When I first met Travis Japan, they were fresh to LA, experiencing life away from everyone and everything they ever loved for the first time in their lives. Pre-debut, they were young, hungry, driven, and humble.  Even though English was not their native language, communication was effortless. Incredibly engaging, sweet, and excited about their future, it was impossible not to fall in love with them. 

The group made their official debut on 28 October with the release of their first single JUST DANCE! A year later, they’re older, wiser, but still hungry. They haven’t forgotten where they came from or what they’ve been through. After a stream of successful singles, dramas, and the announcement of their debut album Road to A, they’re still just as hungry and just as humble as ever. 

Chaka, their effervescent leader with his bright smile and excited energy brightens up the room. Genta, the group’s youngest member, is all jokes and laughter. Shime is exactly who he appears to be, which is one of the sweetest people on the planet. Noel is an incredibly focused individual but always ready to strike up a conversation and learn something new, especially about people. The same with Umi, who is not only fascinating to chat with, but also incredibly funny. Machu has one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen and Shizu, though shy at first, is incredibly kind. In short, they’re seven of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. 

Are there moments that stick out as the most significant for you in terms of your career journey so far, both as a group and as individuals?

Shizu: I think for me, it’s the moment when Machu and G joined and we became a group of seven. It’s the best thing that could have happened for Travis Japan. I don’t think we could have gotten here if it were not for the seven of us, exactly as we are. It’s my favorite memory.

What is your favorite song on the album?

Chaka: Actually, I can’t say the name yet because it’s still not announced, but my favorite is the one we shot the music video for here in Los Angeles a few days ago. It’s a song that’s a bit different from our usual style. When we perform (any song), we always try to be in the world of that song and express ourselves accordingly. This particular song enables us to show our personal side and really allows us to enjoy ourselves. I think it’s a song that fans, and listeners in general, will really enjoy.

Do you have a favorite memory of a funny story about recording the album or shooting the music video?

Machu: I would say when we were shooting the music video here in Los Angeles, the song Chaka likes, is overall a favorite memory of mine. It’s been a year since we shot the JUST DANCE! in LA, so everyone will get to see Travis Japan has grown and evolved. Dancing in the middle of the street isn’t something we’ve gotten to do, and yet we got to do it here in America. It was such a fresh and valuable experience.

What does Travis Japan mean to each of you?

Shizu: Travis Japan is indispensable to my life, and I couldn’t live without these guys or this group. I see the members more than my family. Every day I start with Travis Japan and end with Travis Japan. Also, they’re all just really nice guys!

Umi: Travis Japan is an important tool for my life. If I lose it, I won’t be able to work. I cherish this group and its members.

Chaka: For me, Travis Japan is another family. There might not be a blood connection, but it’s just as deep and real and valuable. It’s the place for me “Kaito Miyachika” as a member who started to work here in this agency to go back to, and one that will always be there for me no matter what.   

Noel: For me, I’m a member of Travis Japan, but also a fan. The group is my base. My home. I also belong to the Travis Japan Family Club. So I’m happy to know that I won’t miss seeing any of the work done by any of the members because I receive the details in the Family Club mailings. I think I know more about what everyone else is doing than anyone else in the group! 

Shime: Family. We lived together for 7 months last year. I’ve spent a lot of time with them, so when I hear the word family, I think of Travis Japan. 

Machu: For me, Travis Japan is a comrade-in-arms who takes on new challenges and grasps our dreams together. Of course, we’re family, and we spend even more time together than we do with our actual relatives. We are friends who made our debut together and go to grasp various dreams. 

Genta: Travis Japan is like my surname. I joined this group and was given a new surname, so I want to continue to deliver my surname to many people.

How have your goals changed both as a group and as individuals?  

Shime: Up until now, I felt like we did everything to get our debut. That hasn’t changed, but now that we’ve debuted, the quality of our work has changed. We’re now focused on what kind of group we want our fans to see, and even those people who might not be our fans (yet). I think the seven of us are really coming into our own.

How closely do you relate to your tiger personalities?  

Genta:  I got this one (group laughs). Machu’s Pure Tiger is 10,000% close.  Shime’s Sweet Tiger is also 10,000% (he’s also pretty). Noel’s Brain Tiger is so close to his personality  that I think it’s more than 100,000%. Chaka’s  leader Tiger is a perfect match and the degree of closeness is so high that I think it is more than 10,000%.  Umi’s Pet Tiger is also more than 10,000%, as he’s good at spoiling and perfect for older people.  Shizu is 100 million % as a comedy tiger in many ways.  Sexy Tiger is especially amazingly close with me, Genta, so also about 10,000% close.

It’s fitting that their mascot is the tiger as they are not a group that has always had everything  handed to them. Through their own blood, sweat, and tears Chaka, Umi, Shime, Noel, Shizu, Genta, and Machu have clawed their way out of the shadows to do things no group in the near 70 year history of their agency has been able to do. They’ve earned this stage. They deserve it. 

I can’t wait to see where they go from here. 

More Travis Japan soon so… 

Stay Tuned.