22 posts tagged “arashi”

I did my best to translate the two songs I heard on Jun's radio show:3 Sirius and Move Your Body!^^

Now, the quality of the songs was pretty good this time, but there were still a couple words I couldn't quite catch, so I put asterisks around them. I'll fix it when I get lyric sheets, but this is fairly accurate I feel sure^^ First, Sirius:

Such a sweet little song, very light and airy somehow. I love Jun's solo~<3 It reminds me a little of snowflake because of the white imagery, but I like that it has the name of a star:3 I like it, but I can't say I love it yet...it's kind of a comfortable song for me I guess, but that's okay for now^^ Next, Move Your Body:

This one really reminds me of Lucky Man! I love the rhythym and the energy, it really makes me want to dance, and it's got a nice edge to it that we haven't seen in awhile<3 And Sho's rap was almost entirely comprehensible, a nice bonusXDD But the imagery is perfect, it perfectly conjures the dance scene and the emotions therein....X3 Ah~, wish I could go dancing right nowXD This will be so awesome in concert, they need to announce more dates!>_<
Well, hope you liked the songs as much as I did^^ I'm going to go try and watch a movie to relax, forget about the paper for the rest of the night;P Thanks for being so supportive and tolerant of my inability to get things done lately...>_< Have a great week and shoot for the stars!:D

夢みていたかな。。。ここまでのことは全部夢のような感じがしますからさ。本当だったのかは今判断できない。。。考えない方がいいかも。

Last week on his radio show Jun taunted us by saying that he might play the new single this week...but then he said he might try and draw it out for another 3 weeksXDD Needless to say his DoS side was a thrill, but I had suspicion he would follow through on it, and this week he actually did play the new single, in really high quality!^^ So, of course, I had to sit down and translate it<3 I fell in love with Step and Go the instant I heard it, and Fuyu wo Dakishimete is catchy and cute...butStep and Go is definitely my favorite:3 Oh, and he talked about the PV: he said they filmed it with a high-speed camera which actually slows things down, so a 7 second segment actually takes 3 minutes. So things that you would think look interesting appear rather boring, and vice versa...they had wind effects as well that he thought were really interesting. He said it suits the song, and I'm really looking forward to seeing it^^
Anyways, a few caveats: I did my best, but despite the high quality there were still parts that I couldn't quite catch (like Sho's rap...I'm getting better, but darn he's fast;P) I will make changes, if needed (and there wouldn't be a lot) when I get my lyric sheets:) But, I really wanted to share them as soon as possible, rough as they may be>_< Enjoy~

First, Fuyu wo Dakishimete (Embracing Winter Tightly)

So upbeat and yet very sweet (my favorite favorite part is where it says 'I don't want even a mm distance<3<3') And it really does a good job of painting the picture of a snowy winter night, glowing orange lights and throngs of bundled-up people, snowflakes fluttering down and softening the sounds:) That's a date I'd like to have, with a certain someoneX3

Next, Step and Go

I wrote down what I heard from Sho's rap in romaji, but I'm fairly sure it's not quite right cause it doesn't make much sense, which is why I didn't bother trying to translate it.
Putting that aside...this song is full of hope...diffuse, but very warm to me. It makes me want to dance along, and I find myself singing along when I play it now;) Light imagery is used a lot in this one, I wonder if they'll make use of that in the PV too...^^ Moving forward, getting past loneliness...good themes for me right now I think:3 Well, now I'll be waiting impatienytly for my single in the mailXD For now, more listening over and over;P

In other news, Jun said he managed to get through New Year's without getting sick, which I'm very thankful for>_< He said his voice was worn out though, so he slept on New Year's day. Now we know why his voice was so warbly in the performances, they were recording this song all through December according to him^^; Poor baby...>_< I hope he drank lots of that honey and ginger tea he touts (which I was amazed to hear cause I've been drinking that for several years now...it's really good, I highly recommend it!) And the Bambino DVDs come out on January 23rd^^ Alright, I have to stop now...I was going to add some pics but I'm too tired to play with photoshop right nowXDD Take care everyone, let's see where one step forward can take us this week~=)

For those of you who have already celebrated the new year, Happy New Year~!:D May 2008 bring you all the happiness, all the love, and all the waking dreams that you could ever wish for:) For those of you like me who are still a few hours away (and already too excitedXD), let's have some fun~;P *cranks up Lucky Man*

First up on the playbill is the boys' TV Guide article for this week:D

Credit to mori for all the scansXD

Passing Storm, Coming Storm
Holding an urgent Thank-You Party and Group Discussion!
The Triumphant Return Concerts, the first Solo Dome concets, the summer tour, the release of 3 singles and an album...those are the energetic
activities that Arashi completed. Looking back on '07, the members' indiviudal 'thank yous', and Arashi's ambitions for '08 are...?! The Year 2007, from member to member, Arashi's [Thank You]
We're bringing you the individual members' own 'thank you' messages, looking back on '07, in relay format. Arashi's own brand of super 'hot talk' is the
development?!

Ohno Satoshi, '80/11/26, born in Tokyo. Sagittarius. A blood type. In '07 he made a guest appearance on [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] (TBS). Ohchan
says [When I remembered the movies we all used to do back in the day it was really nostalgic].

Sakurai Sho, '82/01/25, born in Tokyo. Aquarius. Blood type A. In '07 he appeared in the House of Council election special [Zero X Election 2007] (JapanTV),
[World Cup Volleyball 2007] (FujiTV). In '09 his movie [Yatterman] will be released.

Ninomiya Kazunari, '83/6/17, born in Tokyo. Gemini. Blood type A. In '07 starred in [Haikei, Chichiue-sama] (FujiTV), and [Marathon] (TBS). His
co-starring with Sakurai Sho in their starring drama [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] (TBS) was much tlaked about.

Aiba Masaki, '83/12/24, born in Chiba. Capricorn. Blood type AB. In the middle of appearing regularly on [Tensai! Shimura Doubutsu-en] (JapanTV).
In '07 he gave a good performance as a youth living in silence in his own second starring play [Wasurarenai Hito].

Matsumoto Jun, '83/8/30, born in Tokyo. Virgo. Blood type A. In '07 he starred in [Bambi~no!] (JapanTV). Trying his hand at period pieces for the
first time in the movie [Kakushi Toride no San Akunin] (release: May 10th, '08). [Hana Yori Dango Final] is planned to be released June 28th.

From Ohno Satoshi (Ohchan) to Sakurai Sho (Sho-kun): [Thanks]
Thank you for Okinawa (laughs). Please give me more stimuli ne
This year I got a vacation and went to Okinawa's Miyakojima, but coicidentally Sho-kun came too. While we were travelling we were sending each
other pictures on our cellphones (laughs). After I'd get an email from Sho-kun saying [This is where I am now] I'd go there, take a pciture, and send
it abck saying [I came here too]. I also coincidentally ran into Sho-kun at the Tenjin Festival before in Osaka ne. Though Sho-chan's that kind of
fated person, I respect him because he's doing things I can't do, like being a news and volleyball caster, I want to run along more swiftly.

From Sakurai Sho (Sho-kun) to Ninomiya Kazunari (Nino): [Thanks]
I get the feeling that it was because Nino was there that the atmosphere on the set was able to be created quickly
'07 was a really full year huh. As an inidividual there were a lot of new things I tried, like the House of Council Special and being a volleyball caster.
Even amid all that I was really there with Nino ne. Because when we were doing [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] it also overlapped with the summer
tour I think that Nino, as the star, had even more of a hard time than me. But because Nino was there the atmosphere on set was able to be created
fairly quickly, it was easier for me too ne. I'm going to work hard so that we can work together again, so when that happens please favor me (laughs).

From Ninomiya Kazunari (Nino) to Aiba Masaki (Aiba-chan): [Thanks]
He's not a person to whom I formalyl say 'arigatou' ...?!
Thank you to Aiba-chan?! It's not that kind of relationship (laughs). Since being with the members is a given, in exhange for not fighting we don't
formalyl show gratitude... Geez, I don't even know what I should be saying 'thank you' for, it's embarrassing. Naturally, after work the two of us go for
dinner and talk on occasion. The subjects at that time? If it was me with my favorite girl I would make sure not to forget it, but with him...it's not
like I'd remember that (laughs).

From Aiba Masaki (Aiba-chan) to Matsumoto Jun (MatsuJun): [Thanks]
I can't really express it, so why don't we go drinking?
It's my intention to be in touch with the feelings of gratitude I have towards the members on a daily basis. Because I love all of them. Because in '07
I had a lot of solo activities like the play when I was back among Arashi again I felt "comfort". That's why I feel this even more. Only, that's just
how I feel, I can't really say it out loud. Even though I'm always saying to MatsuJun 'let's go drinking', it hasn't become reality. Whether it's with
the other members or just the two of us it would be great, so let's go. Under the influence of alcohol I might be able to say it?!

From Matsumoto Jun (MatsuJun) to Ohno Satoshi (Ohchan): [Thanks]
Riidaa's unchanging gentleness is a relief
I wasn't able to be with the other members much in the first half of the year ne. But, to make up for it we had a lot of chances to go eat dinner
all together in the local regions huh. We went to ramen shops, yakiniku restaurants, we had a barbequeue with the staff. When I go to those kind
fo Arashi locations I feel relieved on seeing Riidaa's face. No matter when we meet Riidaa doesn't change, I really calm down when I touch that
gentle atmosphere. Thank you for always letting me feel 'it's Arashi~'!

Urgent Group Discussion
Arashi's Ambitions for 2008
Now that they've looked back on '07 and expressed their 'thank yous', we're holding an urgent group discussion on the Arashi of '08! Arashi's
ambitions are...?!
Sho: I'd like to talk about '08 using the theme of Arashi's ambitions. I'm Sakurai, and I'll be hosting today.Your favor please.
All 4: If you please~! (clap)
Aiba: But, it would be great if we could have a great number of stage performances in '08 as well after all ne.
Jun: '07 was the hightest ever right?
Sho: The guests as well, they came from France, Italy, germany, lots of countries. Nino said it before but we're fairly popular in France anre't we?
Nino: That's right, that's right, we're very popular in Paris.
Sho: Then, should we do Paris in '08? So how many people would gather again?
Nino: ...mm, about 700 people. But 700 people is very popular! I told you it wasn't an overwhelming number, are you snickering at me?
Aiba: We're not (laughs). But they definitely said 700 people? It might be a lie you know.
Nino: ...the cable tv person said it.
Aiba: Uhaha! Is it okay to believe them ne?
Jun: It's not just that person likes Arashi or something?
Nino: That person probably likes us ne (laughs). Riidaa, what do you want to do in '08?
Ohno: I want to constantly be doing live performances after all ne.
Aiba: Are there places you want to do them or something?
Ohno: (thinking) Don't you want to do Koya?
Jun: Ah~, that would be nice ne.
Ohno: Because it was so small and fun at the Kagoshima venue, somewhere smaller.
Sho: We'll get you to do that by yourself.
Ohno: Huh? Don't you all want to do it?
Nino: Well, I'll go with you!
Sho: (laughs). How about you Matsumoto-san?
Jun: I want to do new things with all 5 of us again ne.
Sho: Which means that Matsumoto-kun wants to do a musial in other words.
Jun: No, not a musical.
Aiba: All 5 of us (laughs).
Jun: I haven't said that either?
Nino: It's the same with the musical but, there are people who say they still want to see more even if we just do concerts ne.
Jun: If there weren't we'd break up.
Sho: Can it be that in '08 we're quickly in danger of breaking up?!
Nino: No no no. We'll do concerts as long as everyone says they want to see them.
Sho: That's right ne. So, to end off with, our plans for '08 from Ohno-san, if you please.
Ohno: We'll set up our plans for next year in the first month.
Nino: Hey you, we're doing that right now.
Ohno: That's the first plan.
Nino: Ah, the very first part ne? Which means that next time we'll need a plan for January.
Ohno: Let's having that planning meeting at the very end of '07 and begin thinking of the plan for January there.
Aiba: Which means that right now...?
Ohno: We're setting up our plans, setting them up.
Other 4: (uproariously laughter)
Nino: What a pain~! So, what's the plan's name?
Ohno: 'The Plan'!
Sho: (laughs). Thank you very much!
Jun: Please favor us in '08 as well!
Ohno: (Ending cleanly) Favor us!

I'm extremely happy that I can play Doumyouji again!

[Hana yori Dango] is at it's final at last. [HanaDan] was the first time I did a sequel to a serial drama. Doing it again for 3 months with the same cast was
interesting ne. I remember really looking forward to seeing how much everyone had changed in a year. Since the end of part one we'd each had
various experiences, everyone including myself thought about how to deliberately bring that out in the end result. It's been another year since that
impression of part 2. Although I meet up with people in my private life as well it's a really happy thing to be gathering together with everyone again
and 'making one single creation' ne. I'm already looking forward to the filming from here on! Because I haven't gotten the script yet I don't know
what kind of story it'll turn out to be, but I guess it'll be something that goes along with the flow of part 2. Because this will be the last glimpse, personally
I think it would be great if it were a story where everyone ends up happy. At any rate, since this time the movie feels like a festival I want to have
fun on the set. What do I like about Doumyouji? I guess his silliness (laughs). But I think that Doumyouji's unwavering parts are extremely cool.

At the graduation prom Makino Tsukushi (Inoue Mao) accepted Doumyouji Tsukasa (Matsumoto Jun)'s marriage proposal. At about a yaer after that
Tsukushi gets tangled up in a certain incident. What does Tsukasa do? We can't keep our eyes off the original story movie with the [HanaDan]-like
thrilling love comedy in the fans' eagerly awaited sequel!

Love that last picture<3 And the one where Jun has his scarf wrapped around OhnoX3 Ohno and Sho both were in Okinawa?? How did that happen?XD But that's so cute, like phone pic tag;P (I want to try that someday, I need a better phone...) Sho thanks Nino for making things easier for him, Nino turns around and says he doesn't need to thank Aiba, Aiba says he loves everyone and wants to go drinking with Jun (me too me too!XD), and Jun loves Ohno...<3 And this plan for next year...well, I'll let you watch what happens with that later;P

Second billing goes to TVPia:D

Friendly Arashi's Fun New Year
Happy time spent with Arashi
Without ceasing their variety and drama shows they had 3 hit singles, the release of their movie [Kiiroi Namida], a packed-house first Dome concert,
calling attention on all fronts in '07. A big step to fulfilling ambition! Super idols that are aware of their fans well before their fans are aware of them
- We acknowledge that looking back on the last year doesn't suit Arashi, but what kind of year was the Great Leap Forward '07.
Sho: It was a full year ne? Beginning with the concerts in the new year...we were even able to have 2 Dome concerts that year.
Jun: It was great ne. It's really like, who would have thought that Arashi would be doing the Dome with this kind of timing ne!
Nino: Because even we ourselves didn't think it ne (laughs). Well, it's not like we originally had doing a concert in the Dome as our final goal.
Sho: How about you, Prince Nail Cutter (looking intently at the nail-cutting Aiba).
Aiba: Just wait a bit, I've only got my pinky left (laughs).
Jun: Then go back to your nails.
Aiba: (confused) I mean, we were able to do the Dome twice this year right?
Jun: We just said that!
- How about you Ohchan? Have you been increasingly noticed when you're out in the city.
Ohno: No, conversely I'm remembering the faces of the fans. When I went to a cafe the other day I'd seen the employee somewhere before. I
was like '...ah, this girl came to the concert!'.
As one: He~~?!
Nino: Eh? Did you tell her? Like, 'you came to my concert'.
Ohno: I asked her.
Jun: And then? What did they say?
Ohno: (showing signs of embarrassment) She said 'yes'.
Aiba: Uwa~, amazing! But isn't that flirting?!
Ohno: Flirting.
Aiba: Uhahahaha!
Sho/Jun: What are you doing! (laughs)
Ohno: That was a joke (laughs), but that kind of thing happens a lot.
Aiba: I'm no good. I don't remember that much~!
Sho: I don't know about 'popularity', but I certainly feel like we're being nationally 'recognized' ne. Although I had a lot of regional work in the form
of the volleyball and [Kinminsei SP], I was talked to a lot in the various places.
- You also had a lot of television appearances, but what was particularly memorable?
All 5: What indeed...?
- Though the different colored skinny jeans on [Music Station] were extraordinarily memorable (laughs).
Aiba: Ah~, we get told that a lot ne. The five-colored ones. I was red was I.
Jun: You often get told that (laughs)?
Sho: For me it would be the special with Ehara-san (aired in March, [Ehara Hiroyuki & Arashi, Solving the Worries of the Modern Person! Live
Broadcast SP]). All five of us, live, on top of which during primetime, I think that was a new challenge for us,.
Now we can understand each other even if we don't talk about important feelings
- Right now I'd by all means like to ask anew. What is Arashi's appeal?
Sho: Sleeping lion Satoshi-san, please talk about appeal, sooner than later!
Ohno: ....Arashi ne....
Nino: Arashi ne (complete mimicry).
Ohno: It's harmonious ne.
Nino: It's harmonious ne~.
As one: (laughs).
Sho: It certainly is harmonious, really ne.
Ohno: I don't know about anything else, but Arashi has an unstrained harmonious atmosphere right. Lately I've been thinking how nice that is ne.
Aiba: It's something that never changes ne, really.
- You say it doesn't change, although you appear to get more and more friendly with each other.
Ohno: Yes, we're getting more and more harmonious.
Nino: Wouldn't that be Riidaa's group unifying character coming out after all?!
Aiba: If Ohno-san was someone extremely scary...
Ohno: Everyone might be scared.
Jun: Arashi's appeal huh. In a good sense wouldn't it be how we're all diverse? I think that it's amazing that personalities this diverse are properly
collected into one... (to the reporter) is that no good? Like that.
- No (laughs)! Only, although at a glance you may appear diverse, the effect of everyone fixing their eyes on the one point they must aim for makes
you feel an unparalleled unity.
Sho: Well, we are always together ne~. Although we don't talk like that much lately there's already points where we can understand without having
to talk about it ne.
Aiba: That's right ne!
Sho: Because we're 'connected by the C' ne. (trying to practically apply the lines from the C1000 CM)
As one: ........
- (laughs). It was a lso a year where Sho-kun brought out an unexpected side of himself ne (laughs).
Sho: As a news caster ne? (a little arrogantly)
- No, rather something opposed to that.
Sho: Eh!
Nino: Yeah, I think that's it ne (laughs). But you know, it was just that the world wasn't seeing his funniness. We've been seeing it for a long time.
Aiba: For a time, when [News Zero] was beginning, he tried to restrain himself a little. But he couldn't keep it hidden after all ne.
Nino: I think that this year Sho-kun got even bigger than before.
Arashi's appeal is how they exhibit their true worth when all 5 are together?!
- Well then, conituning on with Arashi's appeal, Arashi's No.1 fan Ninomiya as well!
Sho: Oh, you're a fan? I'll sign something for you. (beginning of small act)
Nino: Thank you very much!
Jun: Since when are you a fan?
Nino: Ah, well, I've been always cheering you on since the time when you debuted! It may be preumptuous of someone like me to say this but,
after all Arashi's appeal is..."being vaguely dissatisfied with it as an individual" ne~!
As one: (uproariously laughter)
Sho: Hey! That's messed up (laughs)!
Nino: Well~, regardless of the sense of unity and shiny sparklingness when all 5 of us are together, when you get on your own (dropping head)
feeling not quite satisfied...that gap is great ne<3 Aiba: Meaning that the refining it still further is still ahead ne?
Nino: That's right, that's right.
Sho: We've already been doing this for 8 years, let's get it refined already!
Nino/Aiba: (laughs).
- Does remaining unchanged for 8 years mean that by now there's no recent newly discovered sides of the other members?
Aiba: None I guess~. Ah, something like Sho-kun's teeth-grinding I guess. (The incident where, at the tour's first boarding house Ohno and Aiba were
sharing a room with Sakurai and weren't able to sleep because of his teeth grinding)
Nino: Would that be a 'discovery'? A 'reconfirmation'? I mean, Riidaa was in the same room as Sho-kun at the beginning (when they were formed).
Or could it be that at the time you were in such a deep sleep you couldn't hear his teeth-grinding.
Ohno: I didn't know back then.
Aiba: It might have started recently.
Ohno: That sound was really shocking!
Sho: (to Aiba/Ohno) Let's sleep together on the tour next year too. I'll sleep with you. It was great ne.
Aiba: ...mm, no, I think I'll pass next year... I'll turn over Sho-kun to Nino and MatsuJun's room. Ne?
Sho: Then, next time it'll be 2:3 like that.
Jun: It might be 1(Sakurai):4 (laughs).
Nino: But, didn't it start out that Sho-kun slept right in the middle of the two of you because he said he was too scared to sleep alone (laughs)?
Sho: That room is scary~!
Daring to have an election! Arashi's '07 MVP would of course be that person
- Well then, we'd like to choose the person who rendered the most distinguished service among this year's Arashi!
Sho: (immediate reply) That would be me!
Jun: No, that would be me (laughs)!
Nino: No no, that would be me (laughs)?
Ohno: .... Sho-kun I guess.
As one: (laughs)
Nino: Ah, Yes! So, then, Sho-kun (laughs)!
Jun: Riidaa, go with the flow (laughs)!
Aiba: I vote for Sho-kun too.
Jun/Nino: Everyone's in agreement!
Sho: This flow is messed up (laughs).
- Congratulations on winning the MVP, Sakurai-san.
Sho: Thank you very much. Well, that's right ne, it's because I had the help of the other members that I'm able to win this award. With this spirit
I'd like to shine as the best MVP that no other can follow next year as well. Thank you very much!
Other 4: Thank you very much.
Sho: You all do your best too. Work at aiming for the MVP!
Other 4: You got it (laughs)! Next year you should live to your heart's content - Ohno
At any rate we'll be the moronic Arashi next year as well - Sakurai
Next year we'll work at an average rate - Ninomiya
Year of the mouse, it's the year of the mouse, year of the mouse - Matsumoto
Next year as well we'll do our best to find an opportunity to prey on you - Aiba

So...Ohno is remembering fans' faces??O_o Hehe, I'd like to think I'm memorable...XD But what a lucky girl! And what a clever way to pick up a girl (somehow I get the feeling Aiba has/will use this...XD) Poor Sho, he's going to be sleeping alone for a long time...;P (I think I see a couple of volunteers over here, winky, CK?XD) I lvoe the year-end haiku they have at the end here...Ohno's is beautiful (sasuga:3), Sho's is hilarious, Nino's is very Nino-ish (;P), Jun's...took less thought than anyone else's (XD), and Aiba's is confusingly amusing;P

Third act is 'The Television'...^^

Accelerating at the point where it seems like the 10th anniversary is in arms' length! Arashi, a good economic effect!
The New Year 3rd J model group, Arashi made an even further breakthrough in '07! Johnny's foremost friendly 5 grin in a train pose<> You can't
stop the acceleration of the Arashi train!

It was thickly packed in, Arashi, '07 was a great leap forward ne~.
Jun: Ah, it was really full. We're over-using those words.
Sho: When '07 opened we were quickly beginning concerts, the first Dome concert, the summer tour, and the 2nd Dome concert. It was a summer
that all 5 of us together were able to spend with a lot of people huh.
Nino: That's the kind of summer we were able to have, it was a good year, '07.
Aiba: Thanks to all the fans who were saying 'I want to see more Arashi concerts' addition by addition the summer got longer. In the end, the final
Dome concert was in October.
Sho: We accepted the voices of the fans, the scope grew gradually larger and larger, that was '07's new form ne.
Ohno: It was gone in a flash. I no longer have any memories of summer.
Sho: That's memory loss (laughs).
Jun: That's not good.
The single [Love So Sweet] had the brilliant achievement of reaching the number 4 single spot for the year! That's amazing.
Sho: That's certainly amazing!
Nino: (looking at Sho, who's wearing gold clothing) is that why... You've kind of become nouveau riche huh~.
Aiba: It's unpleasant clothing huh.
Nino: You change when you get famous huh. After all, 8 years since the debut. The feeling is there was no mistake in what's accumulated up is it?
Sho: Ah~, it was a toddling mistake-dotted 8 years ne. But it's great ne. Speeding up at the point where it feels like the 10th anniversary is within
arms' reach.
Jun: Up until now I felt that the 10th anniversary was close, but from going through '07 I get the sensation it got further away ne. That as full as it
was from now on it'll get even thicker.
Aiba: That's right ne~. Although I certainly think things like the Dome are amazing, we haven't particularly changed ne.
Jun: The more you say it the more you really feel that you haven't changed huh.
Sho: Even though we ourselves thought earlier that we were 'coming up'. Were we wrong.
Aiba: There have been people who were saying that Arashi's 'coming up' for a long time ne?
Jun: Though it wa the minority ne (laughs).
How about taking this time to honestly compliment each other on Arashi's efforts in '07?
Sho: MatsuJun worked hard on [Hana yori Dango 2]! Arashi's sales chief!
Jun: I was the sales chief?
Nino: Chief ne...
Jun: Don't say chief (laughs).

Nino: It's thanks to chief offering his body up and doing the Doumyouji role that we have [Love So Sweet] ne.
Aiba: [We Can Make It] in [Bambi~no!] too.
Jun: I worked hard huh~.
Sho: Nino and I are the sub-section chiefs huh.The two of us worked hard on [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] and were able to put out 1 single.
Nino: Aiba-san too, for the first time in 2 years? We got him to work hard at his play. He's also in good condition on his variety shows!
Aiba: The play was fun.
Ohno: Sho-kun also worked hard as a news caster and at the World Cup Volleyball, he's getting more breadth ne.
Nino: Reporting on the House of Council too ne.
Jun: I want to compliment Riidaa. The fact that he continues to unchangingly be Riidaa. I don't know what would have happened if he got bored
midway through.
Ohno: Although part way through it was pretty bad actually.
Jun: You got bored (laughs).
Nino: I'm glad that Riidaa somehow managed to wait for us~.
Conversely, in '08 what is it that's like 'YOU, fix this'?
Sho: There's nothing (declaration)
Nino: You spoke well, Sho-chan.
Sho: If there was something to fix then we would have fixed it much sooner. If you hadn't realized it by this point that would be extremely painful.
There's nothing to fix anymore.
Ohno: If we fixed it Arashi woul change.
We have big expectations for the unchanging Arashi in '08 as well.
Sho: The other day Ohno-san said something wise. The 9th anniversary is more precious than the 10th ne?
Ohno: Because the 10th anniversay will automatically get exciting. If we don't preciously make it exciting then the 9th anniversary will be pitiful.
Aiba: That's right ne. We have to be like 'wasshoi wasshoi' and make it exciting ne.
Nino: Then, how should we make the 9th anniversary exciting, Ohno-san?
Ohno: Planning meeting. Around the beginning of the month.
Sho: Excuse me, Ohno-san (laughs). Aren't you mixing in what you just said into various other magazines ne?
Nino: It's fine. It means that he's finally got his thoughts together doesn't it? Aiba: Riidaa's comments today are deliciously to the point!
Ohno: But since it's a plan I won't say what it is today.
Jun: Hey. The more you say it the more diluted it's getting~ (laughs).
Nino: In '07 the fans worked hard huh. They couldn't have helped spending money on the releases and concerts.
Sho: Arashi, a good economic effect!
Nino: Ohno-san, what do you think?
Ohno: What's an economic effect?
Nino: Since Arashi was very busy it resulted in the fans being made to spend money too ne. Are you thinking of an event in '08 that won't cost
money?
Ohno: Yeah. I'm thinking about it a little.
Nino: He's totally all talk (laughs).

Mouse New Year's Cards from Arashi

A fantastic everyday this year as well. A happy year! - Jun M.
Despite being quite reluctant, [Do I absolutely have to draw a mouse~?], it's a cute illustration<3

Happy New Year! I was highly obliged to you last year! Please favor me this year as well! - Ohno Satoshi, Heisei 20
The overly large teeth and singlasses on Riidaa's mouse are hilarious!

Happy New Year. I was obliged to you last year. Please favor me with your guidance and encouragement next year as well. - Aiba Masaki
Aiba-chan wrote this while confirming the characters for [guidance and encouragement] with the staff.

A happy new year!! I was highly obliged to you last year. I will continue to do so in the present year. I humbly ask you to favor me please. - Sakurai Sho
It's Sakurai with the number one refreshing smile, but the mouse is quite far from refreshing... (laughs).

Happy New Year. It's 2008 ne. It's auspicious ne. May it be a good year... - Ninomiya Kazunari
...mouse? Rabbit? (laughs). At any rate, the drawing was also an extremely cute Nino<3<3

Aw, Sho is MVP=) A real 'golden boy'XDD *nudge* Ohno's losing his memory and doesn't know exonomic terms (??) Nino wants to give us a free lunch!:D (I can offer a few ideas there...;) Aiba...didn't talk much:S And Jun really loves Ohno's lack of change^^ Okay, I was going to make a train joke here, but as I;'ve had too much choclate I think it's prudent to avoid humor at this point...and it's too easy;P

Now as an intermission, let's take a moment to reflect...

While we're looking back at a year filled with Arashi hilarity and smiles, I suppose some of us are already thinking up some resolutions and ambitions for the new year^^ For my part...I'm still thinking;) See, what goes hand in hand with my introspective personality is a tendency to stubbornness, so when I make a resolution I pretty much have to stick to it. Last year's resolution was to go back to school, go to Japan, and make it the best year of my life...and frankly, it was:3 And while I'll doubtless resolve to make this year even better (I think I already have, in my heart I'm already putting everything into thatX3), I need to think about what else...so, as kind of food for thought and a way to close one year and open another with a few words of wisdom, I decided to upload some pictures I took of proverbs and poetry in Japan:3

These first ones are from Higashi Honganji Temple in Kyoto, and they're originalyl Buddhist proverbs, but I think they can apply to anything if you think about it^^ Also, its a tradition in Japan to visit the Buddhist temples at the end of the year to atone for the previous year and prepare for the next, so this is a kind of secular version;)

When I think of that person, I live, when I forget that person, I am lost - Kaneko Daiei (from the Kaneko Daiei excerpts) If you can realize you are truly a fool, then your heart will be able to listen to the teachings of others - Akegarasu Haya (the Hougo calendar) Human beings pass through life not to become someone, but to become themselves - Nakano Ryoushun (the Hougu calendar) Both the old and the young, both men and women, live by relying on that which is not to be relied on - Harano Osamu Human beings are born embracing death, and grow by being able to embrace death - Nobukuni Atsushi (the Hougo calendar)

Somewhat austere, but there is that grain of truth. The last one seems dark, but I think it's more apt than you might believe...by being aware of the existence of death we can more fully feel alive, like by having a shadow the light seems more bright by contrast:3 My favorite, the one that inspires me, is the one about going through life to become yourself...X3
The next ones are from some statues that have local poetry in Kurashiki, near Okayama:)

You needn't force yourself to keep going as long as you are aiming for a pure heart Happiness begins from the moment you felt you were happy If you always have the heart of an angel then you will be able to meet people who have the smiles of angels

Here again, they're deceptively simple...but very meaningful if you look closely^^ Maybe that's why our boys have such beautiful smiles...:3 Words to live by...for me at least^^ Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful beginning to the new year, and that for you as well it will be the best year ever:3

And finally, the closer...in Josei Jishin the boys want to party too=)

Welcome to the Arashi New Year's party~;) Just leave your coat on the bed and your shoes at the door, don't worry if you didn't bring a gift cause everyone's too busy having fun to notice^^ Lucky Man is playing and it's hard not to dance along, especially when Jun and Ohno start swinging their hips in unison to the beat;PBut since they've been dancing so much they're behind on preparationsO_o Sho hand Aiba some balloons and puts him in charge of decorating, seeing as he's so good at blowing bubbles through strawsXD

He just wants to let go and watch it fly around the room though, giggling like a kid;P Ohno's ahead of the game, he's handling the food...as in, actually handling it, under the guise of 'taste testing'XD Nino wants some too, so he'll probably make Ohno give him a few licks;) But then he has to get around to the entertainment! He's learning some of Sho's magic tricks because he says he can do way betterXD Is this your card?;) Jun laughs at how Ohno's pouting because Nino ate the whole lollipopXDD Jun starts to feel bad so he goes to pour Ohno another drink, it's time for everyone to get nice and drunk so the real fun can begin=) But of course, he's a courteous host, so what'll you have?^^ With a full glass of champagne in hand and a pleasant buzz going you wander over to see what Sho's doing...he says he's watching to see the people lighting the fireworks so that he'll know the best vantage point when the clock hits midnight=) He then mentions that you can also see what the neighbours are doing from here and gives a naughty smirk;P Want a look?;) But it's time for the countdown...3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!:DDDD Find that one who makes your heart beat faster and sneak in a kiss for a good new yearX3 Then it's time to turn up the volume, Te Agero comes on, then Yes?No?, and everyone's drinking and dancing until the wee hours of the morning~:) 2008 looks like it will be another wonderful year, it's time to make more happy memories and new friends...^^ But first, who's going to clean up this mess??O_o *everyone looks pointedly at you*XDDD Happy New Year everyone~!X3 Let's all have even more fun this year than last year...find smiles in every day...learn something new about yourself...reach for the future that glitters so brightly ahead...and above all, laugh until your heart is free again:) I'm going to go have some more fun now, hope you're all enjoying yourselves somewhere in this big wide world^^ Mata ne~X3

この傷跡は決して消えないけど、それでも心がまた幸せのところまで飛んで行きたい：３こんなバカで我がままで傷だらけな私でも、どうぞ宜しくお願いしますX3明けましておめでとう！＾＾

I also translated parts of the January Duet article=)

Credit to Mori for the scans!:D

They reply to the readers' loving letters~

The Arashi members reply to the "love question & opinion emails" from Duet readers that were collected yesterday! The little this and that you
were wondering about may be instantly resolved?!

Q. I always get energy from the awesome smiles of everyone in Arashi. What's the source of those smiles? - Tochigi-ken, Tsuyu
Aiba: At any rate, I guess it would be from watching fun things. Even if it's just something trivial, see and feel something that makes you able to
smile, everyday.
Jun: That would be all the fans that support us ne. Other than thatm our everyday lives. The people around us are great aren't they (laughs)?
Nino: I've never thought about it, so I got no idea.
Ohno: I don't smile mich though. I'm not really conscious of it.
Sho: I guess maybe it's because we're given such a full everyday life ne. I also feel that as Arashi reaches our full 8th year since formation it's
getting more and more full ne. The 8th year more than the 7th year, the 9th yaer more than the 8th year...I feel like we're rising up the stairs. But
does Arashi really have that much of a smiling image?
Q. If you were to express yourself through an Arashi song, what song would it be? - Saitama-ken, Yoshie
Aiba: I guess [We Can Make It]. If you can conceive it you can achieve it! With that kind of feeling ne. If you don't have a good concept of things
you'll fail right? I want to always live positively ne.
Jun: It wouln't it be [Yabai-yabai-yabai]? I'll leave the reason to your imagination (laughs).
Nino: I don't have this either ne (laughs).
Ohno: [Everybody Zenshin]. It's not the lyrics but the melody. Resfreshing...ne (laughs).
Sho: [Cool & Soul] would be of use for this ne. Because we were able to put everything that is Arashi in this song. When a little more time goes
by we might write the next verse, but currently in November, 2007, it's this song.
Q. I think the way everyone in Arashi chooses their words and deals with people is awesome. I think it would be great if you could tell us what
remains in your heart of your parents' words and interactions. - Kanagawa-ken, Asuka
Aiba: My parents were working so I was raised by my aunt and uncle...I was raised where if you did something wrong people raised their hands
to you. Children don't understand anything right? I think it might be necessary to teach them that doing something is bad with pain, by hitting them
and such. I feel glad that I was raised in that way. Other than that, speaking of my own experiences, it was tough when my parents made me cry
I guess (laughs).
Jun: I wasn't spoken to particularly harshly ne. You could say I was raised by watching my parents' example. When I think about it now I think they
were very together parents. I think I was raised rather freely and uninhibitedly. Only, in the way that things that need to be taken care of were taken
care of.
Nino: Because I'm the kind with a bad mouth...I myself don't really think it's awesome (laughs). I guess there wasn't anything in particular they
told me?
Ohno: I was not once told things like 'go study' or 'go to school'. It seems like they had a 'there's no use in forcing yourself to do things you don't
want to do is there?' kind of way of thinking. If anything dad and mom both laughed a lot. They laugh like idiots (laughs). That's the kind of home
I was raised in.
Sho: At any rate they told me about things like manners ne. Things like 'thanks' and 'I'm sorry', those were the basics.
Q. Even now that I've graduated from school I still hang out with the group of four friends I was close with once a month, but among Arashi are there
things that up until now you've always continued doing or routines with all five of you? - Kanagawa-ken, Yuki
Aiba: Things we've continued doing with all 5 of us...I guess it would be work (laughs). That's about it ne. Not making routines is also a routine.
Jun: Nothing at all ne (laughs). There may be things we do naturally, but because they're unconscious I don't know. We don't have any routines
either.
Nino: This person (points at Ohno sitting next to him) doesn't give birthday presents at all either, there's nothing we continue doing ne. Though I've been
waiting for presents for about 2 years ne...
Ohno: Arashi doesn't have anything we continue doing, or any routines ne.
Sho: None. We don't make routines, we've also never talked about that kind of thing. If anything it would be emailing each other on birthdays, emailing
each other on the first day of a play? But there are also times when we meet in person and don't send emails ne.
Q. I've been an Arashi fan for half a year, and I'm also a housewife. I'm an older woman. When I see you guys being active and energetic in various
places I also get energetic~! How would all of you in Arashi see an older woman fan like me? - Wakayama-ken, Hitomi age 38
Aiba: I'm incredibly happy. Even with the concerts there's an adult way of seeing things, your opinion is also a good reference. Because you could
say you're my sempai in life. Please favor m from now on as well!
Jun: I'm happy though ne~. If it suits you, I'd want you to bring in your whole family and cheer us on with your husband ne. At a level that doesn't
break up your home please (laughs).
Nino: That's fine isn't it. I don't pay attention to the age of the fans (laughs).
Ohno: That's fine isn't it. You're focussing too much on your age. There's no one who thinks older woman fans are bad~ (laughs). At the concerts
too, enjoy yourself without worrying about it!
Sho: I'm happy ne~. It's not just housewives, for the last few years whole families and men have been increasing in the audience, we feel the breadth
of society. I'm also happy that the people who know about us are increasing, furthermore I'm also happy that the people who like us are increasing.
Age and gender have nothing to do with it. Q. Do you have a song that often plays inside your head? Jun-kun's Yabai song often plays for me. - Nara-ken, Don Cheech Love
A. What would it be? Ah, Hey!Say!Jump!'s [Ultra Music Power] I guess. But it always stops at 'jump into my dream~' (laughs). Because I don't
know the lyrics after that. I guess I want someone to give me the CD (laughs).
Q. In 2008, as Arashi reaches it's 9th anniversary, I will be a first year high school student just like Jun-kun when he debuted. When Arashi debuted
I was still a 6th grader. 9 years is a long time, but I felt it go by in the blink of an eye. How was it for you, Jun-kun? Also, are you becoming the self
that you wanted to be in the future? - Aichi-ken, Matsumoto Ayana Hime
A. Even though you're a 9th grader, that's a well put together question ne (laughs). That's right, because I don't look back like that very much I don't
feel like it was long or short... But I think it could be both long and short. Being able to feel that being called "Arashi", being called "MatsuJun",
meeting with the members, are all very natural things is also just because that much time has gone by ne. The me that I wanted to be...just the same
as Ayana Hime, I'm becoming the me in the future that I thought of when I was in 9th grade aren't I? Because the things where I think 'I want to
do it like this~' are constantly coming to be. In that sense I think I'm happy. But ne, because I'm a person with deep desires (laughs), that doesn't mean
it ends there. There are still a lot of things I want to do ne (laughs).
Q. You're the 'strongest character Matsumoto-san', but are there things that you're afraid of? - Tokyo Area, Tachibana Noriko
A. I don't know where I became the 'strongest character' (laughs), but there are things I'm afraid of. Like my drunk, annoying self (laughs). Rather
than scary more of a...dislike kind of feeling?
Q. Now that your dream of wanting to do a concert overseas that you had for your future when you were a Jr. has come true, as Arashi, as Matsumoto
Jun, do you have a new dream? - Fukuoka-ken, Miyuki
A. I do have a new dream ne. But I won't tell you (laughs). In terms of dreams, there are a lot of things I want to do.
Q. Right now your hair is super long, but you wouldn't cut it to about Ohno-kun's length would you? Do you like your hairstyle right now? - Fukuoka-ken,
Akka-
A. Right now I just have it long because of work you know. I'm doing the filming for the movie (The Hidden Fortress) with half my own hair ne.
I make it the length that's necessary for work, so the honest truth would be that it's not about whether I like it or not. Even when changing my hairtsyle,
I do it to match the role. So if a role comes where it's Riidaa's length I think I'd cut it, if it suits it I'd even shave my head.
Q. You've reached your 8th anniversary, but even now are there still parts of the members that are a mystery to you? - Gifu-ken, Rurube
A. After all ne~, Riidaa and Nino's more than necessary body contact. That's a mystery ne (laughs).
Q. What do you do on your days off lately? Did you get your room clean and tidied? - Saitama-ken, Green
A. When I have time I go ride horses, meet up with my friends like usual... The other day I met Nishikido (Ryou) and went to eat. After that the
two of us saw [Crows Zero]... Because that guy said he didn't have any money I paid for everything ne. On top of which, I even shelled out for
his taxi ride home (laughs). I'm both doing and not doing my room's clean-up.
Q. Arashi always gets along so well with each other. Is there a member where you think that if you got into a fight you couldn't win against them?
...I of course think Matsumoto-san is the best. - Fukuoka-ken, Miyuki
A. We don't fight so I can't imagine it. Or rather, although I won't even imagine it, if for example I was fighting with Riidaa and I hit Riidaa and
he hit me back...I think I'd immediately apologize and say 'I'm sorry!' (laughs).
Q. When you're trying to remember your lines and such, how do you concentrate? I'm a 9th grader getting ready to take my exams so I'd like you
to tell me some ways to concentrate. - Miyagi-ken, Shiho
A. What indeed ne. I guess it would be getting rid of things that get in your way after all. TV, music, cellphone...you make it so that anything other
than what you have to focus on doesn't get in the way. Because if those kind of things are around you they'll stay on your mind and you won't
be able to concentrate.

Their song choices were really telling ne...We Can Make It suits Aiba perfectly:3 Jun's comment about Yabai really gets me thinking...XD And I like how Sho said Cool & Soul expresses all of Arashi, it really makes me curious what the next verse could be^^ But Aiba's child-rearing policies leave me a little scaredO_o And I feel really bad for him too...I mean, if he's happy that's great...but speaking as someone else who was raised like that, I don't think it's healthy at allO_o Ohno's family sounds so cute!XD And really fun^^ But apparently they didn't raise him to give birthday presents, poor NinoXDD
Jun's drive to keep achieving things always makes me focus harder on my own, so I lvoe hearing him talk about ambitions. I wish he'd tell us what that new dream is...everything's a secret with this boy!XD And I'm even more curious about how he is when drunk...besides spilling wine on people's pants that is;P He's so kind to his friends though, paying for that whole day with Nishikido...^^ And I looked up Crows Zero, it stars Oguri Shun:D And it looks really good, I want to see it when it comes out on DVD...haven't seen some good butt-kicking action in a while. But the best part was describing his fight with Riidaa...first of all, trying to imagine Riidaa hitting anyone is kind of warping my brain;P But imagining Jun immediately apologizing is so cute!XD Something like that time on Shukudai-kun where he slapped him...;P Aw, Jun loves you Riidaa=)

In other news, my friendly resident squirrel, Ojiisan, came back the other day!O_o I was really surprised cause he's supposed to be hibernating right now^^;

He looks so cold doesn't he?>_< I wanted to get a closer picture, but when I tried to slide my balcony door open he got scared and ran away...maybe I'll leave some breadcrumbs on my balcony for him^^ Poor thing, he should go back to sleep:S
Well, that's all for now^^ Have a great weekend everyone, hope you're getting geared up for an awesome 2008:)

A dear friend of mine sent me scans of the November FC pamphlet and suggested I translate them for all of you as an xmas present because they talk about the summer concerts:3 Thank you so much dear!<3 I hope you all enjoy them and will be thankful to her too^^

The cover:

Front page: Arashi Summer Tour 2007
The summer tour that started in July finally approached its finale at the additional Tokyo Dome performance on October 8th. Up until now and
beyond, this year's long hot summer. With what emotions did the five of them run through it. We tried asking the day after the last performance.
Time Kotoba no Chikara (The power of words) - What does it feel like right now, as the tour is ending?
Sho: Well, it's like [summer's over] isn't it?
Jun: Kind of ne, although there were delineations time and time again.
- It feels like 'this time it's really over!'?
Sho: Of course, of course. In this way it's not actually ending, even if they say it's a 'supplement' ne. Because we overdid it. I hereby
respectfully decline (laughs). Though the summer tour was long, even though it's already October it feels like when the Tokyo Dome is over
the summer will be over ne.
Ohno: Rather, it's finally over. It doesn't feel like a summer tour, looking back it's like it was constantly continuing since the beginning of spring...
Sho: Doesn't it kind of feel like the year 2007 is already over? I mean, there's only 2 months left right?
Nino: It might be because we were doing liver performances the whole time ne. Because when you're doing your job it probably normally feels
like this ne.
- Doing live performances makes a year go by quickly?
Sho: Fast. This year was especially fast ne.
Nino: We say it's 'fas' every year ne?
Jun: Haha.
Nino: For the last several years we've been saying it's 'fast'.
Ohno: When you do lives performances it's incredibly fast ne.
Jun: Because we really started doing live performances from the beginning of the summer right up until the end ne. It was kind of incredibly great,
even as an experience. In particular, the tension at each and every one of the locations for each of the live performances this year was left an incredible
impresision on me. For that reason as well right now I have an incredible feeling of 'it's over!'. Because we'll definitely not do that set line up
ever again.
- What was particularly impression-leaving?
Sho: The MJ walk, after all ne.
Jun: Well ne~, of course that's what you would expect from something with all 5 of us ne (making a joke)
Nino: Well, it's like the one I developped ne. (this too)
Sho: NK walk (laughs).
- As for the members other than MatsuJun, will you try using it?
Ohno: I'm not.
Jun: Even though would be fun if you tried it ne? Like, the 5 of us doing it before the MC and such.
Sho: Ah~, well that's right ne.(as if his heart's not in it)
- MatsuJun, were you seriously not scared when doing it? Jun: Well, to be honest I get the feeling I overdid it (laughs).
- It seems like there were a lot of fans who were worried as well.
Jun: Ah~, well~, it was something I started saying that I would do. I think it's great that we were able to do it at each venue without missing any.
Sho: The only that's for sure is that it's 'yabai' (laughs). It was extremely dangerous.
Jun: It was interesting, amazing. It's kind of me saying it, but I think that doing flying in that way was interesting. That it's not just showily floating
around. To say it strongly, it's like 'you guys are still just flying?' (laughs). That's how I think of it.
Sho: Because when it comes to us we were only bouncing around on the bungees ne.
Nino: If it's the bungees we can do it too huh? Well, I guess that's the limit.
- It's a good interpretation of that to say that it's 'something that makes you feel excited just from seeing it' ne?
Jun: That's it, of course.
Ohno: Even if it's something people call 'cool' ne.
Sho: You're doubting their taste ne (laughs).
Nino: He's pulling it the other way (laughs).
Sho: If you asked which way it was, 'we have fun seeing everyone else having fun' would be correct. For example, at the first Osaka show the
guests were clapping their hands and laughing uproariously. But it's like, we should have fun in the latter half...
Jun: 'Being able to laugh' ne, in short (laughs).
Nino: There's no one making us alugh (laughs).
- Doesn't it hurt?
Ohno: At first it hurt.
Nino: Are armpits go stronger ne.
Ohno: Yeah. Although the first time I did it in rehearsal it hurt so much I thought 'I can't take it'.
Jun: The staff improved it ne.
Sho: At the very beginning, when we did it in rehearsals the tubes were in a much more raw state, so when we said 'this hurts' the staff improved it
for us. It became a much more gentle construction, our armpits are extremely strong even now (laughs).
- With what material did they make it more soft?
Jun: We don't know that much (laughs).
Sho: It's kindness ne. It's made with kindness.
Nino: That's right, that's important ne. It's 'kindness'!
- The moving stage also appeared in both it's small and large sizes, that was luxurious ne. Jun: That was made for this tour. In the middle of doing various meetings with the staff, and since we were going to do the dome again we said 'let's
make it'.
(At this point Aiba-chan, who was doing other work, makes his appearance)
- Aiba-chan was overwhelmed with emotions at the very end ne.
Aiba: Ah~, I felt the warmth of all the incredible fans. I think what we've done up to now as well is thanks to everyone.
Sho: Aiba-san, when the lights hit you it already seemed like you were crying didn't it. Were you touched by my introduction (laughs)?
Aiba: That's right. That's exactly it. I was like [Sho-kun says great things huh~] (laughs).
- But wasn't everyone overwhlemed with emotions at that time?
Jun: Well, speaking honestly, it was because it was okay to cry ne (laughs).
Aiba: At that time ne, I really thought of a lot of good things, because it was the end.
Sho: Despite that it quickly ended without you saying anything ne~ (laughs).
Aiba: So, even though I was thinking about talking about those good things, what entered my sight was the smiles of the fans.
Sho: But it's better than talking a long time about good things? I think that what you were able to convey by tearily saying 'thank you' was very big.
Aiba: But ne~, there were a lot of things that I wanted to convey ne.
Jun: It wasn't the words you thought out right?
Aiba: Yeah, since what I thought at the time was 'thank you' I let it end like that.
Ohno: Well it was great, amazingly so.
Aiba: Despite that, even if you challenged me to I wouldn't say now the things I was thinking of saying.
- When you were doing the lvie performances what was the moment that really got you?
Sho: For me it's the instant we come out in the opening, when I see the sea of penlights and the audience, that's the part that gets me right at the
beginning. And seeing uchiwas that make you wonder just how far they go on. The view of the penlights from the seats is different than
from the stage. That's why, I'm sorry to say, that means it's only us 5 who can see that view. The view where the whole venue is filled with
our guests really does get to you ne. And it keeps getting to you for 3 hours. Nino: For me I guess it gets to me when I see the guests dancing during [Oh Yeah!] or [Hadashi No Mirai].
Jun: Hey, with the guests that haev come for the first time, the people who don't know the moves, I wonder if they want to dance when seeing the
ones doing that?
Nino: I wonder ne~.
Sho: Wouldn't they? They'd probably want to join in.When they do that from both sides.
Jun: That's pretty much how it is ne.
Nino: Because they're coming to see us because they like us ne.
Aiba: For sure they do it, even if they don't know how.
Sho: I guess it was Niigata. I was so happy when a guy who came by himself was doing it ne.
Ohno: I guess it would be when everyone is dancing too. Like in [Carnival Night Part 2].
Sho: Because Ohno-kun did some of the choreography ne. Even though right now that's not on the DVD.
Ohno: Everyone being able to dance is amazing ne.
Jun: For me the thing that gets my tension up is something incredibly personal... At the point when Aiba-kun comes out to do his solo the guests
always go into an uproar. At that moment I think 'ah~, I did a good job huh'.
Sho: Ahaha! Nice pass (laughs).
Jun: I think 'I made a good assist huh' (laughs).
Aiba: You gave me nice passes (laughs).
- Do you always do a kind of celebratory thing after the end of the very last show?
Sho: Since the year 2001 I guess we don't have a celebration after everything is over. Normally we do it right about in the middle of the tour. This time
we did it about twice ne. In Sendai and in Niigata. After all, after it's over all of the staff have the scramble (tear down).Having a celebration
on the day that it's over is hard ne.
- What was the last day like this time?
Jun: This time we did it lightly with champagne. Because Sho-kun had to go out right away for work (News Zero) his manager held the leftover
glass in his place and the five of us made a toast.
Aiba: A pinch-hitter (laughs).
Sho: I joined in too, in spirit. I really do like that kind of thing ne. I wasn't there this time, but once before, I guess about 2 years ago. I have a memory
of doing that in the dressing room at Yokohama Arena or somewhere.
Jun: Ah~, we did it in the arena dressing room ne.
Sho: I love that kind of thing. Even though it was just toasting ourselves with champagne in the dressing room and saying 'great work!'. But there's also
kind of a feeling that it's completely over, in the dressing room as well. Gradually more and more the luggage gets removed. Because toasting
it in the middle of a dressing room where it feels like it's getting more and more bare really made it feel incredibly like 'it's over huh~'.
- By the way, why would it be that Arashi doesn't lose that much freshness?
Jun: Fresh?! It wouldn't be freshness right?
Ohno: I don't know if that's good or not ne.
Sho: We haven't thought about that area at all.
- I think there are unexpectedly few people who sing and dance with such happy faces.
Aiba: It may just be that there are a lot of songs like that among our songs ne.
Jun: We don't think it's fresh.
Aiba: We also don't think 'let's do it like this'. Wouldn't it just be that doing it our way is fresh? Though I could be wrong.
Sho: If doing it happily and with good energy is fresh, then it would be because we're having fun I guess. We haven't been aware of it ne, at this
point. Although when we're past 30 we may begin to be aware of it. But when you're over 30 being fresh is kind of painful right (laughs)?
- Do you have the feeling of the 10th year getting closer?
Sho: We do. When 2 years go by it'll be the 10th year right? It's like, what will we do for the 10th year ne. To welcome the 10th anniversary in
a good way. How to do the 9th year. In the end it's that continuity. It's not like we're just working hard aiming for the 10th anniversary. That's
not the goal.
- Have your feelings towards the Dome changed?
Sho: Althougb my awareness of it hasn't changed a lot of people told me this this time. Something like 'there was more scope than the first Dome
occassion, in a good way ne'. That's why I guess it has changed from the perspective of those around us.
Jun: Each time the Dome topic comes up people say 'Aiba-chan cried ne' ne?
Aiba: Ah~...
Ohno: They'll say that for a year ne.
Nino: No, they'll probably say that for 3 years huh.
Jun: So then you'll get sick of not being able to cry ne (laughs).
Sho: Eventually you'll get sick of it saying [Cry Aiba!] on uchiwas and such ne (laughs).

Ah~, I wish I could have seen that last performance>_< I heard that not only was Aiba crying, the others were trying hard not to as well:3 And after working hard all summer, knowing that these moments were coming to an end, I'm sure it was quite an emotional moment. I was nearly in tears at my last concert>_< But poor Aiba, he'll never hear the end of it;) And I lvoed how they talked about their most impactful moments...yes, people who don't know the mvoes try to dance too, I didXD You pick them up as you go, it's part of the fun:D But I also had a good teacher beforehand^^ And of course, Jun and Aiba's 'passes'X3 So cute^^ That was one of my favorite parts, when Jun comes out and lovingly introduces the most 'peace' of the members and Aiba begins 'Friendship'<3 It's such a bittersweet feeling to think of it now~

It's almost Xmas!:D And, because I just had to do an article, the shortest one I could find, Jun's December Duet=)

Credit to Mori for the scans:D

Please introduce the members of Arashi.
Aiba-chan = Is a person who has a heart that's pure to the point of crying at concerts, and as a consequence
is so splendidly naive that it can be troublesome from time to time. Nino = He's the one among the members
with the most child-like points, but there's also the side of him that calls people vulgar names. Sho-kun =
In charge of rap. Lately he's also being a kind of newscaster, Arashi's mediator. Riidaa = He draws pictures,
sculpts clay, his artistic sense stands out above the rest. He doesn't normally move much (laughs).

Recent Status
Lately, since the concerts are over I've been meeting up with people ne. Making an appearance at the birthday
party of an aquaintance, meeting a friend I've known since junior high, going to see the band of someone I know.
It's been a long time since I've been able to make time like this. Although it really had been ages since the
last time I saw the friend from junior high we both had things that had changed and not changed, it was
interesting. It was a stimulating, in a good sense. Then we all went to karaoke together and sang songs we often
sang when we were in high school, like Mr. Children and Spitz. In a matter of an instant I returned to how
it felt back then ne. Lately I've been thinking that I've stopped listening to and memorizing music for the
sake of karaoke (laughs). When I'm at home I'm purely doing movie appreciation ne. Lately I watch a lot of
Kurosawa movies.

Jun Matsumoto

1983.08.30 Blood Type: A
Born in Tokyo
Height: The same as Chinen-kun (laughs)
Weight: About 60kg I guess?
Foot size: 26.5cm.
Eyesight: Right, 0.2 Left, 0.3 Normally I have on contact lenses or glasses.
Favorite motto: Nothing in particular.
Attractive features: My eyes or my eyebrows?
Weaknesses: Early mornings.
Favorite foods: Japanese food. Soba, sushi, ramen, etc.
Hated foods: Cilantro.
Special skills: The MJ walk (laughs).
Strong points: Sometimes I show an amazing ability to come up with ideas.
Weak points: I get carried away with my ideas. If they ask me, the conversation will go in a direction the other
person doesn't understand (laughs).
Hobbies: Lately surfing or riding horses. Besides that, movie appreciation.

Ah~, I lvoe this smile<3 And his analyses of the other members showed some real, thought-provoking depth:3 Nino's was a little surprising actually, although I can picture him yelling at everyoneXD My favorite was Aiba's though, you can tell he admires that about him^^ And Sho is the group's mediator? Interesting, I would have guessed Ohno. And ohno doesn't move much...yes, that's a recurrent theme it seemsXD But seriously, he won't give his height?XP He's definitely not 143cm like Chinen-kun;) Hehe, I loved how he said he gets carried away with his ideas, that's something I do all the time...unfortunately I tend to get annoyed or flustered when people can't follow along, I bet it's the same for Jun^^; But I can't wait to see him riding a horse! That would be quite something ne~:3

Well, I won't make it so long before my next post=) Again, sorry to be so out of touch^^; I saw the FNS performance, it was so cute<3 I agree that the choice of wardrobe was much better than last year's they looked great and still had their dignity (a shocking concept for Johnny's, I know;P). Hope you're all doing well and continuing smoothly along the paths you've chosen:) Stay well, and see you soon~^^

Just a short article this week^^ Jun's November Potato:3

Credit to Mori for the scans =)

Kind of relaxing to look at ne~^^ Although this time the summer tour was both longer in terms of days and number of performances, it went
on from the start with no real content changes for the most part, even when passing over the whole thing I
think it went rather smoothly. Constitutively as well, I