Arashi’s Matsumoto Jun, who has awakened after performing with Masami Nagasawa, signs an agent contract with a new agency, possibly declaring the end of his career as an idol.

Thoughts on being an actor, not a concert director

On December 3, Matsumoto Jun (41) of “Arashi” announced on his official website that he has signed an agent contract with “Moment and Eternity Inc.

Matsumoto had been independent from “STARTO ENTERTAINMENT” as of May 30 this year. MJC Inc., a private agency Matsumoto established in May, will be the point of contact for creative requests such as planning, production, and direction, but “Moment to Eternity” will take over the business contact for appearances and interviews.

Matsumoto had appeared in NODA MAP’s “Sho Triangle,” a play organized by Hideki Noda (68) that was staged from July this year. After performing in Tokyo, Kitakyushu, and Osaka with Masami Nagasawa (37) and Eita Nagayama (41), he performed in London, and the final performance was the day before Arashi’s debut anniversary.

This made Arashi fans disappointed that there would be no concert at “Tokyo Dome on the anniversary”. But when this performance was decided, it was said by those involved that “Matsumoto’s thoughts were shifting to actor Matsumoto Jun, not to Arashi concert production, which he had been in charge of for many years. This contract may be a declaration of farewell to the idol” (entertainment reporter).

Moment and Eternity” is known in the entertainment industry as a company founded by Takaaki Nagano of “Toho Entertainment” who was in charge of Nagasawa and Mone Kamihiraishi (26) in the past. He also serves as an agent. Nagano’s ability to bring out the best in talent has long been highly regarded in the industry.

The change I felt when I gained weight

When it comes to “actors” in “Arashi,” Kazuya Ninomiya (41) is at the top of the list, and he has won many awards, including the Best Actor Award at the “Japan Academy Prize. In fact, the members of “Arashi” were divided into different groups at the time of their debut, with Satoshi Ono (44) as the group leader, Sho Sakurai (42) as the “study” leader, and Masaki Aiba (41), who was the most idol-like at the time, as the “idol” leader. Masaki Aiba (41), the most idol-like leader at the time, was the “idol” leader. Ninomiya was the “actor” leader, and Matsumoto was the “comedy” leader. If there was a variety show where they had to eat ghetto food or put their bodies on the line, it was Matsumoto who was in charge,” said an entertainment agency official.

On the other hand, as Matsumoto appeared in hit TV dramas such as “Boys Over Flowers” (TV Asahi) and “Lost Love Chocolatier” (Fuji TV), he became more and more interested in acting. And the person involved says that his appearance in the NHK historical drama “Dare Ieyasu” was the deciding factor in his decision to sign this contract.

After much deliberation over whether he was capable of playing the lead role in the drama, he accepted the role of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Despite putting in a full year of effort, including gaining 10 kg to prepare for the role, his performance was not well received, and he was called “extremely overweight. This, on the contrary, ignited his acting spirit.

He regained his weight after the filming, but gained weight again to prepare for his role in the play “The Right Triangle” and grew a beard, transforming his appearance into something that would not be expected of an idol. Seeing him like that, many people involved felt that he had no intention of returning to the idol “Arashi” anymore.

It is said that Matsumoto’s activities as a leading actor and the presence of Ninomiya, who is an MC for his own variety shows, including regulars and special programs, as well as appearing in TV commercials all the time, also moved him. Inspired by Nagayama, Nagasawa, and Ninomiya, we can expect to see Matsumoto Jun, an actor who is sure to show us a performance that will bring out the best of both worlds.