Since we're about half way through the year now I kinda want to do a run down of the various groups and hopefully hear what other people think.
SMAP - Honestly I think they've come to the point of their career that they will do what they want when they want. Of course things are looking pretty good for them this year as they've avoided scandals so far and have a tour and an album coming up soon. I guess the biggest disappointment is that they had their free concert in Shanghai canceled but that was out of their hands.
TOKIO - They just had a number 1 single after about 3 years so that's good news at least. It's hard to tell what the group is doing outside of their usual variety programs. Nagase does have an upcoming drama and hopefully it fairs better than his last own. Also I hope the next CD release from them is an album as they've released four singles already under J-Storm so they are due for one. Of course seeing how many Johnny's acts are getting albums this year I would not be surprised if they do get one as well.
Kinki Kids - They've been pretty quiet of late, but like most of the older groups they seem to be able to decide when they want to do things. I'd assume they will at least release a single sometime this year but I'm not sure if fans will get anymore than that.
V6 - They've released an album and have had their group tour early in the year. They had to fend off rumors of disbanding so those releases did confirm that the group is still willing to go on together. They're probably the only one of the older groups that keep to a pretty steady release schedule so I assume it'll remain that way so I would not be surprised to hear about a new single soon on the way from them.
Arashi - Still riding high off their popularity boom. They dominated 2009 and it seems like they will continue to do so throughout 2010 as well. There isn't a drama season that one member isn't starring in a drama and there are movies in various stages of production that they have members attached to. They've also had a steady stream of releases since last year and this year they will release their next original album, so it should be interesting to see how well that sells. They will also be touring again but with the large gaps of time between concert dates it looks like it won't affected their busy schedules much.
Tackey & Tsubasa - At the end of last year there were promises made that they will release as a duo once more but it hasn't happened yet. In fact there really haven't been any releases from either of them really asides from Tsubasa's solo single. They've both kept themselves busy with theater work for the first half of the year. Tsubasa will be doing PLAYZONE this year with many of the older Juniors and Tackey will be having a short solo tour while Tsubasa does that. Things don't look good for them doing anything together anytime soon.
NEWS - After one single early in the year they haven't done anything as a group. Instead much like 2009 there is more activity with Tegomass (mini-album and tour) and Yamapi (single) with no signs of group work again. Last year there was at least the 24 Hour program to look forward to, as well as a concert DVD, but this year has neither of those. Shige at least had a drama for a while to keep himself busy this time but now he has nothing to do and Koyama has the programs he's a regular on to do so it's not so bad for fans of those two. But I'm sure many NEWS fans like me want the whole group doing something together again before the year end shows, especially since if they don't they'll be singing Sakura Girl for them.
Kanjani8 - They seem to be doing rather well as a whole this year. They did not have to wait long before Ryo was done with his latest NEWS activities and are well on their way for their next single release. They have new group shows and Ryo and Ohkura are getting acting jobs pretty regularly. Yoko had his second solo concerts, though unfortunately he also had his mother pass away during them, but he's decided to keep going and not cancel anything despite this. I can see them getting at least another CD released before the end of the year and there is probably a good chance that they'll get to tour this year, especially if NEWS keeps having the members do side projects instead of group activities.
KAT-TUN - Another group that seems to be lacking full group activities this year. Again they are without Jin, but this time he hasn't actually left the group. This year it looks like Johnny's will just have the group go on without him with the usual activities as they are touring and will be having a 'world' tour soon. Jin's solo concerts in LA were a success and now it's officially become a tour. I have the feeling he will be remaining in America until October after all with that. I'm curious to how they will treat his return to the group and how that will affect sales with the next full group single.
Hey! Say! JUMP - 2010 looks much better than 2009 for the group. Though it actually wouldn't have taken much to improve over 2009 for the group. They released a single, Yamada and Chinen had a NYC single, and then finally there will be a debut album. They're just as busy as past years with concerts and this summer they are doing SUMMARY once again. Hopefully after the summer closes things will be set for them to finally get on a somewhat normal release schedule for them so there aren't anymore waits over a year long between singles again.
And that's all I'll do as the Juniors are just such a large group and I'm sorta addressing recent things as I ponder which are most likely have the best chance at debuting.
As I mentioned at the beginning I really would like to hear from others what their opinions are, as I tend to learn quite a bit from comments as I'm not always following some groups as closely as others so hearing from their fans is always nice.
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