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Jin Akanishi

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Jin Akanishi
赤西 仁
Born
赤西 仁 (Akanishi Jin)

(1984-07-04) July 4, 1984 (age 40)
Kōtō, Tokyo, Japan
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • arranger
  • actor
  • television personality
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2012; div. 2023)​
Children2
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
Years active1998–present
Labels
Websitejinakanishi.com

Jin Akanishi (赤西 仁, Akanishi Jin, born July 4, 1984) is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter and actor. He has been active since 1998 as one of the two lead vocalists of the J-pop boy-band KAT-TUN before starting a solo career in 2009. Akanishi has also acted in several films and dramas.

Biography

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Early life

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Akanishi was born in Chiba Prefecture, Greater Tokyo Area, Japan on July 4, 1984,[1] as the eldest of two sons. He has a younger brother Reio, who also works in the entertainment industry as an actor under the stage name Fuuta.[2] Akanishi moved to Tokyo in the first grade.[3]

In 1997, when he was still in grade school, a classmate sent in a photo of him to idol magazine Myojo, and he was featured in the "Cool Classmates" corner of the issue.[4] Akanishi expressed interest in the entertainment industry and his mother thus sent in an application to Johnny's Entertainment on his behalf in 1998. Though he technically failed his audition on November 8, 1998, he was told to stay when he tried to return his number plate to a man who happened to be Johnny Kitagawa himself.[4]

2001–2009: Early career and debut of KAT-TUN

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After he was made a Johnny's Jr. member in 2000, Akanishi was part of a number of groups like Musical Academy Dancing, J2000 and B.A.D.,[1] before being drafted into a six-member unit in 2001 with other juniors Kazuya Kamenashi, Junnosuke Taguchi, Koki Tanaka, Tatsuya Ueda and Yuichi Nakamaru.[1] Though the group was originally meant to only be backup dancers for Koichi Domoto of KinKi Kids, the sextet's unexpected popularity led their agency to allow them to expand into a separate group called KAT-TUN, an acronym formed by the first letter of the members' surnames. Despite the group's popularity (they even released DVDs of their live concerts in 2003 and 2005—a first for Johnny's groups that hadn't debuted), they were not allowed to make their bow until five years later in 2006, to immense success.[1]

Much to the Japanese public's surprise, Akanishi announced in a press conference on October 13, 2006, that he was leaving the country to study English abroad for an indefinite amount of time.[1][5] Despite his absence, KAT-TUN were obliged to continue its activities[6] Akanishi finally returned from Los Angeles in the United States after six months on April 19, 2007.[7] He quickly resumed work by joining his bandmates on their nationwide tour on April 21.[8]

Akanishi was also a songwriter for the group, having written songs for KAT-TUN and for himself, including "Hesitate", "Love or Like" (from Cartoon KAT-TUN II You), "Lovejuice" (B-side of the limited edition 2 of "Don't U Ever Stop"), "Care" (from Break the Records: By You & For You), and "Wonder". The song "Wonder" is a collaboration with R&B artist, Crystal Kay in 2009, and Akanishi also featured in her song "Helpless Night". He can play the guitar and has composed both music and lyrics for "Murasaki (ムラサキ)", "ha-ha" and "Pinky". He also collaborated with bandmate Ueda to create the song, "Butterfly" (from Best of KAT-TUN).

2009–2010: Solo debut and working with LANDS

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At the event of Tokyo Girls Collection on September 5, 2009, Jin appeared as a special guest to promote his new movie, Bandage,[9] and he performed the movie's theme song which marked this as the solo debut under the temporary band unit, LANDS, with Takeshi Kobayashi, the producer of Mr. Children.[10] Kobayashi wrote the lyrics and music of their debut single "Bandage". It was released on November 25, and debuted at number one on the Oricon charts. In 2010, on January 13, was released the studio album Olympos, which also topped the Oricon charts.[11] On January 19, the band held their only live concert, titled LANDS Last Live.[12]

Akanishi had a series of solo concerts, titled "You & Jin", comprising a total of 32 shows from February 7 to 28, 2010. The song "A Page", he co-wrote, composed and arranged, featured at his concerts, was released as part of KAT-TUN's 11th single, "Love Yourself (Kimi ga Kirai na Kimi ga Suki)", on the 2nd limited edition. On June 19 and 20, Akanishi's solo tour "You & Jin" had a 3 sold-out show tour in Los Angeles, California.

In the last show of his "You & Jin" concert Akanishi announced a tour in the United States.[13] In July, Akanishi announced that he would permanently leave the band KAT-TUN, becoming a solo artist of Johnny & Associates.[14] On September 16, dates were released for Akanishi's November tour "Yellow Gold Tour 3010", named after the tour's title song "Yellow Gold", and the cities included were Chicago, New York City, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.[15] The tour featured songs entirely in English, mostly written and produced by the Akanishi himself.[16]

On December 9, 2010, it was announced that Jin will be joining the Warner Music Group and Warner Music Japan on a global basis and became responsible for his recording career in both English and Japanese language.[1] After the "Yellow Gold Tour 3010" ended with success, Jin returned to Japan to hold "Yellow Gold Tour 3011" with total 12 concerts in Osaka-jō Hall, World Memorial Hall, Nippon Budokan and Saitama Super Arena.

2011–2013: The U.S. debut, Japonicana and #JustJin

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Jin's first solo single titled "Eternal" was released on March 2, 2011, in Japan,[1] and topped both Oricon and Japan Hot 100 charts.[17] His debut single in the United States was the digitally released extended play Test Drive released on November 8, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Jason Derulo and producer J. R. Rotem.[18] It reached the number one spot on the iTunes Dance Charts, and tenth spot on the overall Albums chart.[19] The Japanese release was on December 7, and it peaked at number fourteen on the Japan Hot 100, and topped both Oricon and Billboard album charts in Japan.[17] On December 28, was released his second physical single in Japan, Seasons, which also topped the charts.[17]

In 2012, on January 26 his second US digital single "Sun Burns Down" was released,[1] and reached the number one spot on the iTunes Dance Charts again. On March 6, was released his debut studio album Japonicana, on which collaborated with The Stereotypes and Static Revenger.[20][21] It reached number two on the Oricon charts.[17] From March 9 to 17 was held a promotional concert tour, which started at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.[22] In Japan from April to May was scheduled to hold 7 concerts in 5 cities including Tokyo and Osaka for a total of 70,000 people, but his further plans were abruptly cancelled due to a penalty by his own agency Johnny's Entertainment because didn't contacted his agency beforehand and reported his marriage at time.[23][24]

In 2013, on August 7 was released his third single in Japan, "Hey What's Up?", which was chosen as the first official theme song for the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show, which was held on the 31st of that same month at the Saitama Super Arena.[25] It reached number two on the Oricon charts.[17] On October 2 was released the fourth single "Ai Naru Hō e" (To Where Love Rings),[26] which reached number three on the charts.[17]

On November 6 Akanishi released his second studio album #JustJin. The self-produced album included all the singles released in Japan since his solo debut in 2011, and a second bonus disc featured songs written in English during his Japonicana era.[27] It reached number three on the charts. [17]

2014–present: Indies debut and Mi Amor

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In 2014, on March 2 was made known to the public that Akanishi had decided not to renew his contract with Johnny & Associates, and had left the agency as of February 28.[28] On July 4, was announced that he had set up his own independent label, Go Good Records, and that opened his new fan club, "JIP's" (Jin's Important People).[29]

On August 6, under Go Good Records Akanishi re-debuted with his fifth physical single "Good Time".[30][31] It reached number two on the charts.[17] The single was also made available on the iTunes Store across the globe.[32]

On November 12 Akanishi released his second extended play, Mi Amor, and the second release from his own record label.[33][34][35] It reached number three on the charts.[17] The entire album was written, composed, and produced by Akanishi himself.[33] The previous day of the release, on November 11 Akanishi went on a nationwide "Jindependence" tour from Zepp Sapporo, which ended on December 2 at Zepp Tokyo, with a total of 11 shows in 5 cities.[33]

He collaborated with Takayuki Yamada in August 2016 to form the unit called "Jintaka",[36] which disbanded 2 months later.[37] The duo released their only single "Choo choo shitain" on September 21.

Filmography

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Akanishi made his debut as an actor in 1999 in a cameo appearance in the second episode of NTV's romance comedy, P.P.O.I., and also had small roles in TV Asahi's Best Friend, Omae no yukichi ga naiteiru and in NHK series, Haregi, Koko Ichiban. He also started appearing in musicals from 2000 taking on supporting roles in Millennium Shock (2000), Show Geki Shock (2001–2002), Dream Boy (2004) and Dream Boys (2006). Akanishi returned to the small screen in 2005 in the second season of the award-winning and popular NTV school drama, Gokusen, starring opposite Yukie Nakama and former bandmate Kazuya Kamenashi. The show won "Best Drama" at the 44th Television Drama Academy Awards and ended its run with an average viewership rating of 27.8%. He also had a supporting role in NTV's romance series, Anego, the same year.

In 2007, Akanishi starred in his first lead role in Yukan Club, a school comedy series, with ex-bandmate Junnosuke Taguchi and was voted "Best Actor" at the 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix.[38] He made his debut as a voice actor in 2008 for the Japanese dub of Speed Racer, providing the voice for protagonist Speed played by Emile Hirsch.[39]

In 2009, Akanishi was cast as the lead actor in the movie Bandage directed by Takeshi Kobayashi and released on January 16, 2010. This marked his debut on the big screen.[40]

In 2013, he made his Hollywood debut with the film 47 Ronin which also had Keanu Reeves in the lead role.[41] Akanishi played the role of Chikara Oishi, the samurai leader's son, played by Hiroyuki Sanada and a close friend to Reeves' character, Kai.[41] The film's director, Carl Rinsch, said he was "impressed by Akanishi's English abilities and motivation".[41] Thus, he turned out to be the second Johnny & Associates artist within the agency after Ninomiya Kazunari in Letters From Iwo Jima to star in a Hollywood movie and the third overall to work with an American director.

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Speed Racer Speed Racer (voice) Dubbed the Japanese version of the movie.[42]
2010 Bandage Natsu Takasugi Main role and singing voice
2013 47 Ronin Chikara Oishi Supporting role
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Nekketsu Ren-ai Dou 1999 TV series, NTV. Minor role
P.P.O.I. Hisashi Kimura 1999 TV series, NTV. Supporting role.
Kowai Nichiyōbi 1999 TV series, NTV
Best Friend Ryota Shibuya 1999 TV series, TV Asahi. Supporting role
2000 Taiyō wa Shizumanai 2000 TV series, Episode 6, Fuji TV. Minor role
Haregi, Koko Ichiban 2000 TV series, NHK. Supporting role
2001 Omae no Yukichi ga Naiteiru Naoto Inoue 2001 TV series, TV Asahi
2005 Xmas Nante Daikirai Sho Kitagawa 2004 TV series, NTV
Gokusen 2 (ごくせん 2005) Hayato Yabuki 2005 TV series, NTV. Ensemble cast
Anego (アネゴ) Akihiko Kurosawa 2005 TV series, NTV
2007 Yukan Club (有閑倶楽部) Miroku Shochikubai 2007 TV series, NTV. Ensemble cast
2016 Midnight Taxi 2 (午夜计程车第二季)[43] Ueno 2015–2016 Webseries, Episode 10, Youku Tudou, China.[44]
2023 The Legends of Changing Destiny (凌云志)[45] Erlang Shen 2023 Webseries, Youku, China.

Theatre

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Shock Ensemble cast
2004 Dream Boy
2004 Summary
2006 Dream Boys

Personal life

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Akanishi wed Japanese actress and model Meisa Kuroki in a private ceremony on February 2, 2012, just two weeks after they'd released official statements denying they were seeing one another.[46] The marriage immediately had a negative effect on Akanishi's career, not only because he failed to inform his talent agency, Johnny & Associates, of his plans to wed but because rumors began circulating that Kuroki was pregnant at the time of the wedding.[47] In response to the scandal, his talent agency made the decision to cancel his solo tour.[48] Together, Akanishi and Kuroki have a daughter, Theia Akanishi (Japanese: 赤西 ティア, Akanishi Tia), who was born September 23, 2012, and a son, whose name has not yet been revealed to the public, who was born June 6, 2017.[49] In 2018, it was reported that the family had returned to Japan, having previously resided in Hawaii, and that Theia was attending the American School in Japan.[50][51] On December 25, 2023, Akanishi and Kuroki announced through their respective social media accounts that they have decided to part ways.[52] They both promised to co-parent their two children.[52]

Discography

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Main article: Jin Akanishi discography

Studio albums

  • Japonicana (2012)
  • #JustJin (2013)
  • Me (2015)
  • Audio Fashion (2016)
  • Blessèd (2017)
  • Thank You (2019)
  • Yellow Note (2023)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Nominated work Category Result
2007 17th TV LIFE Drama award Yukan Club Best Actor Won
2008 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix Yukan Club Best Actor[38] Won
2009 TBS TV Station Program Countdown Jin Akanishi Most Trendy Male Artist Won
2010 35th Hochi Film Awards Bandage Best Actor Nominated
Best Newcomer Nominated
2013 World Music Awards Jin Akanishi World's Best Entertainer of the Year[53] Nominated
Worlds Best Male Artist[54] Nominated
Worlds Best Live Act[55] Nominated
2016 IQiyi All-Star Carnival Jin Akanishi Most Popular Artist in Asia[56] Won
Music of the Year[57] Won

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Jin Akanishi Biography". Starpulse.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  2. ^ "赤西仁の弟が映画デビュー!「礼保」から「颯太」に改名！" [Akanishi Reio to debut in movie!]. entameblog.seesaa.net (in Japanese). March 20, 2008.
  3. ^ Duet (in Japanese). April 2009.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  4. ^ a b "Akanishi interview". Oshareism on NTV (Interview). October 14, 2007.
  5. ^ "KAT-TUN'S Akanishi takes a break". Tokyograph. October 12, 2006. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  6. ^ "Details of new KAT-TUN single announced". Tokyograph. October 19, 2006. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  7. ^ "ＫＡＴ－ＴＵＮ赤西６月にも復帰か". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Oricon. April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  8. ^ "Akanishi back in Japan". Tokyograph. April 19, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  9. ^ "削除された「KAT-TUN・赤西仁、主演映画決定」の怪情報". Cyzo Woman (in Japanese). Livedoor. October 29, 2008. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  10. ^ "KAT-TUN赤西仁の初主演映画にパクリ疑惑が発覚!?". Cyzo (in Japanese). Livedoor. November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  11. ^ "赤西"LANDS"、最初で最後のアルバムが初日首位". Oricon (in Japanese). January 14, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  12. ^ "赤西仁、LANDS"当選倍率50倍"ラストライブに感慨深げ" (in Japanese). Oricon. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  13. ^ "Jin Akanishi adds more U.S. concerts". Tokyograph. June 20, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  14. ^ "Jin Akanishi aims for simultaneous release in U.S., Japan". Tokyograph. October 3, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  15. ^ "Jin Akanishi's U.S. tour dates revealed". Tokyograph. September 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 20, 2010.
  16. ^ Claudia Xie (November 25, 2010). "3010 in the Future: Akanishi Jin concert review". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "赤西仁の作品" [Jin Akanishi Projects]. Oricon. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  18. ^ Carolyn Huang (September 12, 2011). "Jin Akanishi to make American debut with 'Test Drive' in November". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  19. ^ Liuyi (Luisa) Chen (November 11, 2011). "Jin Akanishi's "Test Drive" debuts successfully on US iTunes Charts". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California.
  20. ^ Eugenia Fung (January 24, 2012). "Jin Akanishi's Japonicana invades the US this Spring". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  21. ^ May Nguyen (February 24, 2012). "Here Comes Japonicana: an Interview with Jin Akanishi". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  22. ^ Park, Joann; Kim, Ujin (April 11, 2012). "Welcome to Japonica!: Jin Akanishi Concert Review". Asia Pacific Arts. University of Southern California. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  23. ^ "Akanishi Jin's Japan tour canceled as penalty for recent marriage". Tokyograph. March 25, 2012.
  24. ^ Jennifer Sherman (April 16, 2012). "Jin Akanishi Forced to Leave GTO Show Remake". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  25. ^ "Akanishi Jin's comeback single chosen as first official song for 'Tokyo Girls Collection'". Tokyohive. August 10, 2013.
  26. ^ "Akanishi Jin to release a new single in October". Tokyohive. August 31, 2013.
  27. ^ "Akanishi Jin announces new album '#JUST JIN'". Tokyohive. October 2, 2013.
  28. ^ "Akanishi Jin Leaves Johnny's Entertainment". Tokyohive. March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  29. ^ Aysohmay (July 4, 2014). "Jin Akanishi Establishes Independent Label & Official Fan Club". JpopAsia. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  30. ^ Arashiis1 (July 12, 2014). "Akanishi Jin to Release 'Good Time' in August". JpopAsia. Retrieved February 9, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "赤西 仁、ニューシングル「Good Time」リリース決定。自身のレーベルから". Barks (in Japanese). Global Plus. July 11, 2014.
  32. ^ "ジャニーズ独立で遂に！赤西仁の「再デビュー」新曲がiTunesにて先行販売開始でファン喜び" (in Japanese). Gadget Tsushin. July 30, 2014. Archived from the original on August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  33. ^ a b c "Akanishi Jin to release new mini-album + go on 5-city tour". Tokyohive. September 17, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  34. ^ "Check out Akanishi Jin's PV for 'Mi Amor'". Tokyohive. November 4, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  35. ^ "赤西仁、EDMとPOPと矛盾したギター". Barks (in Japanese). Global Plus. November 5, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  36. ^ "Akanishi Jin & Yamada Takayuki to form a unit and release debut single". tokyohive.com. August 10, 2016. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  37. ^ "Akanishi Jin and Yamada Takayuki announce the disbandment of JINTAKA". tokyohive.com. October 6, 2016. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  38. ^ a b "Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Akanishi wins Best Actor". Tokyograph. April 28, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  39. ^ "Jin Akanishi becomes Speed Racer". Tokyograph. May 12, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  40. ^ "Akanishi to star in movie "Bandage"". Tokyograph. October 28, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  41. ^ a b c "Akanishi Jin officially announced in '47 Ronin' cast". Tokyograph. April 14, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  42. ^ "Owh联盟外投".
  43. ^ "《东京热无码人妻系列综合网站》在线观看-东京热无码人妻系列综合网站免费下载 - 白银下载站". Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  44. ^ "赤西仁、���国ドラマ出演により日本テレビ業界にチャンス到来".
  45. ^ "Jin Akanishi to star in Chinese drama based on Sun Wukong". January 17, 2017.
  46. ^ "Jin Akanishi and Meisa Kuroki Confirm February 2nd Marriage". Anime News Networks. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  47. ^ "Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi". Asia One. February 9, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  48. ^ Yip Wai Yee (October 11, 2014). "Why stars hide their marriages". Asia One. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  49. ^ "Kuroki Meisa & Akanishi Jin welcome the birth of their second child". Tokyo Hive. June 7, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  50. ^ Japan, Arama! (February 26, 2019). "Jin Akanishi & Meisa Kuroki's daughter attends private "American style" school". ARAMA! JAPAN. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  51. ^ Arashi 143wrote; Arashi143 2018-07-30 15:46:00, 2018-07-30 15:46:00 Arashi 143. "Akanishi Jin as an education papa, buys property in Hawaii to help daughter get a foreign accent". arashi143.livejournal.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  52. ^ a b "赤西仁＆黒木メイサが離婚「新たな形のパートナーシップを築いていきます」【報告全文】". ORICON NEWS. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  53. ^ World Music Awards 2013 Archived February 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 9, 2013
  54. ^ World Music Awards 2013 Archived February 20, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 9, 2013
  55. ^ World Music Awards 2013 Archived February 17, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 25, 2013
  56. ^ "赤西仁、北京で「アジア人気アーティスト賞」「年度音楽大賞」を受賞". December 8, 2015.
  57. ^ "赤西仁が日本人歌手としては初の快挙！中国で「アジア人気アーティスト賞」「年度音楽大賞」W受賞". Archived from the original on May 24, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
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