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

[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.

Re: [2/2]

[ikujinashii.livejournal.com]

First, let me explain what I meant by hypocritical. Hypocrisy is the practice of engaging in the same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another. All I meant to say was that people are refusing to buy this single because it does not properly represent all 5 members, but by doing this, those fans are also not supporting all 5 members. By refusing to buy this single, fans are saying that they will only support Sexy Zone when Marius and Sou are included. People choosing not to buy the single just because they don't like it is not at all something I'm arguing against. If my favorite member was excluded, I wouldn't buy it either. And it's completely those fans' right to do so, but claiming that it's an attempt to show love for the 5 as a group feels kind of like a smokescreen to me, even if that's not on purpose, because they are deciding not to support the other 3 members either. Sou and Marius' fans have no obligation to support those 3 right now, but so-called 5nin fans are behaving as if they are fighting only for Sou and Marius.

If this same move had been made months back when Sou and Marius were completely shafted, and it had come as a surprise, that suddenly there was an SZ single and those 2 were missing for unknown reasons, then I'd understand.

But this current situation has been in the works for a while now, and subunits for Sou and Marius were created to give them their own opportunities in preparation for this single, for which the PV was filmed many weeks ago. Fans were informed during their event and via news sources before the single details were revealed. I don't believe that was accidental. Honestly, they prepared fans for this, I guess it just wasn't gradual enough.

I mean, it's unfortunate, but frankly Marius and Sou haven't been included much on SZ singles in a long while. This really isn't a surprising step, and I actually feel like their fans should be happy they're going to have more and more chances to shine on their own instead of being stuck in FKS' shadows. That's what would happen if this single had all 5 members. I understand the desire to fight for the group as a whole, but if doing so negatively affects the individuals, that's not fair anymore. The only people who are hurt by their own fans deciding not to buy this, and these plans to protest with penlights, are Fuma, Kento, and Shori, who have done nothing wrong.

It is absolutely not my place to tell people how to be fans of a group, not by any means, especially since SZ is not even my favorite group. It is simply my opinion, that the way to support them all is to support them all, in even their small-group or solo activities. Sou and Marius have not even been removed from the group, their focus activities will just be in their subgroups. So if it truly is just a matter of labeling, that they're being called Sexy Zone on a single with only the 3, then I personally think that seems trivial. A single with a sub-unit name would not be anywhere near as marketable.

I didn't mean to imply you were one of these fans I was bothered by, by the way, so I'm sorry if it seemed that way! I was just commenting in a more general sense based on what I've been seeing, and your entry was a good chance to. I don't mind the discussion at all :)

[1/2]

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

Okay, I understand what you mean a lot better now. Thank you for explaining it. I don't think I've heard people saying it's an attempt to "show love" for all five, so I'm a little bit lost on that point, though-- I don't think it's hypocritical to say "I won't buy any Sexy Zone single labeled as "Sexy Zone" and not a subgroup with any permutation of members besides all five." That's basically the same as saying you don't love any one member more than you love the group as a whole, and you won't support any member at the exclusion of the others. I can't speak for what other fans have been saying, so I'm sorry if my comments are off the mark from what you've been experiencing, but I just want to explain my point of view on the matter. ^^; To me, until you see those same "so-called 5nin fans" buying a single of just Marius and Sou that's called a Sexy Zone single, there's no reason to think that they don't just care more about the integrity of the 5-member group as a whole more than the singular success of any one member at the cost of the others.

And that's the other thing-- even if by not buying this single, fans are not supporting Kento, Fuma, and Shori, if they buy the single, I think many people are of the opinion that they'll be actively hurting Marius and Sou. I personally feel that it's more important to not hurt members than it is to support others. I understand that it might not be fair, because Fuma, Kento, and Shori didn't choose for this to happen, but I don't think that the gain they'll get from my supporting the single makes up for the problems and pain that will be caused for Marius and Sou if I do buy the single. For me, that's more important. Issues like this are often unclear, but I personally find that not buying the single and not hurting Marius and Sou is the lesser of two evils.

I have to say, I don't understand the logic of the "you should have seen it coming; why are you so upset?" argument. I hear it get thrown around a lot in Johnny's, but basically, my response is… even if "the current situation has been in the works for a while now," it doesn't change the fact that it hurts and I'm upset. To me it sort of feels like saying "you know Politician X always tries to pass awful laws that hurt a lot of people, so why are you so upset that he passed another awful law that hurts a lot of people?" Just because bad things have been happening and building up over time doesn't mean that people are less hurt by the end result, and I don't think it's a reason to disqualify the feelings of anger, unhappiness, and sadness that come out of a decision like this.

[2/2]

[faded-lace.livejournal.com]

"I actually feel like their fans should be happy they're going to have more and more chances to shine on their own instead of being stuck in FKS' shadows."
I understand this and respect your opinion, but I think I'll just agree to disagree. From my own experience as a performer, it hurts a lot more to be somewhat featured with people below you than it does to stand in the back of people slightly above you. It doesn't feel good to be called "not good enough," ever, as a performer, so whether or not Marius and Sou are actually going to get more exposure (which I honestly don't think they are, anyway… until I see Sexy Boyz and Sexy Show putting on full-sized concerts and releasing singles with several B-sides and solos, that is), the emotional hurt is still there.

I understand the desire to fight for the group as a whole, but if doing so negatively affects the individuals, that's not fair anymore. The only people who are hurt by their own fans deciding not to buy this, and these plans to protest with penlights, are Fuma, Kento, and Shori, who have done nothing wrong.
I understand the point that you're making, and again, I respect your opinion, but I disagree. Kento, Fuma, and Shori are well aware that they have many, many fans, and they clearly were not happy with the decision to be made into a 3nin Sexy Zone. Especially with the penlights, I cannot imagine that they'd be so egocentric that for one concert, they won't mind seeing Marius and Sou get some support. At most Sexy Zone concerts, there's usually huge disparity between the amount of stuff for Fuma, Kento, or Shori like penlights and uchiwa and the amount of stuff for Marius and Sou. Kento, Fuma, and Shori love Marius and Sou, too, and want Sexy Zone to be 5 members, too. I don't think that they'll be hurt by the penlight situation at all. As for the sales, I'm pretty sure that Johnny's talents are salaried, so they won't be monetarily hit personally by the sales of the CD. And again, I think that they would understand, mentally and emotionally, fans' reasons for not buying. And at any rate, I don't think any hurt they experience for the CD not selling well would compare to the hurt that Marius and Sou will experience if the CD does sell just as well as any other Sexy Zone CD, basically showing that their presence in the group doesn't matter at all.

I guess at the end of the day, the issue is our opinions about the labeling. To me, from my background and my experiences, it's not trivial. I don't know what the management tells the boys behind the scenes, but I know that Marius and Sou both are insecure and have written about being frustrated or not feeling good enough. So from that mental state, to be completely removed from something for your own group has to be really hurtful and upsetting. Regardless of the amount of activities you're doing (not to mention that they're junior activities, basically saying they're the level below a debuted group), it never, ever feels good to be told you're unnecessary or not good enough. I understand that of course Johnny's is a business and their first priority is to make money, but if it's at the cost of the mental or emotional abuse of their talents, I personally think that it's taking it too far. Lots and lots of people would have bought subgroup CDs with Kento, Fuma, and Shori's names on it. At the end, it's trying to get a few more bucks at the cost of Marius and Sou's feelings.

At the end of the day, I understand everything that you're saying, and now that you explained it for me, I can see where your feelings are coming from. I respectfully disagree with your opinion, but that's life, and I'm grateful to be having this discussion civily and earnestly, rather than not accepting that differing opinions occur. So thank you for this, seriously. I really enjoy discussion with other fans, even (sometimes especially!) ones I don't agree with, and I'm glad that you don't mind discussion, too! And thank you for not being bothered by me… I appreciate it XD There's no tone on the internet, so I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your original comment. My entry is definitely a place that I want to encourage discussion about this whole thing, so I'm really glad that you decided to comment.