Travis Japan is a 7-member Johnny’s Jr unit formed in 2012. They were formed under the supervision of choreographer Travis Payne and their first appearance was at 'PLAYZONE'12 SONG & DANC'N。PARTII。'. The current formation is active from November 2017. They specialize in synchronized dance.
On March 14 2018, Travis Japan was chosen to be on the Johnny’s Jr YouTube channel alongside with Snowman, SixTONES, Bishounen and HiHi Jets.
They made their debut October 28, 2022 with their single 'JUST DANCE!'
Members[]
| Member |
|---|
| Kawashima Noel |
| Shimekake Ryuya |
| Yoshizawa Shizuya |
| Nakamura Kaito |
| Miyachika Kaito |
| Matsukura Kaito |
| Matsuda Genta |
Former Members
- Nakada Hiroki (Left Johnny's Entertainment)
- Abe Aran (Moved to Love-tune =current 7ORDER)
- Morita Myuto (Moved to Love-tune =current 7ORDER)
- Kajiyama Asahi (Left Johnny's Entertainment)
Background[]
During their formation in 2012 for Playzone, they were first divided in Ani-gumi (older brother group: Nakada, Kawashima, Morita, Shimekake) and Otouto-gumi (younger brother group: Yoshizawa, Nakamura, Abe, Miyachika, Kajiyama). After that, as a group they usually performed only for Playzone, but they were chosen to backdance for Kondo Masahiko's 35th anniversary tour in 2015. Arashi's Matsumoto Jun saw that performance and requested them for Arashi as well.
In 2016, they were supposed to perform at 'Johnny's Ginza 2016' as Ani-gumi and Otouto-gumi, but were worried that when Playzone ends, they will no longer have any work as a group of all 9 members. They thought they should do something as a whole and it was decided they will perform in this formation at 'Johnny's Ginza 2016'. As a result, the company president and other people praised their dancing skills and they were able to make this their strong point.
However after that, Abe Aran has expressed his intention to leave the group and they continued in 8 members. In January 2017, Nakada revealed to the Ani-gumi members, that he wants to pursue his dreams and they continued in 7 members from March. In September 2017, They performed in 6 members for 'JOHNNYS' YOU&ME IsLAND' without Morita. In October 2017, Kajiyama's name was not included in the 'JOHNNYS' Happy New Year IsLAND' official website and Travis Japan performed in 5 members.
During 'Johnny's Jr. Wangan LIVE' on 18th November 2017, they performed in 7 members with Matsuda Genta and Matsukura Kaito, who were known as a duo with great dancing skills and for being Juniors for a long time without a group. It was later revealed, that this performance was actually something like an audition for them and if they wouldn't match the group, they would not join. It was also revealed, that before the Wangan LIVE, the agency asked Travis Japan members whether they would like to continue as a 5-member group or if they want somebody to join. They decided to increase members in order to continue with their speciality synchronized dance, and nominated Matsuda and Matsukura themselves. As of that day, they are active in this formation.
Original Songs[]
- Yume no Hollywood (夢のHollywood)
- DANCE WITH ME LESSON 1
- Happy Groovy
- Lock Lock
- VOLCANO
- Namida no Kesshou (Namidaの結晶)
- Talk it! Make it!
- Unique Tigers
- Together Now
- Free Your Mind - from Toraja NINJAPAN (Miyachika, Matsuda, Matsukura)
- Blue Masquerade - from Toraja NINJAPAN (Kawashima, Shimekake, Nakamura, Yoshizawa)
- Get Alive
- The Show
- Party Up Like Crazy
Works[]
PV []
- YOLO moment (Nakayama Yuma)
- Namida no Kesshou (theme song for Toraja NINJAPAN)
- BIG BANG BOY (theme song for Toraja NINJAPAN 2021)
Stage []
- PLAYZONE ’12 SONG & DANC’N PART II
- PLAYZONE ’13 SONG & DANC’N PART III
- PLAYZONE→IN NISSAY
- PLAYZONE 1986…2014 ★Arigatou! ~AOYAMA THEATRE★
- PLAYZONE 2015 SAYONARA AOYAMA GEKIJOU!
- Johnny's Jr. Ginza 2016
- ABCZa 2016
- JOHNNYS' ALL STARS IsLAND
- Johnny's Jr. Ginza 2017
- JOHNNYS' YOU&ME IsLAND
- ABCZa 2017
- JOHNNYS' Happy New Year IsLAND
- Ima wo Ikiru (Miyachika, Shimekake, Nakamura)
- Johnny's Jr. Ginza 2018 (Kawashima, Yoshizawa, Matsukura, Matsuda)
- JOHNNYS' King & Prince IsLAND
- Toraja NINJAPAN
- Toraja NINJAPAN 2020
- Toraja NINJAPAN 2021
Music program []
- [The Shounen club (2012 - present, NHK BS premium ) (at first, Otouto-gumi only)
Documentary series[]
- 〜EP.1:ROCK〜 Travis Japan × MIYAVI (2020.8.2., BS Fuji)
- 〜EP.2：Wagakki〜 Travis Japan × MAHORA (2020.12.30., BS Fuji)
Radio[]
- Rajiraa! Saturday (2019.4. - present) with SixTONES and Snowman
CM[]
- Suntory [Orangina 100] (2019.6)
- Gin no Sara (2020.3)
Concert []
- Summer Station Johnny's KING (2016.8.17. - 25.)
- Johnny's Jr. Matsuri (2017.3.24.-26. at Yokohama Arena, 4.8.-9. at Saitama Super Arena, 5.3. at Osaka-jo Hall)
- Summer Station〜Kimitachi ga〜 KING's TREASURE (2017.8.15.-17. as solo group, 8.18.-20. with Love-tune)
- Odaiba Odoriba Donichi no Asobiba (Wangan LIVE) (2017.11.18.-19.)
- Johnny's Jr. Matsuri 2018 (2018.2.23.-25. at Osaka-jo Hall, 3.24.-27. at Yokohama Arena)
- Summer Paradise 2018 (2018.8.18.-24. at Tokyo Dome City Hall)
- Travis Japan Concert 2019〜Present〜 (2019.3.26. at Yokohama Arena)
- Johnny's IsLAND Festival (2019.5.25.-26. at Saitama Super Arena)
- Summer Paradise 2019 (2019.8.10.-22. at Tokyo Dome City Hall)
- Austine Mahone Japan Tour 2019 (2019.10.14.-15. at Yokohama Arena) as special guest
- Summer Paradise 2020 (2020.8.1.,2.,4.,5.,7.,8.,10.) live stream solo concert without audience
- Travis Japan LIVE 2020 ENTER 1234567 (2020.9.26.-27.) live stream concert without audience
- Travis Japan Live tour 2021 IMAGE NATION〜Zenkoku Tour Shichattemo Iidesuka!〜 (2021.3.20-)
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Travis Japan was named after Travis Payne, the choreographer for Playzone (which they all participate in). Travis Payne is a famous american choreographer, who also worked with Michael Jackson.
- 4 of the members (Ryuya, Myuto, Hiroki, and Noeru) were formerly known as Jr. A before being grouped with the younger 5. They performed as Jr. A in PLAYZONE ’11 SONG & DANC’N PART I
- Miyachika Kaito did not participate in PLAYZONE ’13 SONG & DANC’N PART III and PLAYZONE→IN NISSAY
- Miyachika Kaito, Matsukura Kaito and Matsuda Genta were part of Sexy Zone's younger brother unit Sexy Boyz in 2013 for Live House Johnny's Ginza.
- Miyachika Kaito and Abe Aran were part of Sexy Zone's younger brother unit Sexy Boys in 2014 for Johnny's Ginza.
- Matsukura Kaito and Matsuda Genta were part of Sexy Zone's younger brother unit Sexy Shou with Sexy Zone's Matsushima Shou in 2014-2015.
- Miyachika Kaito, Nakamura Kaito and Matsukura Kaito have the same name, are the same age and entered Johnny's on the same day (2010.10.30). They are known as Triple Kaito and performed few songs together. Before Matsukura Kaito joined the group, they were known as W(double) Kaito.
- Matsukura Kaito and Matsuda Genta started to perform together around 2012 and are known as Matsu-Matsu duo (combi)
- After Matsu-Matsu duo joined Travis Japan, some members' color has changed. Kawashima Noel changed from red to white, Yoshizawa Shizuya changed from blue to yellow, Miyachika Kaito changed from orange to red. Matsuda Genta got Yoshizawa's blue and Matsukura Kaito got Miyachika's orange.
- Miyachika Kaito was never oficially proclaimed leader, however, the members naturally started to follow him and call him leader. It took him time to admit to his new "title", but he seems comfortable with the role now.
- All 7 members are taking Chinese language lessons together.
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