To commemorate Toshihiko Tahara's 45th anniversary since his debut, MEDICOM TOY is releasing the "BE@RBRICK SERIES 48 Toshihiko Tahara" and two knit sweaters designed by Ami-mono Horinouchi for KNIT GANG COUNCIL. We spoke with Toshi-chan, the "King of Idols," about his thoughts on these releases.

Toshihiko Tahara, who debuted in 1980 with the single "Aishuu de Ito (NEW YORK CITY NIGHTS)," has entered his 45th anniversary year. To celebrate, MEDICOM TOY will release the "BE@RBRICK SERIES 48 Toshihiko Tahara," along with two knit sweaters designed by Ami-mono Horinouchi for KNIT GANG COUNCIL.
The knit sweaters will be available for order exclusively at MCT TOKYO from Saturday, July 13, 2024, 00:00 to Sunday, July 28, 2024, 23:59.

Toshihiko Tahara
Born February 28, 1961, in Yamanashi Prefecture. Appeared in the TBS drama "3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi Sensei" in 1979. Debuted as a singer the following year in 1980 with the single "Aishuu de Ito (NEW YORK CITY NIGHTS)." Received the Best New Artist Award at the 22nd Japan Record Awards and the Broadcasting Music New Artist Award at the 11th Japan Kayō Awards, among others. He has also starred in dramas, including "Kyo-shi Bin Bin Monogatari," as well as films, musicals, and stage productions. On June 19, 2024, he released his 80th single, "Ai dake ga Areba Ii." His nationwide tour, "45th ANNIVERSARY TOSHIHIKO TAHARA DOUBLE ‘T’ TOUR 2024 Ai dake ga Areba Ii," begins on July 20, 2024.
Toshihiko Tahara Official Site
Toshihiko Tahara Official YouTube Channel

Congratulations on your 45th anniversary. To commemorate this, a Toshihiko Tahara BE@RBRICK will be released as part of BE@RBRICK SERIES 48.

TaharaStarting this year, under the concept of "HAPPY & HEALTHY," I've been taking on various challenges and sharing them with the world through the "Toshihiko Tahara Double H Project." MEDICOM TOY approached me, suggesting, "First, how about creating a Toshi-chan version of BE@RBRICK?" and that's how this came about. I've known about BE@RBRICK for a while. They collaborate with many companies worldwide.

It took over three months and about ten rounds of communication to reach the final product. It started with designs on paper, before this form even existed. We went back and forth with the staff, discussing how to make it look more like me. In the end, I even drew the eyebrows myself.
I'm truly honored to be included among the global artists who have collaborated with BE@RBRICK, like Michael Jackson. It's cute, isn't it? Was it 550 yen? That's cheap! (laughs)

This is one of the figures in "BE@RBRICK SERIES 48," sold in a blind box, so the chance of getting your BE@RBRICK is only a few percent. Those who get it are indeed lucky. Was the back-and-forth with MEDICOM TOY primarily about the face?

TaharaYes, the face was quite challenging. Since it's a bear, it naturally has a somewhat chubby look. But in my case, I think the image of Toshihiko Tahara comes across through my signature red color and costumes.

Your image color, red, has a long history.

TaharaIt's been red since my debut. The song "Aishuu de Ito (NEW YORK CITY NIGHTS)" even starts with the line "<Red roses thrown away>." In Tanokin Trio, Matchy (Masahiko Kondo) was yellow, and Yo-chan (Yoshio Nomura) was blue.

I've always liked wearing red since I was a child because I enjoy being the center of attention, and red feels energetic, doesn't it? It's the color of passion. I always wear red on stage; without it, something feels off. I wear black and silver too, but I always include a red outfit.

Indeed, the soles of the shoes you wore in the music video for your latest single, "Ai dake ga Areba Ii," were also red.

TaharaThose are Louboutins (Christian Louboutin). My stylist brings them often these days. Also, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton. Unlike regular dance shoes, they're stiff, so it's tough to break them in for comfortable stage performances, but they look so cool.

Speaking of shoes, the Japanese sneaker boom also started with you. Many of my generation admired the Nike "CORTEZ II" with its red nylon upper and silver swoosh that you often wore when you debuted.

TaharaIn the early 80s, Nike wasn't really a mainstream brand in Japan. So, it really made everyone think, "Nike is cool."

The suit color for this BE@RBRICK is also red.

TaharaMr. Akashi (Tatsuhiko Akashi, President and CEO of MEDICOM TOY) suggested the red for the suit. Apparently, he loves the color red, as his name suggests. I recently visited the flagship store in Harajuku (MEDICOM TOY PLUS) to see the BE@RBRICKs. It was a spectacular sight, with so many lined up in the spacious store. There were many foreign customers too.

This time, two types of knit sweaters, featuring your likeness, will also be released by KNIT GANG COUNCIL. The knit designs are by the artistAmi-mono Horinouchi.

TaharaThey suggested I try this too, and both patterns turned out great. They have a nice weight to them. They're really well-made. It's amazing how they captured such realism in knitwear. I decided on the base colors (gray and navy). They're cool, aren't they? I imagine fans will wear them. They're a bit flashy, but they also have a calm feel.

They have a luxurious feel, so I hope adult men will wear them too.

TaharaI'd be happy if they do. Some fans even dress like my stage costumes. There are male fans who match their shoes to mine and come to the shows. Like the Cortez story earlier, they'll say, "Look, look!" Since they're not cheap, I'm grateful.

I attended the release party for your new single (June 30, 2024, Toyosu PIT) the other day, and I noticed there were many male fans.

TaharaOver the past decade, the proportion of male fans has been increasing year by year. It seems many men are joining the fan club too. I notice it when I travel nationwide for concerts. I think, "Wow, there are so many men."

In the 80s, there were overwhelmingly more female fans. If they wanted to see me, they might have felt hesitant with so many young girls around. But as time passed, they got married, had children, and once their children were grown, they thought, "Ah, Toshihiko Tahara is still going strong, maybe I'll go see a show."

After my shows, I often ask the men for their impressions. The most common feedback is, "I got energized." I'm 63 now, but I sing in the same key and dance the same way as I did back then, so they might compare themselves and think, "I need to shape up" (laughs). Seeing me work so hard, they might feel, "If Toshi-chan can do it, I still have a chance," or "I should work harder too." That makes me very happy.

It's rare for an artist to remain at the forefront for 45 years since their debut. In this Reiwa era, you truly embody the word "star."

TaharaNo, I'm "THE IDOL" (emphatically). My record label, Universal Music, came up with the catchphrase "KING OF IDOL"... Wait, was it KING OF COMEDIAN? (laughs) Hahaha!

They also told me, "You're the last solo idol." I suppose that's true. Seiko Matsuda, who debuted the same year, is still active and doing great, and I'm sure everyone else is working hard behind the scenes, but there aren't many actively performing like this. In that sense, I take pride in it, and as long as I'm alive, I want to continue as "THE IDOL Toshihiko Tahara."

That's inspiring.

TaharaI've been in this industry for a long time, but my mentality hasn't changed at all. I dreamed of entering this world and was incredibly happy to get the role of Toshihiko Tahara, but the busyness far outweighed the happiness. I was constantly chasing after my work.
We had so many roles to play back then: recording, concerts, dinner shows. Not just singing, but also dramas, movies, stage plays, radio, interviews. We had to do so many things, but I never shied away from them, and that's why I'm here today.

Of course, there were difficult times, but dwelling on them wouldn't help. I can't live without eating. So, what could I do? I can only sing and dance, and I've just kept at it consistently. For that to work as a business, I need the support of my fans.
There were times and circumstances when I couldn't be on stage, even if I wanted to. But the reason I could remain myself was that my fans always stayed with me. And perhaps my persistence? A hungry spirit of "I won't lose." After all, I want to experience good things. You can't achieve great things by taking the easy route.

Reading your books from around your debut, like "Kimi dake My Love," "Tokimeki Danger," and "Occupation: Toshihiko Tahara," your hungry spirit seems consistent throughout.

TaharaExactly! It's consistent. I'm a stubborn old Showa man (laughs).

At the new single release party, you mentioned, "Most of my fans are sophisticated people." I believe your consistent attitude has influenced your fans as well.

TaharaPeople in the fan club have been with me since my teens, witnessing my life journey. They understand the spirit with which I live, so they're very understanding. My fans are truly wonderful people, and it seems they have strong connections with each other. I often hear stories about how they've been treated kindly.
They'll say things like, "This is a good way to do it," or "Here's an opportunity to meet me," or "The stage is the best." I believe this is all out of love for me, and it's these accumulated efforts that make Toshihiko Tahara who he is.

The theme of your latest single, your 80th, "Ai dake ga Areba Ii," is also "love." The title track features a star-studded lineup with lyrics by Gorō Matsui, music by Takashi Tsushimi, and arrangement by Motoki Funayama.

TaharaIn recent years, we receive about 50 to 60 songs through a competition, including submissions from new artists. Then, with the staff and the record company, we narrow it down to seven or eight. We decide on a theme, like "Let's go with variety this time," or "This time, let's do something danceable." However, for this anniversary, we specifically asked the ultimate trio of Matsui-san, Tsushimi-san, and Funayama-san. We thought, "What should the theme be?" "Well, it has to be love."

The coupling track is "Another Love" (lyrics by Koto Miura, music by Kazuya Aekura, arrangement by Motoki Funayama).

TaharaWe also specifically requested that one. I'm a fan of Kazuya Aekura. He's written beautiful melodies with a touch of melancholy for my songs, like "Kanashimi 2 (TOO) YOUNG" and "Pierrot." Both songs turned out to be excellent, making it hard to choose between them. These four individuals attend my live concerts every year. It's a big deal that they're watching from the second row, first seat. I feel I absolutely cannot make a mistake, which makes me nervous. Though I still make plenty of mistakes (laughs).

How would you describe "Ai dake ga Areba Ii" in your own words?

TaharaMatsui-san is three years older than me, and Tsushimi-san is two years older, like older brothers. They both have a great perspective on me and capture my essence when writing lyrics and music. Since "Gomen yo Namida," I've consistently asked them for my anniversary releases: for my 20th anniversary ("Namida ni Sayonara Shinai ka" released July 23, 1999), 30th anniversary ("Cordially" released June 17, 2009), and 40th anniversary ("Suki ni Natte Shimaisou da yo" released June 26, 2019).

This time, it came in as "A theme of love sung by the 63-year-old Toshihiko Tahara," which really moved me. Of course, I enjoyed singing it during the recording, but I feel it sounds even better live than on CD, and I think the audience feels it more deeply too. I'm playing a serious romantic lead for the first time in a while, so it must have seemed fresh to my fans. For the past four or five years, I've released many upbeat, happy songs, so this melody, with its hint of Showa-era pop, likely resonated even more.

The line "<Let's go further, I won't let you go>" in the latter half of the lyrics particularly captivated me. This is your 80th single, and as a fan, I'm already looking forward to the 100th.

TaharaWell, if I release three singles a year, the 100th will be here soon (laughs). Hahaha!

Your nationwide tour, "45th ANNIVERSARY TOSHIHIKO TAHARA DOUBLE ‘T’ TOUR 2024 Ai dake ga Areba Ii," kicks off on Saturday, July 20, at the Wako City Community Cultural Center Hall in Saitama.

TaharaIt runs through November, covering 19 locations and 20 shows. My band has been with me for over 20 years, and we have a strong bond of trust, which I believe is reflected in the music, creating a great sense of groove and connection. Some dancers have been with me for 10 years, others for three. But they are all instructors in their own right when they're not with me. They juggle multiple classes but make time for me and join me on stage, which I'm grateful for. And they're all lovely ladies.
The two dancers were chosen from a 500-person audition, so their skills are incredible. Together with everyone else, we'll create a fantastic show for this tour. I promise you won't be disappointed. I hope you'll look forward to it.

BE@RBRICK SERIES 48
Size | Approx. 70mm height each
Release Date | Scheduled for July 2024
Price | ¥550 each (tax included)
*Sold in closed boxes (contents cannot be determined until opened). Types include "B@SIC" (9 types with one letter of BE@RBRICK on the body), "JELLYBEAN," "PATTERN," "FLAG," "HORROR," "SF," "CUTE," "ANIMAL," "HERO," "ARTIST" (collaborations with artists), and "SECRET." The probability of inclusion varies for each type.
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KNIT GANG COUNCIL

CREW NECK SWEATER “TOSHI”
Knit Design | Ami-mono Horinouchi
Color | NAVY
Size | M, L (M: Length 65cm / Shoulder width 43cm / Body width 51cm / Sleeve length 61cm. L: Length 68cm / Shoulder width 44cm / Body width 54cm / Sleeve length 62cm)
Material | 70% ACRYLIC, 30% WOOL
Price | ¥29,700 (tax included)
How to Purchase | Orders will be accepted from Saturday, July 13, 2024, 00:00 to Sunday, July 28, 2024, 23:59.MCT TOKYO
For details, please seehttps://mct.tokyo/products/4530958537199​.
Release Date | Scheduled for late October 2024 (release and shipping)
*Photos are of a sample under supervision. The actual product may differ slightly.
©️ 2016 J-BRAVE All Rights Reserved

CREW NECK SWEATER “LIVE”
Knit Design | Ami-mono Horinouchi
Color | GRAY
Size | M, L (M: Length 65cm / Shoulder width 43cm / Body width 51cm / Sleeve length 61cm. L: Length 68cm / Shoulder width 44cm / Body width 54cm / Sleeve length 62cm)
Material | 70% ACRYLIC, 30% WOOL
How to Purchase | Orders will be accepted from Saturday, July 13, 2024, 00:00 to Sunday, July 28, 2024, 23:59.MCT TOKYO
For details, please seehttps://mct.tokyo/products/4530958537212.
Release Date | Scheduled for late October 2024 (release and shipping)
Price | ¥29,700 (tax included)
*Photos are of a sample under supervision. The actual product may differ slightly.
©️ 2016 J-BRAVE All Rights Reserved

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