Even After SMAP Disbanded, Takuya Kimura Kept Singing—A Powerful Display of His Enduring Love for the Group

Continuing to sing SMAP songs

Takuya Kimura’s (53) concert tour, “TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2026 Checkpoint,” kicked off in Hyogo Prefecture on September 5. In addition to his solo songs, he also performed hit songs from his SMAP days, delighting the fans who had come to see him.

Even after SMAP disbanded on December 31, 2016, Kimura remained with Johnny & Associates (as it was known at the time), continuing to focus primarily on his acting career for a while. In January 2020, he resumed his music activities by releasing his first solo album, “Go with the Flow,” through Victor Entertainment, the record label he had also been signed to during his time with the group.

“During his first solo tour, ‘TAKUYA KIMURA Live Tour 2020 Go with the Flow,’ held in February 2020, he performed solo songs from his SMAP days as well as popular group songs such as ‘SHAKE,’ ‘Yozora no Mukou,’ and ‘Lion Heart.’ Masahiro Nakai (54), who had been SMAP’s leader, also remained with the former Johnny & Associates for some time after the group disbanded, but he did not pursue singing activities.

Goro Inagaki (52), Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (52), and Shingo Katori (49), who left the agency in September 2017, began musical activities under the name ‘Atarashii Chizu,’ but they did not perform SMAP songs in public. Among the former members, Kimura was the only one who was continuing to sing songs from the group’s days.” (Entertainment reporter for a sports newspaper)

As a solo artist, Kimura released the albums “Next Destination” in January 2022 and “SEE YOU THERE” in August 2024, and had been holding solo live shows roughly every two years. However, in May this year, he transferred to the private label “C&C STAGE,” newly established within Avex Music Creative Inc. On August 12, he released his first original album following the move, “Checkpoint.”

This tour is his first in roughly two years and is being held in support of the album. It is also scheduled to include his first overseas solo performances, in Seoul and Taipei.

“His previous tour took place from September to December 2024. That was also the period when the issue surrounding the late Johnny Kitagawa’s sexual abuse became a major controversy, and the former Johnny & Associates was working to rebuild itself. STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, ‘STARTO’), which became the new home for the agency’s talent, officially got underway in April 2024.

Kimura and the others approached their work sincerely, wanting to avoid causing any more sadness among their fans. Two years have passed since then, and because there have been changes in his circumstances, including his move to a new label, some fans had been concerned about whether Kimura would continue singing SMAP songs.” (Same source)

Respect by his juniors as well

However, contrary to fans’ concerns, Kimura performed SMAP songs such as “Original Smile,” “Celery,” “The One and Only Flower in the World,” and “SHAKE” from the very first day of the tour. Given all that had happened—including the dismantling of the former Johnny & Associates, Nakai’s retirement, and Kimura’s move to a new label—it seems the fans were deeply moved.

“Kimura likely has a desire to continue cherishing SMAP’s songs as he always has. Fans who were in the audience were deeply moved, saying things like, ‘“Original Smile” was so nostalgic that it felt like the other five members were actually there on stage, and it felt as though an SMAP concert had come back to life. Takuya, thank you.’

‘There were songs where he even danced exactly as he did during his SMAP days, and “SMAP’s Takuya Kimura” was right there in front of me,’ and ‘Even though his label has changed, being able to continue singing SMAP songs is Kimura-kun’s way of protecting SMAP. I think it shows his love for SMAP.’” (Executive at a major record company)

According to fan reports posted on social media, during the opening-day performance, Kimura reportedly referred to the change in the agency’s name, saying things such as, “The company is hanging in there,” and “They even changed the name,” and also said, “My roots haven’t changed at all.” In response, fans posted an outpouring of praise for Kimura:

“Kimutaku really is cool after all.”

“This is a quote that I want every agency fan to hear. What Kimura-san says has meaning.”

“I think there are many younger members who didn’t leave because Kimura-san stayed with the agency. He’s not only cool on the outside, but on the inside too—the best senior you could ask for.”

On the TBS program “Sore Snow Man ni Yarasete Kudasai,” which aired in December 2024, Snow Man’s Raul (23) said, in essence, that the fact Kimura still belonged to the same agency was a source of strength for him. For fans of the agency and its younger talents as well, Kimura appears to remain a reassuring presence.