generasia:Featured article for 2010 week 53

ARASHI

ARASHI (嵐; Storm), is a five member Japanese pop group managed by Johnny & Associates. They debuted in 1999 under the Pony Canyon label but switched to J-Storm in 2002. Their musical style ranges from pop to R&B, hip-hop and even influences of rock. Over the years the members have grown in popularity both individually and as a group, leaving behind a string of successful TV shows, dramas and musicals, as well as their music. In 2004, ARASHI celebrated their fifth Year Milestone Anniversary and celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2009.

In 2009, ARASHI became the first artist to top the Oricon yearly single (Believe / Kumori Nochi, Kaisei), album (All the BEST! 1999~2009) and music DVD (All the BEST! CLIPS 1999-2009) charts and the best-selling artist of the year in the forty-two years of Oricon's history. They also became the third artist in Oricon history to have the top three best-selling singles (Believe / Kumori Nochi, Kaisei, Ashita no Kioku / Crazy Moon ~Kimi wa Muteki~ and My Girl) and the first to top the singles chart for two consecutive years.