I stuck this post at the top of my blog because I want to have Arashi's contact information here up top so we can spread the word of the fans all over the globe!
Note: Realize that for a few of these methods, you need to have a general understanding of Japanese.
Since the idea of so many overseas fans is a bit new to Japan, not all the sites are foreigner-friendly. (I.E. not having an Overseas option for Place of Residence).
Though - please take advantage of the options you do have where English is okay or where being out of the nation of Japan is okay.
To make it easier, I've implemented the following legend:- ENG | This method is English-okay! (Mostly.)
- JPN | Need to have a grasp of Japanese.
- NI | Need to be living or stationed in Japan for a period of time.
- INTL | Can be living anywhere in the world.
Recent Additions (updated 05/20/08)
Arashi Secret Agency section added,
FAN CLUB ADDRESS (ENG | INTL)
ARASHI - ARASHI MEMBER'S NAME
Johnny's Family Club
Miyamasu Tower B1F
1-10-10 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8550
I.E.
ARASHI - SAKURAI SHO
Johnny's Family Club
Miyamasu Tower B1F
1-10-10 Shibuya
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8550
Tips
Use basic English. It's none of Arashi's first language. If possible, get your letter translated.
Don't overtly fangirl in the letter. "I LOVE YOU MARRY ME NAO," is probably inappropriate.
Other tips can be found here at Arashi-World.
RADIO SHOW E-MAILING (ENG | JPN | INTL)
OHNO SATOSHI | ARASHI DISCOVERY
arashi@fmyokohama.co.jp
MATSUMOTO JUN | JUNSTYLE
arashi@nack5.co.jp
AIBA MASAKI | AIBA REKOMEN
arashi@joqr.net
NINOMIYA KAZUNARI | BAYSTORM
nino@bayfm.co.jp
Tips
If you can type the messages in Japanese or get it translated, I'd implore you to.
Though, about 4/5 members of Arashi are learning or trying to learn to speak English well.
So it may just be great practice. :)
ARASHI NO SHUKUDAI-KUN (JPN | NI)
Arashi no Shukudai-kun's submission form has specific radio buttons for you to click. Here are the translations for each button.
Oishii Ryouri | Delicious Foods
This is the section of the show where the guest ask for delicious food! If you have something to submit here, then try it out.
You probably need to have a good idea of Japanese food and restaurants and all that jazz.
イメージ宿題 (Image Homework)
"Kinou no yoru, nani shiteta?" | What did you do last night?
If you have a "guest imeji' or an image of what you think the guest did last night, send it in!
番組からの宿題 (Homework from the Program)
Shiodome Aibaland | Send in fun games for the guest and Arashi to play together!
This is the current Program Homework. We've all seen Ai-land so if you have a fun game, send that in! It'd be great to see an overseas' fan's game on the show, na?!
Tips
Use your real name! There's no way they will know you're a foreigner if you use a Japanese pen-name.
If you don't want to use your real name but can think of some genius way to blend in where you're from with the guest image, then go for it!
It may be easier to mention where you're from with the fun game - since you can say "This game originated in Whichever, Wherever."
Arashi no Shukudai-kun BBS
The official Arashi no Shukudai-kun website has a BBS board that anyone can post to.
It's for posting your opinions about each week's episode.
Ozarashi was kind enough to translate the BBS page and form for fellow fans!
Please visit her Vox here for the translation!
Being an Audience Member on Arashi no Shukudai-kun
Since there was interest expressed in this, here is the forum link I was looking for that explains the process. From the sounds of it -
- You have to send in your request to a Japanese address from Japan.
- You have to ballot.
- You have to be a FC member.
So it's not quite that simple. Check out the above post for the full explination.
HIMITSU NO ARASHI-CHAN (JPN)
Request Form | Request to see a certain secret investigated!
The form is quite simple - no name or location is asked. (Just like a secret agency, ne?!)
- Visit the main page.
- Click the Keyhole that says "リクエスト" (Request) under it.
- A window should pop up.
- Write in your request!
I will add more information (such as VS Arashi) in a jiff! Happy fangirling!!
ARASHI SECRET AGENCY
Lots of people have asked me about it (which I don't mind of course!) but let me just generally state that once the website is up, it is open to all!
One of the things that I think I enjoy most about the ASA is that everyone is so welcoming and we all thrive on our love for Arashi.
So, there's no need to be a long-time fan, a popular fan, anything like that. None of that matters. (Trust me, I'm not a popular fan at all and I'm still in. >.<)
Himitsu no Arashi-chan Report...thing.
Yeah well I figured I'd do it 'cause
1) I'm bored.
2) I can post this before it's magically avaliable for download the same day.
3) I like typing my opinion. XD
Apparently, Aiba is the AgeAge Master. As per his own words.
It's funny because Jun has this amazing ability to pretend like he's uninterested or you know...him being "MatsuJun," and then will like...shoot in with the most detailed and "I MUST KNOW THIS!!!" type questions.
I love Nino's ability to hold NOTHING BACK. He loves laughing. More so laughing AT others. I was just cracking up at that sheer fact that he was like *spazzes, turns around, laughs manically* at like...everything.
You know my little in-studio window. Also known as the Reaction Cam? Yeah well, reaction camera man sucked today! I have this thing where my 2 favorite React...ors are Sho and Ohno. It just really intrigues me to see what Ohno finds funny because he's really kinda like to himself at times so thats always like interesting to me. Then there's Sho who just...well his laugh is hilarious. He like claps, falls out of chairs, etc etc. Beyond that. LACK OF THEM BOTH! What is this.
The Age Hairdresser name was Jun too -- so they were like "DOUBLE JUN!"
Hairstylist!Jun: :)!!!!!!!
Matsu!Jun: o.o*
It was amazing.
I've seen it before but when they were crazy promoting Beyonce's song in Japan, Crazy In Love, they had this girl (quite Japanese, rather big girl) dance to the song and what not. You know how it's all, "Ohohoho you are CRAZY girl!" Well she was on Himitsu...they Age'd her. That sounds dirty...
Sorry, but I must say that by this point I was going, "Um severe lack of ShOhno much?!" I'm deprived. >V.V
So they had three different Age styles that they changed a New Half, a...woman I can't remember if she had any special trait, and Beyonce of Japan into. It was like Princess Kei, Rock Kei, and um Gorgeous & Sexy Kei.
Beyonce of Japan: Gorgeous Sexy Kei
New Half: Rock Kei
Incredible Nameless Woman: Princess Kei
So rundown of the little in-studio Age Fashion Show
Gorgeous Kei's dress was a whopping 4,950 Yen! (end sarcasm). I was surprised but after a second glance, it wasn't that fabulous...but the way it was arranged made it like Wow I guess... Everything else about it though was throughly expensive. She had on this like...diamond encrusted Louis Vuitton necklace that would probably pay for the rest of my Junior College tuition and a new dog.
Princess Kei was pretty alright. I've got to say, this whole dressy lets be girly YAY deal is not for me. Frankly, I like Johnny's style. As in, on me. I'm a bit of a tomboy, go figure. She had...epic hairflowers though.
Rock Kei if I had to choose was my favorite. Her entire head was like a disco ball. With that, I was auto reminded of Sho's new au CM because the au planet turns into a disco ball. Then he's all "CHAAAAAAAANGE!" Hahahaha
Oh oh oh but the best part of watching HnA this week was the preview for NEXT WEEK.
I'm just sayin' guys.
SHO IN A COWBOY HAT.
I died a bit inside.
It was HOT.
Like a sgghlfdvkjYOGA FIRE~!
Then then Ohno was like, "Look how beautiful and thin my belly is!"
Mmmhmm, you go boy.
It was humorous.
I didnt realize that I was being so secretive about it but here`s an update.
Last week I went on a trip to Chiba to find Keikarou so I wouldnt be like, `Oh god where am I?!` and what not. Also to make sure it was okay to give her the card.
I know plenty of people just GIVE her stuff but I felt like it'd be a lot more um...polite? to just ask ahead of time. I apologize if it seems lame or if you feel like it slowed the process down or something...
Aibamama was there and I talked to her a bit and asked her if it was okay for me to pass the card on to her. She was extremely extremely sweet about it and said yes, bring it next week. She even gave me a specific day to come (I dont know why but I doubt its a surprise visit from her son so dont get excited) and so I'll be delivering it this week.
She even gave me a postcard with a picture of a turtle she took while deep sea diving. Pretty rad. The animal love gene runs strong -- even Keikarou has pictures of animals everywhere.
So it'll get delivered with more than enough permission from her and etc.
(Sorry if I dont seem excited -- I am and really was WHEN she gave permission but I am having an off day today. So I apologize.)
Went to the Johnnys Shop yesterday.
WEIRD.
But It was fun.
Left with like....12? 15? Arashi uchiwa.
I got O_O sugoi...faces.
I love it. :)
Erm...sorry I cant be all...more...precise? I am going to type a huge entry tonight for you all. :)
Alright. There is already a lot of information out about things like what was discussed during the MC and what not. Therefore -- and not in a rude way, its just that I am not fluent in Japanese and Arashi talks FAST witch each other, talk over each other, spaz like idiots, etc -- I wont be like transcribing that or anything. My apologies!
Before I begin however, thanks to my Neighborhood/friends/family who kept me in your well wishes and prayers. I had only been in this country two days and then had to figure my way to Sapporo alone. In the end it wasn`t a challenge but it could have been. So, I sincerely appreciate the kind words! <3
Traveling to Sapporo
I had my trip planned out and what not. I printed a timetable for all the trains/shinkasen/etc that I had to ride all listed out. When I went to go cash in my rail pass, they told me the train I needed to catch was completely full. I like almost fell out -- I had already started crying actually. They then said, you can catch this train to Hakodate (which is in Hokkaido but is 4 hours away) but I would have to sit around, doing nothing for almost 6 hours and would arrive at like 10AM. That was 4 hours later than I had planned for. However, I said you know, "Whatever I will take it because I will see this concert." so I took the train.
While on my last train (Aomori -- Hakodate) I notice the two girls in front of me are watching Maou on their keitai. Firstly I was like O_O because I missed it by going to see them! I still regret missing it >.< However, you know I established they were Arashi fans. So after a ton of mental prep (I am kinda terrified to speak Japanese, you see) I finally asked, "Um, where does this train stop?" and they answered "Sapporo." So I am like, "...eh?" because I was under the impression that its last stop was Hakodate. So I explained to the girls about my ticket and they summon the train conductor(?) over and told him. He tells me, "Oh you can ride to Sapporo -- just move to the unreserved seats when we get to Hakodate." So I am like, " THANK YOU THANK YOU!" and was able to arrive at the time that I planned.
Arriving at the Dome/Meeting Clarice
So I arrive in Sapporo just fine and search around to find the subway to Fukuzumi -- the train stop nearest to Sapporo Dome. Found it just fine, got off and then met up with Clarice about 20-25 minutes later. She was wearing green (guess who she is a fan of~) and we hugged and were like YAY WE ARE GOING TO SEE ARASHI~
Fans
Japanese fans are serious business outside the show. Not a lot of people outwardly flailed or anything. It was interesting on my end, because where I come from, we flail with little to no shame. They are all very fashion concious too. A few people either made/customized their own shirts. Some people just wore cute outfits in their ichiban`s colors. I only saw one Live Cosplay of Yuuji (OMSK) and it was very cute. ^^ No one was rude to me from what I heard. I got stared at but then again, aside from one other person that I knew was there, I was a total gaikokujin and so I`m sure it was more like, "She knows Arashi??? HOW??" than anything else. Which is fine -- spreading the word, right? :)
Concert -- Day 1
Before the show: While sitting, everyone in a while they would show Arashi ads and what not.
J-Storm bundle --
One Love single: Footage from the PV.
Dream "A" Live album: Footage from Happiness and Step and Go PVs
TIME -- kotoba no chikara -- DVD: Footage of them singing Happiness during the TIME concert.
Right after each ad, it was like *EPIC SWOOSH* "J-STORM!" I was like, "REALLY, THREE TIMES? I get it!"
(Epic) Yatterman CM --
It was narrated in English, kinda weird but very entertaining. NO footage of Sho! You know, they REALLY want to surprise us I think. I mean we all know Sho + tight clothes is like MECHA YABAI but I`m getting impatient. O_o
Hana Yori Dango Final --
If you`ve seen any of the CM`s online, it was the same. XD
24 Hour Television --
The infamous, "Who will cry first?" question.
Sho: Hm....probably Aiba.
Nino: I think Aiba.
Jun: Aiba.
Ohno: Maa, it`ll be Aiba right?
Aiba: It SEEMED like he was getting all huffy, like "WTF it WONT be me T_T`
Poor thing. LMAO
Go For Beijing--
News Zero! It was a great complilation of all the Sho Ichimen where Sho-chan would go talk to various Japanese athletes participating in this year`s Olympics. August 8th is when he heads to Beijing. Ganbare Sho-chan!
One thing about it though, if you can imagine it.
Epic music.
A small window showing the individual athlete.
A epically serious image of Sho-chan right by it.
Subtitle, "TABLE TENNIS!"
Sorry, but I cracked up! To me, table tennis = ping pong. It`s a skilled sport but he looked SO serious in the picture and I`m like, "It`s PING PONG!" Ok I`m done. XD
Move your body: They wore these really really amazing black outfits. Its comparable to their epic yellow outfits during this past year`s Johnny`s Countdown, but ALL black. The performance was as epic as you can imagine an Arashi styled intro to be -- maybe more.
Happiness: I loved loved this performance! The furi was a lot of fun to do along with the audience!! Sho-chan speaks English at cons usually (like -- to get the crowd hype) but I really think he`s been focusing on pronounciation. He was REALLY GOOD! Then again, I am easy to please. During Happiness, the English he spoke was just,
Come on, everybody!
Yeah Yeah Yeah!
and...
Last time!
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah~
See? Easy to please. *dead*
Life goes on: This song was SO fun to sing to! It`s one of my favorite DAL songs -- along with Niji ni Kanata e which I was SO wanting to hear!
Step and Go: Everyone was excitable during this song. Man, you know during Ohno`s solo when they`re like in a line and does the clockwork move? I SO DID IT TOO. I love that part like a crazy person.
Member Introductions: The usual!
Jun: Hey! (Audience: HEY)
Nino: Irrashimase! (Audience: KYAAAA!!!!!!)
Aiba: I couldn`t understand it...he was asking questions though. XD
Ohno: Hi! (Audience: HIIIIII)
Sho: What`s up, SAPPO~RO! + Arashi chant.
I LOVE the Arashi chant! Especially when he`s all, "Motto Arashi!" He`s amazing, Sho is. XD
Introduction to the concerts theme -- Dream "A" Live Carnival: M.A.D. came out as clowns/circus folk/ringmaster/etc. 2 balloons (hot air balloons) with Arashi written on the pop up on the right of the stage. The main castle like set is to the right actually. Arashi enters from the right side on their floats.
Jun: Stallion
Aiba: Present -- AND a monitor! It had a huge monitor on it for the people with arena seats I presume.
Sho: Heart dealy -- it had like heart shaped balloons jumbling around in it too. Very cute
Ohno: I think it was an ice cream float...float. XD
Nino: Gardeny thing.
The outfit that stood out to me the most were Nino`s and Sho`s.
Nino is like a sunflower prince of flowerland! It`s just very grassy/sprouty.
Sho`s I was just in love with. I think it`s based off the Queen of Hearts...but he was super pretty in it! Like a girl! Hahaha.
For this song, they stayed on the right side of the Dome. That`s where I was sitting that night!
Love so sweet: They moved to the center to do Love so sweet. It`s hard to dance to LSS with people by you!
Everybody Zenshin: They moved to the left to sing this. Man, when the intro started, everyone went NUTS!
Carnival Night Pt. 2: It was like remixed! You know how Arashi has a ton of "concert versions" of their songs? Well this was just that! It was GREAT too! It`s so fun to shout "C-A-RNI-VAL NIGHT!" with everyone.
Take me faraway: FIRST SOLO, WOO! Ok, um sorry but...earlier concert goers, what the hell? Not only did Ohno DANCE during his solo, it was SEXY AS HELL. I was like OOOOOHWEEEE! It was awesome too -- he did a chair dance deal and I was just like *_* Waaaaai~ Satoshi~
Hip Pop Boogie: Not gonna be biased not gonna be biased it was the best thing ever so not biased. REALLY THOUGH. Sho was poplocking the shit out of this song! I was like DAMN BOY YOU GOT MOVES. Sho`s pretty freaking fly man. Nah but it started with two guys with a ghettoblaster (huge boombox from the 80`s) trying to get it to work. (You hear HPB but its muffled and whatnot) then you hear it all loud and clear though and Sho emerges! Thats when he starts breakin it down man. LOVED IT. Sorry about all that -- I just showed my race. XD DUDE THOUGH. His thumb is FINE. MORE than fine! He flashed it like 50 times to prove it too.
(I forgot to write this song down. >.>)
Hello Goodbye: I didn`t realize there was furi during this night! So I was just like singing/screaming and waving my penlight sporadically! Aiba is seriously adorable during his solo -- like scarily so. I loved it.
We can make it: Not much to say other than it was really cute and great to hear live.
Kitto Daijoubu: Man this one was FUN! Like the "When I was driving through the niiiight~" line started and it was just like "KYAAAAAA!!!"
MC: I`m sure there are already transciptions of this MC up so...yay! MatsuJun`s Maou impersination was hilarious! Especially since he kept repeating the line and THEN doing the face. I was like "What the hell -- you`re kinda crazy today. XD"
Then there were three~ Jun talked about the HYDF/ANA promotion deal. He`ll be flying all around Japan apparently? I can`t believe I`ll still be out here actually. I`m going to go to Tokyo/Osaka if I can and report it to you all.
Sho went on about Yatterman and all that fun stuff. Basically, nothing we didn`t already know.
Then Sho introduced images from FREESTYLE. It was like,
seahorse
rows of drawings
crazy robot
OHMIYA.
People (guess they didn`t read spoilers) were like "Eh? EH?!"
Ohmiya SK: Yuuji was looking at the blown up picture of the Ohmiya clay heads they were in front of, going "I`m not that dark! The artist here has no sense." then while Yuuji was ranting, Taka would randomply quip in, "None!" Then it was like "La la la CHIKUBI BATTLE!" and they ran on stage to sing the Mikoshi song. <3 Afterwards the bazooka shot off the wrong way and...well, I think the rest was reported. XD
After Ohmiya Skoshi, they showed an animation of the Arashipillar (so they could all change I presume. The Arashipillar was walking all over different places, ate a leaf, and then like seperated into 5 little...turtle things. Uhhhh....
Sakura Sake: Right! Sakura Sake~ They were hanging in the air with a blimp carrying them out. They had on orange. They rode acrros the center of the arena. It was neat!
Fight Song: Same deal, they were still in the air and Sho didn`t spin. >.< I`m scared of heights too so I understand. Nino messed up the lyrics -- I don`t know WHY.
WISH: I am not a big fan of WISH but it`s quite fun to sing at a live!
A day in our life: I was so amped, like "YAY ANOTHER CHANTING SONG!" Everyone was so excitable and into it!
Gimmick Game: Nino`s dancing was REALLY great! It still had that kind of...Ninoness to it but it was pretty fly. The licking finger thing was only done once though -- I was under the impression he KEPT doing it. That`s why I told my friend, "OH GOD, I AM NOT READY FOR NINO`S SOLO."
Naked: It was just as depicted on the pictures of it -- quite etheral, very hmmm sophisticated-like? Very Jun, I`d say. Everyone was a lot more "KYAAA!" and "WAOOOOO!!!" this day though.
Greeen: It`s actually a catchy song...maybe hearing it live helps? I know at first I was like "Yeah....o_O" but it grew on me.
Once Again: I know everyone loves this song and I heard it a few times but it is SO MUCH HOTTER at the live, Ohmiya gosh I kid you not! Like they should do a live PV version of it.
Theme of Dream "A" Live: Introduced M.A.D. and the female dancers. Then they introduced Arashi again and they all did silly stuff. What was neat was for each member, their solos was remixed with the DAL theme. SO great sounding.
Ohno: Made his eyes follow his finger/creepy face
Aiba: Backflipped, screwed up. XD
Nino: Card trick. I SAW RIGHT THREW IT!
Jun: Sucked on his fingers.....?!
Sho: He was just all, "Hip hop hibi to the hip hip hop and ya dont stop!"
Then it was like EPIC DANCE TAIMU and they did a dance.
(Forgot to write this song too >.<)
Hidashi no Mirai: This was great fun! They had red, dancing letter A`s to help with the furi! So I was like YAY I`m Hidashi no Miraing!
Oh Yeah: This song at the start, they were like JUMP JUMP and the arena was like LIFTS! It was a crazy sight to see.
Your Song: This was the moment when I kinda went you know...language barriers, sure. Individual differences, whatever but...you know we were all just Arashi fans and I felt really unified with everyone around me at that moment. Like, someone could step on my shoe or spill a drink of me and I wouldn`t care. It was touching, seriously.
Encores
One Love: A LOT more fun at the lives! They still do the corny like hand movements but I dunno, its fun to do when you have a penlight.
Kansha: OLD SCHOOL ARASHI YAAAY~ You know the lyrics, "Smile again! Arigatou" after they say Arigatou, the audience shouts, "Arashi!" Its very cute.
Gori Muchuu: I DIED. I FREAKED OUT AND DIED. Gori Muchuu is my FAVE Arashi song. So, I was like flailing/waving/being insane during it all.
Pikanchi Double: Aw it was fun to hear! After Sho`s ending rap, they bowed and walked out. People were like OH HELL NAW and chanted Arashi again.
Hero: Then they played Hero! It was great since we had seen the 24 Jikan Ad earlier. It`s still a super touching song.
Then that night was over. I was still kind of in, "I just saw Arashi....I JUST SAW. ARASHI." mode...
Concert -- Day 2
Instead of re-typing the things that didn`t change, I will type the things that DID change.
Take me faraway: MUCH MORE HIP SHAKING THIS NIGHT. Ohno was feeling particularly sexy I think `cause boy was on fire. I WAS LIKE DEEEEEENG who taught you that. XD
Ohmiya SK: SHAFTED! We were SHAFTED! Well I`ll start. After Mikoshi song, they tried to shoot off the bazooka like, 4 times! On the last time Taka did a running start and jumped like the FREESTYLE pose!
It was hilarious to see them both totally break character after that. THEN THOUGH -- it ended all abruptly!! All I heard was "BlahblahCHIKUBI!" and they ran off. T_T
Fight Song: Sho STILL did not spin BUT he apologized, LMAO.
A.RA.SHI: I CANT BELIEVE THEY SANG IT FINAL SHOW! LIKE I KNEW IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT I FIGURED JUN WOULD BE PRETTY MUCH LIKE, MY FOOT IS DOWN! AND NOT DO IT BUT THEY DID! >.< The people around me were totally crying too it was amazing. Thats like the epitome of Arashi no matter how young and whatever they were.
Okay its been more than 13 hours since the show ended.
I was gonna take notes but -- AND LAUGH ALL YOU WANT!
That was seriously one of THE greatest three hours of my LIFE.
I knew EVERY SONG.
The people behind me at the end of the show were like O_o
I was jumping and acting all crazy!
I learned the furi like instantly
But I was doing Arashis dancing a lot too cause I wanted to.
And I dont want to freak out but...
Okay! I didnt have time then to make a fancy Las Vegas kara uchiwa so...I just wrote it black on white so itd be visible.
DUDES
I TOTALLY SAW SHO POINT IN MY IMMEDIATE DIRECTION AND WAVE.
UM HELLO?
LIFE WAS ENDED.
SDYFJFGKGHKYTLKJD
At tonights show, I hope he sees me again or more of them do!
I`m making the rest of Arashi uchiwa too. Well, if I can. PLANS!
Nino: DRAGON QUEST slime
Jun: Takezo Saikou (The Last Princess got kinda shafted and I liked it ;_;)
Aiba: Mixer DANGEROUS BOY! or ermmmmm....nah thats all I thought of.
Ohno: Let`s go fishing (In Japanese of course) OR! IKUZOOOOOO! Maou. (Nessatoshi knows this one. LMFAO)
Sho: I really dont know....I was thinking Sakuradon but I dont have enough/the right
paper....I used most my bright yellow paper!!1!1! LIFE MAY BE OVER WAIIII. I might go to Tokyu Hands here in Hokkaido if I can find it. T_T
Erm so ACTUAL REPORT for BOTH SHOWS tonight! Im at a mangakisa for my stay in Sapporo. VERY nice joint. Love it! I`m off! Got uchiwa to make. :)
Teki-so-so~ Destini here. (Don't ask.) Today is the big day where the winner of the Card for Arashi design contest is announced, along with a few other details. :)
With the majority vote in their favor (29%) and the winner of the design contest -- I'd like to congratulate CHINGYI LIU for her outstanding submission. Here it is below:
As promised, your design will be presented as the cover of the card!
Also, as a small token of my appreciation and since I can't do much, you win a 24 Hour Television shirt in any color/size you want.
おめでとうございます・ありがとうございます!
Now then! Just a few things I want to state & announce. Our final signature total is 139 signatures! We made a tremendous jump, thanks to three amazing Arashians from California -- Jeana, Jelyn, and Joanne who managed to gain over 50 signatures alone! I really appreciate all the help from you girls, because it did admittedly make our number total a lot more significant.
Of course, I still want to thank all you Arashians who submitted your signatures individually -- it may seem like a simple enough task; just signing and scanning. However, I really believe that if all goes in our favor, we can have a grand result and hopefully get more recognition as American Arashians. Once again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
For the 'announcement,' I believe I mentioned that I had a small surprise in mind and so now I will let you all in on it. I know art isn't an easy thing to do and I got so many, "I couldn't choose an entry!" comments regarding the design contest that my head spun!
So, my 'surprise' for you all is that the card (well, it's turning more into a pamphlet, ne?) will include ALL of the participants entries on the inside!
After the signatures, I'll have a title page, explaining what they are and then they will be added to the card itself so Arashi can still see your hard work -- whether it's the cover or not. I wish I could do more, but I really hope this "consolation prize" will be a great gift to you all. This is my way of thanking you all for even taking the time to create beautiful artistic renditions for this project -- we'd be card less without you all! Thank you so much.
Now that the voting is done and the submissions are closed, I will be working hard to get the card done and I will update you all on my progress thoroughly. Feel free to add me or anything of the sort if you wish to stay regularly updated on the status of everything. Once again -- I can't say it enough, thank you all for everything! The kind words, hard work, submissions, suggestions, etc and so forth. I really have great vibes about the results of this so lets cross all our cross able appendages and wish for great luck!
Hello my fellow fangirls/boyses! <3 Destini here to inform you all that...
No excuses, my friends -- I have to begin the process of the card ASAP.
We are currently at 132 signatures! Yay~ :)
Furthermore, June 24th is the closing of the Card Front poll. The poll is set to cut off on the 24th (so I don't forget).
Instead of posting the winner on June 27th, I will post the winner on June 25th.
Otherwise, that'll do it. Questions/concerns? E-mail hippopboogie[@]gmail[.]com! Thanks so much for the overwhelming support thus far!
At this present time, I am no longer accepting shirt orders. Since I had received a ton past it even saying there was like, one shirt slot left, I went ahead and accepted them. However, I do not want to get in too deep -- I'm going overseas for school and cannot be out buying like 80+ t-shirts. After this first wave of shipments, if everything is nice and settled, I might begin a second wave of orders.
Thank you to everyone who submitted and I will be e-mailing most of you all about shipping prices as soon as I know them.
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At first, I only offered this to a few friends but I thought about it and I know how much people may want one of these shirts (especially after the 24 Hour Television SP, because they'll be harder to get the farther from it's broadcasting date).
I know it's like (for a lot of fans):
PROS
Arashi wore/will be wearing it!
It has cute bunnies~
CONS
Ohno didn't make it.
In the grand scheme of things, here is how prices will go. I sat and thought/deliberated with myself & everything else so these are final prices -- no shifts/increases/backhanded fees. I explain where all your money will be going in plain print.
Official T-shirt Price: 1,600円.
I'm Asking For: $16 USD.
Detailed explanation of where your money is going:
1,600円 = $14.82 (current exchange rate)
$16.00 - $14.82 = $1.18
Paypal charges a $0.79 fee for...being Paypal? So to continue.
$1.18 - $0.79 = $0.39
That $0.39 will go towards the shipping rate (which is discussed below) so that the flat-rate box will be a little less.
This is just to prove in black & white that I will not be making some incredible profit from this process. Of course countries other than the US need to convert their fees for their own knowledge, but I will be sending invoices out in American Dollars. So Paypal will convert it for you.
Next is shipping.
- I will be charging for shipping.
- Items will be shipped from Japan.
- I will ship anywhere. :)
That's another fact that I feel like it's only proper for me to inform people of ahead of time. I will be waiting until I arrive to Tokyo to find out about flat-rate shipping envelopes in Japan and whether the t-shirt's weight will qualify for it.
If it does, then the rate for shipping will be set in stone and that's my goal -- to make the math and prices cut and dry. I suck at math so the less confusion, the better.
The shirt sizes.
I got asked this a lot and frankly, I do not know the sizing seeing that,
1) They aren't even out yet.
2) I've never bought one and wore it.
The only slight justification I have is where I heard a Small size 24 Hour TV shirt from 2004 was very long/large on someone. However, that's all that I can give at this present moment. When I get my shirt, only July 4th, I can give a broader idea. Please just be patient with me.
I believe that covers everything. If any interest is shown through this post or PM or anything like that, I will e-mail you individually with further information.
Everyone: Please take great care to read the post all the way so to avoid asking questions that are already answered. Thank you.
Ohmygosh! This is soooo great!!! Ahhh Aibamama is sooo sweet ne~ Arigatou Aibamama and Destini-San ^^ <3 read more
on Card for Arashi project -- update.