Yuta Kishi Causes Stir After Commenting on Logo Plagiarism Allegations

Although the logo issue has been settled, other plagiarism allegations have surfaced regarding TOBE, including the first single “Ranshin-” by former Kis-My-Ft2 member Hiromitsu Kitayama, which was released on November 17. 

The melody of the chorus of the song, sung in the same way as in Snow Man’s hit song “Brother Beat” (released in 2022), was criticized as being similar to the part of the song “Na na na na na na na na na na na~”

“Some netizens have also questioned another logo, which is similar to the one used in TOBE’s “Brother Beat” (released in 2022). The reason is that “Tobeban,” a YouTube program featuring TOBE artists, was launched on November 25. The program’s logo, in loose hiragana script with a different color for each letter, was reminiscent of the design of the music variety show “Uta Ban” (TBS), which used to be hosted by Masahiro Nakai and Takaaki Ishibashi of Tunnelsu fame. The logo was also titled “Uta-ban,” and some said, “It looks like the logo for ‘Uta-ban,'” or “Is this an homage?” However, the actual program was a completely different style from “Uta Ban,” so it may have just been a coincidence that they ended up with a very similar logo.”

TOBE has attracted many talents who left the former Johnny’s office (now “SMILE-UP.”), such as Kitayama, Number_i, and former V6 member Ken Miyake. Will it be able to create a new wind in the entertainment world?