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West. | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Johnny's West (2014–2023) |
| Origin | Kansai, Japan |
| Genres | Pop, J-pop |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | ELOV-Label |
| Members |
|
| Website | Johnny's net Johnny's Entertainment Record |
West. (stylized as WEST.), formerly known as Johnny's West (ジャニーズWEST, Janīzu Uesuto) (stylized Johnny's WEST), is a boy band consisting of seven members formed under the Starto Entertainment talent agency. The members are Daiki Shigeoka, Junta Nakama, Takahiro Hamada, Akito Kiriyama, Tomohiro Kamiyama, Ryusei Fujii, and Nozomu Kotaki. The group's name comes from the fact that it originated within the Starto Entertainment talent agency and that the members are from Kansai, the west region of Japan. They are the first group from Kansai Junior.[broken anchor] that has debuted in ten years, the last being Super Eight. They debuted in 2014 with the single "Eejanaika (ええじゃないか)".[1]
The group changed their name to West. before the 10th anniversary of their debut. Their new name was announced through an online stream on October 18, 2023. A period (.) in the new name is added to "declare" that they are (people from) the west (Kansai), and that "though it's a small dot, it's filled with infinite possibilities".[2]
Members
Created based on the official website profile and sorted after birthdays.[3] The member colors are used in costumes, CDs, albums, DVDs jackets, and TV shows.
| Name | Kanji Name | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Blood Type | Member Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junta Nakama | 中間淳太 | October 21, 1987 | Hyogo | O | Yellow |
| Takahiro Hamada | 濵田崇裕 | December 19, 1988 | Hyogo | AB | Purple |
| Akito Kiriyama | 桐山照史 | August 31, 1989 | Osaka | A | Orange |
| Daiki Shigeoka | 重岡大毅 | August 26, 1992 | Hyogo | A | Red |
| Tomohiro Kamiyama | 神山智洋 | July 1, 1993 | Hyogo | A | Green |
| Ryusei Fujii | 藤井流星 | August 18, 1993 | Osaka | B | Blue |
| Nozomu Kotaki | 小瀧望 | July 30, 1996 | Osaka | O | Pink |
History
Debut
At the 2013-2014 Johnny's Countdown Live held at Tokyo Dome from December 31, 2013, to January 1, 2014, the four members, Daiki Shigeoka, Junta Nakama, Akito Kiriyama, and Nozomu Kotaki announced the group's debut and the debut CD.[4] It was a sudden announcement that the four members got the approval from Johnny Kitagawa, the president of the agency, and decided to announce 30 minutes before the appearance on the stage. Initially, the group's name was supposed to be West 4. However, they later found that having the number "4" in their name was inappropriate due to the Japanese superstition that the number was unlucky. Therefore, they changed to the name "West." The four members directly asked Johnny Kitagawa to add three more members, namely, Takahiro Hamada, Tomohiro Kamiyama, and Ryusei Fujii. After getting his approval, West became a seven-member group.[5]
Their first leading play, "Naniwa Samurai Hello TOKYO!! (なにわ侍 ハローTOKYO!!)," was held at the Nissay Theatre from February 5 to 28, 2014.[6] At the rehearsal on February 5, the first day of the play, Takahiro Hamada, Tomohiro Kamiyama, and Ryusei Fujii joined as new members and announced that seven members would debut as West.[5][7] It was also revealed that initial four members persuaded Johnny Kitagawa to let the other three join the group. In the performances that followed, the group revealed that the group evolved from having four members to seven members.[7]
The debut single, "Eejanaika (ええじゃないか)," was released on April 23, 2014.[5]
Story of Pre-debut
In an interview with Myōjō (Shueisha) after their debut, they revealed the circumstances until their debut.[8][9][10][11] During the appearance of the play "ANOTHER," in which six members other than Fujii appeared in September 2013, it was informed by the staff of Starto Entertainment that they would debut as seven members, including Hamada, Kamiyama, and Fujii. After that, the members had a meeting about their group's name and debut song, and they thought it would be unveiled at "Johnny's Count Down Live," held on December 31, 2013. However, shortly before the concert, the Starto Entertainment told them that they would appear at the concert as Kansai Johnny's Jr., and then all of them were told that they had no longer appeared.[8]
After the situation changed repeatedly, they were informed that they would actually be at the concert, so they needed to go to Tokyo from Osaka. However, only four members, Shigeoka, Nakama, Kiriyama, and Kotaki, were boarded the Shinkansen. During the meeting in Tokyo, Nakama asked the staff why they were gathered without the other three members, and the staff told that they would debut as a group of four members. They told the other three members about the debut a few hours before the Countdown Concert started. Although they appeared in the concert afterward, the four members were not in the mood to smile at all during the performance. Immediately after, during the Kansai Johnny's Jr. concert held on January 4, 2014, the four members could not even meet the other three members because of the debut, and Nakama stated in the interview, "It was like hell."[8]
The four members continued to ask for the debut with the other three members, and they were finally able to debut as a group of seven members. Shigeoka mainly asked about the debut, and several members answered, "It was Shigeoka. He did not give up from the beginning."[8][9][10] Regarding this matter, Shigeoka responded, "I accepted it once when I was told that we would debut with four people, but I could not give up my hope. I desired to include the three members who were not involved initially, but that reason was not enough. I wanted the group to be nationally famous, so I believed that three members were absolutely essential for that."[11]
Career
2014
- At the 2013-2014 Johnny's Countdown Live held at Tokyo Dome from December 31, 2013, to January 1, 2014, the four members, Daiki Shigeoka, Junta Nakama, Akito Kiriyama, and Nozomu Kotaki announced the group's debut and the debut CD.[4]
- On February 5, their first leading play, "Naniwa Samurai Hello TOKYO!! (なにわ侍 ハローTOKYO!!)," was held at the Nissay Theatre.[6] At the rehearsal on the same day, Takahiro Hamada, Tomohiro Kamiyama, and Ryusei Fujii joined as new members and announced that seven members would debut as West.[5][7] This day is said to be the formation day of West.[12]
- On April 2, it was decided that Akito Kiriyama served as MC with Fumito Kawai from A.B.C-Z at "Shounen Club," which West appeared regularly.[13]
- On April 20, West had a press conference of debut at Abeno Harukas. After that, they moved to the heliport on the rooftop, 300 m (984 ft) above the ground, and performed their debut song, "Eejanaika."[14] It was also announced that they would be appointed as the Konamon Ambassador (粉もん大使) of the Nippon Konamon Association (日本コナモン協会).[15]
- On April 23, West debuted with the release of their 1st single, "Eejanaika (ええじゃないか)."[6]
- From April 26 to May 6, the performance, "Naniwa Tomoare, Honmani Arigatou! (なにわともあれ、ほんまにありがとう!)," which was planned to commemorate the CD debut of West, was held at Osaka Shochikuza.
- On April 27, West held a handshake event at Intex Osaka.
- On April 30, a serial blog of "Na-Ni-Wa-Bu-Shi! (な・に・わ・ぶ・誌!)" was started on Johnny's web, updated weekly by one of the members.
- From May 11 to 21, the event, "Naniwa Tomoare, Honmani Arigatou! in TOKYO (なにわともあれ、ほんまにありがとう! in TOKYO)," started at Shinbashi Enbujō.[16]
- On May 14, it was announced at the MC of the same event above that the serialization of "Na-Ni-Wa-Bu-Shi!" would be updated every week by every member.
- On July 22 and 23, "Debut Shitemo Eejanaika ~Banzai!! Sono Saki no Ittosho e~ (デビューしてもええじゃないか〜バンザイ!! その先の一等賞へ〜)" was held at Zepp Namba Osaka, and on July 28 and 29 at Zepp Diver City Tokyo.
- On August 2, the play, "Typhoon n Dreamer (台風n Dreamer)," started at Osaka Shochikuza.
- On August 6, the 1st studio album, "Go West Yōi Don! (go WEST よーいドン!)," was released.[17]
- On August 28 and 29, a commemorative party for the release of the 1st album, "Go West Yōi Don!," was held at Yokohama Arena.
- On September 3, the play, "Typhoon n Dreamer," started at the Nissay Theatre.
- On October 8, the 2nd single, "Zipang Ōkini Daisakusen/Yume wo Dakishimete (ジパング・おおきに大作戦/夢を抱きしめて)," was released.[18]
- On December 17, the 1st DVD & Blu-ray, "Naniwa Samurai Hello Tokyo!!," was released.[19]
2015
- From January 2 to 6, the 1st concert, "Johnny's WEST 1st Concert Ippatsumeeeeeee! (ジャニーズWEST 1stコンサート 一発めぇぇぇぇぇぇぇ!)," was held at Yokohama Arena and Osaka Castle Hall.[20]
- On January 10, the play, "Naniwa Samurai Dangoro Ichiza (なにわ侍団五郎一座)," started at Nissay Theatre.
- On February 4, the 3rd single, "Zundoko Paradise (ズンドコ パラダイス)," was released.[21]
- On April 22, Extended Album, "Paripipo (パリピポ)," was released.[22]
- From May 4 to June 7, the 1st tour, "Johnny's WEST 1st Tour Paripipo (ジャニーズWEST 1st Tour パリピポ)," was held at Yokohama Arena, Nagoya International Exhibition Hall, Osaka Castle Hall, Hiroshima City Cultural Exchange Hall, Fukuoka Sunpalace, and Kobe World Memorial Hall.[23]
- On June 17, the 2nd DVD & Blu-ray, "Naniwa Tomoare, Honmani Arigatou!," was released.[24]
- On July 29, the 4th single, "Bari Hapi (バリ ハピ)," was released.[25]
- On October 7, the 3rd DVD & Blu-ray, "West 1st Concert Ippatsumeeeeeee!," was released.[26]
- On December 9, the 2nd studio album, "Luckyyyyyyy7 (ラッキィィィィィィィ7)," was released.[27]
2016
- From January 3 to April 3, the tour, "Johnny's WEST Concert Tour 2016 Luckyyyyyyy7 (ジャニーズWEST CONCERT TOUR 2016 ラッキィィィィィィィ7)," was held at Osaka Castle Hall, Yokohama Arena, Nippon Gaishi Hall, Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center, Fukuoka Convention Center, Toki Messe, and Sekisui Heim Super Arena.[28]
- On April 20, the 5th single, "Gyakuten Winner (逆転Winner)," was released.[29] It was used as the first season opening of the Ace Attorney anime.
- On May 18, 4th DVD & Blu-ray, "West 1st Tour Paripipo," was released.[30]
- On July 24, West's official fan club was established.[31]
- On July 27, the 6th single, "Jinsei wa Subarashī (人生は素晴らしい)," was released.[32]
- On September 27, it was announced that West's first dome performance would be held at Kyocera Dome Osaka on December 24 and 25.[33]
- On October 19, ELOV-Label, a record company, opened a Twitter account to promote the album "Nawest (なうぇすと)".[34]
- On November 30, the 3rd studio album, "Nawest," and the 5th DVD & Blu-ray, "West Concert Tour 2016 Luckyyyyyyy7," were released.[35][36]
- On December 24 and 25, the 1st concert at domed stadium, "Johnny's WEST 1st Dome Live 24 (Nishi) kara Kansha Todokemasu (ジャニーズWEST 1st ドーム LIVE ♡24(ニシ)から感謝 届けます♡)," was held at Kyocera Dome Osaka.[37][38]
2017
- From January 3 to May7, the tour, "Johnny's WEST Live Tour 2017 Nawest (ジャニーズWEST LIVE TOUR 2017 なうぇすと)," was held at Yokohama Arena, Sun Dome Fukui, Fukuoka Convention Center, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Nippon Gaishi Hall, Ecopa Arena, Osaka Castle Hall, Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, and Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center.[39]
- On March 25, it was announced that West would appear in Netflix TV show, "Honō no Tenkōsei."
- On April 23, Shigeoka announced that the serialization of "Na-Ni-Wa-Bu-Shi!" would be updated once every two days.
- On May 24, the 6th DVD & Blu-ray, "West 1st Dome Live 24-kara Kansha Todokemasu," was released.[37]
- On June 21, the 7th single, "Osaka Ai Eye Ai/Ya! Hot! Hot! (おーさか☆愛・EYE・哀/Ya! Hot! Hot!)," was released.[40]
- On October 25, the 7th DVD & Blu-ray, "West Live Tour 2017 Nawest," was released.[41]
- On November 10, "Honō no Tenkōsei REBORN" was started broadcasting on Netflix.
- On November 22, the 8th single, "Bokura Kyō mo Ikiteiru/Kangaeru na, Moero!! (僕ら今日も生きている/考えるな、燃えろ!!)," was released.[42]
2018
- On January 2, the 4th studio album "WESTival" was released.[43]
- From January 3 to May 20, the tour, "West Live Tour 2018 WESTival," was held at Yokohama Arena, Fukuoka Convention Center, Ecopa Arena, Nippon Gaishi Hall, Kobe World Memorial Hall, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Toki Messe, Osaka Castle Hall, Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center, and Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center.[44]
- On May 7, the 9th single, "Principal no Kimi e/Dragon Dog (プリンシパルの君へ/ドラゴンドッグ)" was released.[45]
- On August 15, the 10th single, "Start Dash (スタートダッシュ)," was released.[46] It became first opening single from Captain Tsubasa (2018) by David Production.
- On October 24, the 8th DVD & Blu-ray, "West Live Tour 2018 WESTival," was released.[47]
- On December 5, the 5th studio album, "WESTV!," was released.[48]
2019
- From January 3 to March 24, the tour, "West Live Tour 2019 WESTV!," was held at Yokohama Arena, Nippon Gaishi Hall, Toki Messe, Fukuoka Convention Center, Osaka Castle Hall, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Kobe World Memorial Hall, and Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center.[49]
- On January 30, the 11th single, "Homechigirisuto/Kizudarakeno Ai (ホメチギリスト/傷だらけの愛)," was released.[50] Kizudarakeno Ai became second opening single from Captain Tsubasa.
- On April 24, the 12th single, "Ame Nochi Hare (アメノチハレ)," was released.[51]
- On May 29, DVD & Blu-ray, "Honō no Tenkōsei REBORN," was released.[52]
- On June 1, due to the termination of the business of ELOV-Label Co., Ltd., which was West's label, they transferred to the label "ELOV-Label Record" of J Storm Co., Ltd.
- On July 10, the 9th DVD & Blu-ray, "West Live Tour 2019 WESTV!," was released.[53]
- On July 25, West was appointed as a tournament special supporter for 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup (opening on September 14).[54][55] They were the first time the group had been a special supporter since the debut.[54]
- On October 9, the 13th single, "Big Shot!!," was released.[56]
2020
- On March 18, the 6th studio album "W trouble" was released.[57]
- From March 29 to May 24, the tour "West Live Tour 2020 W trouble" was supposed to be held at Fukuoka Convention Center, Makomanai Ice Arena, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Toki Messe, Osaka Castle Hall, Saitama Super Arena, and Ecopa Arena.[58] However, all the concerts were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Afterward, the concerts were rescheduled and planned to be held at the same venues,[59] but those were canceled again since Starto Entertainment announced that they would refrain from large-scale concerts until the end of 2020.[60]
- On May 13, it was announced that a limited-time unit "Twenty★Twenty" of 75 artists from the Starto Entertainment talent agency, including members of West, was formed as part of the "Smile Up! Project," a support activity to prevent the spread of COVID-19.[61]
- On June 24, the 14th single, "Shōko (証拠)," was released.[62]
- On July 28, the online streaming event, "Johnny's DREAM IsLAND 2020→2025 ~Daisuki na Kono Machi Kara~," was held at Expo Commemoration Park with Kanjani Eight and Kansai Johnny's Jr.[63]
- On August 1, West performance of "Johnny's DREAM ISLAND 2020→2025 ~Daisuki na Kono Machi Kara~" was performed at Osaka Shochikuza.
- From December 11 to 13, the tour, "West Live Tour 2020 W trouble," which had been postponed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, was held online.[64]
2021
- On January 13, the 15th single, "Shūkan Umaku Iku Yōbi (週刊うまくいく曜日)," was released.[65]
- On March 17, the 7th studio album, "rainboW," was released.[66]
- From April 3 to June 20, the tour, "West Live Tour 2021 rainboW," was held at Makomanai Ice Arena, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Nippon Gaishi Hall, Toki Messe, Saitama Super Arena, and Grand Messe Kumamoto.[67] A concert at Osaka Castle Hall was canceled due to quasi-emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[68]
- On May 5, the 16th single, "Something New (サムシング・ニュー)," was released.[69]
- On July 28, the 17th single, "Dekkai Ai/Kidoairaku (でっかい愛/喜努愛楽)," was released.[70]
- On October 6, the 10th DVD & Blu-ray, "West Live Tour 2020 W trouble," was released.[71]
2022
- On January 19, the 18th single, "Reimei/Susumushika nē (黎明/進むしかねぇ)," was released.[72]
- On March 9, the 8th studio album, "Mixed Juice," will be released.[73]
- From March 20 to June 12, the tour, "West Live Tour 2022 Mixed Juice," will be held at Ecopa Arena, Grand Messe Kumamoto, Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Nippon Gaishi Hall, Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium, Pia Arena MM, Osaka Castle Hall, Toki Messe, and Makomanai Ice Arena.[74]
Discography
Singles
| # | Title | Japanese title | Release date | Year | Edition/Formats | Label | Peaks | Certifications[75] | First week sales | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN [76][A] |
JPN Hot [94][B] | ||||||||||
| 1 | "Eejanaika"[1] | ええじゃないか | April 23 | 2014 | First Edition (Naniwa Edition)（CD+DVD） | ELOV-Label | 1 | 1 |
|
|
Go West Yōi Don! |
| First Edition (Ninjani Edition)（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| First Edition (WEST Edition)（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||||
| MY BEST CD Edition | |||||||||||
| 2 | "Zipang Ōkini Daisakusen"[18] | ジパング・おおきに大作戦 | October 8 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 2 | 2 |
|
|
Luckyyyyyyy 7 | ||
| First Edition B（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| "Yume wo Dakishimete"[18] | 夢を抱きしめて | First Edition C（CD） | |||||||||
| Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||||
| 3 | "Zundoko Paradise"[21] | ズンドコ パラダイス | February 4 | 2015 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 1 | 1 |
|
| ||
| First Edition B（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||||
| 4 | "Bari Hapi"[25] | バリ ハピ | July 29 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 1 | 1 |
|
| |||
| First Edition B（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||||
| 5 | "Gyakuten Winner"[29] | 逆転Winner | April 20 | 2016 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 1 | 1 |
|
|
WESTival | |
| First Edition B（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||||
| 6 | "Jinsei wa Subarashī"[32] | 人生は素晴らしい | July 27 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 2 | 2 |
|
| |||
| First Edition B（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||||
| 7 | "Osaka Ai Eye Ai"[40] | おーさか☆愛・EYE・哀 | June 21 | 2017 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 1 | 2 |
|
| ||
| First Edition B（CD+DVD） | |||||||||||
| "Ya! Hot! Hot!"[40] | Ya! Hot! Hot! | Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||
| 8 | "Bokura Kyō mo Ikiteiru"[42] | 僕ら今日も生きている | November 22 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 2 | 2 |
|
|
WESTV! | ||
| First Edition B (CD+DVD) | |||||||||||
| "Kangaeru na, Moero!!"[42] | 考えるな、燃えろ!! | Normal Edition（CD） | |||||||||
| 9 | "Principal no Kimi e"[45] | プリンシパルの君へ | March 7 | 2018 | First Edition A（CD+DVD） | 2 | 2 |
|
| ||