Kis-My-Ft2 (キスマイフットツー, Kisu Mai Futto Tsū, "Kiss My Foot Two") is a six-member Japanese boy band under Starto Entertainment. They are known for their performances on roller skates.[2][3]
The group is named after one letter of each member's initials and after "the anecdote that tap dancer Gregory Hines kissed the shoe of esteemed Sammy Davis Jr..[4]
The group was formed in 26 July 2005 when they were trainees (Johnny's Jr.)[5] and debuted on 10 August 2011.[6]
In January 2022, Kis-My-Ft2 moved from label Avex Trax to MENT Recording. MENT Recording was a newly established joint label between Avex Entertainment and Johnny & Associates. Other Johnny's group under Avex Trax, Snow Man, moved to MENT Recording as well.[9][10]
While they were trainees (Johnny's Jr.), "Kis-My-Ft.", to which Taisuke Fujigaya, Hiromitsu Kitayama, and Wataru Yokoo Kyohei Iida belonged, and "A.B.C-Jr.", to which Yuta Tamamori, Toshiya Miyata, Kento Senga, and Takashi Nikaido belonged, combined to form Kis-My-Ft2.[5] The group started its activities at the "Summery 2005" event held on 26 July 2005, at Stellar ball in Aqua Park Shinagawa.[11][12] The group name came from the first letter of each of their family names: Kitayama, Iida, Senga, Miyata, Yokoo, Fujigaya, Tamamori and Nikaido (ni being Japanese for the number two). They performed as an eight-member group until the end of March 2006 when Iida departured Johnny & Associates.[15] The intention of the group was to model off Johnny & Associates's senior popular group Hikaru Genji, and cover their songs with roller skates performances.[16]
In 2008, they held their first solo concerts (along with A.B.C-Z) at Yokohama Arena and
Yoyogi National Gymnasium and planned further performances.[17] In 2009, they appeared in Playzone 2009: A Letter From The Sun together with their seniors Hiroki Uchi and Tomoyuki Yara. This performance had previously been performed by Shonentai every year since 1986.[18] In 2010, they performed concerts under the title Kis-My-Ft ni 010 aeru de show (Kis-My-Ftに010 逢えるde Show).[19] That year also marked their commercial messaging (CM) debut.[20] They got to do CM for Dwango (company), where they also released two digital singles: "Fire Beat" and "Inori". In September of the same year, they appeared in the musical Boys: Prison without Bars with A.B.C-Z.[21] It is said that Johnny Kitagawa decided to debut them after seeing this production.[22] Yokoo and Nikaido were not cast and appeared with five members. It is said that Kitagawa had originally planned to have them debut with five members, but after discussions with the members, it was decided that they would debut with seven members.[23]
From 28 December 2010 to 12 February 2011, they held their third live tour Kis-My-Ft ni Aeru de Show vol.3 (Kis-My-Ftに逢えるde Show vol.3) in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo. On the final day, 12 February, at the afternoon performance held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, it was announced that they would be making their CD debut on avex in May of the same year.[24][26]
2011: Debut
Their debut was originally scheduled for May,[27] but due to the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the CD release date was postponed to the following summer.[28]
On 10 August 2011, they released their debut single Everybody Go.[29] This was released domestically and in Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.[28] The event was held on 10 August at Yebisu garden place in Tokyo, where the members of Kis-My-Ft2 appeared wearing white jackets and riding in a red convertible car.[30][31] They sang their debut song Everybody Go and were congratulated by the approximately 12,000 fans who had gathered.[31] After this event, they appeared on SMAP×SMAP, the signature program of the then nationally popular group SMAP, and were congratulated on their debut by the members of SMAP, the senior members of Johnny & Associates.[32] Looking back on the day, they later said that it was the most nerve-wracking experience of their lives when they appeared on SMAP×SMAP.[32]
To celebrate their debut, Kis-My-Ft2 Debut Tour 2011 Everybody Go was held from July to August 2011. At the Yokohama Arena concert on 29 July, it was announced that an additional show would be held at Tokyo Dome on 28 August,[33] making it the fastest in history to perform at Tokyo Dome within 18 days of their CD debut.[33]
In October, They became a regular on Fuji TV travel variety show "Moshi Mo Tours" with the comedy duo Kyaeen and others,[34] and continued to appear regularly until the show ended in September 2022.[35]
On 26 October 2011, the group released two concert DVDs: Kis-My-Ft2 ni Aeru de Show vol.3 and Kis-My-Ft2 Debut Tour 2011 Everybody Go.[36] On 14 December, the group released their second single We Never Give Up!.[37]
2012: Kis-My-1st
On 21 March, the group released their third single She! Her! Her!.[38] The single was used as Glicochewing gum "Watering Kiss Mint Gum" commercial song.[39] They released in two different versions with various promotional materials; regular version and female version.[40] In the female version, a photo of a member dressed as a woman became the cover photo. A TV commercial featuring the cross-dressing version was also aired and received a great response.[41] It topped the Oricon Weekly Single ranking with 193,000 copies sold.[42] On the day of release, they held a surprise event in Osaka.[43] They appeared on a cruise ship on Dōtonbori canal, which runs through the center of town, and performed new songs, including "She! Her! Her!".[43] The location is also famous for its large Glico Company sign.[44][45]
On 28 March, the group released their first album Kis-My-1st with various limited editions containing promotional materials.[46] The variety show Hama Kiss began regular broadcasts on TV Asahi in April.[47]
The group further promoted the album with a national tour Kis-My-Ft2 Kis-My-Mint Tour from March 31 to June 6.[48] When a large balloon floating above the venue popped, the members suspended from inside appeared on stage while flying through the air, creating quite a sensation. This concert tour drew a record 260,000 people.[49]
Their 4th single Wanna Beeee!!!/Shake It Up was released on 15 August.[50] "Wanna Beeee!!!" is the theme song for the TBS Television drama Beginners! starring Kitayama and Fujigaya.[51] "Shake It Up" is the theme song for the drama TV drama Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou in which Miyata appears.[52] This work was made into a movie, in which Tamamori also appeared.[53][54]
Their 5th single Ai no Beat was released on 14 November,[55] and sold 259,000 copies on Oricon in its first week.[56]
Two music videos were made for this song: a dance version and a rock version.[57]
The live tour Good Live Tour Ikuze! was held from 3 May to 25 August in six cities nationwide, the number of spectators exceeded one million in the 94th solo concert.[63] They used for this concert a special device with a 120-inch LED panel that was used at Bon Jovi concert in 2010. This device was named "Kis-My-Ft2's Arm" and six units were prepared. They rode on this device to the delight of the audience.[64]
Their namesake variety show Kis-My-Busaiku!? (キスマイBUSAIKU!?), which program has been broadcast irregularly since 2012, began regular broadcasting on Fuji TV from 22 April.[65]
On 19 July, the group's first book Hadaka no Jidai (Shueisha), which includes their long interviews, was released and sold 74,000 copies in the first week.[66] 8th single A Miracle with You, which is the theme song for TBS Television drama Pin to Kona starring Tamamori, was released on 14 August.[67]
On 13 November, the 9th single Snow Dome no Yakusoku/Luv Sick was released.[68] The live "Snow Dome no Yakusoku IN Tokyo Dome In Osaka Dome" were held from 15 November to 15 December.[69] On 15 November, the first day of the concert, Masahiro Nakai, a member of SMAP, made a surprise appearance as a back-up dancer with a group of young trainees as part of a TV program.[70] At this concert, Busaiku, a newly formed group produced by Nakai, sang their debut song, "A Gift from Heaven".[70] On 29 January of the following year, the live DVD Snow Dome no Yakusoku IN Tokyo Dome 2013.11.16 was released.[71]
From 5 July to 9 November, they held a four-dome tour called 2014 Concert Tour Kis-My-Journey in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Tokyo. They were the fastest male artists in history to perform concerts in four dome venues in their third year of debut.[77] At this concert, the seven members appeared suspended from a giant balloon, named "Kis-My-Ft2 Balloon," which was 24-metre (79 ft) in diameter and weighed 2.5 tons in total, to the delight of the audience.[78]
On 13 August, the 11th single Another Future was released. This is the theme song for the drama series The Knife and the Sword in which Tamamori stars.[79] On 24 December, they released their 12th single Thank You!.[80]
On the Oricon chart dated 5 January of the following year, it sold 436,000 copies in its initial run, reaching No. 1 for the week, setting a new personal record for its highest initial sales.[81] The group ranked fourth in Japan by total sales revenue, with ¥5.258 billion.[82]
On 1 July, their 4th original album Kis-My-World was released.[84] The live tour 2015 Concert Tour Kis-My-World was held from 29 August to 29 October.[85] This was their second four-dome tour following the previous year. At the beginning of the concert, they performed named "Home Run Flying," in which they were suspended from near the home base of the dome all the way up to the ceiling.[86] This concert featured duo songs from the album.[87] The climax of the second half of the concert was a firework display in which They sang and danced to up-tempo songs such as "Eternal Mind" while a pillar of fire went up violently.[88][90] On 20 January of the following year, the live DVD & Blu-ray Disc 2015 Concert Tour Kis-My-World was released.[91]
Their 16th single Gravity was released on 16 March. This is the theme song for the Nippon TV drama Mars starring Fujigaya.[94]
On 22 June, their 5th original album I Scream was released. The album included solo songs by seven members.[95] Starting 1 July, they held their 4-dome tour Kis-My-Ft2 Concerr Tour 2016 I Scream for the third consecutive year.[96] These concerts included spectacles such as a 20-metre (66 ft) plunge at the beginning of the concert. The seven members also performed their solo songs. During the encore large water jet named "Kis-My-Ft2 Jet" spewed 2-ton water, and all the members sang and danced while getting soaked.[96][99] At the Tokyo Dome performance held on 4 August, the audience reached 2 million people on the 5th anniversary of their debut, the fastest in their agent (Johnny & Associates) history.[100]
Their 17th single Sha la la Summer Time was released on 24 August.[101] On 21 December, the live DVD/Blu-ray Disc Concert Tour 2016 I Scream was released.[102]
From 13 May to 27 August, the group held their first arena tour in four years, Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2017 Music Colosseum, and the total number of spectators since his debut exceeded 2.5 million.[106] The concert featured "Kis-My-Ft2 Chandelier," in which the seven members gathered on glowing roller skates to dance and shine, and "Kis-My-Ft2 Air Walker," in which the seven members appeared to be floating in the air while singing "One Kiss," which brought excitement to the audience.[107] Live DVD/Blu-ray Live Tour 2017 Music Colosseum was released on 31 January of the following year.[108]
A tourism campaign to promote Kumamoto and Ōita Prefecture affected by the previous year's 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes was planned by Kyushu Railway Company and started on 1 July as "Kis-My-Ft2 Kumamoto and Ōita" to promote the recovery from the earthquake.[109] Sightseeing commercials featuring them were broadcast, and "Kis-My-Ft2 Shinkansen" and "Kis-My-Ft2 Sonic" with their photos printed on them ran through the Kyushu region.[110][111]
On 25 April, they released their 7th original album Yummy!! and the limited edition single You & Me at the same time.[115] Their 21st single Love was released on 11 July.[116]
From 5 May to 16 July, they held their first 5 major dome tour Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2018 Yummy!! you & me.[117] It mobilized a total of 574,000 people, and the total number of people who attended since its debut exceeded 3 million.[118] At this concert, the members wearing roller skates performed a new move called "Kis-My-Ft2 Merry-Go-Round," in which they gathered in one place and spun around on roller skates in the new song "Love". In "BreakTheChain," they performed "Kis-My-Ft2 Conveyor," in which they danced on a conveyor belt.[119] On 16 July, at the Seibu Dome performance, the final show of the tour, each member gave a speech of thanks to the fans in commemoration of the 7th anniversary.[120] Furthermore, in December, an additional performance called Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2018 You＆Me Extra Yummy!! was held. The total number of live performances for the year was a career high of 774,000 people.[121]
Their 22nd single You, me. was released on 3 October.[122]
From October, Kis-My-Ft2 has been in charge of Nippon Broadcasting System's All Night Nippon Premium, a weekly two-hour live broadcast with two to three members.[123]All Night Nippon Premium, was broadcast every weekend from October to March, when there were no professional baseball night games, and they were in charge until the end of March 2021.[124][125]
They became MCs for 44th Radio Charity Musicthon, Nippon Broadcasting System's year-end radio program to send traffic lights to the blind,[126] and raised 88,158,161 yen through a 24-hour live radio broadcast.[127] During the live broadcast, Masahiro Nakai, a senior member of their agent, suddenly entered the studio and joined the program.[126]
2019: Free Hugs! and overseas activities
Their 23rd single I love you was released on 6 February. This song is the theme song for the movie Tora-san starring Kitayama.[128]
The variety show "Kis-My Doki Doki" began on dTV (Lemino) distribution in February.[129] It was their namesake program and lasted until 30 April 2021.[130] It was the number one original program viewing ranking on dTV (Lemino) in 2019.[131]
They became the fourth MC of NHK's variety and music show The Shounen Club Premium in April. They were handed the baton by their senior group NEWS,[132] and served until March 2023.[133]
On 24 April, they released their 8th original album Free Hugs!. The music video for Hug & Walk on YouTube, the album's signature song, was shot in Singapore. This is the first time they have shot a music video overseas.[134]
They held a 5-dome tour Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2019 Free Hugs! from 6 May to 14 July.[135] The tour featured new solo songs by all seven members. The tour drew a total of 591,000 people to 13 shows in 5 cities. In the 8th year since their debut, the total number of visitors for the tour exceeded 4 million.[136] On 9 July, office president Johnny Kitagawa passed away and the funeral was held on 12 July,[137] but they held their concert in Osaka as planned.[138] This live tour has been distributed on YouTube as "Kis-My-Ft2 Webfes" since 2020.[139]
Their 24th single Hands Up was released on 10 July.[140]
Their 25th single Edge of Days was released on 13 November.[141] This song is the theme song for TV Tokyo drama Million Joe, starring Kitayama.
On 30 November, they appeared at Asia Fashion Award 2019 in Taipei, their first overseas performance.[142][143]
Continuing from last year, he served as MC for Nippon Broadcasting System's annual year-end radio program, 45th Radio Charity Musicthon,[144] raising 90,575,273 yen during the 24-hour live radio broadcast.[145] This was the second consecutive year that this fundraising amount broke the previous record for the highest amount raised in this century.[146]
On 31 December, eight years after their debut, they made their first appearance on the national music programme 70th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and performed their debut song "Everybody Go".[147][148]
2020: To-y2 and impact of COVID-19
On 25 March, their 9th original album To-y2 was released.[149] It was announced that a tour titled Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2020 To-y2 would be held from 9 April to 7 June[150] but due to the spread of COVID-19, all scheduled performances were cancelled.[151][152] Participated in the 75-member limited-time unit Twenty twenty (Twenty★Twenty), whose formation was announced on 13 May as part of the Smile Up! Project, a support activity to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection by a group affiliated with Johnny & Associates. The single Smile was released on 12 August.[153]
On 21 September, a three-hour live variety show Kis-My-Ft2 10th Anniversary Can You Do It? was broadcast on TV Asahi to commemorate their soon-to-be 10th anniversary.[155]
The streaming live Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2020 To-y2 was held on Johnny's net online[156] on 3 and 4 October. The live performance was the first in history to be live-streamed from Tokyo Dome without an audience.[157] At this concert, they performed their latest single Endless Summer live for the first time from 155-metre (509 ft) above the ground on the roof of the Tokyo Dome Hotel adjacent to Tokyo Dome as an encore.[158]
Together with their agent's junior group SixTones, they served as MC for Nippon Broadcasting System's annual year-end radio program 46th Radio Charity Musicthon,[164] raising 90,586,533 yen in 24 hours of live broadcasting.[165] This surpassed the previous and previous fundraising totals, and also broke the previous record for the third year in a row for the highest amount raised this century.[166]
The 27th single Luv Bias was released on 24 February. This is the theme song for the TBS Television (Japan) drama Oh My Boss! Love not included, which was appeared Tamamori.[168] From 14 to 16 May, a live streaming concert Kis-My-Ft2 Live Tour 2021 Home was held at Belluna Dome.[169][170] The concert featured a light and fountain production of "Luv Bias," the theme song of the drama Oh My Boss! Love not included, using a total of approximately 120 tons of water over three days to create 249 fountains surrounding the stage that rose to a height of 13-metre (43 ft).[171][172]
On 3 August, "Kis-My-Ft2's All Night Nippon," in which Kis-My-Ft2 serves as a special personality, was broadcast on Nippon Broadcasting System on 3 March. Kis-My-Ft2 has been in charge of "Kis-My-Ft2's All Night Nippon Premium" from 7 pm from 2018 to 2020, but this is the first time for the group to have all members in charge of "All Night Nippon" from 1 am.[173]
On 10 August, the 10th anniversary of their CD debut, they released their best album Best of Kis-My-Ft2.[174] The album included all the singles and music videos up to that point, but the songs and videos other than the singles were voted on by the fans.[175] To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Kis-My-Ft2's songs will be available on Line Music from 10 August. The release will consist of all single songs and songs from the best album Best of Kis-My-Ft2, for a total of 66 songs, making this the first time that Kis-My-Ft2 has made a subscription distribution.
On 11 August, the seven members of the group held a live radio broadcast of "Kis-My-Ft2 Radio 2.5 Hour Special" to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. It was a novel project in which the members assembled mini 4WD cars and raced them on the radio.[176]
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the variety show Kis-My-Ft2 Time Tunnel was distributed on dTV (Lemino). The show was a four-part series that looked back on Kis-My-Ft2's 10 years of debut, quizzed each other, and talked with each other.[177]
From July to September, Kitayama starred in the TV Tokyo drama Just Not Divorced. The 28th single Fear/So Blue, which includes the theme song "Fear", was released on 15 September.[178]
On 8 December, they won the Hottest People Award (2021年 話題の人賞 アイドル部門) in the idol category at Line News Awards 2021.[179]
2022: Kitayama's decision and discussion
As the spread of COVID-19 infection had come under control, Johnny & Associates was gradually resuming concerts with audiences starting in the spring of 2021.[180]
From 15 January to 10 April, they held their first arena tour in five years, Kis-My-Ft ni Aeru de Show 2022.[181] It was their first live performance with an audience in three years.[182] From July to December, Tamamori starred in the drama for two consecutive seasons.[183] 29th single Two as One was released on 17 August. This is the theme song of the TV Asahi drama Nice Flight!.[184] 30th single Omoibana was released on 14 December. This song is the theme song of Nippon Television drama Patient Chart Prayer.[185]
From 21 May to 11 August, they held their first 5-dome tour in three years, Kis-My-Ft ni Aeru de Show 2022 in Dome.[186][187] A new song, "Two as One", was performed for the first time on the first day of Tokyo Dome concert on 2 July. The lighting was designed to resemble an aeroplane runway, in keeping with the drama Nice Flight! in which Yuta Tamamori was starring.[188][189]
This tour, which was held to commemorate Kis-My-Ft2 10th anniversary since their debut, attracted over 700,000 people (536,000 people for the dome tour only) including the arena tour and dome tour.[190]
Their activities seemed to be going well, however, it was later revealed that Kitayama had confessed his intention to leave the group in the fall, and that the members had continued to discuss the matter since then.[191] Fujigaya later said on his radio Peaceful days of Taisuke Fujigaya that disbanding the group was an option.[192]
2023: Tomoni and Kitayama's departure
On 26 January 2023, Wataru Yokoo announced his marriage.[193] On 3 May, the music video for the new song Sweet Melody was released on YouTube.[194] This is the theme song for the movie Otona Najimi. Nikaido made a special appearance in this movie.
In June, it was reported that Hiromitsu Kitayama would graduate from Kis-My-Ft2 and leave Johnny & Associates on 31 August.[8] They released a special single Tomoni (the title has two meanings: "to be together" and "to be friends")[195] exclusively at xxxxx.pop up store on 3 August. The lyrics of this song were written by all Kis-My-Ft2 members.[196] Their namesake TV variety show Kisumai Busaiku!? (キスマイBUSAIKU!?), which had been running since 2012, was decided to end at September due to Kitayama's departure.[197] In September, Kitayama transferred to the new agency TOBE, led by Hideaki Takizawa, and began his solo career as a singer.[198]
Kis-My-Ft2, with the remaining six members, held an arena tour called Kis-My-Ft2 For Dear Life from October 2023 to February 2024.[199]
2024: Synopsis and relaunched with six members
On 3 January 2024, they released their 31st single Heartbreaker / C'monova, their first single as a six-member.[200]
On 15 February they finished their arena tour Kis-My-Ft2 -For dear life- at Yoyogi National Gymnasium. This tour started in October the previous year and drew 265,000 people to 26 shows in 8 cities across Japan.[201] At this concert, during the song "Chudoku", the members of the band surprised fans by flying through the air on chairs and then turning upside down, just like in the video.[202] The final concert was held at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. It was the first time in 13 years that they had held a concert at Yoyogi National Gymnasium since 12 February 2011, when their debut was announced.[202] On the last day, a surprise video was delivered to the members by the staff. It was a video of thank you messages from fans to the members of Kis-My-Ft2, secretly collected during the concert tour. The members were in tears as they received the gratitude from the fans.[202]
With their original album Synopsis released in May, the group held the Kis-My-Ft2 Dome Tour 2024 Synopsis in Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya starting in 8 June. The concept of this concert tour is "game".[203] A total of approximately 335,000 people are expected to attend the concerts in the three locations.[204] In their previous dome tours, trainees (junior) who are junior members of the office have been used as back-up dancers. But for this tour, professional dancers including 14 women were used as back-up dancers to perform dynamic dance routines for the first time.[205] Their concerts are known for their extensive use of stage effects, a total of 3,805 special effects called "sparkular jets," which look like fire pillars, and "fireballs," which look like shooting fireballs, were used per performance at this concert.[206] During the Tamamori-produced song "Wani-Wani," 2,895 special effects were shot off during one song, making them seem as if they were dancing among the fireworks.[205] A 17 meters (56 ft)-high "super crane" was also used,[204] which the members rode one by one and approached stands of the dome to please their fans.[206]
On September 15, It was announced that Nikaido would take a temporary hiatus due to health problems.[207]
Variety Show Activities
Michi Iijima, Manager in Charge
Focus on variety shows
In discussing their activities in variety shows, one must mention Michi Iijima, who was once the manager in charge of Kis-My-Ft2 and SMAP. She is said to be the person who nurtured SMAP,[208] an unpopular group when it first debuted at Johnny & Associates, into a nationally popular group.[209] In the past, idols were limited to appearing in music shows and dramas.[209] She actively promoted SMAP members to appear on variety shows and perform with comedians to increase their name recognition among the general public, and succeeded in developing SMAP into a popular group.[209] After Kis-My-Ft2 debuted, she became the manager in charge of the group and used the same method to make them focus on variety shows. In the beginning, members of Kis-My-Ft2 often appeared as guests on programs in which SMAP appeared.[210]SMAP and Kis-My-Ft2, led by manager Iijima, were called the "Iijima team" by the mass media at the time,[211][212] and were often compared to other groups such as Arashi, managed by vice president Julie Keiko Fujishima.[211] The members of Kis-My-Ft2 gained experience in working with SMAP and in variety shows such as their show "Hamakiss," which led to more TV appearances.[213][214]
Iijima later had a falling out with Yasuko Mary Kitagawa, sister of Johnny & Associates president Johnny Kitagawa, and left the company in 2016,[215][216][217] and SMAP disbanded that same year.[218] Although the manager in charge changed and SMAP disbanded, the relationship between Kis-My-Ft2 and SMAP members,[219][220] especially Masahiro Nakai, has continued since then. Members of Kis-My-Ft2 have continued to appear on TV shows hosted by Masahiro Nakai who is an active individual.[221][222][223]
"Front three" and "Back four"
Iijima is known as SMAP's astute manager, but for Kis-My-Ft2, her sales techniques are controversial. She actively promoted Yuta Tamamori, Taisuke Fujigaya, and Hiromitsu Kitayama, known as the "front three," to raise awareness of their seven-member group.[224] In music videos, the "front three" and the "back four" wore different colors of costumes,[225] and the "back four" sometimes wore black costumes like the back dancers.[224] The "back four" were not treated well, and even in music shows they were forced to wear modest costumes and sometimes were made to dance behind the trainees who danced in the background.[226] Compared to the "front three" who continued to star in dramas, they had little individual work. SMAP member Masahiro Nakai took notice of the "back four" in this situation and he himself produced and formed a group called Busaiku.[227] Now that Iijima has left, this blatant difference in treatment had gradually disappeared,[228] but the members do not speak fondly of those days, referring to them as the "disparity era".[224][225] This distinction between the "front three" and "back four" costume colors would remain for some time, and can be seen until the music video for the 20th single, Red fruits, released in November 2017.
Variety show on TV Asahi
Since their debut, they have appeared in many so-called physical variety shows, including Hama Kiss.[229]Hama Kiss is a TV Asahi late-night show in which members who have just debuted apprentice themselves to popular veteran comedian Masaru Hamaguchi and learn the ropes of variety shows.[47] The show's selling point was its physical projects, and Kis-My-Ft2 members tried out one project after another, which was unlike those of idols. One example of a harsh project was a project where seven people had to eat 1,000 rice crackers.[230] They were forbidden to eat anything other than crackers, which varied in size and hardness, and some of the crackers were so hot that they found it hard to keep eating, with some members starting fights, cutting the inside of their mouths and swelling their cheeks.[231] Other projects included getting face close to a crocodile, eating insects and bungee jumping while filming.[231] The programme began on 29 December 2011 on an irregular basis and became a regular programme on 4 April 2012. The show became so popular that the name of the programme was then changed, but the programme by Kis-My-Ft2 and Masaru Hamaguchi continued until September 2014.[232] After that, Kis-My-Ft2 programme continued on TV Asahi. Since October 2017, the partners have been the comedy duo Sandwichman.[233] The program included a project in which Kis-My-Ft2 members would buy 100,000-yen Lottery tickets and examine each one to see if it was a winner on the day of the event, sometimes winning a large sum.[234] The program gained popularity and air in primetime from April 2019 as Can we do it for 100,000 yen?.[235][236]
Kis-My-Busaiku!?
Their namesake variety show Kis-My-Busaiku!?, which program has been broadcast irregularly since 2012, began regular broadcasting on Fuji TV from April 2013.[65] Busaiku means "ugly" or "not so cool". When they first debuted, a search for their group name showed the negative word "Busaiku" in the search engine's predictions.[237] This is where the name of the programme came from. This was also unusual for an idol at the time.[238] In this program, members of Kis-My-Ft2 come up with "words and gestures that women think are cool," perform them in various romantic situations, have women rate them, and rank them. The cool lines they came up with were sometimes harshly criticized or laughed at mercilessly by the women, and because this was a rare project for an idol variety show at the time, it became a popular program.[239] The programme changed its airtime to late night in 2017,[240] but continued until Hiromitsu Kitayama's departure in September 2023.[241]
Group activities
TV Variety show
Regular appearances by the group
NHK
The Shounen Club (2005 – 2012, NHK BS Premium) – until the 5 August 2011 episode, the members appeared under the name of Johnny's Jr.
The Shounen Club Premium (April 2019 – March 2023, NHK BS Premium) – MC[242][243]
TV Asahi
Hama Kiss (one-off: 29 December 2011 and 23 March 2012, regular: 4 April – 26 September 2012)[244]
Kiss Hama Learning / Kiss Hama Learning 2 / Kiss Hama Learning 3 (3 October 2012 – 26 March 2014)
Kiss Hama TV (1 April 2014 – 24 September 2014)
Kis-My-Ft2 presents Office Learning Variety OL Club (30 September 2014 – 25 March 2015)[245]
Upgrading that game! Kis-My-Game (31 March 2015 – 30 September 2015)
Kis-My-Magic (7 October 2015 – 28 September 2016,)[246]
Kis-Mileage (5 October 2016 – 27 September 2017)[247]
Can we do it for 100,000 yen? (100,000 Yen de Dekirukana）(4 October 2017 -)[248]
Fuji Television
Kis-My-Busaiku!? (one-off: 18 August and 1 September,[249] 2012 January 26, 23 February and 23 March 2013; regular: 21 April – 18 September 2017[250]) → Kiss My Super BUSAIKU! (6 October 2017 – 29 September 2023)[251]
Moshi Mo Tours (1 October 2011 – 24 September 2022) – Several members appeared with Hannya, who also appeared regularly on the show, in rotation each week.
TBS Television
Kis-My-Fake (24 October 2013 – 20 March 2014)
Some members appear
Black and White Judge Variety: Masahiro Nakai's Library of Suspicious Rumors (4 October 2011 – 19 March 2013, TV Asahi) – Several members appeared on the show one by one.
Tokai Region no Kototo Narunaru Chikara Chosashimasu! (26 April 2012 – 20 September 2012, Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting, Chukyo local) – several members appeared on the program
Masahiro Nakai Presents: Library of Concern (11 September 2017 – 11 March 2019, TV Asahi)
Go! Go! NinJapon (Season 1: Jan. 2018 – end of broadcast, Season 2: Jan. 2019 – end of broadcast, Season 3: Jan. 2020 – end of broadcast, co-produced by eight local Japan News Network-affiliated stations) – Two of Yokoo, Miyata, Nikaido, and Senga appear in rotation.[252]
Prevato! (Mainichi Broadcasting System) – Yokoo, Senga, Kitayama, Miyata, and Nikaido appear irregularly in the haiku corner.
TV Special Programs
FNS 27-Hour TV Festival! ( 23 and 24 July 2016, Fuji TV) – MC Relay[253]
Kis-My-Ft2 10th Anniversary Can You Do It? (21 September 2020, TV Asahi) – MC Relay- TV Asahi[254]
Streaminged programs
Kis-My Doki Doki (8 February 2019 – 30 April 2021, Lemino(dTV))[255]
Kis-My Time Tunnel (10 August 2021 – 3 September 2021, Lemino(dTV))[256]
Kis-My Doki Doki! presents "Shabekuru Kiss Night" (26 January 2022 – 9 February 2022 [3 episodes], Lemino(dTV))[257][258]
Takizawa Kabuki (8 April – 8 May 2011, Nissay Theatre) – Yokoo, Senga, Miyata, Nikaido
Teigeki Johnnys Imperial Theatre Special "Kis-My-Ft2 with Johnny's Jr." ( 27–29 September 2011, Imperial Theatre)[270]
Johnny's Ginza You no Mae ni Me ga Mae ni iru! ( 27–30 April 2012, Theater Creation) – Senga, Miyata, Nikaido, Yokoo[271]
Youtube
They opened an official YouTube channel on 10 April 2022 and released their music videos.[272] Since September 2023, they have been distributing variety videos every Saturday.
Format: 3CD+2DVD or Blu-ray (Limited Edition A), 3CD+DVD or Blu-ray (Limited Edition B), 2CD+DVD or Blu-ray (Regular Edition), and 2CD+GOODS (Seven Net Limited Edition)
^ abReferences for Gaon: "Everybody Go",[291]Kis-My-1st.[292] References for Gaon Overseas: "Everybody Go",[293]Kis-My-1st.[293]
^The G-Music chart was established in July 2005 and only archives the top 20 releases.
^Position was taken from 2012 week 13 for Kis-My-1st, 2013 week 15 for Good Ikuze.
^Position was taken from 2014 week 12 for Kis-My-1st and Good Ikuze, 2014 week 41 for Kis-My-Journey.
^Position was taken from 2011 week 33 for "Everybody Go", 2011 week 51 for "We Never Give Up", 2012 week 12 for "She Her Her", 2012 week 34 for "Wanna Beeee!!!/Shake It Up", 2012 week 46 for "Ai no Beat", 2014 week 10 for "My Resistance", 2014 week 12 for "Ki su u ma i (Kiss Your Mind)/SOS (Smile On Smile)", 2013 week 33 for "Kimi to no Kiseki", 2013 week 47 for "Snow Dome no Yakusoku/Luv Sick".
^Iida was said to have quit Johnny & Associates to focus on his studies,[13] but in 2023 he appeared before the media and claimed that sexual abuse from Johnny Kitagawa had caused him to quit.[14]
^At this time, in the middle of the on-stage banter, the members received a surprise letter from the president, Johnny Kitagawa. The letter, which was in a brown envelope, stated that their debut had been decided, so fans still refer to this day as 'brown envelope day'.[25]
^"Jewellumination". Yomiuriland (in Japanese). 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
^This water discharge system has been installed at Yomiuriland since 2021 and is used as part of the equipment for the "Jewellumination" winter illumination event.[97][98]
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2011年8月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (August 2011)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 September 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2011年12月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (December 2011)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 January 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2012年8月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (March 2012)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 September 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2012年11月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (November 2012)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 December 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2013年2月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (February 2013)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 March 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2013年8月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (August 2013)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 September 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2013年11月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (November 2013)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 December 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2011年10月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (October 2011)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 November 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2012年6月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (June 2012)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
^ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2014年1月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (January 2014)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). 10 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
