The “~ no Arashi” series of late night TV programmes, where Arashi members grapple enthusiastically over curious things has now, for the first time, been released on DVD.

The DVD contains a compilation of 4 years of shows and this is an interview with the representative from Arashi, Sakurai Sho.  Over the course of the interview, you can feel the charm of the program.

“ I’m really happy that our viewers have kept on watching those ridiculous things we do, things that can only be shown on a late night programme” ~ Sakurai Sho

Q: Firstly, when it was decided that the DVD would be released, what was your honest opinion about that?

S:  I was really happy! There are those who are genuine fans of the programme and not because Arashi is in it. So for these people, I am happy that we can leave behind something for them. 

Q:  There are also quite a number of people who have come to know of Arashi’s existence from watching this programme.

S: Yes, and furthermore, they have told us that they love the trashiness of the programme. (laughs).  If this programme is changed to another time slot, then of course, more people would be able to watch it, but conversely, there will be many things that we wouldn't have been able to do. So, these are the type of things that only can be found on late night programmes. I am honestly very happy that our viewers have kept watching those ridiculous things we do, things that can only be shown on a late night programme.

Q:  There are some things which you try to do when an idea dawns on you, but there is a serious side to it too. .

S:  There are various famous scenes, ne. Depending on the period in time, there are various ideas which we pick up and develop,.  For example, doing just air guitar. Or just doing minor sports (laughs). Because there is a history to it, I am happy that we can pursue such topics. That is to say, we are simply, really happy! That a mere TV programme can be released as a DVD.

Q:  Well and what transcends everything else (laughs) is that an Idol can have a stocking over his head. 

S:  Yes, Yes. (laughs).  Speaking of the Uda Uda Special, they only showed scenes just of us talking right? The reason was that in the background, the world cup was going on! (laughs).  That kind of attitude, it was the best!!  But really, it was the so-called summary episode.

Q:  What are the memories you have with the staff

S:  There are loads. The other time I mentioned it in the press conference too, now there is a talk variety show called Arashi no Shukudai kun at 12am, the staff, from the time we did C no Arashi, they let us have some time were we could talk freely to each other. No matter how short the time given to us was, or even if it was not aired in the end, they will give us time to speak freely to each other without a script.   So as a result, we have learnt to speak (read: talk crack) interestingly. That was, of course, was a big thing to us. The fact that we are now able to do a talk variety show, it is because the staff helped us grow into this position. The fact that we can continue into doing Shukudaikun, it was due, by no small means to C, D and G no Arashi.

 
Q:  There is no H no Arashi?

S:  Well, we better not go down that path, right? (laughs). Becos, in any case, it will become Hentai No Arashi. (laughs).If I could say what I want, I want that G no Arashi special episode to become a DVD also.

Q:  It was pretty magnificent right? Spending money to do trashy experiments. The viewers also enjoyed it.

S:  I was really scared during skydiving. It was really terrible, wearing a wet shirt at a height of 4,000m, with the temperature barely touching 10 degrees. (laughs). But after I jumped off, it felt really good. What was strange was while NHK was airing the news about Japan’s new cabinet,  our baka programme was being aired on the other channel. (laughs).

Q:  It seemed like it was tough, but I am a little jealous, that you could go out and seriously do those experiments that most children would be thinking about.