ARASHI Overview
Arashi released their first debut single entitled "ARASHI" on November 3, 1999, their song with the same name, "A.RA.SHI" where chosen as the theme song for FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup hosted by Japan in the same year. The first eponymous single where released by Pony Canyon and continuously for another 5 singles and 1 studio album before they were moved to Johnny's subsidiary label, J-Storm in 2001. The J-Storm label was initially set up for their successive releases before producing for different artists.
After a triumph releases, Arashi subsequently faced declination of sales. In their fifth year anniversary, Arashi released their 12th single; "Pikanchi Double" that was the lowest selling single to date with 89,106 copies in first week. The dark era of Arashi continued with termination of advertising contract with McDonald ahead time, their first TV show with FujiTV were cancelled due to low rating, unreleased "Subarashi Sekai" PV and "One" concert DVD because of afraid that "no one will buy it" and had to give up their concert arenas for a smaller size.
But they never give up.
In 2005, Matsumoto Jun accepted the role as Tsukasa Domyouji in Hana Yori Dango or commonly known as Hanadan, with a condition that Arashi are able to release a new single, "Wish". Surprisingly the single were sold total of over 300,000 copies - the next highest single after "A Day in Our Life" in 2002. Matsumoto Jun also invented "Johnny's Moving Stage" (ジャニーズムービングステージ), transparent stage that moves over the top of the audiences, allowing them to be closer with audience seated distance from main stage in their concert tour. They are able to come back strong ever since.
Arashi was also able to do an Asia tour, Jet Storm Tour in 2006, visiting Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea in a day, to promote their studio album - "Arashic". Arashi became the first group from Johnny's to perform solo concerts in South Korea due to overwhelming feedback by 1500 Korean fans gathered at Incheon International Airport during the Jet Storm Tour. The concert's tickets were unbelievable sold out in an hour.
Releasing "Love So Sweet" single for the theme song for Hanadan 2, this 18th single was Arashi's first single sold over 200,000 copies in a week. They were also given the privilege to performed in Kyocera Dome in Osaka and Tokyo Dome in Tokyo for the first time and continuously for 6 years in a row since 2006. Their achievement won the public attention ever since.
Celebrating their 10th year anniversary, Arashi released two double A-side singles, "Believe/Kumorinochi, Kaisei" and "Ashita no Kioku/Crazy Moon (Kimi wa Muteki)", that marked them as the first artist to have two consecutive singles exceed 500,000 copies sold in first week sales in seven years after Keisuke Kuwata. They also became the first artist to perform at National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo for three consecutive days for their "Arashi Anniversary Tour 5x10" concert tour. Moreover, they were also released their greatest hit songs compilation album, "All the Best! 1999–2009", with one new song, "5 x 10" songs that was written by themselves and a hidden track, "Attack It".
Releasing "Love So Sweet" single for the theme song for Hanadan 2, this 18th single was Arashi's first single sold over 200,000 copies in a week. They were also given the privilege to performed in Kyocera Dome in Osaka and Tokyo Dome in Tokyo for the first time and continuously for 6 years in a row since 2006. Their achievement won the public attention ever since.
Celebrating their 10th year anniversary, Arashi released two double A-side singles, "Believe/Kumorinochi, Kaisei" and "Ashita no Kioku/Crazy Moon (Kimi wa Muteki)", that marked them as the first artist to have two consecutive singles exceed 500,000 copies sold in first week sales in seven years after Keisuke Kuwata. They also became the first artist to perform at National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo for three consecutive days for their "Arashi Anniversary Tour 5x10" concert tour. Moreover, they were also released their greatest hit songs compilation album, "All the Best! 1999–2009", with one new song, "5 x 10" songs that was written by themselves and a hidden track, "Attack It".
Arashi making a record tempest!
They became the first artist to place the top two rankings on the Oricon singles yearly chart for two consecutive years, the first celebrity to sing own songs at Tokyo DisneySea. Arashi also became the first artist to win ten awards at once at 24th Japan Gold Disc Awards 2010, thus awarded Arashi the "Artist of the Year". Also in 2010, Arashi became the first male artist to achieve six number-one singles in a year and the first group to host the 61st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, together with Nao Matsushita.
Arashi became the first artist in Oricon history to sell over four million DVDs for their concert album "Arashi 10–11 Tour "Scene": Kimi to Boku no Miteiru Fūkei – Stadium" in year 2011. In the same year, their next concert album, "Arashi 10–11 Tour "Scene": Kimi to Boku no Miteiru Fūkei – Dome" lead them into becoming the first Japanese artist to sell over five million DVDs. In 2014, Arashi released their first ever concert album "Arashi Arafes '13 National Stadium 2013" in Blu-ray format. Furthermore, their concert album “Popcorn” was sold over 700,000 copies in a week and placed first on Top Global Album Chart, led them to be nominated for Best Group and Best Album at the 2012 World Music Awards.
And they are yet stopping!
Celebrating their 15th year anniversary, Arashi held a concert, "Arashi Blast in Hawaii", at Honolulu, Hawaii. This is the first time Arashi flown everything form Japan to oversea; including the props, equipment and audiences. They were able to boost millions of dollar into Hawaii Tourism economy. Hence, to commemorate such joyous occasion, the state of Hawaii announced that they have established September 19 as 'ARASHI DAY'.
Fast forwarding to 2020, Arashi received recognition for almost all singles and albums released, continuous success year after years. Arashi became the first Japanese artist to receive "Artist of the Year" award six times throughout their career back in 2019. Arashi was also awarded "Global Album of 2019" by IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide with their compilation album, "5X20 All the Best!! 1999-2019".
Arashi announced group indefinate hiatus!
A video message of their decision to take a break on group activities was released in their official fanclub homepage account on January 27, 2019. They will be suspending all group activities on December 31, 2020. Matsumoto Jun confirmed during a press conference on the same day that this isn't a notice of group dissolvement, instead a decision Arashi collectively made to give each member a pathway to pursue their goal independently.
A two year advance notice was given for fans to slowly accept and adapt to a life without 'Arashi'. Instead of them slowing down their activities, Arashi go 'wild mode' by entering the digital era. Arashi went 'live' for the first time on Youtube on November 3, 2019 - to announce their official social media accounts, their 64 singles available to be streamed online, their first digital single Turning Up released, their Jetstorm press conference in 4 Asian countries and their Beijing and Tokyo National Stadium concerts that was regretfully postponed due to pandermic Covid-19.
There are approximately 100 days left until year end of 2020 - until now, it has been a rollercoster ride of emotions with Arashi. They have been actively engaged with fans on their social medias, releasing new digital singles which their collab with outstanding producers and even selling concert goodies online, which was deemed impossible years back!
How long would Arashi remained hiatus is still a raising question. Fans need to learn to accept and adapt to a world without storm, however they do believe that Arashi will come back reunited once more on stage and again creating a storm thoughout the world.
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