There’s something extraordinary about Travis Japan’s seven members. Backed by STARTO ENTERTAINMENT and the global powerhouse that is the Universal Music Worldgroup, they’ve battled tirelessly to reach their current status as a formidable song and dance powerhouse.

♟️THE OPENING MOVE♟️

In 2012, Johnny Kitagawa, the creator of idol culture and curator of iconic acts, set out to create a new kind of group – one that could win hearts in Japan and worldwide. With meticulous care, he handpicked each flagship member. Upon completion, they debuted at PLAYZONE’12 SONG & DANC’N PART II.

However, they weren’t the group we know today; initially, there were nine: Hiroki Nakada (仲田 拡輝), Noel Kawashima (川島如恵留), Ryuya Shimekake (七五三掛龍也) , Shizuya Yoshizawa (吉澤閑也), Myuto Morita (森田 美勇人), Kaito Nakamura (中村海人), Aran Abe (阿部 顕嵐), Kaito Miyachika (宮近海斗), and Asahi Kajiyama (梶山 朝日). 

♜STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT♜

Following their introduction, Travis Japan was divided into two age-based units: The Big Brothers included Hiroki, Kawashima, Shimekake, Morita while the Little Brothers were: Yoshizawa, Nakamura, Abe, Miyachika, and Kajiyama. 

As a JR (trainee) group, the two units frequently performed at Playzone. Their exceptional synchronicity soon earned them spots as backup dancers for established artists like Kondō Masahiko and groups such as ARASHI, Hey! Say! JUMP, and Sexy Zone.

In 2016, with Playzone’s impending phase-out, the nine-member group worried about limited opportunities. However, their unified performance at Johnny’s Ginza 2016 showcased their extraordinary chemistry, making it clear Travis Japan’s future looked bright.

However, the only constant in life is change, and as the years passed, Travis Japan’s lineup underwent significant amounts of it. 

♛CASTLING: NEW BEGINNINGS♛

In 2016, Abe left Travis Japan to join Love-tune (Another STARTO Junior unit), followed by Nakada’s departure from the agency as a whole in January 2017 to focus on theatrical acting as a solo talent. That autumn, Morita joined Abe in Love-tune while Asahi also withdrew from the agency and entertainment world altogether, opting for a quiet life as a normal person. 

Undeterred, Travis Japan persevered, nurturing their talents and brotherly bond. Less than a month later, on 19 November, 2017, Genta Matsuda (松田元太) and Kaito Matsukura (松倉海斗) joined. Already a popular dance duo on their own, their addition completed the seven-member lineup we know today. It was later revealed that the performance was something of an audition. If they hadn’t meshed with the rest of the group, they would not have joined. Luckily, there was no denying their chemistry. 

“It’s the best thing that could have happened for Travis Japan,” Shizu stated in an exclusive interview with Life in Cartoon Motion, back in 2023. “I don’t think we could have gotten here if it were not for the seven of us, exactly as we are.”

The board was set, the pawns aligned, but the game of destiny was far from checkmate. Travis Japan’s journey to worldwide stardom had just begun, with crucial moves yet to be made. Among them: Prime Time in Los Angeles –  and a global pandemic that brought the entire world to their knees – both pivotal squares on TJ’s path to glory.

There will be more soon so…

Stay Tuned!