The six-member group SixTONES have been announced as charity partners for Nippon TV’s 24-Hour Television 49, set to air from August the 29th to the 30th. The announcement was made during the May 10 broadcast of Golden SixTONES.
During the program, SixTONES was taking part in “Kaiten Receive Kyuji,” a signature segment in which contestants must identify rapidly spinning objects in a dynamic sight challenge, when announcer Asami Miura suddenly appeared on set. She then announced that the group had been appointed as charity partners for 24-Hour Television 49, leaving the six members visibly surprised.
In addition, the annual charity T-shirt featuring an original illustration of Detective Conan by manga artist Gosho Aoyama will be released in a record six color variations this year. The design reflects this year’s theme, “Stories About My Family. Who Are You Thinking Of?”
The T-shirts will be available in yellow, pink, blue, purple, white, and “Family Green,” marking the largest color lineup in the broadcast’s history. The release date will be announced at a later time.
Additionally, this year’s 24-Hour Television 49 is seeking people who have someone important they want to see again but have been unable to meet. From separated family members to beloved mentors and close friends considered family, the program is inviting submissions about loved ones people have lost contact with for various reasons. SixTONES, serving as charity partners, will help reunite them. Further details will be published on the program’s official website.
COMMENTS BY SixTONES
—You will serve as charity partners this year. How are you feeling right now?
Juri Tanaka: “I’m really happy. It’s a program I’ve always watched on television, so I’m also a little nervous. I hope we can work hard to figure out what we can convey through our own efforts.”
Yugo Kochi: “I feel a strong sense of responsibility and want to do my best. I want to refocus and give it everything I’ve got this summer.”
Jesse: “Without making things feel too heavy, I hope we can show what makes SixTONES unique. Since this year’s theme is ‘family,’ and we’re like a family ourselves, I’d be happy if people could enjoy the program while feeling that everyone can be family, even without blood ties.”
Taiga Kyomoto: “So many great seniors have carried this program on over the years, and we’ve always admired it. I think one reason SixTONES was chosen is because of our usual bright energy and lively dynamic, so I hope we can contribute to the program in that way as well.”
Hokuto Matsumura: “I think the impression viewers get from the program can really change depending on who the charity partners are. I want to keep that responsibility firmly in mind and approach it with care and affection.”
Shintaro Morimoto: “It’s important for us to share our own strength and energy. I’ve always watched this program and thought, ‘This show is incredible,’ so I want to work hard to properly convey those feelings I once had as a viewer to everyone watching now.”
—This year’s charity T-shirt was once again specially designed for the program by Mr. Gosho Aoyama. It also features the largest number of color variations in the show’s history, with six different colors. What are your impressions of the T-shirt?
Everyone: “It’s super cute!” “And really stylish, too!”
Yugo Kochi: “It’s pretty rare to see this many characters gathered together on one T-shirt!”
Taiga Kyomoto: “You don’t often see T-shirts featuring Eri Kisaki, so personally, I’m really happy about that. Since the theme is family, I guess that’s why this couple appears as well.”
Jesse: “Taiga really loves Detective Conan!”
—It sounds like this year’s 24-Hour TV will be a fun one, but are there any worries or concerns you have right now?
Jesse: “I think I’m probably going to cry a lot.”
Juri Tanaka: “Jesse’s the most emotional out of all of us. I think he’s worried he won’t be able to properly say what he wants to express.”
Jesse: “Exactly. I get emotional really quickly.”
Hokuto Matsumura: “Maybe we should write down the comments he’s supposed to say on cue cards, and if he starts crying, we can just hold them up instead!”
—This year, Teruyoshi Uchimura will serve as the main host. What impression do you have of him?
Everyone: “He’s really kind.”
Juri Tanaka: “For Yugo, Uchimura-san is kind of like a father figure, right?”
Yugo Kochi: “That’s true. He’s known me since before I was even in the industry. Even though he seems gentle, he’s actually very strict with himself and incredibly disciplined. I feel like I’ll be able to learn so much from watching him closely during 24-Hour TV. And when it’s time to really deliver, he always nails it. He’s a cool senior, and I want to learn as much as I can firsthand.”
—This year’s theme is “Stories About My Family — Who Are You Thinking Of?” In your work or private life, is there anyone you consider like family?
Juri Tanaka: “Honestly, these members have been with me more than my actual family for about the past ten years. We spend more time together than with our own families, and we probably know more about each other too. Besides the ‘Tanaka family,’ there’s also the ‘SixTONES family.’ Having all the members together this time is really reassuring.”
—Since you spend so much time together, do you also know each other’s families well?
Juri Tanaka: “Of course we do!”
Taiga Kyomoto: “Did you guys know? Apparently the moms from the ‘Oya-nzu’ are having a dinner gathering tonight!”
Juri Tanaka: “We call the SixTONES parents the ‘Oya-nzu.’”
Shintaro Morimoto: “Not this time, but before, my mom made T-shirts with all the members’ names and the group’s formation date on them, and gave them to the ‘Oya-nzu.’”
Yugo Kochi: “And then they sent us a group photo wearing them!” (laughs)
Taiga Kyomoto: “Shintaro’s always making things for SixTONES too!”
Juri Tanaka: “You two really do similar things.”
Taiga Kyomoto: “He really takes after his mom.”
Shintaro Morimoto: “Well, we are parent and child after all!”
Hokuto Matsumura: “Actually, your mom’s become more and more like you lately.”
Everyone: “The other way around!” (laughs)
Juri Tanaka: “Wait, so his mom is gradually becoming more like Shintaro!?” (laughs)
Everyone: (laughs)
—So maybe the ‘Oya-nzu’ will appear on this year’s 24-Hour TV too…?
Jesse: “They’re coming out for sure!” (laughs)
Yugo Kochi: “I don’t know why, but that’s kind of embarrassing for us too.” (laughs)
Jesse: “Like, we’ll take a break and then suddenly it’s, ‘And now, here are the Oya-nzu!’” (laughs)
Juri Tanaka: “The Oya-nzu should all stay awake for the full 24 hours too!”
—Lastly, please share your enthusiasm for this year’s 24-Hour TV.
Jesse: “SixTONES has been given the honor of serving as charity partners. Personally, I think I’ll probably be so moved that I’ll cry, but with the power of SixTONES, I hope we can turn everyone’s tears into smiles, make it through this summer together, and really bring excitement to the program. Let’s all become one big family together! Thank you for your support.”