Arashi’s Journey: From J-Pop to J-Drama Icons

Japanese dramas, often called “J-dramas,” have captivated audiences worldwide with their unique storytelling, intriguing characters, and evocative soundtracks. One such drama that has left an indelible mark on viewers is “99.9%: Criminal Lawyer” (99.9: Keiji Senmon Bengoshi). The series, first aired in 2016, combines a compelling legal narrative with a touch of humour, making it a standout in the genre. However, beyond its engaging plot and charismatic characters, the drama’s soundtrack enhances the overall viewing experience.

“99.9%: Criminal Lawyer” follows Hiroto Miyama, a quirky defence lawyer portrayed by Jun Matsumoto, who seeks the elusive 0.1% of truth in a high conviction rate Japanese legal system. The drama skillfully combines mystery, comedy, and drama, engaging viewers with complex cases and the protagonist’s quest for justice. The soundtrack is crucial in setting the tone and enhancing the series’ emotional depth.

In both seasons of the Japanese drama, the theme songs “Daylight” ( season 1 ) and “Find the answer” ( season 2 ) are played but the famous Arashi.

Who is Arashi?

Arashi, a prominent Japanese pop group formed in 1999, quickly gained popularity with their catchy melodies and dynamic performances. Managed by Johnny & Associates, the group consists of Satoshi Ohno, Sho Sakurai, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya, and Jun Matsumoto, each bringing unique talents.

Member Highlights:

• Satoshi Ohno: Leader known for his vocals and artistic skills.
• Sho Sakurai: Rapping singer with a degree in Economics, also a news anchor.
• Masaki Aiba: Cheerful personality, involved in hosting TV shows.
• Kazunari Ninomiya: Acclaimed actor in domestic and international films.
• Jun Matsumoto: Notable for his role in “Hana Yori Dango” and performance creativity.

Their debut single, “A・RA・SHI,” released on November 3, 1999, topped charts and established Arashi as a leading force in the J-Pop industry. The blog post will delve into their history, influence, and legacy.

With their eighteenth single, le “Love So Sweet,” Arashi achieved commercial success as the song was featured in the popular drama “Hana Yori Dango 2,” becoming one of Japan’s top five best-selling singles of 2007. Over the next two years, they set records by placing the top two spots on the Oricon singles chart for two consecutive years, monopolising the top three best-selling singles of 2009. In 2010, all six of their singles ranked in the top ten, and their album “Boku no Miteiru Fūkei” was the best-selling album of the year. As of October 2020, Arashi had sold over 58.8 million copies, making them the best-selling boy band in Asia. They continue to release successful music, perform sold-out tours, and influence Japanese media.

By 2006, Arashi’s singles and albums were being released internationally, including their successful studio album “Arashic,” which sold out 10,000 copies in Korea on its first day and topped non-Korean sales charts. During their summer concert tour, they promoted the album through the Jet Storm Tour, visiting Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea for press conferences, culminating in their first concerts in Taipei on September 16 and 17.

Arashi represented Japan at the Asia Song Festival in South Korea on September 22, performing “Arashi,” “Wish,” and “Kitto Daijōbu.” They became the first Johnny’s group to hold solo concerts in South Korea after a strong fan turnout. Their concert tickets sold out in an hour, with 150,000 fans trying to book online. Returning to Japan, they released their second single, “Aozora Pedal,” linked to Sakurai’s movie. Although a planned concert in Thailand was cancelled due to a military coup, they released their first single of the year, “Love So Sweet,” on February 21, which topped the Oricon charts and sold over 200,000 copies in a week. Their nineteenth single, “We Can Make It!”, also reached number one on the charts.

In April, Arashi held their major concert, Arashi Around Asia in Dome, at Kyocera Dome and Tokyo Dome, celebrating their Asia tour. They launched their summer tour, Time – Kotoba no Chikara, supporting their seventh studio album, which sold over 190,000 copies in its first week and achieved Platinum status. In July, Ninomiya and Sakurai starred in the TBS drama Yamada Tarō Monogatari, with Arashi singing the theme song “Happiness,” released on September 5. All their singles ranked in the Top 30 of the annual Oricon charts, with “Love So Sweet” reaching fourth in sales, marking a successful year. Their album Japonism topped the charts in Japan, and they also led in music DVD and Blu-ray sales. Additionally, they participated in the 66th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and hosted the Johnny’s Countdown 2015–2016 concert.

In 2015, Oricon recognised Arashi as the top-selling artist in Japan, with total sales of ¥14.328 billion. In 2019, they announced an indefinite hiatus starting in 2020 to focus on individual projects. On November 12, 2020, they informed fans of a concert titled “This Is Arashi” on December 31, which was held without an audience but streamed online. They also announced their participation in Fuji TV’s FNS Kayōsai, marking their 22nd appearance on the program.

On December 30, Arashi received the Special Honour Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards. They remained active until their hiatus, performing a live concert on December 31 and appearing on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the 12th time.

In 2009, Arashi was named the best-selling artist by Oricon with total sales of approximately 14.46 billion yen. They maintained this title in 2010 with over 17.16 billion yen in sales across multiple categories. In 2019, they won the award for highest total sales for their album “5×20 All the Best!!” and video collection, selling over 20.33 billion yen.

Arashi has received eleven Billboard Japan Music Awards and holds the record for the most wins in the Artist of the Year category at the Japan Gold Disc Awards with fifty-eight awards. Although their agency declined nominations at the Japan Record Awards since 1990, they were honoured with the Special Honour Award in 2020 for significant contributions to music culture.

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