Could it be…? The Meaning of “Kis-My-Ft2” Kitayama’s Report of Leaving the Group and the “Drastic Decrease in Group Work and Termination of Crown Programs

Hiromitsu Kitayama of Kis-My-Ft2 is leaving Johnny’s, according to a report in the April 27 issue of “Shukan Bunshun” (Bungeishunju). According to the magazine, Kitayama had been in discussions with the agency since last fall, and “finally, Kitayama and the agency have reached an agreement that he will leave the agency. Kitayama and the office finally came to an agreement that he would leave the group, and they are now in the process of making adjustments to the timing of his departure.

With the group’s workload decreasing and their future schedule uncertain, fans of Kiss Mai have been dreading the official announcement of the group’s departure.

After performing as a unit of Johnny’s Jr. In 2009, they celebrated their 10th anniversary and released their best album “BEST of Kis-My-Ft2” (August 10, 2009), and from May to August 2010, they went on a five-dome tour to commemorate their 10th anniversary. The group seemed to be in safe hands as they expanded their individual activities as well. ……

In September last year, the regular broadcast of “Moshi Moshi Tours” (Fuji TV), in which the members of Kiss Mai had appeared for a long time, came to an end. Since they had been on the show since October ’11, the year of their debut, fans were in for quite a shock. Then, in March of this year, Kiss Mai graduated from ‘The Shonen Club Premium’ (NHK BS Premium), where they had served as MCs for four years” (sports newspaper reporter).

Another big move was the group’s radio show “Kis-My-Ft2 Kiss My Radio” (Bunka Hoso). In an episode broadcast on December 14 last year, Toshiya Miyata said, “Thankfully, each member’s schedule is becoming rather full. Due to scheduling conflicts, from 2023, we will be presenting the music in a solo radio style.

Until now, two or three members have been in charge of the program as personalities, and many listeners have looked forward to their occasional cross-talk. However, the program has actually changed to a solo structure with one member appearing in January of this year.

As for Kiss Mai, no plans for CD releases, either singles or albums, have been announced, and no concert tours have been announced (as of May 3). Fans are therefore sensing a sense of disquiet.

In the January season of this year, member Taisuke Fujigaya starred in the drama series “Hamaru Otoko ni Kikutai Onna” (TV Asahi). Although the theme song was “Lemon Pie” by Kiss Mai, no information about the CD version of the song has been made public at this stage.

Also, Kismai’s new song “Sweet Melody” was used as the theme song for the movie “Otona Najimi” (released on May 12), starring Mizuki Inoue of Johnny’s Jr. unit HiHi Jets and model and actress Rinka Kumada, but no CD release date has been announced for this movie either.

However, “Sweet Melody” had a music video made, which was released on May 3 on Kiss Mai’s official YouTube page, with HiHi Jets making a guest appearance. Fans on the Internet were asking, “The music video for ‘Sweet Melody’ has been released, but no CD release date has been set, which is sad,” “We have two new songs, but the release of a single or album has been postponed?” The group is getting anxious: “The end of the group’s crown program, no CD, no tour announcement, and nothing but uncertainty about ……”.

Kitayama himself will appear as a rival in the musical “Endless SHOCK” (Imperial Theatre, Tokyo) starring Koichi Domoto of KinKi Kids from May 7 to 31. Will the activities of the seven members of Kismai become more active after the performance period ends, or will they receive disappointing news?