V6

V6 in "Ori★Star" Magazine (2010)

V6 was a six member Japanese pop group belonging to Johnny & Associates and signed to avex trax label. Debuting in 1995, the group has released over 40 singles and 13 albums. Originally a group with a Eurobeat sound, they have progressed into different genres since their debut single "MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE". They officially disbanded on November 2021.

Members

20th Century

• Sakamoto Masayuki (Leader)
• Nagano Hiroshi
• Inohara Yoshihiko

Coming Century

• Morita Go
• Miyake Ken
• Okada Junichi

Informations

Due to their age differences, the six members of V6 were divided up into two subgroups, 20th Century and Coming Century. The group was formed in September 1995 to record the theme song for that year's Volleyball World Cup Relay. Their debut was announced at Roppongi's Velfarre disco and they were quickly picked up by avex trax, a move that would influence the Eurobeat sound they begun with. Their debut single "MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE" debuted at #3 on the Oricon charts. At the time this was considered a impressive position for a newly established group.

In 1997, to raise money for the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, V6 was put into the special unit J-FRIENDS with Kinki Kids and TOKIO. The unit proved to be extremely successful, holding concerts in the prestigous Tokyo Dome.

The group began to expand into Asia in the early 2000s, holding a concert in Taiwan. In 2002, they recorded the song "one" with Shoo of successful Korean pop group S.E.S. In spite of being the first Japanese group to cross over since the ban on Japanese media was lifted in 1998, the group was welcomed into the country with open arms, even being invited to perform at the 2002 Dream Concert. Their Korean fanclub VOICE OF V6 was formed 3 years later.

2005 marked the group's 10th anniversary. They opened up a temporary museum in Shibuya to celebrate and a display at Tower Records. A nationwide handshake event was held, a rare occurrence for Johnny's groups. A year later it was announced that V6's concerts had mobilized at least five million people since their debut.

In 2008, the group held their LIVE TOUR 2008 VIBES concert. For the first time the concept of the tour was left to the members. Okada Junichi was given the opportunity to lead set design and Morita Go was in charge of costume design.

In the fall of 2009, V6 embarked on an Asia Tour, their first in seven years after splitting up into their subgroups months prior to hold nationwide tours. They were also invited to the 2009 Asia Song Festival in Seoul where they received an award. After performing in Taipei and Seoul to crowds of overjoyed fans, they returned to Japan.

Only a months later in February of 2010 gossip tabloid Shukan Bunshun brought news of disbandment, stating that the members wished to head their separate ways. A few days later their agency declared that it was baseless. Member Miyake Ken stated that disbandment was "impossible", and in April V6 kicked off a nationwide tour to celebrate their 15th anniversary. That same year another rumor sparked that the group would finally get to perform at the distinguished Kouhaku Uta Gassen new year show but these rumors were debunked.

In 2011, they kicked off their "V6 Sexy.Honey.Bunny!" tour, with it set to end at Yokohama Arena, a venue the group frequented in their early years. Only a few days later they released their single "Sexy.Honey.Bunny! / Takara no Ishi". For "Sexy.Honey.Bunny!" V6 strayed from their usually complicated choreography and went for moves that could be done in karaoke. Despite both song and PV presenting V6 in a revamped image fans were unfamiliar with, it sold 63,594 copies in its first week thus breaking a streak of decreasing single sales. The PV had also been receiving heavy rotation on popular radio stations and music programs all over the country.

On March 12, 2021, it was announced that the group would be disbanding on November 1, 2021 with Morita to leave Johnny & Associates in Autumn.

Discography

V6 promoting "BEAT YOUR HEART" (1996)

V6 promoting "MILLENNIUM GREETING" (2000)

V6 promoting musicmind (2005)

V6 promoting "Spirit" (2009)

V6 promoting READY? (2010)

Studio Albums

• [1996.08.05] SINCE 1995 ~ FOREVER
• [1997.08.13] NATURE RHYTHM
• [1998.08.05] A JACK IN THE BOX
• [1999.08.18] "LUCKY" 20th Century,Coming Century to be continued...
• [2000.08.09] "HAPPY" Coming Century,20th Century forever
• [2001.08.01] Volume 6
• [2002.07.31] seVen
• [2003.08.06] ∞ INFINITY ~LOVE & LIFE~
• [2005.11.01] musicmind
• [2007.09.12] Voyager
• [2010.03.31] READY?
• [2013.02.20] Oh! My! Goodness!
• [2017.08.09] The ONES

Best Albums

• [2001.01.01] Very best
• [2006.08.02] Very best II
• [2015.07.29] SUPER Very best

Mini-Albums

• [1996.12.02] GREETING
• [1998.02.11] SUPER HEROES

Remix Albums

• [2000.12.xx] 6V Kanden Biribiri Remix (6V 感電ビリビリRemix) (Special Release)

Singles

• [1995.11.01] MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE
• [1996.02.14] MADE IN JAPAN
• [1996.05.29] BEAT YOUR HEART
• [1996.09.16] TAKE ME HIGHER
• [1997.01.20] Ai Nanda (愛なんだ)
• [1997.04.03] Honki ga Ippai (本気がいっばい)
• [1997.07.09] WA ni Natte Odorou (WAになっておどろう)
• [1997.11.06] GENERATION GAP
• [1998.03.11] Be Yourself!
• [1998.07.15] Tsubasa ni Nare (翼になれ)
• [1998.11.11] over / EASY SHOW TIME
• [1999.03.31] Believe Your Smile
• [1999.05.12] Jiyuu de Aru Tame ni (自由であるために)
• [1999.07.14] Taiyou no Ataru Basho (太陽のあたる場所)
• [2000.02.02] MILLENNIUM GREETING
• [2000.05.10] IN THE WIND
• [2000.10.25] CHANGE THE WORLD
• [2001.02.28] Ai no Melody (愛のMelody)
• [2001.06.20] Kiseki no Hajimari / SHÕDO (キセキのはじまり)
• [2001.08.29] Dasenai Tegami (出せない手紙)
• [2002.06.12] Feel your breeze / one feat.Shoo (S.E.S)
• [2003.03.19] Mejirushi no Kioku (メジルシの記憶)
• [2003.05.28] Darling
• [2003.07.02] COSMIC RESCUE / Tsuyoku Nare (強くなれ)
• [2004.03.24] Arigatou no Uta (ありがとうのうた)
• [2004.08.04] Thunderbird -your voice- (サンダーバード -your voice-)
• [2005.06.22] UTAO-UTAO
• [2005.10.12] Orange
• [2006.06.14] Good Day!! (グッデイ！！)
• [2007.01.31] HONEY BEAT / Boku to Bokura no Ashita (僕と僕らのあした)
• [2007.05.23] Jasmine / Rainbow (ジャスミン)
• [2007.12.12] way of life
• [2008.05.28] Chou (蝶)
• [2008.09.17] LIGHT IN YOUR HEART / Swing!
• [2009.06.17] Spirit (スピリット)
• [2009.09.02] GUILTY
• [2010.09.01] only dreaming / Catch
• [2011.08.24] Sexy.Honey.Bunny! / Takara no Ishi (タカラノイシ)
• [2012.02.15] Baribari BUDDY! (バリバリBUDDY!)
• [2012.08.08] kEEP ON
• [2012.12.26] ROCK YOUR SOUL
• [2013.08.21] Kimi ga Omoidasu Boku wa Kimi wo Aishiteiru Darou ka (君が思い出す僕は 君を愛しているだろうか)
• [2014.08.27] Namida no Ato ga Kieru Koro (涙のアトが消える頃)
• [2014.10.22] Sky's The Limit
• [2015.05.08] Timeless
• [2016.06.08] Beautiful World
• [2017.03.15] Can't Get Enough / Hanahirake (ハナヒラケ)
• [2017.05.03] COLORS / Taiyou to Tsuki no Kodomotachi (太陽と月のこどもたち)
• [2018.05.30] Crazy Rays / KEEP GOING
• [2019.01.16] Super Powers / Right Now
• [2019.06.05] Aru Hi Negai ga Kanattanda / All For You (ある日願いが叶ったんだ)
• [2020.09.23] It's my life / PINEAPPLE
• [2021.06.02] Bokura wa Mada / MAGIC CARPET RIDE (僕らはまだ)

Video Releases

• [1996.03.21] LIVE FOR THE PEOPLE
• [1997.03.05] Film V6 -CLIPS and more-
• [1998.06.17] SPACE -from V6 Live Tour '98-
• [1999.02.10] Film V6 act II -CLIPS and more-
• [2001.03.22] VERY HAPPY!!!
• [2001.01.17] Film V6 act III -CLIPS and more-
• [2002.10.30] LIV6
• [2003.11.27] Hard Luck Hero (ハードラックヒーロー)
• [2004.05.26] LOVE & LIFE - V6 SUMMER SPECIAL DREAM LIVE 2003
• [2005.03.09] Film V6 act IV - BALLAD CLIPS and more
• [2005.03.09] Film V6 act IV - DANCE CLIPS and more
• [2005.03.08] V6 Very Best LIVE -1995~2004-
• [2005.10.18] Making of Hold Up Down
• [2006.03.01] 10th Anniversary CONCERT TOUR 2005 "musicmind"
• [2008.02.13] V6 LIVE TOUR 2007 Voyager -Boku to Bokura no Ashita e- (V6 LIVE TOUR 2007 Voyager -僕と僕らのあしたへ-)
• [2008.07.30] VIBES
• [2009.01.07] V6 LIVE TOUR 2008 VIBES
• [2010.11.01] V6 ASIA TOUR 2010 in JAPAN READY!?
• [2012.01.18] V6 Live Tour 2011 Sexy.Honey.Bunny!
• [2013.11.27] V6 LIVE TOUR 2013 "Oh! My! Goodness!"
• [2016.02.17] V6 LIVE TOUR 2015 -SINCE 1995~FOREVER-
• [2018.03.14] LIVE TOUR 2017 The ONES
• [2021.02.17] For the 25th anniversary

Compilations / Other

• [2000.10.25] Super Eurobeat Vol.112 (#18 IN THE WIND (Eurobeat Mix))
• [2000.12.20] avex mode selection euro Ultraman (#1 TAKE ME HIGHER (STAY KOOL ORIGINAL MIX), #5 TAKE ME HIGHER (M78 FUTURE MIX), #10 TAKE ME HIGHER (RETURN TIGA MIX))
• [2011.03.02] REVOLUTIONS - SP "Break The Wall" feat. V6 & ☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo)

Publications

Photobooks

• [1997.06.xx] Viva! V6 First Photo Album
• [2005.11.03] HOLD UP DOWN V6 photographs

Books

• [2005.xx.xx] Idol Musha-Shugyo

Works

Movies

• [2003] Hard Luck Hero
• [2005] Hold Up Down (ホールドアップダウン)

Coming Century

• [2003] COSMIC RESCUE

Doramas

• [1995] V no Honoo (Vの炎)
• [1998] PU-PU-PU-
• [1999] Shin Oretachi no Tabi Ver.1999 (新・俺たちの旅Ver.1999)
• [2002] Shounen Taiya (少年タイヤ)

TV Shows

• [1996-1999] Magical Zuno Power! (マジカル頭脳パワー!!)
• [1997.10.16-2005.03.15] Gakkou e Ikou! (学校へ行こう!)
• [1999.10-2000.03] V6 no Moto (V6の素)
• [2000.04-2000.05] Mahha V6 (マッハブイロク)
• [2000.10.12-2001.03.29] Owarai V6 Byoutou! (お笑いV6病棟!)
• [2001.04.05-2001.09.27] MiMyCen! (ミミセン!)
• [2002.10.07-2004.09.27] Lovecen! (ラブセン!)
• [2005.04.19-2008.09.02] Gakkou e Ikou!MAX (学校へ行こう!MAX)
• [2001.04-2010.03.19] VivaVivaV6 (VVV6)
• [2008.10.17-present] Shinchishiki Kaikyuu Kumagus (新知識階級クマグス)

Radio

• [1996.04-2004.09] V6 no Kamisen Museum (V6のカミセンミュージアム)
• [1999.10-2002.03] Oretachi XXX Yattema~su (オレたちXXXやってま～す)
• [2005.10-2006.03] V6 Next Generation
• [2005.04-present] Miyake Ken no Radio (三宅健のラヂオ)
• [2005.11.01] V6 no All Night Nippon (V6のオールナイトニッポン)
• [2006.08.01] V6 no All Night Nippon (V6のオールナイトニッポン)
• [2008] GROWING REED

Videogames

• [1998] Project V6

Musicals

20th Century

• [1991.07-08] PLAYZONE'91 SHOCK
• [1993.07-08] PLAYZONE'93 WINDOW
• [1994.07-08] PLAYZONE'94 MOON
• [1995.07-08] PLAYZONE'95 KING&JOKER
• [1996.07-08] PLAYZONE'96 RHYTHM
• [1997.07-08] PLAYZONE'97 RHYTHM II
• [1998.07-08] PLAYZONE'98 5nights
• [1999.07-08] PLAYZONE1999 Goodbye&Hello
• [2000.07-08] PLAYZONE2000 THEME PARK

Plays

20th Century

• [2000] Tokyo Sundance ~Oretachi no 20 Seiki~ (東京サンダンス～俺たちの20世紀～)
• [2001] Tokyo Sundance ~21 Seiki he no Dengon~ (東京サンダンス～21世紀への伝言～)
• [2002] Tonkatsu Rock-Hanagawa Sukeroku Monogatari (とんかつロック－花川助六物語)
• [2004] SAY YOU KIDS

Concerts

• [1995.11.01] SING FOR THE PEOPLE
• [1995.12.22] X'mas For The People
• [1996.01.27-1996.01.28] New Year For The People
• [1996.03.19-1996.05.05] V6 Tour in Japan
• [1996.07.23-1996.08.29] V6 SINCE 1995 V consert'96
• [1996.08.06-1996.08.15] Coming Century Concert 1996
• [1996.12.24-1997.01.11] HAPPY GREETING (Coming Century)
• [1996.12.24-1997.01.12] HAPPY GREETING (V6)
• [1996.12.25-1997.01.08] HAPPY GREETING (20th Century)
• [1996.12.31] V6 COUNT DOWN '97
• [1997.03.27-1997.05.04] Haru Ichiban Concert (春1番コンサート)
• [1997.07.27-1997.08.30] WHAT'S COOL !? (Coming Century)
• [1997.07.28-1997.08.31] WA ni Natte Odorou (WAになっておどろう)
• [1997.09.06-1997.11.09] "ROAD" show (20th Century)
• [1998.01.02-1998.01.15] GENERATION GAP
• [1998.05.02-1998.05.05] GENERATION GAP
• [1998.07.27-1998.08.27] Johnny's Summer Concert '98 "Coming Century"
• [1998.07.28-1998.08.30] Johnny's Summer Concert '98 "V6"
• [1998.09.05-1998.10.24] Johnny's Concert Tour '98 "20th Century"
• [1998.11.28-1998.12.20] V6 PRIVATE PARTY
• [1998.12.25-1999.01.07] Johnny's Winter Consert '98~'99 "V6"
• [1999.07.24-1999.08.27] Johnny's Summer Concert '99 "Coming Century"
• [1999.08.09-1999.08.26] Johnny's Summer Concert '99 "V6"
• [1999.08.31] Gakkou e Ikou! PRESENTS V6 1999 SUMMER CONCERT (学校へ行こう!)
• [1999.11.27-2000.02.13] 20th Century "WISHES"
• [1999.12.26] "WISHES" Hatsubai Kinen Secret Live (「WISHES」発売記念 シークレットライブ) (20th Century)
• [2000.01.03-2000.01.10] MILLENNIUM GREETING
• [2000.08.25-2000.09.10] "HAPPY" Coming Century, 20th Century forever
• [2000.07.29-2000.08.31] Mahha V6 special Coming Century summer tour 2000 (マッハブイロク)
• [2000.11.10-2001.02.13] 20th Century "Precious Lφve" (Precious Live) (プレシャス・ライブ)
• [2001.01.02-2001.01.08] V6 winter concert 2001 "Very best"
• [2001.07.24-2001.08.28] V6 Summer Tour 2001 "Volume6"
• [2001.10.20-2001.12.09] Coming Century Concert Tour 2001 "Around Asia"
• [2001.12.21-2002.01.06] 20th Century Dinner Show
• [2002.07.30-2002.09.01] V6 SUMMER CONCERT 2002 "Feel your breeze "one" summer"
• [2002.09.28-2002.12.01] Coming Century Autumun Concert 2002 "HAVE A SUPER GOOD LIVE 2002"
• [2002.11.02-2002.11.17] V6 Asia Tour 2002 "in Hong Kong.in Taipei"
• [2003.04.20-2003.06.29] 20TH CENTURY TOUR 2003 "SCREAMING!"
• [2003.08.14-2003.08.28] V6 SUMMER SPECIAL DREAM LIVE 2003
• [2003.10.19-2003.12.07] Coming Century Concert Tour 2003 "Coming with me!!"
• [2004.07.31-2004.08.25] V6 SUMMER SPECIAL DREAM LIVE 2004
• [2005.11.02-2005.12.28] V6 10th Anniversary Concert 2005 "musicmind"
• [2006.08.03-2006.09.01] V6 SUMMER TOUR 2006 "Good Day!" (グッデイ！)
• [2007.09.28-2007.11.18] V6 LIVE TOUR 2007 "Voyager" -Boku to Bokura no Ashita he- (僕と僕らのあしたへ)
• [2008.03.16-2008.05.18] 20th Century LIVE TOUR 2008 "Ore ja Nakya, Kimi ja Nakya" (オレじゃなきゃ、キミじゃなきゃ)
• [2008.08.01-2008.08.31] V6 LIVE TOUR 2008 "VIBES"
• [2009.02.07-2009.05.24] 20th Century LIVE TOUR 2009 "HONEY HONEY HONEY"
• [2009.07.13] Hello-Goodbye Coming Century WARM UP GIG
• [2009.07.19-2009.09.13] We are Coming Century Boys LIVE TOUR 2009
• [2009.11.14-2009.11.22] V6 ASIA TOUR in Seoul & Taipei
• [2010.04.03-2010.06.13] V6 ASIA TOUR 2010 in JAPAN READY?
• [2011.08.20-2011.10.10] V6 LIVE TOUR 2011 Sexy.Honey.Bunny!

External Links

• avex Official Profile
• Johnny's Net Official Profile