Master of Variety: Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya Traps SixTONES in Hilarious 'Polite Speech' Challenge

Kazunari Ninomiya of the legendary group Arashi recently took social media by storm following a hilarious appearance on a variety program alongside his junior group, SixTONES. In particular, Ninomiya’s 'polite speech trap'—a technique where he tricked the younger idols into using formal language—and the subsequent chaos it caused have left fans in stitches, with many calling his performance 'absolute genius.'

During the program, a special segment was held where the SixTONES members were challenged to abandon traditional Japanese etiquette and speak to their senior, Ninomiya, using only informal language (tame-guchi). However, Ninomiya played the role of a master strategist, asking subtle, leading questions that caused the members to reflexively slip back into polite speech (keigo). The moment a polite word escaped their lips, Ninomiya would ruthlessly press a 'shock button,' much to the delight of the audience. Viewers flooded social media with comments like, 'His skill at baiting them into keigo is terrifying,' and 'The look on his face when he is waiting to press that button is priceless.'

While the SixTONES members could maintain their informal persona when they were the ones initiating the conversation, years of ingrained respect meant that any sudden question from Ninomiya triggered an automatic polite response. Fans were charmed by the interaction, noting, 'Their natural junior instincts just keep kicking in,' and 'It really shows how much of a legend Ninomiya is to them.'

Beyond the comedy, the episode also featured a poignant moment. When SixTONES jokingly claimed, 'We are Arashi,' Ninomiya responded with a mix of humor and firm conviction, saying, 'Arashi isn't going anywhere.' This heartfelt affirmation of his love for his group moved many long-time fans to tears. Furthermore, despite Ninomiya teasingly claiming he wasn't that close to the group, he correctly identified all six members' unique traits during a guessing game, proving his incredible powers of observation. Between his comedic timing and the adorable sight of him clutching the shock button, the hashtag for the show quickly trended at the top of social media platforms.

The context

In the Japanese entertainment industry, the 'senpai-kohai' (senior-junior) relationship is extremely significant. Arashi, having debuted in 1999, are icons of the J-pop world, while SixTONES are one of the most popular groups of the younger generation. Under normal circumstances, it is culturally required for a junior to speak formally (keigo) to a senior of Ninomiya's stature. This cultural backdrop makes 'informal speech challenges' a popular comedy trope in Japan, as it creates a high-stakes environment where the juniors must battle their own deeply ingrained habits and sense of respect for entertainment.