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Tobe Co., Ltd. (株式会社TOBE, Kabushiki Gaisha TOBE, pronounced [tə bi]) is a Japanese talent agency based in Hachioji, Tokyo. It was established in March 16, 2023 by Hideaki Takizawa, who also serves as the agency's representative.[2][3][4]
Native name | 株式会社TOBE |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Kabushiki Gaisha Tobe |
| Company type | Private (kabushiki gaisha) |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | March 16, 2023 |
| Founder | Hideaki Takizawa |
| Headquarters | 2–5 Shincho, Hachioji, , Japan[1] |
| Products | Entertainment |
| Services | Entertainment |
| Website | tobe-official |
Former Johnny and Associates talent and company vice president Takizawa announced on 21 March 2023 on his Twitter the establishment of a new company.[5] He also said he was to seek new talent for the company.
On 2 July 2023, the first of the talents of the new company was presented to the public. It was revealed on YouTube that former Johnny's and V6 member Ken Miyake was going to be part of the talent.[6] Almost a week later, on 7 July, a new video was released on YouTube, revealing the newest members, former Johnny's and King & Prince members Sho Hirano and Yuta Jinguji.[7]
On 14 July, a new video was released on the official YouTube. It was to announce the new members of TOBE, the 7-member group "IMP.". IMP. is the former Johnny's Jr. group called IMPACTors. IMP. consists of members Arata Sato, Takuya Kageyama, Yuki Yokohara, Minato Matsui, Taiga Tsubaki, Shunsuke Motoi, and Taiga Suzuki.[8] On the video, TOBE's Tiktok was also announced.[9]
The next artist to be introduced was Ritsuki Ohigashi, another former Johnny's Jr. The announcement was made on TOBE's official Twitter on 16 August 2023.[10][11]
On 13 September 2023, a new "#TOBECONTINUED" teaser video was released on YouTube. The new artist was to be revealed on the 17, but voices in X (formerly Twitter) were already guessing the identity of the new member, being this person former Johnny's Kis-My-Ft2 member Hiromitsu Kitayama, who had recently left the agency.[12] On 17 September 2023, Kitayama's identity was revealed, introducing him as the latest member of TOBE.[13]
On October 15, another former King & Prince member, Yuta Kishi, announced that he joined the agency and reunited with Hirano and Jinguji to form a new group called Number i.[14]
It was announced on 16 December 2023 that the Tobe artists would have their first concert in Tokyo Dome in March 2024. The announcement was made through the official membership site.[15] The name of the concert series, to HEROes ~ TOBE 1st Super Live~, as well as the details of the same, were announced on 23 December 2023.[16][17]
On November 11, 2024, Tobe announced the formation of a new group, together with the release of their official site and fan club. The new group, Class Seven, is formed by 7 members ranging from 14 years the youngest, to 19 the oldest. More about the debut and further information will be released at a later date.[18] That same day was announced an official fan club for the trainees.[19][20]
Takizawa and his team of artists, led by Ken Miyake, volunteered at a soup kitchen set in Wajima Junior High School on January 4, 2024, following the January 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake. People in the area were surprised to see the likes of Miyake, Number_i's Yuta Jinguji and members of IMP. serving meals, including hamburgers and curry, to around 1000 victims in the disaster area. The action was met with mixed feelings on social media. While one woman in her 70s tearfully thanked the action saying that it was the first hot meal she had in days,[21] and other comments were of gratitude and surprise for not having made any announcement on social media, many thought their presence that early after the earthquake would hinder the rescue effort[22][23]
As part of their charity activities, Tobe artists released, as the special unit "to HEROes", the song "Be on your side", composed by Misako Sakazume, Slack Rat and Uno Blaqlo, with lyrics by the members of Number_i[24] on March 18, 2024 on streaming and download sites, with a CD version being released on May 1st. Proceeds from the sale of the song, both from the download sites as well as the CD, will be destined for the children in the affected area.[25][26]
Recording artists
- Ken Miyake
- Number i
- Sho Hirano
- Yuta Jinguji
- Yuta Kishi
- IMP.
- Arata Sato
- Shunsuke Motoi
- Taiga Suzuki
- Takuya Kageyama
- Minato Matsui
- Yuki Yokohara
- Taiga Tsubaki
- Hiromitsu Kitayama
- Class Seven[27] (with members of the former trainee group DeePals)[28][29]
- Taiga Yokota
- Taikai Kondo
- Ren Takada
- Ritsuki Ôhigashi
- Shuu Takano
- Ren Nakazawa
- Keito Hoshi
Trainees
There are currently 28 junior talent trainees, referred to as "Trainees", of which, on March 14, a group of 5 members, with ages ranging from 11 to 13, was chosen.[30][31][32]
- Wink First
- Taiga Shimada (center)
- Shoma Fujishiro
- Kou Matsuzaki
- Ruki Kawada
- Yushi Kosukegawa
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