Garasu no Shōnen no relation J-Friends
1997–1999: Debut and Million-selling hits
Despite holding concerts and having several high-rating varieties and dramas, the duo did not made their CD debut until July 21, 1997. They debuted with a double release of a single "Garasu no Shōnen" and an album A Album. According to Oricon, both went on to sell over one million copies, making the duo the second artist whose first single and first album both sold over one million copies. From August 23 to August 24, they were appointed the main personality hosts for NTV's annual telethon 24-Hour Television. From October 18 to December 20, KinKi Kids starred in their third drama together called Bokura no Yūki Miman City, and the theme song "Aisareru Yori Aishitai", which was also their second single, was released on November 12. This single ranked No.1 for 4 weeks in Oricon in total and sold over a million copies by the end of its chart run. By the end of the year, Garasu no Shōnen ranked 2nd on the annual Oricon charts, behind Namie Amuro's "Can You Celebrate?".
In 1998, KinKi Kids, along with fellow Johnny's groups V6 and TOKIO, came together to form a special charity-oriented group called J-FRIENDS, in which they collaborated with famous musicians such as Maurice White, Diane Warren, Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi and Michael Jackson. J-FRIENDS's single "Ashita ga Kikoeru/Children's Holiday", released on January 21, 1998, went on to sell over a million copies and ranked 12th on the annual Oricon charts by the end of the year.
The duo's singles "Zenbu Dakishimete/Ao no Jida" released on July 29, 1998, peaked in No.1 for 4 consecutive weeks and ranked 10th on the annual charts with more than a million sales. Furthermore, their 1997 single "Aisareru yori Aishitai" managed to rank 8th on the annual chart. On December 31, 1998, KinKi Kids held concerts in Tokyo Dome and started to hold Tokyo Dome concerts during New Year every since until 2016. In 1999, the duo's 7th single Flower ranked 10th on the annual Oricon charts for selling over a million copies, making it the duo's fourth million-selling single. The duo was invited to perform as a special guest on Kohaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 1999.
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