Sexy Zone New Single Release Information

[faded_lace]

In an update from yesterday, here's a quick translation of the fanclub mail that I got today. As always, this is from a mail, so I have no way to prove that I actually got this,

◆ Sexy Zone Family Club member-limited　info mail ◇『mail bulletin』July 16th edition

o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.
　　
　Sexy Zone 7th Single「otoko never give up」9/17 (Wed) On Sale!!　　 　　　

o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.。+o★*.。+o☆*.

It's been decided that Sexy Zone's first single in four months,
「otoko never give up」will go on sale starting September 17th (Wed)!
This work sings a cheering message of "Cheer up!" "Don't give up!"
towards a member of the opposite sex who's a little depressed.
While being the sparkling support song you'd expect of Sexy Zone,
it's also a song directed at Sexy Zone themselves, cheering them up with a message of "let's face forward and progress onward!"

With a characteristically easy to remember chorus, the upbeat and lively melody
will brighten the listener's mood！ Please wait for previews with raised expectations!

The limited editions will be S・K・F versions, and will each have Sato Shori, Nakajima Kento, and Kikuchi Fuma's solo songs on them, respectively.
「Keep The Challenge」will serve as the image song
for Fuji TV's 『Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix』
for which Sexy Zone are the official supporters.

There are limited special videos, as well, so make sure to check out Sexy Zone's new single!


■Limited Edition S (CD+DVD)・・・1,296 yen plus tax
―――――――――――――――――――
☆ Special Present： Sato Shori interchangeable jacket (Includes 1 out of 3 varieties)

［CD］
01. otoko never give up
02. Keep The Challenge
03. Title TBA (Sato Shori Solo)

［DVD］
「otoko never give up」Music Clip


■Limited Edition K (CD+DVD)・・・1,296 yen plus tax
―――――――――――――――――――
☆ Special Present： Nakajima Kento interchangeable jacket (Includes 1 out of 3 varieties)

［CD］
01. otoko never give up
02. Keep The Challenge
03. Title TBA (Nakajima Kento Solo)

［DVD］
「Keep The Challenge」Image Clip in USA


■ Limited Edition F (CD+DVD)・・・1,296 yen plus tax
―――――――――――――――――――
☆ Special Present： Kikuchi Fuma interchangeable jacket (Includes 1 out of 3 varieties)
☆ Special Deluxe 12 page photo booklet

［CD］
01. otoko never give up
02. Keep The Challenge
03. Title TBA (Kikuchi Fuma Solo)

［DVD］
Making of 「otoko never give up」Music Clip ＆ Jacket Shooting　


■Regular Edition (CD)・・・1,065 yen plus tax
――――――――――――――
☆ First press only:
＊ Picture Label
＊ Original trading card (Includes 1 out of 3 varieties)　

［CD］
01. otoko never give up
02. Keep The Challenge
03. Ashita ni Mukatte Ute！
04. Boku wa Kimi no Subete ni Naritai
05. otoko never give up Inst.
06. Keep The Challenge Inst.
07. Ashita ni Mukatte Ute！ Inst.
08. Boku wa Kimi no Subete ni Naritai Inst.


□Venue Limited Version (CD)・・・926 yen plus tax
――――――――――――――――
☆ Original Sticker Sheet included

［CD］
01. otoko never give up
02. Keep The Challenge
03. Ashita ni Mukatte Ute！
04. Boku wa Kimi no Subete ni Naritai
※ The Venue Limited Version will only be sold at the locations for「Sexy Zone Summer Concert 2014」
　Please note in advance that it won't be sold in stores.

※The jacket photos will have a unique design for each version.

☆ For more details on the CD, please check the Pony Canyon Official Sexy Zone homepage.

∽∞∽∞∽∞∽∽∞∽∞∽∞∽∞∽∽∞∽∞∽∞∽∽∽∞∽∞∽∞∽∞∽

Some things to consider:
1) They never once mention the exclusion of two members. I don't really understand the point of this, since everyone must have heard it on the news by now…?
2) Of course they included solo songs >__< Since being a hardcore fan of one member is quite common in Japanese fandom, I'm afraid that this will make the single too hard to pass up to a lot of fans, even if they're unhappy with the situation.
3) I guess Fuma's versions don't sell anymore, since they're including another extra in his. I have a lot of feelings about this, but… I don't know if this is the place for them.
4) I haven't officially seen anywhere in Japanese that it's supposed to be read "otoko" so take this with a grain of salt. Other possibilities for the character before "never give up" include "dan," "oto," and "o." I'll report back if I see anything.

So, Sexy Girls, are you buying this CD or not? I'm curious to know what foreign fandom's reaction to this will be. Remember that CDs bought through CD Japan and Yesasia being shipped out of Japan don't get counted into the Oricon rankings, but they do, in the end, affect the company's revenue, etc etc etc.

Comments

[ichigobanana]

So that means MariSou still will be in (some of) the songs of the single? Or are all songs only from the front three?

I think the whole situation is not only despressing but also really confusing. Like why mention this temporary? "split" when it doesn't get handled much different from usual singles (lets be honest here, MariSou wouldn't get featured with extras or LEs, announcement or not about the split).

it's also a song directed at Sexy Zone themselves, cheering them up with a message of "let's face forward and progress onward!"
That's so... I don't even know any more. Sad probably ._.

But thanks for the translation ^^

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

It seems like they won't be in anything on the LEs. I'm almost positive only Kento, Fuma, and Shori went to America, and it was announced they were the only ones in the A-side. So it's possible that they'll be in the RE and Venue Limited versions, but I'm not sure.

Yeah, I don't understand that either. The fact that it was a huge deal yesterday and then totally ignored in this email makes no sense to me.

Seriously… x__x like "well, we're taking away your members, so we need to cheer you up now"…???

You're welcome! I'm glad to help.

[chapstickmurmur.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the translation. Still mad though lol

And the upbeat and lively melody will brighten the listener's mood！?
I wouldn't count on it Pony Canyon. But honestly speaking, as a fairly dedicated fan I'll probably be ok with it by the time the single comes out in September and if they have a blow you mind performance on SC. I'm weak, what else can I say ...

But if Mari and Sou don't participate and they have like 100 jrs backdancing for them on Music Station, I'll probably rage again.

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I'm still really mad, too, so I want to try to draw attention to this issue as much as possible.

But yeah, idek what they're thinking. Still, I don't think that even if I like the song, I can buy it. I don't want to own something proclaiming that Sexy Zone is only three members. >___<;;; I want to hear the solos and get my trading cards and support Fuma, but… I just can't, not like this. I don't want to support Sexy Zone being torn apart.

[himaori.livejournal.com]

This is the way JE behave/react to sensitive issues in fandom. That is, they try as much as possible to avoid mentioning the issue. I got used to it in 2010 with KT separation. I'm sorry for not being optimistic coz I don't really believe in JE anymore especially they forced the boys to say like "I will never leave the group" or "We will stay together" thingy. Then at the end we were all shocked witht their final announcement together with the boy's message. So, when we have not recovered from the shock, JE would show like "Okay, you got it. Everything is done. Let's keep supporting the boys" blah blah blah.....

How many times JE have messed up with fangirls already. At the end, the one who gets hurt is us - fangirls. Let's wait and see how this single sales will do.

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

I think that in the end, the ones who get hurt the most are the guys. Like I said, I don't know much about KAT-TUN, but it seems like the members suffered a lot. And I'm sure Marius and Sou are suffering a lot, too. That's what makes me the most upset about all of this.

[ikujinashii.livejournal.com]

I'll be buying all 4 versions (minus the venue version, since I'm not in Japan to buy it). :) FKS don't deserve to suffer for something they can't control, and I think it's pretty hypocritical of 5nin fans to boycott this single because of the lack of MS, because doing so just gives the impression they don't support the older three.

Excited for Kento's solo especially because he said it has a Maleficent/fairy-tale feeling, but their solos are almost always my favorite songs on SZ releases, so I'm looking forward to all three of them :)

[1/2]

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Firstly, I'm sorry for the lateness of my reply. I've been really busy with work so I've been really slow getting to all the comments. My apologies!

Secondly, I just want to say ahead of time that I'm absolutely not trying to criticize your decision to buy, or judge you for that choice. I simply want to explain my opinion and why I disagree with your reasoning, so please don't take my reply as me trying to tell you what to do.

However, I think that maybe you don't understand the thought process of most of the fans who are planning to "boycott" or not buy the single. First and foremost, it's not just butthurt Marius and Sou fans who are angry that their favourite member isn't being included. Most of the people I know who don't plan to buy the single, as well as the Japanese fans I'm seeing on twitter and blogs are a variety of fans, Kento, Fuma, Shori, Marius, and Sou. But they're all people who consider Sexy Zone to be 5 members, and don't want to see something labeled "Sexy Zone" that isn't those five members. This isn't a new subgroup, or special single being released by these three. I think that that would have been met with a much more positive response. I know I personally would have bought a version if it was listed as a special new subgroup, or something like that. I think that most people are offended by the labeling of Sexy Zone as three members, as if the other two don't matter. Most of the people I know who are offended aren't Marius or Sou fans, but Kento and Fuma fans. Even though their favourite is in the single, they don't want to support the idea that Sexy Zone can exist as just three members.

And frankly, at the end of the day, it's a pretty simple principle: if you don't like it, don't buy it. I think that a lot of people's love for Sexy Zone extends beyond just one favourite member. They love the group as a group, and they don't like the idea of a three-member Sexy Zone. They don't like it, so they're not going to buy it. At its root, that's not even a "boycott." It's just how most humans live their lives. If they don't like something, why would they buy it?

"Hypocritical" is defined as "behaving in a way that suggests one has higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case." I don't see how not buying something because they don't like it is at all suggesting they have higher standards or more noble beliefs than are the care. People who are choosing not to buy the CD don't like the idea of a 3-person Sexy Zone. They don't want to buy a CD with a 3-member "Sexy Zone." I don't think there's anything hypocritical about that.

[2/2]

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

I don't think that there's anything personal or "not supporting the older three" about not buying a single labeling only three people as Sexy Zone when Sexy Zone has always been five members. It's not about not liking any one of them, or not liking the three of them together. As I said, I think that it would have met a lot more positive reactions if it had been introduced as a new subgroup putting out the CD. I also think that if Shori had a solo CD, or Kento had a solo CD, or Fuma had a solo CD, it would be met with a more positive reaction. The problem here is that they're calling three members "Sexy Zone," as if the other two count for nothing. I think that most fans are upset because those two do count for something to them, even if Kento or Fuma or Shori is their favourite. And frankly, I don't think that Kento or Fuma or Shori would fee hurt or as if the fans "don't support" them if the sales are bad, because it's pretty darn obvious that none of them are thrilled about this, either. They clearly want their group to be all five members as well, and I don't at all think that not buying this single would "give the impression [fans] don't support the older three" to any of the older three or to Johnny's.

Frankly, I don't personally think that it's too odd or surprising that fans are upset when their group is treated this way. I can't imagine Arashi fans would be thrilled if Arashi announced a single with only Jun, Nino, and Sho; I can't imagine that Eito fans would be thrilled if Eito announced a single with only Nishikido, Ohkura, Maru, and Hina. If it was announced that Tegoshi and Massu were releasing a single as NEWS, not as tegomass, I think that NEWS fans would be pretty upset too, considering that it's very different to release music as a subgroup that it is to reduce the members of a group. The hurt and anger isn't just focused on one member being featured or ignored, it's the fact that the idea of the group, the "family" feeling of the group is what's important. It's the same reason why just recently, Johnny's West debuted as seven and not four. The members felt that those other thee were important to them. They didn't want to release singles without them. In the same way, Marius and Sou are important to Sexy Zone, as a group.

I'm honestly saddened that I can't buy this single. I really am looking forward to hearing the new solos on Shounen Club and at the concert, because I love Sexy Zone's solo songs, too. But to me, it's like buying a box of strawberries from the grocery store that has mold on half of it. No matter how much I love strawberries and would still eat the ones that haven't molded, it doesn't change the fact that I won't pay money for something that's half rotten, and I don't want to give the grocery store the idea that it's okay to sell a half-molded box of strawberries, because it's unsanitary and unethical. No matter how much I want to listen to Kento and Shori and Fuma's solos, I won't pay money for something that's being advertised as Sexy Zone, but is not really Sexy Zone, and I don't want to give Johnny's the idea that I would.

And in my opinion, I don't think that the fans who feel the same way as I do are strange. In Japanese fandom, Sexy Zone fans have gained a lot of support from most other Johnny's group's fans; not only is #sexyzoneは５人 getting a ton of tweets, but also:
#JUMP担は５人セクシーゾンを応援してます
#NEWS担は５人セクシーゾンしか知りません
#関ジャニ担は５人セクシーゾンしか知りません
#キスマイ担は５人セクシーゾンしか知りません
#ジャニスト担は５人セクシーゾンしか知りません
#バカレア担は５人セクシーゾンしか知りません
#Jr.担は５人セクシーゾンしか知りません
#ABC-Z担は５人セクシーゾンしか興味ありません

They basically all say that the fans of those groups believe that Sexy Zone should be all 5 members, as well. So clearly, it's a feeling that resonates with a lot of people across a lot of Johnny's fandoms. And clearly they don't really think it's hypocritical, either.


At any rate, thank you for commenting and like I said, I just wanted to explain my opinion and why I disagree with you. I honestly am looking forward to hearing all the new solos.

[snow.livejournal.com]

i won't be buying it because there is just no other way to express how unhappy i am with how marisou have been treated. after seeing the other three struggling to hold in their tears during the press con, n o p e, can't support it & i really feel like they'd understand.

a lot of japanese fans are planning to use penlights in mari & sou's colors only during the cons this summer.

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Yeah, honestly, conversely, I feel like the older three would want fans to NOT buy the CD, because they don't want to be divided up, either. I definitely don't think that they'd be hurt or angry because fans don't want to buy the CD without all five, though.

I really hope that this actually pans out! Do you know what colours they're planning on using? Since Sexy Zone don't really have set colours yet I want to make sure I've got it right. In Yokohama, I think yellow was Mari and green was Sou. Is that what you're reading?

[bigbang-mint.livejournal.com]

wow these three will got new solo song~ and err idk if I'm going to buy them or not. got tempted to buy the K & F ver (as usual of me) but recently I just bought lots of thing (sigh). too many updates for Sexy Zone, my wallet is craving for donation (lol)

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Aww. XD It's rough being a fan. Even though I'm interested in the solo songs, though, I definitely can't buy it with only 3 members. :( I don't want to support anything that isn't all five. To me it's really wrong that they're putting out a single with three members and still calling it "Sexy Zone" as if the other two don't matter at all.

[elindar.livejournal.com]

i'm not a fan but i care about sou a lot, so all this mess got me really angry and upset. :< i'm hoping as many fans as possible would boycott this single to show the management how the fandom feels about this. :x but well, like you said, with the solos and all, i'm not being too positive about it now...

but the penlight thing i heard about sounds cool, i really hope it will happen!

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I feel the same way. I'm just really upset by this whole thing and the cheap tricks that they're using. >__< The Japanese soandso-tan system is so strong though, I'm sure that a lot of fans won't be able to say no to their favourite member's solo.

I really hope it happens, too! I'll be going, and definitely using my penlight that way, so I hope that it actually pans out. I'll be sure to report back after the show!

[rim1789.livejournal.com]

I didn't buy Real!Sexy because I was already displeased with their treatment and there is no way I m buying this. I became a fan because of Mari and Shori, but I m a fan of 5nin Sexy Zone, all 5 of them. Nothing else, and if I can't get them all on a CD that is named '' SZ single'', I m not getting it. Especially when we know how much this hurts them

The whole situation is driving me crazy and Pony Canyon comments ismaking me so mad omg. How kind of...ugh As if nothing happened

I don't think not buying them is detrimental to FumaKenShori. Judging by both the reports, presscon vid, pictures,and what we anyway know of them they are clearly more than unhappy about this. It s breaking my heart for the boys...

I knew Mari's JWEB was weird...He doesn't speak like that usually, his tone is lighter, but I thought he was just having a bad day, being a 14 years old and in a foreign country and all the issues he mentionned he had...But still...He probably felt way more about not being recognized as Marius Yo when he was scouted :(

Yeah, that's what I thought about the solo songs and Japanese fandom * sigh* I m still hoping though...

About Fuma ? I m curious (just wondering) what you feel. To be honest, I m a bit surprised, mainly because the last few singles, it's the Fuma version that held my interest the most because of the content


I m sorry, my comments in this post are all other the place.

Edit : About the title it's Otoko, I saw fans stating it was Otoko (mainly complaining about the sexism behind the title) but they also said it here ( my favorite report)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpe1rO1qBsQ&hd=1

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

This. Exactly what you're saying. I don't think people who are saying they're going to buy it understand that it isn't about not liking Kento or Fuma or Shori, it's about the fact that Sexy Zone is FIVE members, and nothing else. If they had called this a subgroup, with a different name, that would be a whole different story. But calling it Sexy Zone with only three members is completely wrong, and not only is it hurting Marius and Sou, but it's hurting Kento and Fuma and Shori, too.

What Pony Canyon comments do you mean? Was there an interview or something somewhere? Or just in this email and on their site?

I feel bad for Marius because like you said, being 14 in a foreign country is hard, and this definitely isn't helping. I really hope that at the very least Sou will be there for him, and the older members will stand up for him, too.

Yeah, I have hopes, but I'm trying not to get too optimistic just yet. Japanese fandom is a pretty rough place.

Don't apologize! I'm happy for the discussion.

And great, thanks so much. I've been really busy with work and other obligations over the past few days since it's the end of the term, so I just haven't been able to devote enough time to fandom. I apologize for my slow responses, too.

EDIT: I totally forgot to write about Fuma, I'm sorry XD;; I'm just going to copy and paste what I said in another comment to explain my feelings. Sorry!

It's been interesting over the last two and a half years to watch the management push change from the original Kento and Fuma, to just Kento, to Kento and Shori. I think that Fuma has always been the member who's the least willing to compromise himself for the management and for being an "idol," which is a double edged sword, I guess. I mostly respect it in him, for being honest about his feelings about his work and his art and the group, and I feel like I can trust him and like him more because I know that he's showing his real self a lot of the time. For example, it was obvious at Yoyogi that Fuma was upset about this single, while with Kento, his words were much more positive and professional. But it also comes out in ways that you'd expect for a 19 year old boy, I think, and I do think it leads to fans (especially kids?) thinking that he's not friendly, because he's not as eager to run and touch everyone's hands, or smile at everyone in the crowd if he's not into it. So I think in the end it's cost him some popularity next to the ever-perfect, ever-performing Kento and next to Shori, who just loves the attention and thrives in the limelight.

Those are my personal feelings, of course… I'm not really sure in the long run what the reasoning is, but I'm a teacher and hear a lot of 12-14 year old kids' opinions on Sexy Zone. |D;;; So I at least know what 12-14 year olds are thinking.

[beach-bum1303.livejournal.com]

Still no. Every bit of news on this breaks my heart further. I only opened the mail to get my inbox to stop displaying it was there. Thanks again, J-fans, for being unable to see the big picture. ): Even if I'm voting with my money, it's a fruitless effort against the majority of the fandom.

I'm curious to your feelings on Fuma's. I'm actually surprised to even consider his stuff isn't selling like the others!

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's really frustrating to see people buying it because their favourite is the only one who matters to them. But I do think there are Japanese fans who won't be buying, as well. I do have hopes that there will at least be some impact. Marius, in particular, has a lot of fans here.

It's been interesting over the last two and a half years to watch the management push change from the original Kento and Fuma, to just Kento, to Kento and Shori. I think that Fuma has always been the member who's the least willing to compromise himself for the management and for being an "idol," which is a double edged sword, I guess. I mostly respect it in him, for being honest about his feelings about his work and his art and the group, and I feel like I can trust him and like him more because I know that he's showing his real self a lot of the time. For example, it was obvious at Yoyogi that Fuma was upset about this single, while with Kento, his words were much more positive and professional. But it also comes out in ways that you'd expect for a 19 year old boy, I think, and I do think it leads to fans (especially kids?) thinking that he's not friendly, because he's not as eager to run and touch everyone's hands, or smile at everyone in the crowd if he's not into it. So I think in the end it's cost him some popularity next to the ever-perfect, ever-performing Kento and next to Shori, who just loves the attention and thrives in the limelight.

Those are my personal feelings, of course… I'm not really sure in the long run what the reasoning is, but I'm a teacher and hear a lot of 12-14 year old kids' opinions on Sexy Zone. |D;;; So I at least know what 12-14 year olds are thinking.

[mrsyamada.livejournal.com]

For the fans who are saying they'll but it to keep supporting the 3 members should step back and think a little about this because by buying it, you are only hurting them and the group. Companies listen when their products are not selling, even japanese fans are pissed to the point of boycotting and bringing only marius and sou's group colors to the concert only which i support. I think that by buying it is only hurting the group, they are johnny's people act like one bad single is going to hurt them, it will help in the end if they realize that this setup is bullshit and they need to change

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

I agree with what you're saying 100%. I feel that buying this single is definitely hurting the group by encouraging them being broken apart again in the future. I'm glad to know that someone else is thinking the same way.

[xanithofdragons.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to wonder if their plan is something like "Let's see how much we can still profit while screwing everyone over and trolling the fans!" T_T I'm not a SZ fan, but I'll want to watch what happens with this single.

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I sort of think that's usually their strategy, to be honest. If they make the Marius and Sou fans freak out, then we'll spend more money on Marius and Sou to vote with our dollars. I'm not really sure what the main aim was with this single, but… well, it's making a huge mess in both Japanese and foreign fandom… I'd rather be not a Sexy Zone fan watching from the outside, it sounds much more interesting and less upsetting that way T___T; Please do let me know any insights you have from a perspective of someone not really emotionally involved. I'm interested to know.

[l-no-sekai.livejournal.com]

Once again, thank you so much for sharing & translating the information!
I'm getting even more surprised to see that there is no information stating MariSo in the mail, except the Sexy Zone part, since they are still the part of the group. But, what has been really bugging me is that the bonus for the regular edition. They used to have 5 (or six with the group one? I don't really remember) varieties for the trading card, which is one for each member, but it's said that there are only 3 varieties of trading card. I suspect that there's even something more complicated thing other than just being pushed or not. I meant, imo, there won't be any really different effect to the popularity of the oldest three whether there's MariSo's appearance(s) or not in the single. And sorry to ask, I don't know (maybe you had written the info somewhere and I read it but I forget), do they really saying that the single won't be featuring MariSo at all? If they really said so, I do think that this is really outrageous. Most likely, I think that there's a disconcord between MariSo and the management since the situation has grow pretty bad, which is unfortunate. Because, as far as I follow the other group within the sama management, the management didn't go this far with kisumai for promoting Fujigaya, Kitayama & Tamamori (cmiiw).

As for point number three, I've been watching bbd & kqj soudscans number, if I recall that for bbd, Kento's version sold the most, followed by Fuma's and Shori's. As for the kqj, Kento's version still top the sales, but Shori's surpassing Fuma's in just a little par. Imo, they're still experimenting. Kento's version which includes music clip dvd sold really good back then compared with the other versions and now they're experimenting by making shori's version as the one which contains music clip dvd. In summary, big push for Shori.

I'm getting to really hate the management with this kind of pushing strategy. I meant, if you're managing a group with hundreds members inside, this kind of management strategy will pull the string. But, to use this kind of strategy to a 5-member-group is pretty much makes me feel something like "are you kidding!?".

As for now, I'm still going to buy the single no matter how worst the condition is, because I simply rooting for the group, though, I do have my own favorite member of course xD.

Anyway, lol at tags you used for this post xD

[ichigobanana]

Regarding Kisumai - you have to consider that MariSou as well as Shori aren't of age yet. They do not have any chance to raise their voices and say something against the plans the management has for them. Adding to that they're not a group that exists for long yet. Kisumai all were 18+ when they debuted, they're a group that exists like that for almost ten years now. They're all grown-ups who can talk back properly, they already did when they still were juniors (Fujikita standing in Johnny's office and asking for Kisumai to stay as they are). In contrast, Marius is way too sensitive to say his opinion openly and Sou is rather the quiet type who swallows it down. I don't know why the other three didn't protest against it, but I'm pretty sure that they were talked into it and couldn't change anything about it. And another important point is - Kisumai have senpais who support them. SMAP always have been on their side as well as Takki and Tsubasa, while Sexy Zone is kinda lost on that part. I wish they had someone like Nakai to intervene (see Busaiku), but obviously there's no one willing to which is really, really sad :/

[mayura-news.livejournal.com]

I basically only buy the albums (because I have too many fandoms and all my money go to HSJ haha) or a single when I really like the song... Even though I am interested in Kento's solo, I won't buy it. I saw Japanese fans saying that they won't buy the CD because they're against 3nin Sexy Zone. I think that's the best solution... (I don't like the title of the single anyway hahaha).

So many versions, they really are afraid of not selling well... No matter how much I like the three boys (well, I like Kento and Fuma more xD), I really hope the CD won't sell so that the management realizes fans want 5nin Sexy Zone...

I saw the announcement of the single and it's definitely Otoko. ^^

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

I'm glad a lot of people are saying they won't buy it. I'm afraid that hardcore Fuma, Kento, and Shori fans will feel they have to buy it for the solos, though. I hope that the fans who don't buy make a difference.

Actually, the number of versions is exactly the same as usual, so I don't think that it really reflects any thoughts of it not selling.

Okay, perfect. At the time I posted this, I hadn't watched any videos-- I sadly have a full-time job and other responsibilities out of fandom especially right now (since it's the end of the school term), so I'm sorry for my slowness this whole time.

[yomimashou.livejournal.com]

It really rubs me the wrong way that the email didn't mention anything about the single only being three members... and I also just don't know what they're going for with that decision, since they made such a big deal out of it at the event =__=

Maybe I should try to look more thoroughly at what Japanese fans are saying on twitter, outside of the few people I follow... I hope that a good number of them won't be buying it either, though.

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's not only really pissy, but also just confusing? Like, it's not a secret. So why wouldn't you mention it in the email? Is the assumption just that it makes no difference to any fans whatsoever that Marius and Sou won't be in the single??

That would be good, I'm interested as to what's being said.

[db5konly.livejournal.com]

idk.....because ultimately the revenue determine the group's direction no matter which company you are in. Tat's wat i feel. And taking tohoshinki as an example, though they r not a japanese japanese grp but they splitted and even went to court and there were fans raging but ultimately the ones being hurt is not e management but the members themselves.

Jus my 2 cents.

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry, but I'm not actually really sure what you're taking about. I don't really think that this situation has much in common with Touhoushinki's situation since that involved the members suing the agency. Do you mind explaining what you're specifically replying to and what you mean? I'm confused.

[kazuna-miu.livejournal.com]

thank you so much for your information.. and i appreciated you open this issue...

it's so sad when i must hear again they make new single just for 3 people.. i hope japan fans understand this condition and help them to become five again with not buy this single albums (sorry Kento.. you're my biased but i can't be help). i think 3 of them don't want do this too.. but they can't do anything cause they are new.. they still afraid to lose their fame and i think their opinion is nothing for ijima... OMG i really hate her so much now. i think Fuma is the most who disagree about this.. Fuma like sakurai Sho for his senpai and i think he hope his group will long like Arashi. i hope julie take sexy zone to her side... although she really expose her idol but she don't do crazy things like Ijima do. ijima do split like sexy zone have so much member so she must split group to show all member talent =_=". but sezy zone just have 5 member.. i really don't understand her meaning for this split.

i know sexy zone from debut.. i follow them and i get irritated when the first time i see Bad boys cover. "ahh actually they will be like kisumai", so i'm not in touch with them again until i see SZ channel. this reality show open my mind again... ahh they're together. their relationship is good. kento and fuma look try to expose sou & marius too.. but this new single albums really make me disappointed.

it's tough time for sexy zone specially Sou.. why? cause if marius... he is still 14 y.o so many reason why he can't do this new single but for Sou.. Sou just younger one year from Shiori but their different is so huge :( .. it is s sad for sou.. i really feel sorry for him....

sory i talk to much and my grammar is so bad ... i hope you understand what i'm saying :)

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I like to help.

Yeah, I agree with you. I don't think the three of them want to do it, either, and they've been bullied into it by the management. Unfortunately, I don't see much chance of them switching factions, but I hope that as they get older they can stand up to Ijima more.

And yes, I've been saying that this whole time about Sou. He's not that much younger. He's only a year younger than Shori, and he's just as good at dancing and singing. So it;s really not fair what they're doing to him.

It's fine, I understood everything! Your English is fine. :)

[britkit27.livejournal.com]

Ugh, ugh, ugh - to this, and the previous announcement post. Things were going so well with their second album and KQ&J, too, what the fuck? And of course solo versions, because people will want to support their favorite member, even if they don't want the group broken up.... I just, seriously, Ijima, what is she thinking?

I'm so, so sorry, this really sucks DDD:

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't even know what to say about this, but it's far beyond "this really sucks" in my opinion, especially considering the number of times I've cried over it.

[zouter.livejournal.com]

First off, let me say thanks for the translations.

And then let me apologize in advance just for anything; I'm wondering if you can provide me of an update to the group. I'm pretty much outdated with Sexy Zone stuff ever since their debut single/Lady Diamond. More specifically so with three questions below (with the 4th just throwing in there cause I'm outdated with Johnny's stuff other than KT/HSJ and wondering if you know anything):

1) I recall being in one of their singles, there's a sub-unit(?) called Sexy Boyz and Sexy Show(?). Just wondering who's in this sub unit?
2) After reading your point #3, how come Fuma's versions wont sell? Did a scandal happen to him or his popularity within the group just isn't the top?
3) Reading that there are a lot of mistreatments in Sexy Zone, what's happening/what happened (anything since debut)?
4) I've also read a bit of your translations in other posts and I read that there is an upcoming volleyball group coming up and possibly a new debut? I always though bakaleya6 would be the next ones to debut but my gut says they won't be a volleyball group. Do they even perform as a group anymore in Shounen Club?

I also checked wikipedia and I noticed that their single sales aren't bad at all (a lot higher than what I expected). I always go by the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so I have no idea why the managers of SZ are switching things up.

Let me say thank you once again and hopefully you'll answer a feel questions I have. Feel free to take your time! :)

[1/3]

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I'm glad to help.

And no problem. I'm happy to provide context for all of this; in fact, I'm glad that, unlike other people commenting here, you're asking me rather than assuming stuff that isn't true! So please, feel free to ask me whatever you want. ^^

1) Sexy Boyz first made an appearance waaaaay back in 2012 on Sexy Summer ni Yuki ga Furu. On that single, they had one song, Ame Datte, which was a B-side on the RE and Summary limited version. At that time, Sexy Boyz consisted of Marius and Sou with Jinguji Yuta, Haniuda Amu, Nakamura Reia, Kuramoto Kaoru, Nagase Ren, and Nishihata Daigo, but the two Kansai juniors were dropped pretty much instantly. When performing "Ame Datte" on Shounen Club, Sexy Boyz often had a lot of younger juniors, as well as same-age juniors like Kishi Yuta and Iwahashi Genki added, and I don't remember who was in the recording of the second Sexy Boyz song, Don't Stop Sexy Boyz, which was on One Sexy Zone, but it was a similar group. From that point however, Sexy Boyz stopped really including Marius and Sou and started being a Junior group (likened by some to MAIN, 4Tops, Ya-ya-yah, and B.I.Shadow due to being 4 members a few years before a volleyball debut) consisting of Jinguji, Haniuda, Reia, and Kuramoto. It went through several incarnations, including Marius and Sou briefly again for the 2013 Spring Tour, growing and shrinking to include a variety of juniors including Genki, Kishi, Matsuda Genta, Matsukura Kaito, Miyachika Kaito, Hayashi Ippei, Okamoto Kauan, and others. Eventually, it seemed to settle for the first half of 2014 on Iwahashi Genki, Jinguji Yuta, Kishi Yuta, and Miyachika Kaito, but when Kishi had to miss a lot of activities around his high school graduation, Abe Aran was added to switch out with him when needed. For Crea 2014, a Sexy Boyz show was announced with five members, Jinguji, Genki, Kishi, Miyachika, and Aran. However, before the Crea show could happen, at Sexy Zone's Sexy Second Tour 2014, new sub-units were announced: a new Sexy Boyz, consisting of Marius, Jinguji, and Genki, and Sexy Show ("sho" being another pronunciation of "matsu," which is in all the members' names) consisting of Sou, Matsukura, and Genta. These two units will be doing the Gamushara! Sexy Natsu Matsuri together in TV Aasahi EX Theatre Roppongi in cooperation with the Junior TV show, "Gamushara!!" However, the Sexy Show and Sexy Boyz units have never recorded music.

…Sorry for how long that answer was! I figured Sexy Boyz needed some context. XD

2) This is copy-pasted from other comments, so I'm sorry about that XD It's easier just to use the same explanation since I don't think I could write it any better than I did earlier.

It's been interesting over the last two and a half years to watch the management push change from the original Kento and Fuma, to just Kento, to Kento and Shori. I think that Fuma has always been the member who's the least willing to compromise himself for the management and for being an "idol," which is a double edged sword, I guess. I mostly respect it in him, for being honest about his feelings about his work and his art and the group, and I feel like I can trust him and like him more because I know that he's showing his real self a lot of the time. For example, it was obvious at Yoyogi that Fuma was upset about this single, while with Kento, his words were much more positive and professional. But it also comes out in ways that you'd expect for a 19 year old boy, I think, and I do think it leads to fans (especially kids?) thinking that he's not friendly, because he's not as eager to run and touch everyone's hands, or smile at everyone in the crowd if he's not into it. So I think in the end it's cost him some popularity next to the ever-perfect, ever-performing Kento and next to Shori, who just loves the attention and thrives in the limelight.

Basically, I love Fuma a lot and I respect his desire to be true to himself and what he feels/believes, but I do think that sometimes, the ways he chooses to do it hurt him in the end, and I think he just needs to learn and grow from those experiences. Also, my data is mostly based on my students talking to me about Sexy Zone, so it's the opinions of 12-15 year olds. XD;