Tribute post: Remembering Himitsu no Arashi-chan

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

The End of an Era: Remembering Himitsu no Arashi-chan



In case you haven't heard, Himitsu no Arashi-chan is ending in March 2013, i.e. it's got around 2 months left! I thought it was time for a tribute post of sorts, so I hope this doubles up as a HnA introduction for the newer fans and a reminiscence for the older more experienced ones.

For the fans who were around since 2008, HnA was actually Arashi's first prime time show; it coincided with Arashi's meteoric rise of fame, even as Japanese audiences were on a Hana Yori Dango* high.

T/N: Both HnA and HYD were TBS programs, this explains the tie-ups between the two shows, such as the "Hana Yori Matsujun" Arashi-chan Special.

HnA began as an investigative "social studies" program, where the members uncovered the secrets (himitsu) of different subjects ranging from Disneyland to Instant Noodles. As the producers seemed to run out of interesting social trivia, they then delved into the infamous Ageha Princesses, a corner which was spearheaded by a rather enthusiastic Aiba.

Since then, HnA has undergone several changes, which included...

Aiba and Ohno hunting for hornets…

Jun and Sho doing extremely ordinary things in a super cool manner…

dumping the guys in ice cold water (a JE first, apparently)…

...before finally arriving at the format which exists today.

What are some of your favorite Himitsu no Arashi-chan moments? Share your memories here! The more pictures and gifs rainbows, the better!

Here's mine: I call this "The Difference Between A Model Student and Leader".


Screen caps and gif credits: jharashi, AST, Stormy, yuckie-chan

Comments

[lilischka.livejournal.com]

Now, dynamics. I adore it when Nino and Sho do their creative interpretation/drugged mating dance during every Hana Yori Dango theme song in concerts (and now during Shake It, to....). Aiba and Nino have this cute best buddies relationship which includes hitting and badmouthing each other, reverting back to their 14-year-old-selfs, when Nino was still taller than all of them... Jun and Aiba sometimes have bits of that childhood friendship thing going on, too, but much more subdued. But they look so pretty together - so they get the eye-candy bonus. And Jun is a closet nerd, so during A no Arashi he was as enthusiastic as Aiba about liquid nitrogen etc. Nino and Jun actually have quite a sweet dynamic underneath all that sadistic brattiness and snark - Nino calling him "J" his pure love. Aiba and Sho click somehow, mysteriously, seeing as they are really opposites with just about everything. Let's forget about Jun and Sho and their awkwardness :P And Ohmiya will forever be Ohmiya (remember when even Ogu-san was weirded out by them basically being attached at the hip/crotch/shoulder during Shukudai-kun days?). Jun totally admires Leader. And Leader lets him. Sho and Ohno have known each other the longest - Sho is the only one to call him "Satoshi". Those two ojisan <3 I can also see the dynamic between Aiba and Ohno - joint drinks or nostalgic bawling fits them and their laid-backness.
Throw Nino, Aiba and Sho together and Chaos will ensue. Aiba, Nino and Jun can tell all those stories from their Junior years - they basically grew up together (they were 12/13 years old when they met?), going through Nino's general disinterest in just about everything as a teenager, Aiba being super shy and Jun with hamster cheeks and a constant smile which turned into a period of bad skin, constant scowling and awkwardness sometime around Gokusen.

I basically grew up with Arashi - I am close to their age and thus could relate to them in a way. Observing their group dynamics since 2000 in e.g. the rowing boat episodes, the summer vacation trips, Aiba's board games, the PV making offs etc. made me love them. I never really got into the music or had a favourite member (most people were Jun- or Nino-baited, I know).

Erm, I am sorry for the rant...? Can I throw that question back to you now? Please?

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

I cracked at your comment on Nino/Sho’s drugged mating dance! Wasn’t that just an otagei imitation?? I’ve always thought that was the case. Actually, other than Yamataro, I don’t really see the dynamic between Sho and Nino as much.

Aiba-Nino: The Sobu line buddies! I love how Aiba catches onto Nino’s mistakes during their variety shows, he can be such a DoS to Nino sometimes (which I love).

Jun-Aiba: I’m rediscovering this pair this year. Aiba mentioned that he went to Jun for life advice during the Sapporo Popcorn tour, and spent time together in NY (when Ohno was out talking to birds).

Jun-Nino: The whole J thing! I bet no one remembers that it was Suzanne who first coined the term, but it was Nino who made it stick! I can really sense their mutual respect for each other when watching the Perfume Share House episode. Under all that teasing about J’s stoicism is sound respect for his professionalism. I can also see them sharing similar interests.

Jun-Sho: There’ll always be a distance between these two to tease the fans! I bet Jun put Sho on a pedestal when he was a Junior.

Ohmiya: It’s scary how this pair can communicate with just one look. Really scary. I don’t blame Ogu-san, I’d be weirded out too.

Jun-Ohno: Skinship! Lots of it.

Yama: Apparently, Sho calls Ohno “Satoshi” because when he addressed him as “Oh-chan”, Ohno said it was too cutesy and gross, so Sho has stuck to Satoshi ever since. This is another pair where I sense the profound mutual respect for each other’s talents and abilities.

Aiba-Ohno: Crying session in a hotel room. ‘nuff said.

Sho-Aiba: I love how Aiba gets the better of Sho even when Sho’s supposedly the smarter guy! Like during the Two-Man HnA tour.

I was initially determined to spread my affection equally amongst all 5 members, until I realized that there wasn’t a Purple member within the subbing team I belong to. So here I am, a firm Jun fan. And having been to a concert, I can only say, music’s just part of the entire experience. The entertainment value, teamwork and desire to interact with the fans made me reevaluate their concerts.

Sorry for my long winded reply! I get overly excited when it comes to breaking Arashi down.

[lilischka.livejournal.com]

Long winded is good, seeing as I am dealing with dreadfully boring law reviews, so I enjoy your comments!

No, Sho and Nino's mating dances start sometime in 2005, with Wish (The PV! The red velvet suits and performances! The concerts! Go watch, I dare you!) and then every other HYD soundtrack song makes them go gaga. Dunno why.

Sure, Suzanne and nicknaming was epic (Noniramen, Otton, Sasshon and Bungee, anyone?) :D

And we totally forgot Sho-Aiba joint bathing sessions and weird positions. Maybe thatÄs how they bond...?

Nino and Jun are my favourite duo to watch - Nino knows how to handle Jun - he is actually quite protective of him and does not make fun of his insecurities and fails (or less than he could, at least). Plus, he is always promoting Jun, in a way, as in talking about him in other shows.

I like the Jun-Aiba dynamic very much, as they are so comfortable around each other. Makes sense, seeing as those two were constantly together between 1996 and debut time: shows, dramas, concerts. Other than Leader, Jun doesn't touch the members much (molesting Nino in concerts doesn't count), but he is fine with Aiba, too.

Yes, Jun put Sho on a pedestal, to a point where it made me cringe. Also, I did not get the appeal of douchebag (sorry...), conceited teenage Sho (even if he was under a lot of pressure due to being in Keio prep school and being from a traditional, rich family etc.). Did you see old pictures from trendy!Sho? Very tanned, Kamisama no Karute hairstyle (I kid you not), gold necklace and tweaked eyebrows. And no smiles. So when Jun had his cool phase shortly after debut until 2003ish there must have been a lot of clashes between them. Thus the awkward energy at the moment, I guess.

Okay, this is getting long. Sorry. Stopping now. Analyzing Arashi is my secret pleasure.

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the late reply. I hope you managed to handle those pesky law reviews!

Hmm, now that you mention it, maybe Sho and Nino were sending out subtle snarky impressions during HYD performances. You know they NEVER take Love So Sweet seriously. (Only poor Jun does.)

I actually thought Sasshon and Otton were adorable. How come nobody picked those up!? Nino only stuck with J so as to irritate him.

Sho and Aiba~ mutual comrades when naked. Not to mention, Sho and Nino make the most awesome comebacks to Aiba's slip-ups.

Jun and Aiba had a lot of skinship in this Popcorn tour! Almost enough to rival the Juntoshi skinship! (And why doesn't molesting Nino count? Sexual harassment of a fellow member should always count. ;D)

Is the Karute hairstyle you were referring to the dreadlock look from Sho? I've seen those. Sho strikes me as rebellious in an unconventional way, he seems to be the type to insist upon certain things, especially when I read interviews of how he used to lose his temper almost instantly. I haven't seen the douchebag-Sho persona though... Maybe I haven't gone back that far. XD

[lilischka.livejournal.com]

Let's say Sho went through various hairstyles and a love for pastel coloured shirts plus necklaces while being overly tanned and being decidedly cocky...

Fivehead!Sho


Fivehead!Sho and Domyouji!Hair?


Domyouji!Hair part Two *sighs*


Then again, Jun wins the "best hair" battle. By miles.

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

All these Chibi footage!!

I don't think I would have become a fan then if I saw them that young and bratty. I had a superiority complex when it came to boy bands during my teenagers. I'm so glad I shed that complex.

[lilischka.livejournal.com]

True.

Then again, all of these shots were probably taken in their debut year... NO wonder they had mediocre popularity (at best) during the first couple of years.... lol

[barbosa2007.livejournal.com]

Were you a JE fan in general? Or focused on Arashi? The first JE group I came to like (and still do) is Kinki Kids. This duo packs more talent than some other multi-persons groups.