Timelesz

"Sexy Zone" redirects here. For the song, see Sexy Zone (song).
timelesz
Also known asSexy Zone
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Years active2011 (2011)–present
Labels
SpinoffsB.I.Shadow
Members
Past members
Websiteovtp.jp

timelesz (formerly Sexy Zone)[1] is a three-member Japanese boy band managed by Starto Entertainment (formerly Johnny & Associates).[2] As Sexy Zone, the group, originally consisting of Shori Sato, Kento Nakajima, Marius Yo, Fuma Kikuchi and Sou Matsushima, debuted, their group age average 14.6. In 2013 they appeared in Kouhaku for the first time performing their hit song. Sexy Zone is the 5th group from Johnny & Associates to debut as special supporters for the "FIVB World Cup Volleyball" in 2011 after V6 (1995), Arashi (1999), NEWS (2003) and Hey! Say! JUMP (2007) from the same agency. They sold 3 million copies in Japan. Yo left the group and retired from the entertainment industry in 2022. Nakajima left the group on March 31, 2024. The new version of the group started officially their activities on April 1, 2024.

Career

As Sexy Zone

Sexy Zone was announced as a group in a press conference on September 29, 2011.[3][4][5] Johnny & Associates's CEO Johnny Kitagawa said, "The group name came from Michael Jackson's sexiness".[5] The members were revealed to be Kento Nakajima, Fuma Kikuchi, Shori Sato, So Matsushima, and Marius Yo. Kitagawa chose the members considering the "sexiness of men".[3]

After the press conference, the members appeared in Teigeki Johnnys Imperial Theatre Special "Kis-My-Ft2 with Johnny's Jr.", and premiered their debut song "Sexy Zone", which was subsequently released on November 16, 2011, from Pony Canyon.[4] This song was also the image song of the 2011 FIVB Women's World Cup and the 2011 FIVB Men's World Cup. The group were special supporters of 2011 FIVB World Cup.[6] this song was ranked in the Oricon charts.

Sexy Zone was named Musical Ambassadors of the FIVB Volleyball World Cup on March 2, 2015. On the FIVB world cup they performed their 10th single, Cha-Cha-Cha-Champion and announced the players as they entered the court.[7] In 2016, their official Japanese Volleyball team cheering song "Shouri no hi made" was released to cheer on the volleyball team.

By May 2014, Sexy Zone was working as three groups: Matsushima was paired with Kaito Matsukura and Genta Matsuda, now members of Travis Japan, then of Johnny's Jr., as "Sexy Matsu"; Marius was paired with former Hey! Say! JUMP member Genki Iwahashi and former King & Prince member Yuta Jinguji, both then of Johnny's Jr., as "Sexy Boyz"; and the main group (which would keep the name of Sexy Zone), that would focus on Nakajima, Kikuchi and Sato. The three groups, together with the fans (called "Sexy Girls"), would become known as "Sexy Family". It would be the first time that a group would not have a fixed number of members. Three would remain as core, and the other members would be picked from the "younger sibling groups" (Sexy Matsu and Sexy Boyz).[8][9] It was reported by Nikkan Sports in 2014 that the group's then-upcoming single, their seventh, "Otoko Never Give Up", was recorded by only three of its five members.,[10] as later did their eighth "Kimi ni Hitomebore" and ninth single "Cha-Cha-Cha Champion", featuring only members Kento Nakajima, Fuma Kikuchi and Shori Sato. This resulted in rumors amongst fans about the future of Marius and Matsushima, the two youngest members of the group. However, they were guaranteed that the two youngest would not be leaving, they would just be expanding the range of the group by working in their own projects.[11] For their 10th single, "Colorful Eyes", released in December 2015, Marius and Matsushima returned to Sexy Zone, resuming activities as a 5-member group.[12]

The Japanese release of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, released in 2023, uses their song "Try This One More Time" as the ending theme.[13][14]

The group performed in their last concert stage as Sexy Zone on December 26, 2023, following their decision to change the group's name as a consequence of the agency's sexual abuse scandal. This decision was revealed in their official fan club, and by member Kento Nakajima in an Instagram post in October.[15][16] It was revealed on January 8, 2024, that the name change would take place on March 31, and that Nakajima would leave the group the same day, but would remain in the agency as a talent and actor.[17]

On March 31, 2024, the group had their last performance via a streamed live, carried by their official fan site, their group and individual official Instagram accounts and on their YouTube channel. Former member Marius Yo also appeared via video call. The four-men group performed a total of ten songs, interspersed between talking moments, ending with Nakajima giving his last "Sexy thank you".[18]

As timelesz

On April 1, 2024, the three remaining members appeared in a streamed live, in which they announced, not only the group's new name, but a new project. The group, now called "timelesz" (with the sz representing Sexy Zone), announced they would be holding auditions for new members, as well as a 7-city, 25 concert tour. They also announced the name for the fandom, "secondz", with the reading of the name ("secondz" or "secandz") being put to a survey.[19][1][20] Regarding the concert series, "We're timelesz Live Tour 2024 episode0", it will take place from June 22, 2024 (Hokkaido), till August 25, 2024 (Osaka)[21][22]

The group released their first extended play under the new name in June 2024. The eponymous single, out in three formats (deluxe edition, limited edition, and standard edition), will include the previously released songs "Honne to Tatemae," "Jinsei Yūgi," and "Puzzle".[23] The lead song from the new EP, "Anthem", was written and produced by Tomohisa Yamashita. Yamashita's comment on the song: "I wanted them to sing about the strength of turning the impossible into the possible. I wrote these lyrics because I thought that having them sing this song now would give courage and hope to many people!". The song was premiered on their radio program "timelesz's QRZONE",[24] the music video was released the following day in their official YouTube.[25]

As revealed in April, the group held auditions for new members. Out of 18,922 candidates, 350 passed to the second stage. This part of the recruitment was taped for the Netflix series "timelesz project -AUDITION-", with the members screening every candidate. The Netflix series started distribution on September 13 in Japan, and later worldwide.[26][27] A sort of "director's cut" backstage series, with comments by the members, has been shared in YouTube under the name "timelesz behind the audition" as companion series to the Netflix one.[28]

Their tour "We're timelesz Live Tour Episode 0", first one after the name change, started on June 22, 2024, in Makomanai, Sapporo, and ended on August 25 in Osaka.[29]

A new single, "because" to be released on November 20, will be their collective 27th single, but the first as timelesz.[30]

timelesz members

Former Sexy Zone members

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Sexy Zone discography

Studio albums

  • One Sexy Zone (2012)
  • Sexy Second (2014)
  • Sexy Power3 (2015)
  • Welcome to Sexy Zone (2016)
  • XYZ=Repainting (2018)
  • Pages (2019)
  • Pop × Step!? (2020)
  • The Highlight (2022)
  • Chapter II (2023)[31]

Filmography

Television

As Sexy Zone

As timelesz

References

  1. ^ a b "Sexy Zone、新グループ名は「timelesz」 由来明かす「Sexy Zoneの思いを継承していきたい」". Oricon (in Japanese). 1 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ "timelesz｜STARTO ENTERTAINMENT". timelesz｜STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  3. ^ a b セクシーさ売りにジャニーズに新ユニット. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2011-09-30. Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  4. ^ a b ジャニーズ歴代最年少14・2歳！新グループ誕生. スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 2011-09-30. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  5. ^ a b "ジャニーズ新ユニット「Sexy Zone」最年少デビュー". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Hochi Shimbun. 2011-09-30. Archived from the original on 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  6. ^ "新しい時代を創る…国際派ジャニーズ新ユニットが誕生!! スペシャルサポーターにSexy Zoneが就任!!". とれたてフジテレビ (in Japanese). Fuji Television. 2011-10-05. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
  7. ^ "MUSICAL AMBASSADORS NAMED FOR WORLD CUP IN JAPAN". FIVB. 2015-10-05. Archived from the original on 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  8. ^ "Ｓｅｘｙ Ｚｏｎｅメンバー再編 佐藤、菊池、中島で軸固定". Sponichi (in Japanese). 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Ｓｅｘｙ Ｚｏｎｅ新ユニット発表、１万７０００人ファン歓喜". Sanspo (in Japanese). 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Ｓｅｘｙ Ｚｏｎｅ、メンバー流動的に". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 15 July 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Ｓｅｘｙ Ｚｏｎｅ大改造にファン困惑？". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Sexy Zoneがデビュー5周年 少年から大人への成長、個々のキャラ確立…5人が歩んだ軌跡を辿る". Model Press (in Japanese). 16 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Sexy Zone「トランスフォーマー ビースト覚醒」吹替版主題歌を担当！ 中島健人「僕の"トランスフォーム"ラップを楽しんで」 : 映画ニュース". 映画.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  14. ^ "Sexy Zoneの新曲MV到着！『トランスフォーマー／ビースト覚醒』日本語吹替版主題歌に決定｜最新の映画ニュースならMOVIE WALKER PRESS". MOVIE WALKER PRESS (in Japanese). 2023-07-13. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  15. ^ "改名目前のSexy Zone、聖夜の東京ドームでセクラバにプレゼント「永遠を信じられる僕たちでいたい」". My Navi (in Japanese). 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Sexy Zone、グループ名変更へ 中島健人「未来のことを考えこの話し合いをしている」". Model Press (in Japanese). 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人が3・31に卒業へ グループは改名後3人体制に". Oricon (in Japanese). 8 January 2024. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Sexy Zone中島健人、卒業前にメンバーへコメント 盟友・菊池風磨には涙こらえきれず". Oricon (in Japanese). 31 March 2024. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Sexy Zone、新グループ名を1日20時に発表へ 新プロジェクトも始動". Model Press (in Japanese). 1 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Sexy Zone、新グループ名は「timelesz」 新メンバーオーディション開催へ". Oricon (in Japanese). 1 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Sexy Zone改めtimelesz、改名後初の全国アリーナツアー詳細". Natalie (in Japanese). 1 April 2024. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  22. ^ "We're timelesz Live Tour 2024 episode 0". Live Fans (in Japanese). 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  23. ^ "timeleszが改名後初の新作リリース、カレンダーやフォトブックなど特典満載ボックス仕様も". Natalie (in Japanese). 26 April 2024. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  24. ^ "timelesz、改名後初リード曲「Anthem」を山下智久がプロデュース「とても力強く、決意表明のような楽曲に」【コメント】". Model Press (in Japanese). 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  25. ^ timelesz ｢Anthem｣ MUSIC VIDEO on YouTube
  26. ^ a b "timelesz's New Member Auditions to Stream Exclusively on Netflix". Tokyohive. 4 August 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  27. ^ "timeleszの新メンバーを探すオーディション番組『timelesz project -AUDITION-』がNetflixで本日9月13日から配信". Cinra (in Japanese). 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  28. ^ "timelesz project　1話感想　-俯瞰視点から-". Note (in Japanese). 26 September 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  29. ^ "【timeleszライブツアー2024】日程・会場、申込方法、一般販売について徹底解説". Ticket Jam (in Japanese). 16 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  30. ^ "2024.11.20 RELEASE / SINGLE because timelesz". Over the Top timelesz official site (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Chapter II | Sexy Zone" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
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  33. ^ "ジャニーズJr.ランドのなかまたち | ジャニーズJr.ランド". Bs-sptv.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
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  37. ^ "'Fuller House' Season 3 Introduces Audiences To A Famous J-Pop Boy Band". Bustle. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
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