Shuuji to Akira – Seishun Amigo

Left: Kamenashi Kazuya Right: Yamashita Tomohisa

Artist: Shuuji to Akira Product Code: JECN-77 Release Date: 2005.11.2 Debut Ranking: #1 Label: Johnny’s Entertainment

With the conclusion of the popular school dorama “Nobuta wo Produce”, the stars of the show, Kamenashi Kazuya and Yamashita Tomohisa have formed a temporary unit and released a single consisting of the show’s theme song as well as a solo from both boys. Using their characters from the show Shuuji to Akira’s single debuted as the #1 selling single and was at the top of the Oricon Chart’s 999 top singles chart in 2005.

As well as doing the series, both boys are talented singers agrowing in fame and popularity. Kamenashi Kazuya is the youngest member of KAT-TUN. Since the debut of the group in 2001 through today, Kamenashi has brought a great deal of popularity to the group. Fellow bandmates also starred in doramas with Kame. Yamashita Tomohisa has been part of a group called NEWS since its founding in 2003. NEWS consists of 6 members from Johnny’s and Johnny’s Associates. Both YamaPi and Kame have found success with their careers as aspiring young actors and singers.

1. Seishun Amigo

Seishun Amigo was the theme song for Nobuta Wo Produce. It starts off with an instrumental introduction and guitars giving you the feeling that youare listening to the James Bond theme. The structure of the song is quite simple. The boys have a call and answer method and then join together for the chorus in unison, backed by an actual chorus.

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The video of the song was really quite interesting. It flashed back and forth between Kame and YamaPi in their school uniforms from the show sitting on some boxes and singing, to dancing in the back alleyways. Like I said, the video was interesting. Although the video concept is rather random, it is a must have for your iPod.

There have been many versions of the song due to several television performances given by the duo. However, the single uses an upbeat version. When I first heard the song, I laughed. That may have been because I was just beginning to listen to Asian music and everything sounded somewhat cheesy compared to the American music I had been listening to, but you can be the judge of that. I had listened to the song before I have watched the series. After I had watched it used in the series, I appreciated it more.

Overall, I would have to say that Seishun Amigo was an excellent song. It is peppy and made you want to do some those awful dance moves with Kame and YamaPi.

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2. Colorful

This was YamaPi’s solo on the single. This song was used in Dragon Zakura as the insert song. The song starts off with bells and a piano to introduce the song. I do not know why but it reminded me of a holiday song. Gradually, violins are added into the picture. In general, I am not a fan of YamaPi’s voice, but it is distinctive. In the chorus, I feel like he is reaching for the notes, which makes it go out of tune. Generally, his voice is a little bit too breathy for my tastes. This song is quite a bit slower than Seishun Amigo, but the bells help to make you feel happy and peppy. Overall it’s a decent song.

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3. Kizuna

This song was Kame’s solo for this single. It was the slowest of the three tracks and is considered a ballad. In 2004, Kizuna was used as the insert song for Gokusen 2, a series which Kame himself starred in. This song starts with a guitar introduction and gradually other instruments come into play after Kame’s entrance. Although Kame does not have the richest voice of all the Johnny’s boys, he manages to pull off an exquisite ballad for the single. In spite of some pitching problems on the higher notes, the song was wonderful.

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Conclusion:

Kame and YamaPi worked really well together and made an excellent single that was quite different than the other singles being released at the time. These songs provide you with something awesome to listen to while you look at those angelic faces. This single is a must have for your music library.

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Limited Edition

Regular Edition

Tracklist

1. Seishun Amigo
2. Colorful
3. Kizuna

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About the author

Erika is a big fan of her boyz Arashi. If you want to talk about Johnny boys, Erika is the girl you should look for. Also-Hana Yori Dango and other similar doramas are also her specialty.