Diverging Paths: Where Are Former Johnny’s Members Now

Diverging Paths: Where Are Former Johnny’s Members Now

 

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October 16, 2023, the day the name Johnny’s effectively came to an end.

On October 15, the day before that, it was announced that Yuta Kishi (28 ), formerly of King & Prince, who left Johnny’s at the end of September, would transfer to TOBE and joinShiyou Hirano (26) and Yuta Jinguji (25 ) to form a new group called Number_i.

The three former members of Kimpuri, Ken Miyake (44), formerly of V6, and Hiromitsu Kitayama (38), formerly of Kis-My-Ft2, who moved to TOBE, have started their solo activities, and their movements are reported in the media on a daily basis.

On the other hand, the former SMAP members of New Map and Masahiro Nakai (51 ) have been active in commercials, TV dramas, and variety shows that are widely recognized by the general public, without being affected by the series of disturbances.

 

Former NEWS members Tomohisa Yamashita and Yuya Tegoshi

What about other independent groups?

Former NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (38 ), who left the group in 2020, is also doing well.

As an actor, he has appeared in a series of major productions, including the Hollywood movie Man from Toronto and the Japanese-American-French co-production Drops of God, and last year he played the lead role in his first NHK drama, Masanao Fudosan (NHK). As an artist, he released a single last year and an album in July of this year, and he is also holding a live tour and appearing in several commercials, so there are many opportunities to see his face.

Tomohisa Yamashita has appeared in a series of major productions, released an album in July, and held a live tour (PHOTO: Yusuke Kondo)

Speaking of former NEWS, how about Yuya Tegoshi (35)? He started a YouTube channel immediately after leaving the group in 2020, followed by the release of a photo essay, which drew attention for his lightness of footwork and flamboyant behavior. He has also been active as a guest on sports-related programs such as soccer, baseball, and basketball. As an artist, he held a concert with a full orchestra at Tokyo Opera City in May of this year. According to his latest post on his official website, he will start his first TV program Chitan☆ and Yuya Tegoshi’s Honki de Ikimasu (tentative) on TV Saitama in April next year, and he will also take the second examination for sommelier wine expert. According to the latest post on the official X website, he has been active in a wide range of activities, including taking the second examination to become a sommelier wine expert.

Yuya Tegoshi will also start his first independent TV program “Chitan☆ and Yuya Tegoshi’s Honki de Ikimasu (tentative)” on TV Saitama in April next year (PHOTO: Shinji Hasuo).

Former Kanjani Eight members Ryo Nishikido and Subaru Shibutani, and former KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi

Ryo Nishikido, 38, formerly of Kanjani Eight and NEWS. He left the group in 20019 and became a solo artist, releasing three albums to date. This year, he appeared in his first TV drama in four years, Family, (NHK BS Premium), and in the Netflix drama Let’s Get Divorced, written by Kankuro Kudo and Shizuka Oishi, which attracted a lot of attention.

Ryo Nishikido’s full-fledged acting career and his return to the forefront of the acting world (PHOTO: Takero Shuzumura)

Shibutani Subaru (42) left Kanjani Eight in 2018 and started his career as a solo artist. He has released three original albums and one mini-album, and has been energetically performing live. In his personal life, he announced his marriage in 2021 and is now the father of a child.

Former KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi (39 ) has caused a stir by occasionally making posts on his X-rated site about the former Johnny’s office and the talent that belonged to it. Recently, in the midst of the turmoil, he posted, “I wonder if I should set up an office too,” and “What should I name it? Not To Be? Of course, he is not only posting on X, but also doing well in his day job. As an artist, he had a successful live performance at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in July, and as an actor, he played the lead role in a drama distributed in China.

Jin Akanishi studying abroad in Los Angeles, photographed in April 2007, six months after his abrupt declaration of absence.

Former V6 member Go Morita, former TOKIO member  Tomaya Nagase and Match

Go Morita, 44, formerly of V6, left V6 when it disbanded in November 2021, ahead of Ken Miyake of TOBE and Junichi Okada, 42, who is scheduled to leave on November 30.

He has been active as an actor mainly on stage and in movies, and in August this year he starred in the NHK special drama Announcers’ War, which has attracted much attention.

 

Then there is Tomoya Nagase (44), formerly of TOKIO. In September, he participated in a motorcycle road race and won 5th place, and he is also enjoying himself by providing music to his childhood friend’s band.

Despite differences in the degree of exposure and pace, they are each walking in new places. The location of their activities may possibly be the result of a state of segregation due to pressures and discernment referred to in the press and other media reports.

It is possible that in the future, there will be fewer opportunities for each media outlet to use former Johnny’s talents, or that they will no longer be biased in their appearances. There may even be a reversal of the trend, with former Johnny’s members appearing in singing shows, terrestrial TV dramas, and variety shows in place of the former Johnny’s talents.

And although they have their own SNS accounts, Akanishi, who specializes in the aforementioned teasing at X, has not made any specific mention of the content of the press conference or the company’s activities.

 

In the meantime, former eldest son Masahiko Kondo (59 ) made a hint statement, saying, “I’ll talk to you someday.” After a period of self-imposed retirement following the affair in 2020, Kondo continued to manage a racing team, and in April of this year he was appointed chairman of the board of directors of Japan Race Promotion. He has also returned to his singing career and is currently in the midst of a nationwide tour.

Will Match really be able to speak on this day? At what kind of place and with what kind of content? Let’s wait and see what Match has to say.