Kanjani∞

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Kanjani∞ (関ジャニ∞ Kanjani eito?, Kanjani eight) is a Johnny & Associates idol unit formed in 2002, an eight-man music and entertainment group hailing from the Kansai-region of Japan. They are J&A's 'modern enka' group and their singles have broken numerous enka-related sales records. Their subsequent releases exhibit a range of other styles as well - from pop and rock, to ballad, and even comedy - Sukiyanen, Osaka, one of their popular singles, incorparates "konto" (comical skits) which are always ad-libbed. Kanjani∞ project a strong image of being funny and loud - qualities stereotypically found in people from Kansai, or more specifically in people from Osaka (6 members are from Osaka). In fact, 'Osaka' is a recurrent theme in many of their songs - Sukiyanen, Osaka proclaims their love for the city, while in ∞saka Obaachan Rock, they sing about Osaka older ladies/mothers. While fulfilling the Johnny's-idol prerequisites of being able to sing and dance, the individual members also exhibit a broad range of talents including speaking, hosting TV shows, song-writing, acting, playing musical instruments, and even Manzai.

Contents

[edit] Members

Ryō Nishikido and Hiroki Uchi are also in another J&A unit, NEWS

[edit] Sub-groups

Kanjani∞ has several sub-units within the group. Most came about organically as the members collaborated and meshed their talents together:

  • V.WEST ("five-west") - Uchi Hiroki, Maruyama Ryuhei, Yasuda Shota, Ohkura Tadayoshi
    • Pre-existing band from their Jr days (more info under History)
  • Yamada - Yasuda Shota, Maruyama Ryuhei
    • Kanjani∞'s own Manzai group. Maruyama plays the boke while Yasuda is the tsukkomi.
    • The duo have been performing together since their Jr days.
  • SubaruBand - Shibutani Subaru (vocals, guitar), Yasuda Shota (guitar), Maruyama Ryuhei (bass), Ohkura Tadayoshi (drums)
    • Songs: ONE, High Position
    • Lyrics by Shibutani Subaru; Music by Yasuda Shota
    • ONE was released in Kanjani∞'s first full-album, KJ1 F.T.O.
    • SubaruBand wants to compose more original songs and fulfill a dream of performing in 'live houses' one day
  • Kanjimi3/OhYamada - Yasuda Shota, Maruyama Ryuhei, Ohkura Tadayoshi
    • Due to their relative lack of participation on the show Mugendai no Gimon, they were teasingly dubbed Kanjimi3 ("jimi" - Japanese slang for plain) which was later 'switched' to OhYamada (an acronym for their names)
    • Coincidentally, the trio also making up Kanjani∞'s core-band, frequently playing their instruments during Kanjani∞ concerts
    • Song: Ashita (performed at 2005 Osaka-jo Hall 1st live), Monaco Blues(?) (performed at 2005 X-mas Party)
  • SanKyoudai (3 brothers) - Yū (Yokoyama Yū), Chipa (Yasuda Shota), Baru (Shibutani Subaru)
    • An acoustic music group.
    • Yū writes the lyrics, Chipa composes and plays the guitar accompaniment, and Baru sings
    • Songs: Purin, Ame-chan, Mikan, Onigishi
    • Purin and Onigishi have been released (as part of Kanjani∞'s first full-album, KJ1 F.T.O.).
  • 8 Renja ("Ei-to-ren-ja")
    • Kanjani∞'s latest 'sub-group', akin to "Super Sentai"/"Power Rangers", they are Kanjani∞'s alter-ego who appear in the musical-skit segments that are incorporated into all their concerts
    • 8 Renja have their own introductory theme song
    • Each Renja is referred to by the color of his costume:
      • "Black" - Yokoyama Yū
      • "Red" - Shibutani Subaru
      • "Green" - Ohkura Tadayoshi
      • "Orange" - Maruyama Ryuhei
      • "Blue" - Yasuda Shota
      • "Yellow" - Nishikido Ryo
      • "Nasu" ("Nasu" = eggplant) for Purple - Murakami Shingo
    • First appearance was at Kanjani∞ Xmas Party 2005 (after Uchi's suspension - hence, no "Pink", Uchi's color in Kanjani∞).

[edit] History

Most of Kanjani∞ entered Johnny's and became Kansai Johnny's Jrs around 1996-1997. They were part of the 'golden era' of Jrs. It was the height of popularity and activity for Johnny's Jrs, then led by top junior Takizawa Hideaki (Takki).

Among the big names of that era of Johnny's Jrs were four Kansai Johnny's Jrs (future Kanjani∞ members) in particular:

  • Shibutani Subaru - He stood out for his impressive singing and intriguing persona. He rose straight to the top and, at his peak as a Jr., it was "Takki of the East (Kanto), Subaru of the West (Kansai)". He wrote the lyrics to many original songs that became his solos.
  • Yokoyama Yū - His comic talents (he was seen as a natural boke) and gift of the gab emerged early. He also received many acting jobs.
  • Murakami Shingo - He too became popular with the Jr fans, with his likeable personality and a talent for speaking. His sharp follow-ups were developing into the 'tsukkomi' skills he is known for today.
  • Nishikido Ryo - He was singled out early on for many singing opportunities showcasing his clear high-pitched voice. He became known as Ryo-chan ('chan' = little/kiddo) not least due to his prolonged tiny stature. It is a nickname that has endured to today.

Since work was mostly in Tokyo, they had to commute to and from there regularly. To facilitate a rising career, Shibutani moved to Tokyo. He was later followed by Yokoyama and Murakami.

A little after Uchi Hiroki entered Johnny&Associates in 1999, a new Kansai Jr unit was formed; a band called V.WEST ("five-west"). The members were:

  • Uchi Hiroki = vocals
  • Yasuda Shota = guitar
  • Maruyama Ryuhei = bass
  • Mizuno Kiyohito = guitar
  • Imayama Toru = drums

V.WEST had a regular TV show, Weekly V.WEST, shown on Kansai TV. The band was also popular enough to hold its own live concert. Imayama Toru(今山透) and later, Mizuno Kiyohito(水野清仁), left V.WEST and Johnny's for other pursuits before Kanjani∞ was formed.

Ohkura Tadayoshi, the 8th Kanjani∞ member, had actually been invited to play drums for V.WEST before its formation. But he wanted to dance and thought that an instrument would tie him down. He therefore declined the position, which he later regretted. He was a member of Johnny's unit MAO for a while. He got a second offer to be V.WEST's drummer when Johnny Kitagawa wanted an 8th member to form Kanjani∞ (reportedly because their TV show was being aired on Kansai TV's channel 8!).

Circa 2001, Kansai Jrs suffered a period of neglect. Before they knew it, their activities had dwindled to a trickle. Shibutani, Yokoyama and Murakami returned to Osaka. It was a difficult period and future prospects seemed very dim. They got part-time jobs elsewhere. Shibutani later admitted to being lost, but it was also during this time that he managed to subsequently reaffirm his passion and calling for singing. In the same boat was Nishikido, who was once on the super-elite Johnny's course. Reflecting on his past faults, he regretted taking previous opportunities for granted. It seemed to late now. Still, they all persisted.

[edit] Another, 2002

Another is a stage play/musical the Kansai Jrs put on in the summer of 2002. Nishikido once said in a later interview that he had been contemplating quitting from Johnny's when Another came along, saving him from making a decision. The play that brought the Kansai Jrs back was a success. Since then, Kanjani∞, supported by the Kansai Jrs, have put on a summer stage play every year.

Soon after Another, the top Kansai Jrs got to host their own TV show - Weekly V.WEST was reborn as J3Kansai. In December 2002, two big announcements were made on the show; they introduced Ohkura Tadayoshi who had become the new drummer for V.WEST. They also announced that he was to be the 8th member of a new official Johnnys's unit they were going to form - Kanjani8 (the '8' would later be written as '∞').

The happy 'comeback' year ended resoundingly with a Christmas concert, another event Kanjani∞ will go on to hold every year, until 2005.

>>Both the summer stage plays and the Christmas concerts (known as X-mas Party) are held each year at Osaka Shochiku-za Theater.<<

[edit] NEWS

Although Kanjani∞ was still a new unit, the many years working together as Jrs as well as the bleak period of 2001, made them a tight-knit and ever more determined group. They were already developing bonds closer than most Johnny's units. Then, in 2003 came the unexpected news, or rather NEWS. Without prior indication, two of Kanjani∞, Nishikido Ryo and Uchi Hiroki were suddenly called away to Tokyo to be part of this new Johnny's unit. Each member was naturally unsettled by this turn of events and worried about the future of Kanjani∞. However, they accepted the change and the rest supported the pair who would now have to shuttle back and forth between 2 groups.

[edit] 2004 - 2005

While there was no shortage of work for the Kanjani∞ boys now, their activities were still largely concentrated in the Kansai region. The Shochiku-za became somewhat of a 'home' venue. In the thousand-odd-capacity theater, they charmed their cozy audiences and built a loyal Kansai fanbase that would soon spread.

August 25th, 2004 saw the Kansai-only release of their debut single, Naniwa Iroha Bushi. Unexpectedly, it proved so popular it was released nationwide on September 22nd, 2004, following a huge meet-the-fans handshake event held at Zepp Osaka (Sept 18 2004) where 40,000 fans turned up. Despite the relatively low-level publicity, Naniwa Iroha Bushi made it to the top of the Oricon singles charts, and became the first enka single to do so in 17 years.

Kanjani∞ held their first Tokyo live, 'Kansha ni ∞ in Tokyo' concert, on November 11th, 2004.

In December 15th, 2004, Kanjani∞ released their first mini-album Kansha ni ∞. Their Christmas concert that year was filmed and released as their first concert DVD (Excite!!) the following year.

In 2004, Kanjani∞ also appeared in the musical DREAM BOY that starred Takizawa Hideaki and also featured KAT-TUN. The 2 groups headlined the musical in its subsequent runs in 2005 and 2006.

By 2005, the group had made big strides and were picking up more momentum. Osaka Rainy Blues, their second single was released on March 2nd, 2005 and debuted near the top of the Oricon charts. On September 14th, their third single, Sukiyanen!Osaka debuted at #2.

However, 2005 was a bittersweet year for Kanjani∞. That summer, for the first time as a unit, the boys would finally hold a big arena concert - the Osaka-jo Hall Zenyasai . It was a definite milestone for this group that had become inseparable. But they had to do it with one member less.

[edit] Uchi Hiroki

On July 15, 2005 Uchi Hiroki was caught for drunken and disorderly behaviour in public. Apparently he had been invited out to drink by an older Fuji TV presenter. Being 18 and underaged for drinking at that time, he was promptly 'suspended from the public eye'.

Due to Johnny&Associates strict enforcement of Uchi's punishment, Yakusoku, a drama special starring all the members of Kanjani∞ together for the first time, was not aired on Kansai TV as scheduled, although filming had already ended.

Although they were not allowed to even mention his name in public, Kanjani∞ managed to let Uchi, and the fans, know that they were always "waiting for him"; through veiled comments, 'coded' messages, an album cover illustration (for Sukiyanen, Osaka), and gestures like leaving a gap between two members during the group-bow at the end of concerts.

[edit] 2006

2006 sees their continued ascent. Their first album, KJ1 F.T.O. (Funky Town Osaka), was released March 15th, 2006. This album contained many new songs with a new, slicker feel and a poppier sound. Following that, the boys released another single, ∞saka Obachan Rock (which came with the long-awaited Osaka Romanesque) on June 6th. It debuted at #2 on the Oricon chart (losing out to B'z). In December, with their 5th single, Kanfuu Fighting, Kanjani∞ finally landed their first Oricon debut week #1 ranking.

Their first concert tour during the summer, F.T.O.N. (Funky Tokyo Osaka Nagoya), was a huge success, and resulted in "Heat Up!", a 3rd concert DVD (which fans have come to expect from these entertaining showmen) as well as a tour extension. Their first nationwide tour ended in October, after 36 shows in 11 cities. A second nationwide tour was held from December 2 - 29 and featured 16 shows in 6 cities.

Another sign of their increasing popularity are the solo concerts. Nishikido Ryo held in early 2006. Shibutani Subaru and Ohkura Tadayoshi held theirs together as 'Shibutani Subaru with Ohkura Band', just before the start of Kanjani∞'s fall/autumn tour. Concert dates were added in September due to unexpectedly overwhelming ticket applications for the first shows. In December, 3 more members - Yasuda Shota, Maruyama Ryuhei and Murakami Shingo - held their respective solo concerts for 3 days each at the Osaka Shochiku-za Theater in the midst of Kanjani∞'s on-going 2nd nationwide concert tour. Ticket ballots for the solo concerts of the 3 members collectively came up to 900,000 while the Shochiku-za can only seat 1003.

Kanjani∞`s members, individually as well as collectively, have also acted in J-dorama series , most notably Nishikido Ryo. Ohkura Tadayoshi made his acting debut in the drama special "Cinderella ni Naritai". Both Yu Yokoyama and Ohkura Tadayoshi starred in their own 4-part Gekidan Engimono series. Maruyama Ryuhei and Yasuda Shota co-starred in "Jitensha Shounen Ki", a J-dorama special

At the close of the year, Kanjani∞ members starred in Kansai TV KanJani8 Winter Break Drama Series that consisted of three separate J-dorama specials aired over three consecutive days

  • "Dive to the Future" - Murakami Shingo, Yasuda Shota, Nishikido Ryo
  • "Double" - Shibutani Subaru, Maruyama Ryuhei, Ohkura Tadayoshi, Yasuda Shota
  • "Kemarishi" - Yokoyama Yū, Ohkura Tadayoshi, Nishikido Ryo

[edit] 2007 onward

Activities have started being planned for 2007. During the busy nationwide-touring year of 2006, Kanjani∞ members have now and then expressed their wish to do something for their hometown. On February 24-25, 2007 they returned to Osaka for WHAT! REALLY!? SURPRISE!! Kanjani8 Dome Concert in OSAKA; the venue this time was Osaka Dome. It was then, it was announced that they will have a new single titled Zukkoke Otokomichi that will be released on April 11. Plus, a new album in the works and a scheduled 47 Prefectures Nation Tour(from Hokkaido all the way down to Okinawa, including 2 days at Tokyo Dome and 4 days at Osaka Jo Hall), that will start in May 2007.

On the TV drama front, Yokoyama Yū will soon appear in Fuji TV's winter J-dorama series Haikei, Chichiue-sama, alongside friend Ninomiya Kazunari (Arashi). During a concert MC at Yokohama Arena, Yokoyama revealed that another Kanjani∞ member is slated to appear in a spring J-dorama series.

Johnny&Associates have also officially announced the return of Uchi Hiroki (to his other group, NEWS) as a "trainee". However, there has been no similar mention about Uchi with regards to Kanjani∞. As a trainee, he will no longer make any TV or public appearances, and fans continue to wait for more news, as they hope for Uchi's return to Kanjani8. Uchi's name is not listed under "Kanjani∞" on the You&J Johnny&Associates official site or on the official record label site.

[edit] Discography

Albums

  • Kansha ni ∞ (Dec 15th, 2004) - debut mini-album
  • KJ1 F·T·O (March 15th, 2006) - 1st Full Album

Singles

  • Naniwa Iroha Bushi (Aug 25th, 2004 - Kansai-region release), (Sept 22nd, 2004 - Nationwide release)
  • Osaka Rainy Blues (March 2nd, 2005)
  • Sukiyanen, Osaka / Oh! Enka / Mugendai (Sept 14th, 2005)
  • ∞SAKA Obachan Rock / Osaka Romanesque (June 7th, 2006)
  • Kanfuu Fighting (Dec 13th, 2006)
  • Zukkoke Otokomichi (April 11th, 2007)

[edit] Concerts/Tours

  • F.T.O.N. (Funky Tokyo Osaka Nagoya) 1st tour (Summer 2006)
  • 1st Nationwide tour (Fall/Autumn 2006)
  • 2nd Nationwide tour (Winter 2006)
  • WHAT! REALLY!? SURPRISE!! Kanjani8 Dome Concert in OSAKA (February 24-25, 2007) at Kyocera Dome Osaka

[edit] Filmography

Concert DVDs

  • Spirits!! (Nov 23rd, 2005) footage of the Osaka-jo Hall Zenyasai 'All-last show

Other

  • Dream Boys 2006 (June 28th, 2006)

[edit] Activities

Weekly Variety Shows

TV Dramas

Stage

  • Summer Specials:
    • Another (2002)
    • Douton Boys (2003)
    • Summer Storm (2004)
    • Magical Summer (2005)
    • Another's Another (2006)
  • Hey!Say!Dream Boy(2004)
  • Dream Boys(2005)
  • Dream Boys (2006)

[edit] Other

CMs

Soundtrack:

[edit] External links

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