Arashi Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Historic Images of Former Members
On November 3rd, ‘Arashi’ will celebrate their 25th anniversary. Will a revival concert take place?
It has been four and a half years since they went on indefinite hiatus on December 31, 2020. On April 10th, it was announced on the official website of ‘STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’ that ‘Arashi’ has established a new company. In a joint statement from the five members for their 25th anniversary, they wrote:
“With more independence than ever before, we want to make decisions more independently, and act more independently. Above all, we want our fans, who support us every day, to feel closer to us. We want to be more proactive. With these thoughts in mind, we talked over and over again as five and established this company.”
The following day, ‘Sanspo’ reported,
“While there are no confirmed activities at this time, the agency has reserved Tokyo Dome for November, and if the five members’ feelings align, there is a possibility of a concert.”
Fans’ expectations soared, but as time passed, these expectations turned to disappointment. Comments such as “Looking at the individual schedules of the five members, it doesn’t seem feasible to hold a large-scale concert at Tokyo Dome” and “I’ve given up on the concert. As long as I can see the five of them, even separately, it’s enough” indicate a mood of resignation. Nonetheless, many fans expressed, “I just hope they won’t betray the fans who have continued to pay the fan club membership fees and believe in them,” highlighting the need for the members to send some message.
“The establishment of Arashi’s company is partly to manage and operate the various rights related to their previously released songs and their extensive video content, but also to make it easier for them to control their activities as ‘Arashi’ with their own decision-making power. With this in mind, the possibility of a concert on November 3rd is not zero. Even if they don’t make it in time for that date, I believe they have some plans as ‘Arashi,’ and we should hope for that,” said a senior executive at a long-established talent agency.
‘FRIDAY’ has been following them since their debut event 25 years ago. Among the most memorable moments is the dignified appearance of Sho Sakurai at his high school graduation ceremony.
Sho Sakurai’s overwhelming brilliance at his high school graduation ceremony
On the afternoon of March 25, 2004, Sho Sakurai emerged from school in his school uniform. That morning, Keio High School, where Sakurai attended, held its graduation ceremony. After the ceremony concluded, Sakurai appeared in the afternoon. Holding his diploma and a large scarf in his left hand and a mobile phone to his ear with his right hand, he radiated a brilliance that set him apart from ordinary high school students.
Other memorable moments include Kazunari Ninomiya enthusiastically playing casual baseball and Masaki Aiba tirelessly swinging a golf club at a driving range.
Even if a revival concert does not materialize, their “brilliance” remains undimmed and will continue to shine in the future.
In the paid version of “FRIDAY GOLD,” numerous rare photos of the Arashi members are available for viewing.
PHOTO： Shinji Hasuo
