VIVA! V6

20 years ago, V6 experience big jump in popularity. First single of the year Ai nanda open with first week sales of 340,280 units which was over 100,000 units higher than previous singles and sold over half a million units. Their spring tour that year was also big success. The Fukuoka concert was rescheduled because of a large number of applications for tickets so it can be held in bigger venue. At the end of the tour it was announced in only 1 year and a half they had secured 1.5 million concert goers since debut.

Media did segments on wide shows talking to V6 fan to find out why they become so popular so quickly. On the final day of Yokohama Arena concerts of the spring tour reporters talk to fans lined outside the venue. Young girls say they like V6's energy, children like CC and Nagano because of Ultraman Tiga still airing that time. Women say they like TC and their adult coolness. Even media was charmed by V6's very fun and energetic attitude at V6's press conference after the tour's end.

Ken and Shinohara Tomoe have “unspoken friendship.” But they had good relationship for many years since their 10s. They became closer after appearing together in the drama Virtual Girl in early 2000, around the time of their coming of age ceremony, 20 years old. They said in magazines at the time they exchanged mail address and become mail friends and mail each other regularly. At the time, it become big topic as fan was shock and thought it was simply PR for their drama. When they appear on together again on CC’s show 4 years later they confirm they are still mail friends.

Tomoe calls him “KenKen.” Although they do not meet often they keep in contact regularly through mail and phone call. When they rarely appear on TV together Ken denies the friendship as a joke. On a music program 4 years ago they appear together and Tomoe call him her very close friend. 

V6 in Fukuoka Day 1

In CC MC, they talk about Okada's film and Go's play. Ken ask if it is better to be knowledgeable about history to watch Okada's film, Okada say yes. Go said to Ken "you are an idiot so you should study before."

They talk about the poster for Go's play. Go explains the story is a man who is marrying a younger sister but he loves the oldest sister. Okada said "what the heck is that?" He yelled out "Complicated!" Then Ken copy and they both yelled "Complicated!" Go join in too when they yelled it again.

Okada say he watches Go's drama since episode 1. He said he watches Go's drama since Miracle Kamen Koukousei, drama that Go star in OA July 1995.

After talking about CC individual activities, Okada begins to say Ken has something new coming too. Ken gets annoyed and says it is too early. Okada says Ken will announce it himself at the right time then. Fan are excited and are speculating what it can be.

Another topic in MC was Okinawa trip in the springtime. Inocchi ask Okada about his memory of their Okinawa trip. Okada said "delicious." Inocchi was confused, Ken say food is always on Okada's mind. Inocchi said in Okinawa because he and Okada are adult they went to stylish bar. He ask GoKen where they went. They said tropical cafe. They ate tropical parfait. The audience said "cute!"

Inocchi say when some of the member met it became loud and noisy like girls party because of high energy and talking so much. He said Ken talks so much, like gossip and talks about anything. Go said it would be better without "one person." Ken was shock!

Another congratulations to this 6. The ONES is #1 on album charts with sales of roughly 129,000+ units. 

Huge topic of Nagoya's final day (8/13) was that Ken uchiwa stock sold out completely 1 hour before the concert begin. First time the fan hear "sold out" for V6's member's uchiwa. Also a big shock since it was still the very first venue of the tour. 

V6 tour went off to good start in Nagoya. Lots of fun MC material on the first 3 days.

In CC MC, Go complain about Ken and Okada flirting too much during MC time. Ken said because Go did not come out with him and Okada the night before. Okada said he think Ken wanted Go to come. Ken ask if CC is love triangle relationship. Go joke and ask if Ken is a “hussy”! Ken was shock!

Inocchi ask Sakamoto what time he went to sleep. Sakamoto said he sleep early and wake up 5 AM and watch golf on TV. Inocchi said that sound like a father’s day off.  

In CC MC Ken said he saw Nagano throw away his hair dryer. Okada said “Nagano does not do such things!” Ken and Okada bicker over it. Okada yell “Nagano properly takes care of his things!” They argue like children. During their MC, CC agree that they have to take care of Nagano. Okada ask for Nagano to be careful.

In CC MC, Go talk about eating curry the evening before. He said he likes curry very much. Ken bring up Go’s mini curry song. Ken become excited and start to sing the chorus and Okada join in. They remember and did the dance very well too. They sing and dance like fools while Go is laughing.

Inocchi said although Okada join V6 as 14 year old not knowing anything his cuteness has not changed. Earlier during interview Okada look like he was deep in thought. He said he was busy wondering how to pronounce the "ONES" part of new album title and which part of the word “ONES” has emphasis.

Manga artist and co-creater for anime Yuri!!! on Ice Kubo Mitsurou is longtime V6 fan. 4 years ago she made guest appearance on Okada's radio and admit she has been fan since debut. V6's debut coincide with time she first came to Tokyo too so she feels very strong link to them. She even attend their very first concert. On the radio she said she did not know how to address Okada since she has always seen him from fan’s perspective! She said it was “miracle” they were able to meet face to face almost 18 years after seeing the debut concert.

Earlier this year she tweet that she realize that Yuri!!! on Ice character Otabek Altin she design has resemblance to Okada. She jokingly said "Kamisen's Otabek" once.

During rehearsal for TAKE ME HIGHER 21 years ago Nagano fracture his left hand during acrobatics. Member were shock as he simply wore bandage and returned to work saying “I will continue working as if nothing happen”! 

These two had bickering relationship in V6′s debut days. Ken who joke around too much and Okada who said at that time he postured to act like an adult had many arguments. Go said these arguments would be about small things such as Ken’s jokes making Okada mad or Okada wearing Ken’s things until they become dirty. Like older brother and younger brother. Then later they would get along like nothing happen until the next argument. For example, after big fight about Okada wearing Ken's underwear 16 year old Ken realize it was because Okada had brought nothing from Osaka because of his unexpected debut. He surprise Okada with a 10 pack of underwear.