“Strange/Complex Relationship” Ohno & Okada (OhKadachii)

Today I would like to share about the “The Strange Relationship” between Okada Junichi, the youngest member of V6 and The Leader Of Arashi and at the same time the oldest member of ARASHI.

Ohno auditioned/came in Johnny’s earlier, in which Okada follows up. So it can be said, Ohno is Okada senpai in JE but everything change so early after Okada enter the group of V6 on 1995. And after a few years until late 1999, Ohno debut as ARASHI.

So, in term of Johnny’s hierarchy, Okada/V6 is Ohno/ARASHI senpai after all. But, in term of debut day in Johnny’s, Ohno is Okada senpai. Then, everything starts became strange when both of them aparts since Okada enter V6. No matter when they meet or greet each other, neither of them were dare to make first move which one who should act as senpai nor kouhai. 

 

So here, the demonstrated about their senpai-kouhai issue is began.

And also, both of them have Synchronized births because their birthdays are near each other.

Okada: November 18, 1980

Ohno: November 26, 1980

Which is why they celebrated their Coming-of-Age ceremony together. (two from right, plus with Joshima Shigeru from TOKIO at left)

And it’s widely known among their fans and Johnny’s that Ohno and Okada have a “complex relationship” .

Btw, I don’t know how I want to describe this kind of relationship between Ohno & Okada in their past, but when looking and searching about them in web, I don’t know why, but some of their glimpse (photo/video/moments) which I watch in some variety seems like they almost look like close friend in their junior day and this things about eating nata-de-coco especially really caught my intention to getting more and more about close, strange and complex relationship between them.

So, in this post I’ve collect some trivia which happen between Ohno & Okada in their Junior era of Johnny’s from various tumblr site. Also, the talks moments between Ohno and Okada from a variety such as VS ARASHI (VSA) and Arashi ni Shiyagare (ANS) are credits to allthingsarashi.tumblr.

Okada in Chubaw 2013.04.27

Okada: “Ohno and I ate nata de coco together before I debuted. Various [flavors]Nata de coco was popular. Nata de coco was absurdly popular. Every day, we’d say let’s go eat nata de coco. (laugh)”

~~~

Someone on twitter had this cute imagery which I want to share:

“Young Okada in his white overalls and Ohno wearing the clothes his mother bought eating nata de coco on bright summer days.”

Ohno and Okada reminisced in HNA how he wore overalls a lot. And he likes white.

More on the nata de coco story. VSA revealed that Okada and Ohno “always” ate nata de coco.

Okada just said that he and Ohno ate nata de coco everywhere and everyday until he debuted as V6.

I got feels like you don’t know. Every day.

So it seems most of Okada’s days as a Jr was spent with Ohno. Room mates and close friends. So whenever Okada thinks of or talks about his short stint as a Jr, he can’t help but remember his days with Ohno too.

I hope that those two reconnect as friends. Somehow, despite growing up apart, they’ve become similar adult men. Both are quiet, humble, private and artistic/creative. That one debuted way ahead, and the JE hierarchy would have made friendship difficult, especially considering they were too young and probably immature to deal with this. That Ohno was able to maintain a friendship with Machida and the rest of MA despite Arashi debuting proves this.

Being a Johnny’s Junior sounds like a lot of heartbreak with only a handful of success stories if you count the number of happy and debuted groups against everyone else who didn’t get to. Right now, the juniors are numbered to 700. During Ohno’s era, about a hundred. But I’m also willing to bet the kids had a lot of good times while they were younger before the pressure of wanting to debut/succeed/reaching a dream became a lifestyle.

I’d love to hear someday (and hopefully sooner than later), that Ohno and Okada went out for a nata de coco adventure after one of these shows/filming sessions for old times sake. XD But considering they’re both very quiet and rather private, we might never hear of it from either of them until the next promotions in each other’s shows or hopefully a drama together. 

~~~ 

Chubaw 2013.04.27

From everything that has happened, I think Okada and Ohno had reconnected at a certain level. I wouldn’t say the same as when they were jr’s but somewhere more comfortable than that ‘strange relationship’. I do have this theory that maybe Ohno felt betrayed in a way when Okada left for V6. If Ohno felt like they were the best of friends then, then maybe that’s one of the reasons he refused V6. Putting aside his reasons for not wanting to play volleyball. They were young, immature. And friends tend to want to stick together. I kinda understand where Ohno is coming from, if this were the case. It would be embarrassing to relieve all that youthful mischievousness on national Tv. And now, I think they’re comfortable where they are. Because I really don’t think Ohno would be forthcoming and cooperative if he really didn’t want Okada to tell their story.

Agreed. There was a certain chumminess with how Ohno and Okada interacted in Arashi ni Shiyagare and even in the HNA, more so in VSA to make me think they’ve got it worked out earlier. But those early years must’ve been pretty awkward for both of them, more so for Okada if Ohno actively refused to interact whenever possible when he debuted.

Knowing that the nata de coco adventure was practically a daily routine for both of them, for that to stop after his debut would’ve felt pretty abrupt. The betrayal would make sense too (which is why the imaginative side of me is all over that moment). I saw a post that said when Ohno refused to play volleyball, Johnny walked over to Okada and asked him, which implied that Ohno and Okada were in the same room when that happened. It was only a matter of days between that and the V6 debut.

At the same time, with the Okada and Ohno situation, this brought to mind the Ohno and Machida situation. Ohno knew what it felt like to watch someone close to him leave because of a debut, so he’d know more than anyone what was going on with Machida. Add to that that Machida actually left Johnny’s right after only would’ve made Ohno’s debut mentally and emotionally taxing for him. But on this regard, they’ve managed to bridge that gap sooner and turned out stronger for it XD

Ohno’s past truly fascinates me. Well, everything fascinates me so thanks to Okada’s stories, he just managed to fill an entire chunk of my mental map for Ohno’s junior life pre-Kyoto.

~~~

All Things Arashi: soraheart3104: All Things Arashi: OhKadacchi on VS Arashi...

I can imaging their relationship being kinda special -  not in a combo/couple way. Seeing that the camp was when Ohno just joined Johnnys and Okada back from the TV regular suddenly. They were newcomers to the other Jr. at the time, so were tacky and tsubasa.

AND YESSSSS!!! Their grinning to SOOOO priceless~ and little untold silence eye contacts, during VSA and Shiagare.

I’ve no idea about how close it is between V6 and Arashi, it seems to me that Tokio is rather closer, at least in private friendships. Perhaps because I don’t know much about V6, except their songs and dances are good and heartwarming. Plus their concert was arashi’s first formal performance as back dancers. Thus, NO IDEA where that cold rumour comes from.. :(  Ohno is like some one who would talk too much about themselves and their past, especially when the topic may relating to others, i.e. MA. It is way he protects and respects his friends I guess.

Between V6 and Arashi, I assume it’s your normal senpai-kouhai relationship since Arashi did backdance a lot for them. I remember during the Ohno interview in the BCP when Ohno’s backdancing clip came up, he fondly went “This brings back memories” XD It just now has new meaning to me lol

Individual relationships though, I know Nino and Okada are on good terms if not close. And I read somewhere Okada is a Jun fan lol. Okada and Sho are on good terms as well because of Kisarazu. Then it’s Ohno and Sakamoto — Ohno attended V6’s 10th year anniv concert and actually went up on stage to whine/bitch at Sakamoto for the overdue omelette rice trip lolol which he mentioned again during the VSA when Sakamoto was there.  Sakamoto was with Arashi a lot during their debut so I guess he’s pretty close with everyone. 

Inocchi and Ohno were together for Playzone 2001 and Ohno said it was Inocchi who made him feel better/gave him encouragement during that time. 

It’s the Miyake-Ohno that actually makes me curious as well. Ohno kept on latching to him in the V6/Arashi line up for the countdown concert.

I know what I’ll be doing when Okada’s done going public about his strange relationship with Ohno XD Time to dig in. They weren’t completely ignoring each other if some fans were able to talk about them in forums, though most of those were about the V6 switch as well.

And agreed about Ohno not talking about his past. If he did, we rarely hear actual names if it’s anyone in the business. A lot of his relationships tend to come as a surprise XD Kame’s painting came from Kame’s radio show. Shige fishing with him came from Shige. Machida detailing their annivs usually came from Machida as well. Higashiyama drinking out with him came from Higashi as well *_* Matsuoka’s tuna too lololol

It’s like somebody (like a show/host) would have to prompt him. If no one asks, he’ll never tell and we’ll never know.

~~~

All Things Arashi: OhKadacchi on VS Arashi (2013.4.25)

soraheart3104:

So, Falling Pipe was perfect.

Ohno: Do you like me?

Okada: I love you.

Ohno: Then say 3 things you love about me.

Okada: 1. You’re very kind. 2. You’re good at singing and dancing. 3. What else…

Ohno: *presses the button*

Okada: *catches…

The 3 months during the camp were different from all the time arashi members spent together after their debut. Ohno and Okada were trained in an enclosed environment, not sure about their future as they were so young.

Maybe they didn’t hangout after V6’s debut, but some memories just won’t fade out - memories that are simple and pure like the nata de coco in hot summer. It is what it makes them cute together now sharing memories. That pure childish emotions stayed in the old days, that they won’t have something like that any more when they are successful adults now.

Yet I think Ohno messed up the Climbing just because the wall is changing, getting much harder depending on the grips’ location. Back in ‘08, that wall was so easy in a funny way. XD

He certainly blamed that one grip XDDD I remember him saying, “I thought I was good at this” lolol but I need to rewatch this again. I don’t trust myself after a single watch and raw at that *_*

And agreed. 3 months in an enclosed camp while they were 14-15 would be the stuff I’d love to hear more of. They couldn’t stop grinning each other after one look every time memories came up, even in that Shiyagare ep. XD I just want to squish them especially when Okada went, “Daisuki dayo!” while lying down grinning at that falling pipe ceiling lol and the crowd going aww. 

I’ve been looking around about Okada and Ohno, and there was this old and short discussion on yahoo around 2009-ish where their fans said it seemed Okada and Ohno are cold to each other. It made me wonder what prompted the comments. Some said that they’re not bad, but doesn’t seem to be close either compared to the others in the V6/Arashi mix. lol And then come 2013, it becomes common knowledge that they were actually pretty close once upon a time and now some of their fans are latching on it lol

I’m calling the Chubaw ep as the last hurrah unless something new comes up again about them.  XD

What I love about this is when they looked at each other and laughed. Tiny communication but without other members in between - kind of a special bond formed when they are young.

Yes XD we’ll never know if they’ve managed to hang out together again between the V6 debut and later Arashi debut since apparently Ohno stayed away, and Okada felt strange. But if that was the case, this whole thing makes things even more cute since obviously they never forgot the good times XD

~~~

Ohno Satoshi’s Bromance Timeline Pre-Debut

This is very relevant to my ancient ship, submarine and everything else.

This is based from my memory so it’s subject to change each time something comes up. Okada didn’t even make a blip in my mental map before other than the V6 switch. But apparently he made one hell of an impact in the timeline, which  I think was among the reasons that built the momentum for the Kyoto era. Ohno said the new juniors were coming in and being pushed forward, while the older juniors were pushed back/sidelined. So he decided to leave for Kyoto where he could dance the way he wanted to and retake the spotlight elsewhere.

Then Kyoto led to Ohno’s satisfaction in dancing, so he was ready to retire (with Machida XD) except, Musical Academy was formed, and the MA era began. Ohno’s retirement plan just kept on getting stalled from here on until Arashi happened. And another era was born.

And all throughout this, Ohno vs Sanche made for an occasional junior show. I would seriously love to hear Sanche’s thoughts. He should guest in Shiyagare. That’d be fantastic.

~ Now The Timeline ~

1994

1994/10/16 - Ohno and Machida meet at audition, and make it in together. The beginning of OhMachi BFFery

1995

1995 (summer) - Okada wins a contest and enters Johnny’s

1995 - In the next 3 months…

1995/6 - 9 - Training Camp/Summer Vacation together with Okada, Tackey and Tsubasa in a dorm; Lots of Nata de Coco, Tamagochi and Purikura involved between Ohno and Okada.

1995/10 - They come back after the trip. Ohno, Okada and someone else get shortlisted for V6

1995 - Ohno declines V6 

1995 - Okada accepts V6 

1995/10/22 - Sho enters Johnny’s; Sho gets deja vu the first time he meets Ohno, but hesitated speaking to him a lot because of the senpai status

1995/11/1 - V6 debuts

1995/11 - Sho is told to dance behind Ohno for V6 concert, which begins the Sho as Ohno fanboy stage

1995/12 - Ohno and Okada start to drift apart, the beginning of the “Strange Relationship”

Friends who appreciate and understand his artistic side makes me want to squish them together. Okada likes carpentry and making things with his own hands, which is something Ohno likes as well (making things with his hands that is). I came across this wink up (well I think it was wink up but I can’t be too sure if it’s the right magazine) where Ohno told Okada he watched him in Tokyo Friend Park where Okada won this Do-It-Yourself tool box. And congratulated him for it (and obviously wants to get his hands on it lololol but he didn’t say that).

~~~

Arashi ni Shiyagare, 2013.04.20 Part 7

Remember Okada’s reaction when Ohno said he couldn’t call him “Okada” anymore (before he said Okadacchi)? They went from joking around and into the next four gifs after what Ohno said he remembered, and then Ohno took an abrupt wrap up on a light note. Because uncharted territory if they kept at it lol and it was getting long (not to mention no one was smiling anymore).

Ohno doesn’t remember much of the send off party, but he does remember something.

Ohno: But I do remember we were always together. That summer…

Okada: We were together for 3 months.

Ohno: We were together for 3 months, yeah

Ohno: So… it was then that he’d debut…what…I didn’t think… (long pause)

Ohno: Somehow… it’s a feeling of my best friend leaving for another school.

Crowd: Aaahhhww~~

Jun/Aiba: … :(

Okada: …*biting lips*

Sho: The sudden change made it seem as though there’s some distance in the friendship?****

Nino: Then you were lonely.

Ohno: … Yeah

Sho: …aah

Ohno: Then…that close friend (who used to be) with me got along so well with V6. Since we’re close, it seems I get along well with V6.****

Everyone: lol

Nino: Well, well… they’re in a group!

*** I had a hard time translating Sho, so there’s a high rate of inaccuracy there. Context should be similar if not the same, though. 

*** My friend made a correction~ so it’s Ohno getting along with V6 because of Okada, at least in his imagination lolol

~~~

Arashi ni Shiyagare, 2013.04.20 part 1

A senior arrives and everyone’s shocked. Sho mentions that V6 is Arashi’s senior, and then pulls Nino with him as they step back, because Ohno is different. 

Okada: We’re almost synchronized.

Ohno: We’re almost synchronized.

Okada: Ohno’s about my senior.

Sho says that Ohno auditioned/came in Johnny’s earlier, in which Okada follows up by explaining how he entered Johnny’s.

Okada: During the Summer.

Ohno: Then you’re my senpai. I came in Fall.

Nino: What year?

Ohno: 1994

Okada: 1995

Ohno: Then you don’t treat me like a senior! (or Then I’m your senior!)

Everyone laughed because Ohno entered the angry!hurt!senior skit and Nino hit him to stop fighting Okada.

Sho: You’re the same age.

Okada: Synchronized births

Ohno: Our birthdays are near each other.

In the HNA episode, Okada also said that he and Ohno were the “two colleagues who fit together”.

Their birthdays:

Okada: November 18, 1980

Ohno: November 26, 1980

Which is why they celebrated their Coming-of-Age ceremony together.

And it’s widely known among their fans and Johnny’s that Ohno and Okada have a “complex relationship” lol. I’m not kidding.

~~~

Arashi ni Shiyagare, 2013.04.20 part 2

I’d like everyone to remember these expressions, especially when I get to the confession part. Shiyagare has no script, so Ohno didn’t know what Okada’s about to confess later and Okada didn’t know that Ohno would start this entire show with this comment.

After Ohno and Okada demonstrated their senpai-kouhai issue earlier, Sho mentioned that there are times when everyone would gather, like during countdowns. Sho asked Ohno if there ever was a sense of distance between him and Okada.

Ohno: When we were juniors, I would call him “Okada! Okada!” but then he debuted as V6.

Ohno: I couldn’t call him Okada anymore.

Sho: So?

Ohno: I called him Okadacchi.

~~~

Arashi ni Shiyagare, 2013.04.20 Part 3

Okada did his research well and picked gifts that would fit each of the members of Arashi.

Sho got the “Hundred Year Law/Method” book and Okada wanted Sho to star in it if/when a movie is made someday.

Jun got a huge stained glass (which is very expensive) because Jun likes interiors. And we all know Jun is a very trendy person.

Aiba got an outdoor LED lamp, because Aiba likes/wants to go camping.

Nino got climbing shoes… which he is not quite happy with (look at that face), because Okada thinks the sport fits Nino. Personally, I think this was a giant hint of Okada wanting Nino to get out of his house lol

And then there’s Ohno’s camera. Because of Ohno’s hobby and artistic sense.

Ohno: Seriously. This is exactly what I wanted. For real.

~~~

Arashi ni Shiyagare, 2013.04.20 Part 4

A little backgrounder first, these are the entry years for them:

1994: Ohno

1995: Okada

1995: Sho

1996: Aiba, Jun, Nino

Everything happened in 1995, and that’s the reason for the request and why it’s Ohno and not Sho, and why Ohno is already laughing before Okada can even say more than just his name.

Okada: Turn the set back to the days of 1995.

While the set is turning, you see Sho and Ohno talking/reminiscing by laughing at that dance step. Also, Ohno’s legendary 3m antennae phone shows up lol

~~~

Arashi ni Shiyagare, 2013.04.20 Part 5

This is how you can tell Arashi’s never heard of this story before: they’re pretty quiet except for Sho who’s moderating (and playing middleman) the exchange between Okada and Ohno. No one teased Ohno or Okada, or made smart comebacks and just listened to Ohno and Okada talk about it.

Okada’s Confession: Ohno! I’m sorry for posing as a senior until now

(I’m paraphrasing because it’s long)

Okada: Because my debut came a little early, a distance developed between us. They told me that I’ll be joining the senior groups on training camps (dorms). They told me “Good luck!” “Bon voyage!” and sent me off. 

Okada: When I was involved with V6, it became hard to call.

Remember the introduction a few minutes ago? How Ohno said he couldn’t call Okada anymore and Okada’s reaction? Suddenly there’s something serious bubbling from it.

Okada: And then we didn’t talk much anymore. It became a strange (mysterious) relationship between us.

Sho then explains the hierarchy in Johnny’s. Your entry gives you seniority, and your debut CD gives you seniority as well. So, entry means Ohno is the senior, but CD debut means Okada is the senior.

Ohno: Once you debut, you don’t really get to meet up anymore. So when V6 would drop by, everyone/the juniors would greet, “Good morning (in a polite manner).”

Ohno: And then I…”Okada, morning! (casual)” — I can’t say that.

Sho: Did you ever feel lonely?

Then Ohno makes that face (last pic), and Rihanna’s “We Found Love” in orchestra plays.

~~~

And the wind blew, my Ohchan + Okadacchi feels have set sail on this undiscovered ancient ship. How long did it take for this story to be told in public? 18 years. XD 

~~~

VS Arashi (Talk Moments between Ohno & Okada) 2013.04.05

Ito-san: Ohno-kun, he is your rival today.

Ohno: Right? It’s Okadacchi, right?

~~~

Okada: Since I had to debut ahead, I had only caught glimpses of Ohno-kun but I’ll never forget…

~~~

Okada: We ate nata de coco together.

~~~

Ohno: There had been a lot at the time, right? Tamagotchi. Nata de coco. Print Club*

Okada: Among those, Ohno liked nata de coco.

…

And then in Chubaw 4.27, we realize just how much Ohno and Okada liked that nata de coco and just how often they ate it. Everyday. 

Okada totally can’t look at Ohno straight. LOL

Print Club* = everyone laughed because Ohno didn’t abbreviate it. At present, people refer to this as “purikura” which I guess is the modern version/phrase of Print Club and Ohno’s age/being old fashioned just made another appearance. Perhaps they called it “Print Club” in the 90’s.

Their Japanese fans are now talking about them in the same breath as nata de coco. There’s already a whole lot of “Ohno x Okada = nata de coco <3 <3” going on LOL

~~~~~

My words?

So…the story about nata de coco comes up a lot ne.

Also, they look such as a best friend since in junior day before the story of Okada debuting as V6’s coming.

Then, they are roommates who are sticking close together during joining Training Camp/Summer Vacation together Tackey and Tsubasa in a dorm.

A Close friend who tend to want to stick together as well as (OhMachi & OhMiya)

And as Okada said in HNA, they are two colleagues who fit together. Such as having a Synchronized births because their birthdays are near each other and in term of personalities, both are quiet, humble, private and artistic/creative.

So, finally, we have that mind about what kind of Relationship which Ohno & Okada have in their past, early debut in Johhny’s then until now.

Anyway, I would like to say they are pairs who <3 nata-de-coco a lot.

I LOVE to read that story~~~

So, that’s all about OhKadachi story for today.

Thank for reading. ^_^

Janee ~

Notes: Color of words

Blue = me

Pink = owner of the source

Black = caption/source

Purple = Ohkada

Blue sky = Ohno