#5xforever

Different content than what I've posted in the past few years, but this is me going back to my roots.

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I first found Arashi when I was 15 years old. In 2010, I was the weird chubby kid who was into anime and writing poems in my notebook, which translated into me having no friends and plenty of kids eager to bully anything about me. The year before, the kids that I thought were my friends ended up turning on me a few months before school ended, and I felt so isolated and alone with no one to talk to except my sister half a country away and my parents who weren't around or welcome to talking anyway.

After I found them, I became completely obsessed with Arashi. I painted my nails in their member colors, all my poems and art now centered around motifs of them, but most importantly they got me interested in learning more about the country they came from and the language they spoke. I started learning Japanese, I began to watch their TV shows and dramas, and I made hypothetical trips to visit Japan to see their concerts.

But the most important thing that Arashi did was they gave me a community. I found an entire group of friends on LiveJournal who I could talk to and read fanfictions my friends wrote. This was how I learned that I had a talent and a love for writing stories, and it's the reason why I still write today (even though its for a completely different fandom now).

It's too late for me to go to their concert (something I'll always regret). But I'll forever have the memories and the love that they gave me. When my teenage life was dark, I'll always remember I had five friends cheering for me and helping me to see the rainbow beyond the storm.

Dear Arashi, I've already said my goodbyes at your hiatus announcement five years ago. You've been a big part of my life for 16 years, and you deserve your rest after performing and working hard for 26 years. You'll always have a place reserved in my heart, and I wish you nothing but the absolute best in your futures.

Thank you for saving me, and thank you for all of your hard work!

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Smile again, thank you Smile again, any number of times I felt like getting back up　My courage was a fountain Smile again, being alone Smile again, I won't be anymore Earnestly wishing so hard for love that you become confused is like a storm

Throughout everything that happened until we arrived at this decision, all five members shared one common and unwavering feeling. “The only way that ARASHI would remain active is with all five members together.”

- Johnny and Associates

Each of the members have their own thoughts and feelings, and I will shoulder these things as we keep on sprinting forward all the way through until the end of 2020.

- Ohno 💙

I want ARASHI to keep being ARASHI until the end. I want to keep ARASHI locked away in a treasure chest.

- Sho ❤️

I love ARASHI.

I can do anything for ARASHI.

- Aiba 💚

The five of us are what makes ARASHI ARASHI.

The five of us will do our best until the very end of 2020 so that ARASHI can continue to be ARASHI.

- Nino 💛

As for why the announcement was made now, it’s because we felt that it would take time for those of you fans who support us and the relevant parties what we work together with to come to understand our decision, and that’s why the announcement was made at this time.

I hope to talk about it properly again and for us to be optimistic each day as we go about our lives.

- Jun 💜

"The eras change and time passes

Even if we chase after a different tomorrow

We'll surely come back to this road again someday

We're always as one　We’re walking on the road

“We're being connected together”

On the same road…

(Bokura ga Tsunaideiku by Arashi)

I had a feeling they would go on hiatus and take a break but I didn't expect it this soon Q_Q, like maybe in a few years or so. I’m really surprised and sad but I honestly don't mind them taking a break, they really need one after 20+ years in the entertainment industry working as hard as they have and i’m glad they’re finally taking a break away from it. 

Honestly the fact that the other 4 supported ohno’s decision and they all decided it was best to take a break together rather then ohno leaving/taking a break and the other 4 continuing on just shows how close and special arashi are to one another and that it’ll always be 5-1=0 This is why we love arashi <3 i’m so happy they decided it had to be this way cause I don’t know how i’ll (or any other fans) be if one or more of them left or they just disbanded all together. It wouldn’t be arashi then.

The only thing i'm worried about is whether or not they do come back since it isn't really clear if they will or not :( I know they said that they weren't disbanding but you never know. I just want to be able to attend one of their concerts before they do disband for good Q_Q

but I wish them the best of luck and all the happiness in world and I hope they are all able to achieve whatever it is they want during this break and I reeeeaallly hope they come back one day :3 we'll be here waiting! <3 and even if they don’t come back and disband I respect their decision and wish the best for them for the future!

Thanks for everything arashi! 💙❤️💚💛💜

1/28/19

Being on the other side of the world,  I wake up every morning with the hope of seeing a new solo project announcement by Ohchan. He hasn’t announced any new projects since summer of 2016. I look forward to the day where he would be in the center of the 5 again, being cheered by the rest of Arashi and the fans. I waited patiently amidst rumors of all sorts of varieties. Little did I know, that when this day does come, it is to announce the group’s hiatus and specifically his retirement.

I was in disbelief at first, trying to comprehend what is going on. The entire day yesterday, I read whatever information I could, and watched whatever clips that were accessible to me. I didn’t want to listen to any Arashi song - just yet, I wasn’t ready - I needed to straighten things out in my mind. But when I heard 君のうた by chance, my tears raced down my cheeks uncontrollably especially at Ohno’s solo.

After a night’s sleep, I woke up in sadness. As I continue to digest all the information available, I have developed mixed and complicated feelings about this entire ordeal. It’s not as simple as whether I am happy for them or whether I am positive about them coming back. I see a lot of love, a lot of respect, a lot of courage, but at the same time some agony, some loneliness, some sadness... in short, it’s not a black or white feeling. It’s not grey either. It’s a rainbow of colors of feeling.