If you’re following Japanese youth culture, you’re sure to have been watching the events at Johnny & Associates unfold with a bowl of popcorn. The past two weeks have been dizzying for the entertainment powerhouse.
On Oct. 31, company vice president and head of the Johnny’s Island subdivision, Hideaki Takizawa, stepped away from the talent agency. In the days that followed, Takizawa launched an official Twitter account, where he described himself in his bio as an “adventurer” and posted cryptic messages that included an upside-down letter about the future. If his career path isn't all that clear, at least he's having a blast playing a prankster online.
Within a week of his departure, three members of popular Johnny’s quintet King & Prince — Sho Hirano, Yuta Kishi and Yuta Jinguji — announced their intention to leave the group and agency by next spring. According to an official statement, the decision stems from differences in what they want from the project, including international ambitions. The outfit debuted only four years ago and was positioned as one of the torchbearers of J-pop, making the news all the more shocking for fans.