After nearly three decades together, Arashi played their final concert on Sunday evening to a sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Dome. The three-and-a-half-hour show featured 33 songs, including the group’s eponymous debut single and their latest release, “Five.” Other popular tracks performed on the night included “Love so sweet,” “Happiness” and “Whenever You Call,” Arashi’s first all-English song, written by Bruno Mars.
The End of an Era
The group, which went on hiatus in 2020, announced that they would be disbanding last May. “Today marks the end of our activities, but the Arashi that we have created together will continue to live on,” said group leader Satoshi Ono. The other members — Sho Sakurai, Masaki Aiba, Kazunari Ninomiya and Jun Matsumoto — also addressed fans towards the end of the concert.
It was an emotional night for fans of the group, with many taking to social media to share their feelings. “Thank you for 26 and a half incredible years,” posted one fan on X. “Through every stage of life, Arashi gave people memories, comfort and moments they’ll carry forever. This doesn’t feel like an ending — it feels like a legacy that will keep living on. Forever grateful.”
Another wrote, “I’m endlessly grateful to Arashi for supporting the well-being of my eldest daughter. Now our whole household can hum their songs just like devoted fans. Arashi was something truly special to our household. Even though the group has disbanded, we’ll keep following the members forever. Thank you Arashi.”
Fan Chooses Arashi Concert Over Father’s Wake
The depth of feeling surrounding Arashi’s farewell concert was evident not only in the tributes shared online, but also in the lengths some fans went to attend the show. Posting on Threads, a husband wrote that his wife chose the concert over her father’s wake. The post sparked widespread debate over fandom, family obligations and personal priorities.
The statement was reposted on X and has already garnered more than 36 million views. Some sided with the woman, with one user stating that if her funeral clashed with an important event, she would want her kids to choose whatever would bring them the most joy and happiness. However, many others said that they could never forgive themselves for attending a concert under such circumstances. The debate quickly spread beyond Arashi fandom, with many commenters reflecting on how they would balance family responsibilities against a once-in-a-lifetime event.
