^He's so naive, isn't he?

I'm glad everyone in Arashi hung on there although they were reluctant. Such fate, isn't it? And kaori + Karen's right - each person in Arashi are popular for who they are... and it's really rare in a boyband. And gosh, Karen, Mago Mago Arashi - it's their best tv show ever!

G no Arashi is my favorite show from arashi. i just love how they support people. why did it have to end...:weep shouldn't AnS be over soon, anyway? it's like over 120 episodes so far :P i mean, i love AnS sooo much, but i want a new different show from arashi.

I didn't know that Arashi didn't get along at first, either. Though it's to be expected, when you have to spend so much time with the same people, who might have completely different personalities, interests etc. But it shows that it IS possible to overcome it and create a strong bond.
As was already said in some way or another, a reason for Arashi's popularity is that they're quite balanced as a group. I could imagine that though many are (were) Jun-baited, once they get more into Arashi, their interest may switch. There aren't so many awkward situation when Arashi are together. I thought about it today, and I wondered how well some JE groups would fare without the "fan magnets", meaning that they weren't members of the initial group to begin with.

KAT-TUN without Akame
NEWS without RyoPi
Kanjani8 without OhkuRyo (lol?)
Arashi without MatsuJun

KAT-TUN and NEWS probably wouldn't fare as well. Though I'm not questioning the individual members value (the "fan magnet" is hardly ever a favourite of mine)!
Kanjani8 would probably do quite well (they don't have a look-based image to begin with).
Arashi would probably do 'well, too (they're a round package).
Both, Arashi and Kanjani8, have great group interaction. They don't say CONSTANTLY, how they argued with the other members during their early days or whatnot. Even though a certain amount of negativity was involved, they've overcome it, while with KAT-TUN and NEWS it still shows. When KAT-TUN or its members are on talkshows, either the members or the MCs come up with talks about arguements. While with NEWS it's usually about them being unable to communicate with each other comfortably. KAT-TUN produces a rather cold atmosphere, while NEWS seems to just follow along their daisenpai (RyoPi). I guess the division from JEs side also doesn't help NEWS to be a group. They should get a variety show to further develop their group bond. Also GIVE EVERYONE A SOLO. I don't understand what's so difficult about doing so.
It's like everyone has his place when it comes to Arashi and Kanjani8. OhkuRyo are the "fan magnets", but hardly talk, as talking is generally done by YokoMura. MatsuJun, though being the most popular, also doesn't do the MCing for their variety shows, which is done by Sho, who's good-looking and graduated Keio, but poor in sports. They all have qualities that someone else lacks more or less, so they kind of "make up" for it and support each other. Though that also to some extent applys to KAT-TUN and NEWS, it isn't made so apparent.

Sorry for my rant. ^^; I don't know if I make sense. lol I probably have to think it over. lol

nahh, your "rant" was perfectly explained, aga-chan. but i never knew ohkura was popular with ryo in kanjani8. i thought it was subaru and ryo, or just ryo alone, lol.

Although I'm not a fan of Kanjani8 nor keep up with their news frequently, I constantly hear about how Kanjani8 has great group dynamics from my friend who's a fan. And I feel that Ryo's much more comfortable in Kanjani8 as compared to NEWS.

Arashi's really balanced, I have to agree. You have a leader who's unlike a leader at all, a Keio graduate who's a sports loser, a DoS, a smartass, and a natural idiot. :laugh That recipe apparently makes a good group.

From their guesting at talk shows, Arashi members often mention how they don't mail each other or call each other much, or even eat meals with each other that much. So that kinda distance in the sense is also good. There won't be any chance to clash horns.

LOL let me guess.....aiba? :laugh i love him soo much! :tipsy

speaking of him, this is the cutest thing ever :smitten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7bAkfIuyQ

:thud

^Omg you know, Aibababai became a vocab which I use with my friend who's also an Arashi fan! When we say goodbye to each other in mails or parting we say Aibababai instead of bye. :laugh

:laugh sooo clever! i'm gonna start doing that too, and then my mom will think i'm crazy :tipsy but if i had some real life arashi friends, it'd be so much fun :weep

very well made, Aga. :yes

however, i just do like to add in from watching KAT-TUN & NEWS (well, JE in general) since 2005, i've seen tremendous growth from both groups dynamically. they're not KANJANI8/Arashi levels, but it's in small steps.

imo, KAT-TUN's still trying to transition from Johnny's Juniors to the national level. even though they've been in the game for so long, things change a lot after debut. & i think they're trying to lessen the cold atmosphere they give off. if any indication "QOP" tour was that. however, they've never been the ones to give off member ai~ or be dorky. their harsh/rock image might stimulate the whole cold atmosphere as well, but i do think they get along well, professionally. & i like how honest they are...they don't sugarcoat anything, really. i guess being idols, fans would be turned off to that, though. and i will say that the other members are getting out of Akame's shadow (with more lines in songs & solo projects). they're still not Akame status, but hey, Ueda got a solo con before those 2, LOL.

NEWS...well, it's the hardest for them, right? i know i complain about them (...quite a lot, LOL), but i do feel sympathy for them. it's hard shifting from 9 to 8 to 7 to now 6 members and having a fanbase sympathetic to 8 members and those who do not wish to see those 2 ever again, lol. i do think JE is at fault for NEWS sometimes. i don't think they're giving them as much recognition? as KT, Arashi, & even K8...they could be marketed better, like you said with the TV program & solos for they have potential. but as for group dynamics...WAY BETTER than when i first saw them together...way better. xD

but all in all, they're both works in progress. and it does take time to get there.

i think Arashi (& KANJANI8 too! they've gone a long way) is a great example of how that work in progress made them the group we see today with their fame, group dynamics, & work. i may criticize their music, lol, but i can never talk down on their success.

yeah Aiba's quite a blockhead , just like Taguchi somehow :laugh but both of them add life to ARASHI & KAT-TUN respectively

bottomline's , each group are respected in their each unique individual right :yes

have you guys seen the latest VS ARASHI episode ? I don't know why Kendo Kobayashi is doing there AGAIN (he's that HEYx3 enquiry guy during when the guys appeared when they promote We can make it !)

he's like an extra man :laugh

Alice did you manage to order the LE Type B from http://hmv.com.hk/search/search_2008...arashi&fmt=Any ? It's already deleted from their website :thud

I'm still deciding if I want to order both LE's when the OS press is out in Taiwan in 2 weeks's time but until then I already asked my friend Cliff to reserve both copies for me & Ohno said my surname in KNK :laugh

Believe / KNK sales updates

1st day sales : 214,618
2nd day sales : 135,103
3rd day sales : 51,063
4th day sales : 27,343
5th day sales : 38,015

Total sales: 466,142

OMG just 1K+ more before they overtake truth / Kaze no Mukou e :thud (467,288)

:D

we can make it! :laugh

:laugh nice one Lisa

I'm just completely stunned at the sales , they already have the biggest 1st week sales for 2009 & also for total overall too

I'm so proud :weep

i'm proud, too :weep is the oricon week over yet, btw?

erm not yet Lisa , I think there's still 1 more day before it ends or is it 2 more ?

not so sure but 1 thing's for sure , Believe / KNK's officially their best 1st week sales opening for a single now :D

Fast, right? Well after much deliberating I just decided to buy the OS version. Budget's really quite tight right now and I need money for other stuffs too (like books since uni started recently). I guess it's okay with OS version...there's not much difference.

ok I understand , I let you know once the OS presses for the CD + DVD's are up & running via HMV HK then :yes . When that happens , I will PM you straightaway :yes

& you get the chinese translation sheet , OS press wise . You don't get that at all for Japan press & quality wise it's equally as good so no worries & the region code for the DVD's 3 & not 2 (for Japan's case)

I already told my friend Cliff to reserve both copies for me when it's out in Taiwan 2 Fri's later :laugh because I don't want to be like the time when truth / Kaze no Mukou e came out in Taiwan & I didn't orderd the CD + DVD from him & I kinda regret it :weep (even though I have the Japan press of it) , I know I'm such a weird sod