Kanjani8

Kanjani8 (関ジャニ∞ (エイト)) is a seven member idol group under Johnny's Entertainment. Their record company is Teichiku Entertainment.

October 2007 (L-R Third Row) Maruyama Ryuhei, Murakami Shingo. (L-R Second Row) Shibutani Subaru, Yasuda Shota, Yokoyama Yu. (L-R Front) Nishikido Ryo, Ohkura Tadayoshi.

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October 2007 (L-R Third Row) Maruyama Ryuhei, Murakami Shingo. (L-R Second Row) Shibutani Subaru, Yasuda Shota, Yokoyama Yu. (L-R Front) Nishikido Ryo, Ohkura Tadayoshi.

March 2008

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March 2008

Autumn 2004 (L-R Back) Maruyama Ryuhei, Yokoyama Yu, Uchi Hiroki, Ohkura Tadayoshi. (L-R Front) Murakami Shingo, Yasuda Shota, Shibutani Subaru, Nishikido Ryo

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Autumn 2004 (L-R Back) Maruyama Ryuhei, Yokoyama Yu, Uchi Hiroki, Ohkura Tadayoshi. (L-R Front) Murakami Shingo, Yasuda Shota, Shibutani Subaru, Nishikido Ryo

Members

• Yokoyama Yu (横山裕)
• Shibutani Subaru (渋谷すばる)
• Murakami Shingo (村上信五)
• Maruyama Ryuhei (丸山隆平)
• Yasuda Shota (安田章大)
• Nishikido Ryo (錦戸亮)
• Ohkura Tadayoshi (大倉忠義)

Uncertain

• Uchi Hiroki (内博貴)

Information

In December, 2002 the group was created out of members of Kansai Juniors. At the time, the 7 members were appearing on the TV program "J3 KANSAI" on Kansai TV. In the Kansai area, Kansai TV is on channel 8, so Kitagawa Johnny added another member, Ohkura Tadayoshi, to match the channel number. Shortly after their formation, they held their first concert, titled "Kanjani8 Xmas Party 2002" at the Osaka Shouchikuza theater, where they performed their first song as an 8-member group, "Do you agree?"

On August 25th, 2004 they released their first single, Naniwa Iroha Bushi which was first limited to the Kansai area but later (September 22nd) was released nationally as well. The limited-release CD debuted at a record #1 on the Oricon Enka chart, and a #8 on the overall chart. The nationwide release reached #1 on both the enka and overall charts. At this time, the numerical "8" in their name was turned onto its side and made into an infinity symbol (∞).

The members are known for being very close, possibly even the closest in all of Johnny's, shown by their annual barbecues and birthday celebrations together.

In concerts they have been known to dress up as "Kanjani Sentai 8 Ranger" and do skits. Their ranger outfits of course are in their image colors.

In 2005, Uchi Hiroki was suspended from all activities with Kanjani8 due to an underaged drinking incident. Other than a part in the musical PLAYZONE, Uchi had remained away from the public eye. In 2007 he was brought onstage during a Kanjani8 concert where the members welcomed him back as a member of their unit, although there was no official statement at the time.

In January 2008, Uchi Hiroki officially graduated from his "trainee" status. It is uncertain whether Uchi will return as a member of Kanjani8, but in the meantime he will pursue solo activities. Uchi starred in a dorama called Isshun no Kaze ni Nare, along with Nishikido Ryo.

Sub-units

3BAKA (Yokoyama, Shibutani, Murakami)

• Before the formation of Kanjani8, these three members were often grouped together with this name.
• "Baka" is Japanese for "stupid, moron" and so on.

San Kyoudai (Yuu, Chipa, Baru)

• "San Kyoudai" means "Three Brothers," so the three members act as brothers. Yuu (Yokoyama) is the eldest, Chipa (Yasuda) is the middle, and Baru (Shibutani) is the youngest. (In reality, Shibutani is older than Yasuda.)
• Their first performance was at the 2003 Xmas Party concert.
• The lyrics are written by Yuu, the music by Chipa, and Baru does the vocals.
• Have four songs: Purin (2003), Amechan (2004), Mikan (2004), and Onigishi (2005).
• "Purin" and "Onigishi" appear on Kanjani8's first album, KJ1 F.T.O. "Mikan" is on their 1st DVD, "Excite!!". "Purin" and "Amechan" appear on their 2nd DVD, "Spirits!!". Their 3rd DVD, "Heat up!" is set to contain "Onigishi."

Kanjimi3 (Maruyama, Yasuda, Ohkura)

• The name, which is a play on "Kanjani8" but instead of meaning "Kansai Johnny's 8" it means "Kansai Plain 8" (because the three are often made fun of for being the "plain" members), was chosen by fans through the TV program "8 no Gimon."
• Shibutani renamed them "Ohyamada" though, and they seem to use this name now.
• The "Ohyamada" name comes from Maruyama and Yasuda's unit Yamada (see below), to which "a big person was added." It's not the "Oh" from Ohkura's name, it's because he's a "big person."

Subaru BAND (Shibutani, Maruyama, Yasuda, Ohkura)

• Shibutani sings, Maruyama plays bass, Yasuda plays guitar, and Ohkura plays drums in this rock band-styled unit.
• Their song "ONE" (lyrics by Shibutani, music by Yasuda) appeared in their first two DVDs, as well as their first album KJ1 F.T.O.

Yamada (Maruyama, Yasuda)

• A comedy duo. Maruyama is boke (funny man) and Yasuda is tsukkomi (straight man).
• The name is taken from Maruyama's "yama" and Yasuda's "da," to form a common surname.

V.WEST (Uchi, Maruyama, Yasuda, Ohkura)

• Formerly included members Imayama Tooru, and Mizuno Kiyohito but when they left, Ohkura Tadayoshi was added to play drums.
• They were formed before Kanjani8 and performed on TV as well as had concerts of their own.
• Since the formation of Kanjani8, they've only performed as a unit in Kanjani8 concerts, and not on their own.

Discography

Albums

• [2006.03.15] KJ1 F.T.O (KJ1 F・T・O)
• [2007.06.06] KJ2 Zukkoke Daidassou (KJ2 ズッコケ大脱走)
• [2009.04.15] PUZZLE

Mini-Albums

• [2004.12.15] Kansha ni Eight (感謝＝∞)

Singles

• [2004.08.25] Naniwa Iroha Bushi (浪花いろは節) [Limited]
• [2004.09.22] Naniwa Iroha Bushi (浪花いろは節) [National]
• [2005.03.02] Osaka Rainy Blues (大阪レイニーブルース)
• [2005.09.14] Sukiyanen, Osaka. / Oh! ENKA / Mugendai (好きやねん、大阪。/桜援歌(Oh!ENKA)/無限大)
• [2006.06.07] Osaka Obachan Rock / Osaka Romanesque (∞SAKAおばちゃんROCK/大阪ロマネスク)
• [2006.12.13] Kanfuu Fighting (関風ファイティング)
• [2007.04.11] Zukkoke Otokomichi (ズッコケ男道)
• [2007.10.17] It's My Soul (イッツ マイ ソウル)
• [2008.03.12] Wahaha (ワッハッハー)
• [2008.10.29] Musekinin Hero (無責任ヒーロー)

DVD

• [2005.03.30] Excite!!
• [2005.11.23] Spirits!!
• [2006.06.28] DREAM BOYS
• [2006.09.06] Heat Up!
• [2007.12.12] 47

Compilation / Other

• [2007.10.17] Hattori Ryoichi ~Tanjou 100 Shuunen Kinen Tribute Album~ (#3 Kaimono Boogie) (買い物ブギ)

Works

Television Shows

• J3 KANSAI (ended 2003.03)
• Urajani (ended 2005.03)
• 8 no Gimon (ended 2005.09)
• Honjani (ended 2007.04.25)
• Suka☆J (ended 2007.03.27)
• Mucha Buri (start 2007.04.03)
• Kanjani8 no Janiben (start 2007.05.02)

Radio

• Kanjani8 Yokoyama Yuu & Murakami Shingo no Recomen! (Bunka Housou; Yokoyama and Murakami only)
• Murakami Shingo no Shuukan Kanjani Tsuushin (ABC Radio)
• Kikujani 8 (MBS Radio)

External Links

• Official Website
• Johnny's net