It's been a really long time since I've done an album review, but I'm really excited to do this one. I absolutely loved The Highlight last year and in general have loved all of SZ's album's since XYZ=Repainting. Their music has just gotten so good year by year. As per usual - this is all just my personal opinion and I usually write my reviews free-flow (literally as I'm listening to the song) so it's really my fresh first impression. Hope folks enjoy!
I'm re-sharing my twitter thread here because twitter fucked up my thread, and then I realized, why am I even trying to write long-form thoughts on twitter when this place exists? So, just some random ramblings regarding the 5pecial Trip as well as general thoughts I have about 5nin Sexy Zone.
At first when I only saw the video length for the trip I thought "Only?" Knowing that they went on an overnight trip, I wanted the footage to be at least 2, if not 3 hours long. Especially remembering some of the other trips they've had, and the fact that this one will be their last. After watching it though, I realized we got just enough. There were photos of moments that we clearly weren't privy too (going to an onsen) and it was clear that they spent a lot longer talking and drinking in their room, but I think it's okay that they didn't show those parts. Ultimately this trip was for them, and it's a gift that they allowed us to see some of it. I think they deserve to have some moments that were just for them as well.
Credits to Wada-san for editing this trip so well though! Truly. I can't believe I could laugh so hard at the start and be crying so hard by the end and it all feels natural. I wasn't even really crying because I was sad, but purely because it was genuinely moving to hear their raw and honest thoughts and feelings at the very end. I think even the guys themselves had mentally prepared to wrap up the trip in their typical way, and to be shocked by their staff, it really allowed them to also let their own thoughts out organically. Honestly, the moment at the end felt a bit private, but I'm so grateful that they were willing to show us that.
Of course, I already knew seeing Fuma cry was going to get to me, but it's really Marius' final thoughts that really got to me. Him admitting how hard it was for him, how he was actually trying to pretend everything was okay. As I said in my translation to "Sore de Ii yo" - I think Marius had probably been struggling for a long time, but to hear him say it was... it was touching. It was a true moment of vulnerability that as fans, we are almost never privy to from our idols (and I don't think we should be privy too honestly).
It really is wild to imagine Marius life. To debut at eleven having moved from Germany to Japan. If there's any Johnny's I think I would really want to pick the brains of, it really is the Sexy Zone members, and Marius in particular. They were all so young, and their perspective on being an idol honestly must be quite different from I think even a lot of other Johnny's except maybe the HSJ members.
What I love even more though is how the guys were able to be themselves throughout the rest of the trip. The dynamic of 5nin Sexy Zone really is something special, and I will truly miss this dynamic moving forward. It's like Arashi - they all bring out the best of each other, and they genuinely just seem to enjoy being around each other. I love how they were able to bring back old jokes and them writing "Desaiso" for Marius was such a classic older sibling/younger sibling thing to do, but also felt so right. I don't think writing an actual heartfelt message like "Thank you" or "We love you" would have hit the same as something like that.
I mean, in a lot of ways that message WAS meaningful. It really showed that some things can still stay the same. Sure, Marius can't perform with them, but they can still talk and meet up. Marius will still have them as brothers and he will still be their youngest brother. And we as fans just won't be privy to that relationship anymore.
Marius and Kento used the word 運命 (unmei // destiny) to describe them coming together as Sexy Zone, but as a fan, I feel like Sexy Zone's journey and existence is 奇跡的 (kisekiteki // miraculous). They may have been brought together by fate, but what was created feels like a miracle. I like to think the world is in general, filled with good people. But all of them were truly lucky to be placed in Sexy Zone. All of them are so different, but they're all fundamentally so good, respectful, kind and open-minded. If things had been even slightly different, if they hadn't been so accepting of Marius and if he himself wasn't such a sweet kid, if Fuma or Kento hadn't been as able to shoulder responsibility as they both did, if Shori wasn't so steady, if Sou-chan wasn't by Marius' side, I don't think this group would have made it past the 3/2 split back in 2014/2015. Despite everything, the fact that I think they genuinely felt safe with each other, means a lot. That's honestly rare to find, especially at such a young age, in an environment like that.
I think it's also meaningful that I got into Sexy Zone at this time in my life.
Arashi were great role models as a youth, and I needed them at the age I discovered them. Thirteen, confused, lonely. They made life seem straightforward and made me feel like eventually, everything would work out. I needed that then. I needed a sense that the future was stable. That if you worked hard, you would succeed, and then you would retire. As much as Arashi fans like to talk about how unpopular Arashi was, in a lot of ways their success and their trajectory was actually very linear. They started low, worked hard, and steadily worked their way up and up to become national idols and then they stayed their. But eventually, as I grew up... I think I began to realize that life actually wasn't like that. Eventually I realized I couldn't relate or seek the same guidance in Arashi as I did before. I had grown up - as the Arashi members had, but I didn't need adult mentors now, I needed mentors who were around the same age as me.
Enter Sexy Zone. I realize having a group like Sexy Zone, with all their ups and downs, trials and tribulations, setbacks and persistence - they help me feel better about facing life as it feels like it is to me now - Jeremy Beremy. Messy. Chaotic. For a group like Sexy Zone, I think they also very much started out with straightforward dreams and the idea that if they just worked hard and listened to the adults, everything would work out. But they didn't. Nothing did for them. They got split up, members went on hiatus, constant stops and starts. The conclusion that Sexy Zone came to, which they shared in "Timeless" was the realization that there is actually no right answer. All we can do is continue to face forward, take a step--in whatever direction that may be--support each other and try your best. That might even mean we take steps in different directions, that all our paths actually look completely different and criss-cross and wind in a tangled mess, but still we keep going with the surety that we're all still trying to get to the same place.
It's inspiring for me to know Sexy Zone's journey, the journey of each of the individual members, and to also witness the specific way they have handled this moment. This separation, this change, and yet still present it as not a set back - but yet again, another opportunity. Just a change. Just a member walking down a different path, but still a member.
Watching the 5pecial trip really gave me the closure I needed. I think it truly helped me to accept that while this is an ending, it's also a new beginning, and that's okay. Thank you for giving us this Sexy Zone. Thank you for letting us witness this. Thank you for handling things the way all of you did.
I am truly thankful that I follow idols who have managed to be so respectful, thoughtful, and emotionally understanding. This experience has really solidified the fact that I will probably be a fan of these boys and follow them, just like Arashi, for as long as they will allow me to. ５人いつも応援します！ 愛してる！
(Translation Index: Here)
Sexy Zone - Change the World
彼の日の空にかざした手のひらのその向こう
あなたが笑うから
ぶつかってカタチ変わって 見つけた個性
ありふれた日々に意味があったんだ
His hand reached out to even beyond the sky on that day[1],モノクロ心 1116(いいいろ)に染めて 繋がったあの日から
because you were smiling.
The individual personalities we discovered after clashing and changing our shapes.
shows there was meaning in those ordinary days.
Since that day we became connected, dying our monochrome hearts beautiful colours (1116)[2],Hey！ 想いよ届け Yeah！
knowing nothing, tripping over our feet constantly,
while walking through a colourful flower-lined path,
without having to say anything, of course,
"we laughed and we cried."
Hey! Let our thoughts reach you, yeah!生まれた時代の中で
Dancing towards our dreams
with you with you[3], hey, come on,
fighting again and again.
Now! We go!
Stepping forth again, yeah!
Without forgetting those steps,
gift for you, gift for you, please smile,
The dream we saw that day are now the present.
In this generation we were born in,とにかくもう夢中で 重ねた10年 傷ついて傷つけて
while looking for the light, hey, we were able to meet you.
With those words, "Just be yourself", the strings around our hearts became undone,
and our tangled thoughts became clear.
Being completely absorbed, 10 years have piled up, getting hurt and leaving wounds.Hey！ 想いよ届け Yeah！
Being placed with burdens, wanting to throw it all away.
Where were the flowers that were supposed to bloom?
At what time will we stand on the stage (place) of our dreams?
"Even while withered, we bloomed."
Hey! Let our thoughts reach you, yeah!愛情降り注ぎ合った
Dancing towards our dreams
with you with you, hey, come on,
fighting again and again.
Now! We go!
Stepping forth again, yeah!
Without forgetting those steps,
gift for you, gift for you, please smile,
The dream we saw that day are now the present.
Drowning in feelings of love.信じた明日を Hey！
In the scenery spread before our very eyes
roses bloomed.
Wow...Oh...
With the future we believed in, hey!Hey！ 想いよ届け Yeah！
Even if we become bruised and battered, yeah!
Let's overcome it,
Creating again and again.
If we go now we'll make it in time for the red carpet.
Smile for you.
At "the top"
we climbed just to see,
this fully blooming
love will, truly, truly, truly,
on this path, that is unknown no more[4],
Change the world.
Hey! Let our thoughts reach you, yeah!
Dancing towards our dreams
with you with you, hey, come on,
fighting again and again.
Now! We go!
Stepping forth again, yeah!
Without forgetting those steps,
gift for you, gift for you, please smile,
The dream we saw that day are now the present.
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Between a natural genius and a self-made genius, I’m definitely the latter. I’ve come this far by building up my small seed of talent through hard work.
…
(Translation Index: Here)
Sexy Zone - 5TAGE
ねぇ… この瞳に
幾千もの 光
笑顔 これからは
この手を離さないよ
不器用で ぎこちない
僕らが描くステージへ
今この5人で
Hey... within these eyes泣いて 笑って 届けるから
are thousands of lights.
From now on our smiles
won't let go of these hands.
Clumsily and awkwardly,
we head towards the stage we've created.
Right now with the five of us here.
Crying and laughing, we'll reach you.ねぇ… 離れて
Only to you, even if we're being laughed at.
Blooming, with pride, as if we'd seen a dream,
this voice will travel somewhere far.
This echoing future,
without withering, how long will it go on
spinning? This earth within these hands.
Hey... in the distance,「いつか、いつか…」
we've noticed, this warmth
in our chests also comes from
the various paths you've walked.
If we could meet again,
let it be at the "top" we've imagined.
in someone's dreams...
"Someday, someday..."うまく笑えない日でも
The dreams of youth,
One, two, they fit together.
Now five colours are lit.
We want these voices to travel somewhere far,
echoing on, that's why
without withering, how long will it go on
spinning? This earth within these hands.
Even on days when we couldn't bring up a smile,「最低… 最低…」 聞こえた夜
no matter what sort of day,
bowing your heads,
pushing our backs,
you were always by our sides.
On nights we'd hear, "the worst... the worst",La…la…la… la…la…la…
we would beat ourselves with fists.
Now these hand have opened up,
and are always holding onto the mic
While singing out loudly!
Hear this voice.
La…la…la… la…la…la…泣いて笑って 一つになって
We're sending this song to you.
La…la…la… la…la…la…
With our chests held high.
La…la…la… la…la…la…
We love you.
Thank you. Just, thank you.
On this red rose we promise,
even if the thorns pierce us,
we'll continue walking with you towards this "unknown".
Crying and laughing, we'll become one.
We won't care, even if we're being laughed at.
We'll bloom even bigger, more and more.
This voice will travel somewhere far.
To you, who is sobbing,
Until we reach you, we won't stop
Spinning! This earth within these hands.
Smartphone, glasses, novels, a matching pair of mugs...
The group that formed 11 years ago on September 29th, Sexy Zone.
And from then on, his "shinme"[1], the one who has continued to walk beside him, Fuma.
In this edition Kento will speak about his "partners".
(Translation Index: Here)
それでいいよ - That's Okay.
ねぇ それでいいよ
いいよ いいよ
どんな君だって それでいいよ
きっと明日には 必ず笑える
とびきりの笑顔で
Hey, that's okay,
that's okay, that's okay.
No matter how you are, that's okay.
I'm sure tomorrow you'll definitely be able to smile,
Your finest smile.
素敵な友達の話より
君の事もっと 聞かせてほしい
少しネガティヴな口癖には
臆病な自分を隠してる
More than stories about your lovely friend,
I want to hear more about you.
Within your habit of saying slightly negative things,
you hide your frightened self.
憧れで片づけてた
大切な恋も夢も
心が叫ぶまま 素直になれたら
歩き出す力になる
I noticed because I admired you.ねぇ それでいいよ
If you could be honest,
and let your heart yell out
your most important passions and dreams,
it will become your strength to walk on.
Hey, that's okay.嫌われたくない 気にしすぎて
that's okay, that's okay.
No matter how you are, that's okay.
There are so many lovely things I know about you
that I could say out loud.
Reflected in my eyes,
You're my one and only pride shining in this world.
Go out, hold your head up high.
I'll always be beside you.
Go forth on your next journey,
that you know nothing about yet.
You're so worried about being disliked,画面をのぞき込んでも
you've ended up crying alone in the bath.
If never getting hurt is just playing pretend,
then your real, brave, self is what's beautiful.
Even if you peek at the screen,ねぇ それでいいよ
there's no reality there.
It's not about finding someone somewhere else, if you can just be yourself,
you'll become even stronger.
Hey, that's okay,これからの出会いも
that's okay, that's okay.
You don't need to be afraid of making mistakes.
Truthfully, even I can get very anxious,
and have nights where I feel alone.
Don't hide your various desires.
If you just embrace them as they are,
you'll suddenly come to love
the sky of this town you're still not used to seeing.
Even when we're apart,
I hope I can reach you.
The meetings you will have,ねぇ それでいいよ
The steps you have already taken.
They connect various "you's".
Hey, that's okay.
that's okay, that's okay.
No matter how you are, that's okay.
There are so many lovely things I know about you
that I could say out loud.
Reflected in my eyes,
You're my one and only pride shining in this world.
Go out, hold your head up high.
I'll always be beside you.
Go forth on your next journey,
that you know nothing about yet.
---
I nearly translated the song title as "That's Enough", and that's because I personally feel like the full sentence of this song it's just telling someone that it's okay to be themselves, but that being who you are is also "enough". It's good enough.
The reason I translated this song is because with Marius' graduation, it really made me think about how he cried during this song during POP x STEP and what he must've actually been going through during that time, to his hiatus, to now. Sometimes all we need to hear is someone telling us hey, it's okay to be yourself. It's enough to just be you. As Marius said in his own words, he lost himself a bit as he got older - which is understandable. He got crushed under the weight of expectations of others, and to know how much this song affected him is, I think, one of the rare glimpses we probably saw of how much he was probably struggling with himself for a while.
I'm glad Marius is in a better place now though :)
