Getting ready for a storm to pass (Arashi announces disbandment)

Arashi has officially announced that after a final tour next year in 2026, they will be ending all group activities. 

Dumpling Box article. (English)

And while I know some are still hopeful that with the wording it means that the group is not technically disbanding, with how final everything is worded it basically is. Especially as the group has been on hiatus since 2020 so they could have gone on as they were if they wanted to keep the group alive. 

While I was at best a casual fan of the group I am still stunned by this. Some may have seen it coming, but I always expected that the group would be back from time to time to do something. But it looks like they will to keep their promise to return just to officially disband after this concert tour next year.

I don't want to even imagine what chaos it is going to be for getting tickets for this final tour. I imagine they are going to be incredibly strict with who gets to try for a ticket and who will get one, as Starto is pretty anti-scalper. So unless they specifically open up tickets to foreign fans, sadly I don't think getting a ticket that will actually let you go in to see the concert will be possible. Unless you have someone in Japan that gets two tickets and will be taking you with them.  

Though I do hope one of the stops for the concert will be in Hawaii, so foreign fans will have one more chance to see them. Especially since the group began in Hawaii with their debut announcement, and they have performed a concert there before. 

For me though, I think I'll be creating a playlist of all my favorite Arashi songs. As I listen to it I will appreciate everything this group has accomplished, not only for themselves but for the groups that have been running towards their backs in hopes to one day be on the same level as them. This group has left a mark that is going to be remembered and I wish nothing but the best futures for all the members in whatever they plan on doing next.