KAT-TUN Disbands! Unveiling Rare Photos of the Six Who Lived on the Edge

The six members have distinctly unique personalities

A group that was considered an outlier among former Johnny’s acts is now closing the curtain on more than 20 years of history.

On February 12, it was announced that KAT-TUN would disband on March 31.

Formed in 2001, the group originally consisted of Kazuya Kamenashi (38), Jin Akanishi (40), Junnosuke Taguchi (39), Koki Tanaka (39), Tatsuya Ueda (41), and Yuichi Nakamaru (41). Their debut single, “Real Face”, was written by Shikao Suga (58) and composed by Tak Matsumoto (63)—a unique collaboration that resulted in a million-seller.

Veteran entertainment reporter Chikako Komai, who has covered KAT-TUN extensively, describes the six members as highly unconventional.

“Originally, they were formed as exclusive backup dancers for Koichi Domoto (46), but they were really wild back then. They would slouch into press conferences, speaking informally to reporters. At one point, Domoto got so fed up that he angrily told them, ‘I don’t want you backing me up anymore.’

At the same time, their intense, rebellious aura resonated with the public in a way that traditional Johnny’s idols hadn’t. In March 2006, they became the first group in history to hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome before even making their CD debut. That shows just how much attention they were getting.”

From high-profile relationships with major celebrities to multiple member departures, drug-related arrests, and public apologies, KAT-TUN has always been a group on the edge—a quality FRIDAY has witnessed firsthand from their early days. The photos included here capture just a small part of their dramatic journey.

After 2010, a series of departures—Akanishi, Tanaka, and Taguchi—due to creative differences or scandals left the group constantly teetering on the brink of collapse. Each time, Kamenashi took the lead in apologizing and explaining the situation, keeping KAT-TUN afloat.

“When Taguchi left in 2016, Kamenashi was particularly shaken. There were discussions about disbanding at that time, but Ueda and Nakamaru were adamant about keeping the group together, which allowed them to continue,” says an executive from a talent agency.

However, this time, they finally decided to disband. What pushed them to make this decision?

Another talent agency executive explains:

“Since the group became a trio, there was a divide—Kamenashi wanted to bring closure to KAT-TUN, while Ueda and Nakamaru wanted to continue. Then came the Johnny’s sexual misconduct scandal, which led to the agency’s dissolution. Kamenashi became increasingly focused on solo activities, including live performances and YouTube projects. Meanwhile, Nakamaru’s romantic scandal surfaced, which was the final blow.

Originally, Kamenashi was planning to leave the group but remain with the agency. However, after over a year of discussions, he ultimately decided to resign. It seems he wanted to make a complete break before embarking on a fresh start.”

Even in their final chapter, KAT-TUN—a group that stirred controversy yet remained beloved by fans—continued to defy expectations.

From the March 7, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”