V6 (band)

History

Name

In an interview on Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, the group stated that the "V" in V6 also stood for "Versus" (20th Century versus Coming Century) at first. However, then-president Johnny Kitagawa informed the group that the "V" had multiple meanings, such as "Volleyball", "Vegetable" (as Sakamoto's parents own a green grocers), "Bicycle" ("V" and "B" are indistinguishable in Japanese; Nagano's parents own a cycling store), and "Veteran".

1995–2021

In 1996 they made the opening for the 12th entry in the Ultraman Series, Ultraman Tiga named Take Me Higher. From 1997 to 2008, V6 hosted their own variety show Gakkō e Ikō and later hosted Viva Viva V6 since 2001 on Fuji TV. Along with their group shows, the members also have individual TV shows, dramas, or radio programs.

In 1997, V6, Tokio and Kinki Kids were grouped together as a special unit, called J-Friends, to raise money for schools affected by the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. The unit disbanded in 2003, after recording 6 singles and holding special concerts and events.

The Japanese version of Thunderbirds uses "Thunderbird - your voice -" by the group for the theme song of the movie.

V6 celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2005, commemorating the event by holding about thirty concerts in sold-out arenas all over Japan, holding three major "Thank You Events", releasing the movie Hold Up Down and releasing Musicmind as their new album. They also had a rare "Handshake Session" with hundreds of thousands of fans in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka.

As separate bands, both of them performed the opening song for the anime, Eyeshield 21. Coming Century performed "Breakthrough", the first opening theme song, and 20th Century performed "Innocence", the second opening theme song. As V6, they performed "Chain of Power" as an insert song. They also sang "Change the World" and "Brand New World", respectively the first opening and eighth ending themes of the popular anime InuYasha, as well as "Break Out", the 18th opening song of the popular anime Fairy Tail. They later performed the 21st opening song of One Piece, "Super Powers".

On May 3, 2017, they released the double A-side single titled "COLORS/Taiyou to Tsuki no Kodomotachi". The title track "COLORS" was used as the theme song for member Yoshihiko Inohara's starring drama "Keishicho Sousa Ikka 9 Gakari season12" on TV Asahi. Meanwhile, "Taiyou to Tsuki no Kodomotachi" was picked up for NHK's "Minna no Uta" for April and May.

On March 12, 2021, Johnny & Associates announced V6 would disband on November 1, V6's 26th debut anniversary. In July, they announced that they would host their last concert tour, LIVE TOUR V6 groove from September 4 to November 1, the first day and the last day of the live tour, which is the date of V6 formation and their debut date. Also, they will release their new album STEP on September 4.

On October 26, 2021, V6 hosted their last TV variety show Gakkō e Ikō as a group. They also released their last best album Very6 BEST.

On November 1, 2021, member Go Morita also left the agency, effectively dissolving also the sub-group "Coming Century", though Okada and Miyake continued with their individual activities. Miyake left the agency in 2 May 2023. Okada left 30 November 2023. Sub group "20th Century" would continue activities past that date.

Beyond disbandment

On October 26, 2025, it was announced that the discography of the group would be released on streaming and download sites on November 1. And 20th Century to open "Cafe 20th Century" in Jiyugaoka, 2 years after the opening and around 10 months after the closing of the previous store in Shibuya.

Members

20th Century

• — (leader of V6 and 20th Century)
• Hiroshi Nagano
• Yoshihiko Inohara

Coming Century

(Officially disbanded when Go Morita left)

• — (leader of Coming Century) (left 1 November 2021)
• (left 2 May 2023)
• Junichi Okada (left 30 November 2023)

Discography

Main article: V6 discography

Studio albums

• Since 1995: Forever (1996)
• Nature Rhythm (1997)
• A Jack in the Box (1998)
• "Lucky" 20th Century, Coming Century to Be Continued... (1999)
• "Happy" Coming Century, 20th Century Forever (2000)
• Volume 6 (2001)
• Seven (2002)
• Infinity: Love & Life (2003)
• Musicmind (2005)
• Voyager (2007)
• Ready? (2010)
• Oh! My! Goodness! (2013)
• The Ones (2017)
• Step (2021)

Compilation albums

• Very Best (2001)
• Very Best II (2006)
• Super Very Best (2015)
• Very6 Best (2021)

Videography

DVD/VHS

• 1996: Live for the People
• 1997: Film V6: Clips and More
• 1998: Space (from V6 Live Tour '98)
• 1999: Film V6 Cct II: Clips and More
• 2001: Very Happy!!!
• 2002: Film V6 Act III: Clips and More
• 2002: Liv6
• 2003: Hard Luck Hero (movie)
• 2004: Love & Life (V6 Summer Special Dream Live 2003)
• 2005: Film V6 Act IV (Ballad Clips and More)
• 2005: Film V6 act IV (Dance Clips and More)
• 2005: Very Best Live (1995—2004)
• 2005: Hold Up Down (movie)
• 2006: 10th Anniversary Concert Tour 2005: Musicmind
• 2008: V6 Live Tour 2007 Voyager (Boku to Bokura no Ashita)
• 2009: V6 Live Tour 2008 Vibes
• 2010: V6 Live DVD Asia Tour 2010 in Japan Ready?
• 2012: V6 Live Tour 2011 Sexy.Honey.Bunny!
• 2013: V6 Live Tour 2013 Oh! My! Goodness!
• 2016: V6 Live Tour 2015 -since 1995~forever-
• 2018: LIVE TOUR 2017 The ONES
• 2021: For the 25th anniversary
• 2022: LIVE TOUR V6 groove

20th Century

• 2009: 20th Century Live Tour 2008 Ore Ja Nakya, Kimi Ja Nakya
• 2009: 20th Century Live Tour 2009 Honey Honey Honey

Coming Century

• 1997: Sky
• 1998: Question
• 2003: Cosmic Rescue (movie)
• 2009: We are Coming Century Boys Live Tour 2009

Other activities

As a group, the members of V6 have done dramas such as V no Honoo in 1995 and movies such as Hard Luck Hero in 2003 and Hold Up Down in 2005.

Films

V6

• "Hard Luck Hero" (2003)
• "Thunderbirds" (2004) (Japanese dub)
• "Hold Up Down" (2005)

Coming Century

• COSMIC RESCUE (2003)

Drama

• "V no Honoo" (1995, Fuji TV) – all members of V6
• PU-PU-PU- (1998, TBS) – members of Kamisen
• "Shin・Oretachi no Tabi Ver.1999" (1999, NTV) – members of Kamisen
• "Shounentaiya(doramaserekushon)『Shinsen~Yoru no Ongaku』" (Fuji TV) – members of Tonisen

Variety shows

• "Majikaru Zunou Pawaa!!" (1996–1999, NTV)
• "Gakkou e Ikou!" (1997–2005, TBS)
  • "Gakkou e Ikou!MAX" (2005–2008, TBS)
  • "Gakkou e Ikou! 2015" (Nov 13, 2015, TBS)
  • "V6 no Ai Nanda 2017" (Aug 30, 2017, TBS)
  • "V6 no Ai Nanda 2018" (Sep 24, 2018, TBS)
  • "V6 no Ai Nanda 2019" (Sep 23, 2019, TBS)
  • "V6 no Ai Nanda 2020" (November 3, 2020, TBS)
  • "Gakkou e Ikou! 2021" (October 26, 2021, TBS)
• "24 Jikan Terebi" (NTV, 1998, 2000)
• "V6 no Moto" (1999–2000, Fuji TV)
• "Mahha buiroku" (2000, Fuji TV)
• "Owarai V6 Byoutou" (2000–2001, Fuji TV)
• "MyMiCen!" (2001, TBS) – Kamisen
• "Otosen!" (2001 - 2002, TBS) - Kamisen
• "Otosen II" (2002, TBS) – Kamisen
• "Rabusen!" (2002–2004, TBS)
• "Asuriito Ouen TV! Nippon! Chax3" (2006–2007, TBS) - Tonisen
• "VivaVivaV6" (2001–2010, Fuji TV)
• "Shinchishiki Kaikyuu Kumagusu" (2008–2010, TBS)
• "Mission V6" (2010–2011, TBS)
• "Otoko no Hensaachi" (Oct 2011 – Oct 2012, TBS)
• "Gacha Gacha V6" (October 2012 – March 2014, TBS)
• "V6 LOVE VICTORY" (April 2013 - 2 Episodes Aired only TBS)
• "AMAZIPANG" (April 2014 – October 2021, TBS)

References

References

1. (2021-03-12). "Japanese Boy Band V6 Will Disband This November".
2. KAT-TUN. (2006-04-03). "Interview with Downtown". [[Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ]].
3. (2008-07-21). "Class is over for "Gakkou e Ikou!"". Tokyograph.
4. "VVV6". [[Fuji Television.
5. "神戸にしっかり刻まれたＪ－ＦＲＩＥＮＤＳの足跡".
6. "「サンダーバード-your voice-/V6」の歌詞 って「イイネ！」".
7. "V6's 2005 Timeline". Johnny's net.
8. (March 28, 2017). "V6 to release double A-side single in May". 6Theory Media, LLC..
9. (2021-03-13). "Japanese all-male idol group V6 to disband on Nov. 1".
10. NEWS, KYODO. "Japanese all-male idol group V6 to disband on Nov. 1".
11. "V6、9月から全国ツアーで"集大成" セルフプロデュースのアルバムも発売決定「期待していてください」".
12. (1 November 2021). "V6、集大成ライブで26年の歴史に幕「いつかどこかでまた逢う日まで」".
13. (1 November 2023). "三宅健、SMILE－UP.から独立の岡田准一にエール「友が新しくやることは何でも応援」".
14. (27 October 2023). "トニセン、新曲「回れよ地球」11・1に配信 藤巻亮太が作詞作曲でポジティブな思い届ける「まず俺らが楽しまなくちゃ」".
15. (23 May 2022). "トニセン、Twitter開設「昭和生まれの小粋な3人組です」新曲は初の配信リリース".
16. (26 October 2025). "トニセンプロデュース喫茶店「喫茶二十世紀」約10ヶ月の準備期間経て再始動 長野博がメニュー監修".