What Comes After Arashi? Data Insights Reveal the True Strength of the Male Idol Group Era
In the absence of the overwhelming champion "Arashi," new groups such as "Number_i," "BE:FIRST," and "JO1" are rapidly growing.
Groups undergoing a major transformation
As groups like “JO1” and “Be:First” continue to gain momentum, there is one group undergoing a major transformation. That group is “timelesz,” formerly known as “Sexy Zone,” which changed its name in April of this year and is affiliated with Staen.
“During their time as ‘Sexy Zone,’ the oldest member, Kento Nakajima (30), took on a ‘sexy character’ to carve out work opportunities in variety shows and dramas. In recent years, the group primarily focused on commercials alongside television appearances. This made them one of the groups most affected when the agency transitioned to its new management structure amid a series of issues,” said the same source.
Furthermore, at the end of March, Nakajima left the group, reducing the number of members to three. In response to this change, “timelesz” is undergoing a shift in direction.
“Since the name change, they’ve been focusing less on idol songs and more on artist-oriented tracks, while also holding the agency’s first-ever audition for new members. The current members—Fuma Kikuchi (29), Shori Sato (27), and Sou Matsushima (26)—initially had more opportunities in television dramas and stage performances, but they’ve also shifted toward variety shows, broadening their scope of work. Many of the regular programs they’ve landed over the past four years are new additions. It’s exciting to see how they’ll evolve from here,” said a TV station insider.
The competition between these groups is exactly the kind of excitement idol fans crave.
*As of September 23. The numbers in each chart are based on each group’s official websites, official YouTube channels, and reports during live events.
From the October 11, 2024 issue of FRIDAY
PHOTO.： Yoshito Murata Kyodo News Jiji Press
