaeshi ga Dekitakana (2006)

16th Rendora 110Award: Best supporting actor - Yasashii Jikan (2005)

(Ranked 2nd) - 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (2004-05): Best Supprting Actor - Yasashii Jikan

8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jul-Sep 2004): Best Supporting Actor - Minami-kin no Koibito (2004)

(Reader's Vote) - 42nd TV Drama Academy Award: Best Supporting Actor - Minami-kin no Koibito (2004)

10th Rendora 110Award: Best Actor - Stand Up (2003)

Nino

Jumping Nino

Details about my friends in Arashi:

Arashi covers a wide range of music, including R&B, hip hop and various forms of pop music. Aside from being a popular group in Japan, the group is widely known across Asia and to J-pop fans all over the world.

Johnny's & Associates (or Johnny's) announced the group's debut on September 15, 1999 through a press conference aboard a cruise ship off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Arashi, the Japanese word for storm, was chosen by Johnny's to represent the group's thrust of "creating a storm throughout the world." Arashi is currently the only debuted group in Johnny's that is written entirely in Kanji. Their debut single, "Arashi", became the theme song for the 8th World Cup of Volleyball hosted by Japan in 1999. They gained widespread exposure when they sang their debut single at the cup's opening on November 2, 1999. At the debut event a day later, an estimated 80,000 fans showed up at the Yoyogi National Hippodrome to see the group's live performance. The single went on to become a major hit, selling almost a million copies. From March 25 to April 30, 2001, the group embarked on their first nationwide tour, the Arashi Spring Concert 2001. The tour took place in Sendai, Osaka, Nagoya, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Toyama and Tokyo with an unprecedented 26 performances. March 2002 saw the group's return to Hawaiʻi, with a series of fan tours, as a part of Johnny's Stand Up Hawaii Campaign.

By 2006, the group's singles and albums were being released outside Japan. Their album, Arashic, was released not only in Japan, but in Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand as well. In Korea, the album proved so successful, the first 10,000 copies of the album were sold out on the first day, and it even topped the non Korean sales charts on the third week of July. On July 31, 2006, the group embarked on their Jet Storm Tour, which aimed to promote the album. The one-day tour covered Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea, countries which later became part of their Asia tour (The Thailand concert, Thai-J Pop Concert, was canceled due to a military coup).

The concert in Korea was decided because about 1,500 Korean fans gathered at the Incheon International Airport during the group's Jet Storm press conference. The concert, held on November 12, 2006, made Arashi the first group from Johnny's Entertainment to perform an individual concert in South Korea. The group proved popular to Korean fans when their concert tickets were sold out in an hour, as some 150,000 people rushed to book tickets online. Aside from their concert performances, the group represented Japan in the 2006 Asia Song Festival, also held in South Korea.

On February 21, 2007, the group released their first single of the year 2007, "Love so sweet", the theme song for the high-rating television drama Hana Yori Dango 2 which peaked at the number one spot on Oricon's daily and weekly charts. Their nineteenth single, "We Can Make It!", released on May 2, 2007, also charted number one on Oricon's daily and weekly charts, before falling out of the Top 10 in its second week, only to return back to the Top 10 on its third week. On April 2007, the group performed in one of their largest concerts to date: Arashi Around Asia in Dome, which was a continuation of their Triumphant Homecoming concert, aimed to celebrate the successful Asian tour held in January 2007. A huge number of fans balloted for the January concerts so it was decided that they will hold a dome version of the concert. Arashi Around Asia in Dome was held in Kyocera Dome in Osaka, and at the Tokyo Dome, with a combined total capacity of 100,000 people, and had an attendance of over 200,000.

Their ninth studio album, Time released in July, continued the group's string of number one releases, selling over 190,000 copies in its first week and even reaching the number two spot on the United World Rankings. Also in July, saw the premiere of the TBS drama production of the manga, Yamada Taro Monogatari starring members Kazunari Ninomiya and Sho Sakurai. The theme song of the series, "Happiness", was sung by the group and also debuted at the top spot of the Japanese single charts. The year proved successful for the group, with all of their singles at the Top 30 of the annual Oricon charts, with "Love so sweet" ranking 4th in single sales overall.

The group's success in 2007 sparked renewed interest, with two major announcements in February 2008. The first was the announcement that the group will be doing a concert tour of the five major domes in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. The tour, titled ARASHI Marks 2008 Dream-A-live, consists of 10 performances, from May 16 in Osaka to July 6 in Sapporo. The only other Johnny's artists who have done a five dome tour are SMAP and KinKi Kids. The second announcement was from the Japanese television network TBS, announcing that the group will host a variety show dealing with social and cultural topics on its primetime line-up as a part of its programming strategy after concerns about falling ratings. The show which is entitled Himitsu no Arashi-chan ("Arashi-chan's secret"), will air 10:00 JST, starting on April 10, and will be produced by Saori Hirata. It will the be the first variety show hosted by the group to be aired in primetime. As a publicity campaign for the show, the group appeared in a TBS Tokyo Friend Park Special on March 31, which became the most-watched non-drama primetime program that night, registering a viewership rating of 19.7%.  Arashi was the third musical group (after SMAP and Dreams Come True) to perform at Tokyo's National Stadium in their first major outdoor concert on September 5, 2008 as the start of the group's second Asia tour, which included Taipei, Seoul, and Shanghai; Johnny & Associates' first concert in China. 2008 proved to be a successful year for the group with their 23rd single, "Truth/Kaze no Mukō e", topping the Oricon singles chart for the year with "One Love" coming second for the year. They are the first artist since 1989 to take the top two placings on the charts. Their 24th single, "Beautiful Days", also placed as the 10th best selling single of the year.

"Believe / Kumori Nochi, Kaisei" (Believe／曇りのち、快晴) is the twenty fifth single from the Japanese boy band Arashi released on March 4, 2009. It was released in three editions: a normal edition containing a bonus track and karaoke versions of all the songs released in the single, and two limited edition both containing a DVD with a music video of one of the A-side tracks. It is the first single from the group in 2009, their fifth double A-side release and the first to feature a solo A-side.

The single sold 502,000 in the 1st week, surpassing truth / Kaze no Mukou e's no.s (467,288) & it officially has the biggest 1st week sales of 2009 & also it's the biggest selling single of the year at this point in time .

Believe, the song is the theme song of the movie Yatterman, starring Arashi member Sho Sakurai. There are two known music videos for the song, a live action and an animated version. The animated video was released on Dwango by animation studio Tatsunoko and the group's record label J Storm. In the animated video, the members transformed into characters from Tatsunoko's Time Bokan anime series. The live action is included in one of the limited edition release of the single. Arashi's latest single, "Believe/Kumori Nochi, Kaisei," dominated the charts this past week. With roughly 502,000 copies sold, it has become the best-selling single of 2009 so far. It is also the first to break half a million in its opening week since KAT-TUN's "Real Face" (754,000) in April 2006. Arashi achieved the same feat once before with their debut single "A-RA-SHI" (557,000) in 1999.

Kumori Nochi, Kaisei, the song is the theme song of the Japanese television drama Uta no Onii-san (歌のおにいさん), starring Arashi member Satashi Ohno. Ohno sings the track solo and it is released under his character's name, Yano Kenta (矢野健太).

 The Latest new hot single due to be released from my dearest friends, Arashi is called: Crazy Moon and this song will be released in May 27, 2009 of this year. It is the 26th single release from Arashi, includes theme song to the TV drama "The Drama Show," "Ashita no Kioku," and insert song to the TV spot, "Crazy Moon - Kimi wa Muteki."

Nino this year is starring in a TBS drama special called "DOOR TO DOOR." This is the third and last in the network's "kandou drama" series, which includes last year's "Marathon" and 2006's "Sukoshi wa, Ongaeshi ga Dekita Kana." Ninomiya also starred in those two specials.

These dramas are based on true stories about y

oung men overcoming illnesses. "DOOR TO DOOR" is inspired by Bill Porter, an American door-to-door salesman who achieved the highest sales for his company despite suffering from cerebral palsy. In the U.S., Porter's story became a successful book, and it was turned into an Emmy-nominated made-for-TV movie on the TNT network in 2002.

TBS's version of "DOOR TO DOOR" is set in Japan, with Nino playing the lead as a man named Hideo Kurasawa. His supporting cast includes Kanako Higuchi as his mother and Rosa Kato as a co-worker. Filming started on Sunday. TBS will air the drama on March 29 at 9:00pm.