TOBE and CULEN Leaders Showcase with Katori and Akina’s Red and White Duet
Number_i to make their debut at the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta GassenThe leadership of President Takizawa and President Iijima
TOBE’s “Number_i” has decided to make its debut at the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, once again drawing attention to the skills of President Hideaki Takizawa (42).
“It’s not just Kohaku. TOBE’s seven-member male idol group ‘IMP.’ has been appearing in a series of music specials such as ‘Best Hit Kayosai 2024’ (Nippon TV) and ‘Best Artist 2024’ (Nippon TV).
President Takizawa doesn’t show himself publicly, but he is making subtle moves behind the scenes. Even after leaving the former Johnny’s Entertainment, President Takizawa has maintained good relationships with media outlets, including NHK. His efforts have now paid off,” said an idol magazine editor.
There is also praise for the remarkable abilities of President Michi Iijima of CULEN, home to “New Smile.”
Shingo Katori (47) released his album Circus Funk on November 27, his first in about two years and seven months. The album includes the track “TATOO (feat. Akina Nakamori),” and on November 19, a photo of Katori and Nakamori (59) together was shared on Katori’s X account, causing a huge stir.
“It had long been said that collaborating with Akina Nakamori was difficult, but she is now duetting with Shingo Katori on ‘TATOO.’ This is said to have been arranged by President Iijima. However, even President Iijima was uncertain whether a collaboration with Nakamori would actually happen.
Despite this, he continued to make offers patiently, and got Nakamori to say, ‘There was no choice but to come when Shingo asked.’ If Katori and Nakamori join ‘Kohaku,’ it is certain to be a huge boost both in terms of attention and ratings,” said a music program staff member.
19-year-old who recently joined CULEN.
NHK is scheduled to air “Legendary Concert: Akina Nakamori 1991 Remastered Edition” on December 7. Other programs related to Nakamori, which could be seen as a hint, are also being broadcast, raising expectations for her participation in the Red and White Song Contest.
It is said that Goro Inagaki (50), Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (50), and Shingo Katori of “New Map” have a regular show on NHK called “Warui Ko Atsumare,” and there have been behind-the-scenes efforts to get them to appear on the Red and White Song Contest.
Kusanagi has appeared in the Taiga drama “Seiten o Tsuke” and the morning drama “Boogie Woogie,” making his relationship with NHK very close (according to a previous music program staff member).
Another big topic that is gaining attention is Ryushin Ozawa (19), an actor and dancer who joined CULEN this fall.
Ozawa has previously appeared in the “Tensai Television Kun” series (NHK) and Kabuki performances, and has also worked as a backup dancer for Katori. It was Iijima who took notice of him.
“It was a one-pull recruitment. People are paying attention to how the flow of discovering new talent will accelerate from here. Iijima’s eye is highly regarded. Even Takuya Kimura (52) praised him on his radio program,” said a variety show staff member.
Meanwhile, TOBE announced the addition of former Bishonen member Issei Kanasashi (20) on December 3 via a special live stream on their official YouTube channel. His artist name will be ISSEI. The reason he chose TOBE was due to a message from CEO Hideaki Takizawa:
“There is no one without potential. It’s up to you to either create your future or not.”
Kanashi has stated that it was with those words that he made his decision. This once again highlights the strong influence and appeal of President Takizawa.
Both TOBE and CULEN are said to be planning large-scale auditions next year. There is growing potential for the entertainment industry’s power dynamics to be reshaped with a new map.
PHOTO： Kazuhiko Nakamura
