Uchi Hiroki and SUPER EIGHT Share Historic Stage Together, Credit Given to Yoshihiko Inohara for Making It Happen

A historic collaboration!

On March 24, idols from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT who are from the Kansai region held a one-day event at Osaka Shochikuza. The production included staging that looked back on past performances, and during a song by “SUPER EIGHT” (formerly “Kanjani∞”), former member Hiroki Uchi (39) made a surprise appearance. A historic joint performance was realized.

Osaka Shochikuza, which is scheduled to close this May due to aging facilities, has long been a place where members from Kansai Junior origins, including SUPER EIGHT, have honed their performance skills since the Johnny’s era. This time, an event titled:

“Really thank you, Osaka Shochikuza ~ WE are Shochikuza Boys. Thank you for everything until now. The days we faced each other in the Japanese-style dressing rooms when we were Kansai Juniors. A graduation ceremony of SUPER Aぇ! held in the place of youth ~”

was held.

The previously announced performers included SUPER EIGHT, WEST., Naniwa Danshi, Aぇ! group, Ren Nagase (27) of “King & Prince,” Koji Mukai (31) of “Snow Man,” as well as Ryuta Muro (36) and Daichi Imae (30), both currently active as actors under STARTO. Even with so many talents gathered, the event was held only once on March 24, making it extremely rare. It was also streamed live on the agency’s official video distribution service “FAMILY CLUB online.”

“While the performers sang nostalgic songs, suddenly Hiroshi Murakami of SUPER EIGHT (44), who was introducing the group, announced Uchi’s appearance on stage. After about 20 years, he performed the song ‘Tabibito’ together with the five current members of SUPER EIGHT. Fans watching the livestream were hugely excited on social media over this emotional development,” (entertainment writer)

Uchi previously worked while simultaneously being part of both Kanjani∞ and NEWS. With NEWS, he made an indie debut in November 2003 with “NEWS Nippon,” and the following May made his major debut with the single “Kibou Yell.”

Meanwhile, Kanjani∞ released the single “Naniwa Iroha Bushi” in 2004, but in July of the following year, Uchi was taken into custody for underage drinking (at age 18) and suspended from entertainment activities.

“In late 2006, he returned to work as a trainee, but left both groups. In Uchi’s case, it was triggered by the underage drinking incident, so it was not a positive graduation from the groups.

However, this time, after each of them went through various twists and turns, they stood again at Shochikuza and collaborated with the current members of SUPER EIGHT. Because Uchi is still affiliated with STARTO, this dream-like stage was possible. Fans who know their history were filled with emotion and excitement,” (same source as above)

Uchi’s past of considering leaving the agency

In recent years, Uchi has focused on stage acting, but has recently resumed music activities. On March 13, he released a new song “Go Your Way” digitally, and on July 8 he will release his album “0” digitally.

In a solo interview with SANSPO (March 18 issue), Uchi revealed that he once considered leaving his agency.

“After turning to solo activities, Uchi held several concerts, but he had not been able to release music, and he was reportedly on the verge of breaking down. About four years ago, when Yoshihiko Inohara—then president of the Junior development company and formerly of ‘20th Century’—asked him to appear in a junior’s stage production, Uchi declared, ‘I’m going to leave the agency.’

However, Inohara stopped him, saying, ‘Please wait before quitting,’ and Uchi reconsidered, thinking, ‘Maybe I should try holding on once more,’” (same source)

After that, Uchi ultimately did not leave the agency, and last year appeared as a guest in two TV dramas. He is also set to appear regularly as a police detective in the serial drama “Kimi ga Shikei ni Naru Mae ni” (Nippon TV), which begins on April 2. As his career got back on track, the collaboration with SUPER EIGHT members was realized.

Based on Uchi’s interview above, fans expressed gratitude toward Inohara, saying:

〈If Ino-chan hadn’t stopped Uchi from leaving, I don’t think we would have ever seen Eight and Uchi singing together at Shochikuza. I can only be grateful to Inohara〉

〈Uchi, thank you for staying in the agency and working this hard. Thank you so much to Inohara for stopping him〉

〈If he hadn’t been stopped from leaving back then, I don’t think the ‘5+1’ would exist. I’m full of gratitude to Inohara〉

Meanwhile, Uchi has also recently been appearing with former NEWS members he once belonged to. In the October drama “Shin Tokyo Suijo Keisatsu” (Fuji TV), he co-starred for the first time with Shigeaki Kato (38). He was also a guest on Keichiro Koyama’s (41) hosted program “NEWS Koyama no Oshcam! Dō?” (Fuji TV), which aired on March 22.

“NEWS will celebrate its 25th anniversary in two years, and during the shoot Uchi said to Koyama, ‘Let’s do something together,’ and ‘If that happens, I want to give it my all—for NEWS fans and for the members as well.’ Fans on social media are also hoping for a public reunion with Takahisa Masuda (39),” (entertainment writer)

We may next see Uchi interacting with the three members of NEWS on stage.