Saturday 30 May 2015

Makita Journal Interview File 004: ℃-ute Suzuki Airi (Hello! Project)

(Originally posted 31st October 2014)

INTERVIEW FILE 004 ℃-ute Suzuki Airi  (Hello! Project)

Here's the 4th 「Makita Journal」 by PASSPO☆'s pea-green・'Sakotei' Makita Sako-san! With her interest in writing and interviewing、  it's a project to forge her interviewing ability through interviews with people from all sorts of backgrounds! Appearing this time around、 finally・・・ it's the goddess that Makita Sako admires。Suzuki Airi-san, currently flourishing in ℃-ute!


Makita  「、、、(Preparing notes and a recorder)」

Suzuki  「Looks pretty professional。」

Makita  「Ah、 yes、 ah、 welcome、 we've worked together several times before, but I'm secretly a big fan, so my heart was always thumping。」

Suzuki  「Is that so!?  I thought that you might just be saying that superficially!(laughs)」

Makita  「No no no!! When I have to greet you, I feign composure and thank you for your hard work like normal, but when we get back to our dressing room, I always get into a panic wondering what I should do、 the members of PASSPO☆ will tell me 『Sako、 just act like normal。』。」

Suzuki  「I didn't know that〜!(laughs)」

Makita  「So、 there's lots of things I want to ask Airi-chan through Makita Journal、 but the staff-san always told me that it'd be impossible since I'd get so nervous talking 1-on-1 that I wouldn't get anything done。 But having gone through all that, I'd like to do my best and ask you about all sorts of things。」

Suzuki  「I'll do my best to speak clearly as well!」

Makita  「You're cute so it's all right。」

Suzuki  「That's no good〜!Now that I've gone past twenty, that's become even more unforgivable。」

MakitaSuzuki  「(Laughs) Pleasure to be working with you!!」

Tuesday 26 May 2015

What's your favourite tree?

If you've been following the Maachan Kuduu Senpai Tanboudan series, you might have noticed a common point: Every interview, Maachan will ask, 'What is your favourite tree?'


According to the editor's notes in the compiled book, their interview with Tsugunaga Momoko was the sole interview where this question wasn't asked in the original published version. This became such an issue that fans contacted the magazine to ask whether Maachan had forgotten to ask the question to Momochi. Turns out that Maachan had done her job - they had just edited the question out. Thankfully for everyone who was anxious to know Momochi's horticultural preferences, it does turn up in the compiled book version.

Momoko's answer, in fact, was fairly direct - the peach (momo) tree, obviously. On those lines, Maro was the only one who had done her homework for the serialisation and came ready with an answer. However, not everyone was as prepared as the two of them, and generally needed some time to think about this question. This happened despite Risako having already warned most of the Kids. Being the experienced professionals they are, some of them pulled the classic trick of turning the question back to Maachan.

So what was Maachan's answer?

Saturday 23 May 2015

Just before their last concert, the words conveyed to 「Berryz Kobo」 by Tsunku♂ who lost his voice were…

Diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in February last year、 Tsunku♂ had been undergoing treatment。
Attending the school entrance ceremony of Kinki University on the 4th of April, his confession that「My vocal cords were removed、 I lost my voice」 became a topic of discussion。
Also、 before the curtains were raised for the last concert of the Tsunku♂-produced Berryz Kobo (3rd March ・ Nippon Budokan)、 he himself actually went to visit the members。
Having already lost his voice、 he had a member of staff read out a letter。“Momochi” Tsugunaga Momoko looks back on it。
Tsugunaga 「We received “words” from Tsunku-san♂。 Looking back from our début、 he told us 『Do not forget your gratitude towards the fans』。 Those words really hit the mark。…Honestly、 before the curtains were raised、 I felt like I was drifting。 But、 Tsunku♂-san's words made me think 『That's right、 I have to get my feet properly on the ground and stand on-stage』」
Despite this being just before the curtains were raised、 the members ended up crying…。 As a result、 the start of the concert was delayed by 20 minutes。
Tsugunaga 「For us、 we had been raised with lots of love。 I'd like to convey the feelings that we learnt from Tsunku♂-san to the kouhai

Thursday 21 May 2015

【Article directed to fanatics】 Morning Musume ・ Fukumura Mizuki's abnormal 「Momochi love」

Fukumura Mizuki who says she extremely likes Momochi (Left)

 We found out that 「Morning Musume。’15」's new leader、 Fukumura Mizuki-san (18) is a huge fan of 「Momochi」 Tsugunaga Momoko (23)。 In the time we had in between the withnews interview where we would be asking about Morning Musume。's future、 she earnestly talked about her “Momochi love”。 Since the contents are for enthusiasts、 we've compiled it for those who would enjoy it。

 Fukumura Mizuki-san has been a Momochi fan from even before she entered 「Hello! Project」。 We talked about Momochi、 who has assumed the role of Playing Manager for 「Country Girls」 after Berryz Kobo entered their indefinite hiatus。

「Momochi」 Tsugunaga Momoko-san。 With 「Berryz Kobo」 having entered their indefinite hiatus、 she serves as the Playing Manager of 「Country Girls」


Likes her too much 「I can't even exchange contact addresses・・・」

 「 I'm super jealous that (the members of Country Girls and Momochi) get to exchange e-mail addresses。 I can't exchange addresses with her。 I just can't ask that」

Fukumura Mizuki 

「While drawing out the personalities of the members、 the model of taking the lead」

 「We occasionally get to work together、 and it feels amazing、 but I have no idea what to do to get to that point。 But、 I don't want to lose to Tsugunaga-san's group。 We were taught a lot from Michishige-san、 and I think that there are many people who would envy us because of that」

Country Girls ・ Momochi is top-left
 「I think that H!P has arrived on the “cool path”。 Amidst that、 the ones who can appeal completely with cuteness would be Country Girls。 With Tsugunaga-san as Playing Manager、 I think that they're a really really powerful group。 I envy the members of Country who are learning under Tsugunaga-san。 At MCs、 she brings up the personalities of the members、 and Tsugunaga-san leading them along is really wonderful。 I'd like to apprentice under her from a lot more close-by」


Obsession with the “Momochi Musubi”

 「Seeing her as a fan、 Tsugunaga-san is completely different to how she was when she entered H!P。 She changed from cute to stylish。 When I think about how Tsugunaga-san is normally like、 the answer immediately springs to mind。 When she joined Country、 I think that it was huge that she stopped with the “Momochi Musubi (Twintail-based hairdo)”。 I think that if Tsugunaga-san had the Momochi Musubi、 everyone would see nothing but that。 For the sake of Country、 Tsugunaga-san stopped with the Momochi Musubi。 For Country、 I think that while she lets those around her shine、 she's found a new style to for her to stand out」

Berryz Kobo announcing their indefinite hiatus。 Momochi looking out with the 「Momochi Musubi」

 「But it's sad to be unable to see the Momochi Musubi。 The Momochi Musubi、 they changed from day to day。 On days when she's not in good condition, she'd bind them with a “small rubber band”、 and the cut hair would stick out。 It's sad to not be able to see that any more・・・。 And since she isn't using it any more、 I'd be happy to take them」

Source: withnews

Tuesday 19 May 2015

MaaDuu interview Airi - Top Yell January 2014

Excerpts from Sato Masaki and Kudo Haruka's interview of Suzuki Airi in the 15th and final instalment of their serialisation Maachan Kuduu no HaroPuro Senpai Tanboudan from the magazine Top Yell.



☼☼☼

--- Well then, why don't we let both reporters ask their questions.

Kudo: Here's a question about singing! I watched videos of Suzuki-san during the Kids Audition, and your singing was amazing. You were really adorable.

Suzuki: I wasn't adorable! Seriously (laughs).

Kudo: At the time, you were in primary 2nd? What I don't get is how you were so good at singing at such a young age?

Suzuki: Eh~! Why is that? Rather than being good, I just enjoyed singing. What I heard was that my mother let me listen to music even before I was born. All sorts of songs, like classical music and nursery rhymes. And then I became a child whose mind was dead set on singing, and I've been singing ever since I was 2.

Kudo: Isn't that education for the gifted!

Suzuki: That isn't it~ My father and mother are both pro golfers, so they wondered, 'Maybe she might be interested in golf?', but that wasn't the case at all. At any rate, I liked singing, so it seems I exchanged golf clubs for a microphone and sang.

Sato: I see. Naturally becoming good at the things you like.

Suzuki: Also, I woke up at 5 every morning since I was in kindergarten. Then, until the bus for kindergarten arrived, I'd definitely sing my favourite song, and grandpa told me to make recordings of those. Grandpa was my mentor. I even sang when I caught colds, so there's some with really nasally voices (laughs). But perhaps my love of singing came about thanks to grandpa saying things like that to me.

Kudo: Ama~zing! And do you even listen to them now?

Suzuki: Yup. They were played at my solo live when I was changing outfits (laughs).

Kudo: For me, my dad's horrible, but my mother's good. So when my mother comes to a concert, she'd always say, 'Since you're my child, I expected that you'd be better at singing'. Uselessly putting on pressure. Well, now she says, 'Compared to when you were an Egg, you've gotten better', though (bitter laugh).

Suzuki: That's strict (laughs).

Kudo: My parents are scary. If I'm asked what I'm scared of most in this world, I really can't handle haunted houses, but what I'm most scared of is my mother. I can't defy her.

Saturday 16 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Wrap-up

With the release of their new single, Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara , Morning Musume。´15 would once again be holding nationwide simultaneous handshake events to promote it. As usual, we also have an associated video to let us know who would be going where.



The girls were actually informed that they would be recording comments on their new single for a TV programme. Having made their comments about the new single, an announcement suddenly plays, informing them about where they'd be holding the events. Unlike previous occasions, where their destinations were determined by the luck of the draw, this time, their destinations had been predetermined and it was more a matter of informing them. This would give each member an opportunity to do home town promotions on at least one of the two days.

Also, the voice over was done by Juice=Juice's Miyazaki Yuka. We can't let Karin-chan be the only Juice to hog MM'15 video time, after all.

Here are my translations of the Twitter coverage for each girl.
Fukumura Mizuki - Tokyo & Ishikawa
Ikuta Erina - Nagasaki & Fukuoka
Sayashi Riho - Hiroshima & Tokyo
Suzuki Kanon - Gifu, Aichi, Shizuoka
Iikubo Haruna - Saitama & Tokyo
Ishida Ayumi - Aomori & Sendai
Sato Masaki - Hokkaido
Kudo Haruka - Miyagi & Saitama
Oda Sakura - Hyogo & Kanagawa
Ogata Haruna - Kansai
Nonaka Miki - Shizuoka & Akishima
Makino Maria - Kanagawa & Aichi
Haga Akane - Akishima & Nagano

Also, I did translations for the same campaign held last year, so check that out if you're interested.

Friday 15 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Haga-chan in Akishima and Nagano

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

The youngest Musume battles her nerves for the events.

Day 1 - Akishima

Nervoussss!!!
(From the person herself)

Was super nervous from the start、 but it was tons of fun!!
Tomorrow、 I'll be doing it at my home town of Nagano
So please please! Make sure to drop by ♡
We'll be waiting ^_^

Thursday 14 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Maria in Kanagawa and Aichi

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

Day 1 - Kanagawa

「What does the 『M』 of this 『M』 pose stand for?」

After this at 6:30 p.m., we'll be having an event at Shinseido Mosaic Mall Kohoku-san!

If you come、 Maria will be、 really really…

First event alone、
It's started!
Shinseido Mosaic Mall Kohoku store!

Tuesday 12 May 2015

MaaDuu interview Captain - Top Yell November 2013

Excerpts from Sato Masaki and Kudo Haruka's interview of Shimizu Saki in the 14th instalment of their serialisation Maachan Kuduu no HaroPuro Senpai Tanboudan from the magazine 'Top Yell'.


--- Sato-reporter is normally scared of nothing when it comes to dealing with people, but are the rumours that you are scared of Shimizu-san true?

Sato: ...... That's true. I was scared of Shimizu-san and Sugaya-san. Of course, that's not the case at all now though.

Shimizu: I heard about that. Maachan had a ranking of people she was scared of, right? I think that I was ranked 3rd or 4th. I also heard that there were 2 people at the same rank.

Sato: Shimizu-san didn't laugh at all during rehearsals. I had this image of you sitting fixedly on the floor, gripping your knees. So, I thought that you were a grouch......

Kudo: Isn't that just her being serious during rehearsals? Instead, Maachan guffawing away during rehearsals is weirder.

Sato: But, somehow Shimizu-san was emitting this scary aura. Like I'd get told off if I got too close...... Masa's scared of people who'd tell her off.

Shimizu: You wouldn't get scolded just for getting close (laughs). That'd make me seem like some crazy person, wouldn't it?

Sato: Then, I asked Tanasa-tan. 'What sort of people are Sugata-san and Shimizu-san?' Since Sugaya-san was 2nd in my scary person ranking.

Shimizu: Since you've talked about it so far, I'd like to know, who was number 1?

Sato: Tanasa-tan...... 3rd was Shimizu-san and Natsuyaki-san, 2nd were Sugaya-san and Okai-san.

--- That's an unexpected ranking. All those people named in the upper ranks now have this image that they're familiar with Sato-reporter.

Kudo: That's true! Maachan's really open with them~

Sato: The moment that made Masa not scared of Shimizu-san was when Shimizu-san referred to Masa as 'Maachan'. Since someone who actually was scary would call me something like 'Sato'. Tanasa-tan even referred to me as 'Masaking'. Since they're referring to me in such a caring way, to Masa, they're really caring people.

Kudo: So simple that it's startling (laughs).

♫♫♫

Kudo: Shimizu-san is Berryz Kobo's captain, but first of all, why are you a captain, rather than a leader?

Shimizu: I have no idea why. When I asked, the reason was that Berryz Kobo were contemporaries whereas in the case of Morning Musume。, there were senpai-kouhai relationships.

♫♫♫

Monday 11 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Chel in Shizuoka and Akishima

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

Compared to fellow 12ki Haachin, Chel has the least tweets among the Musume for this campaign, four in total. The tweets are definitely very like Chel, reminiscent of her blog posts.

Day 1 - Shizuoka

HELLO ❤️ This is Nonaka Miki!
In my home town of Shizuoka now!
I went to TV Shizuoka-san (≧∇≦)I'll be appearing on 3:50 p.m. 〜 5:00 p.m. 「Teppen Shizuoka」! Please make sure to watch it!🌟

This is Nonaka Miki!
The release commemoration event wrapped up some time ago ❤️ To Tower Records Shizuoka store-san、 everyone who came、 thank you very much! Having an event in my home town, it's like a dream…( ;  ; )

Day 2 - Akishima
Arrived at Akishima Mori Town ^_^
Everyone, please make sure to come〜!

I can't wait⤴︎

The release commemoration event wrapped up some time ago!(^O^)♡ Akishima Mori Town-san、 everyone who came、 thank you very much!! It was fun!
That's all、 this was curly-haired Nonaka〜!♬

Saturday 9 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Haachin in Kansai

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

Formerly a white pigbot on Twitter, Haachin was a busy bee, with the most tweets (16) of any member. Showcasing the sights of Kansai, my personal favourite among those was the showcase of the lovely 16-year old.

Day 1 - Osaka

「Happy to return to Osaka! I seriously want everyone to come!!」(From the person herself)

Today there'll be a talk & handshake event from 7 p.m.~ at SANZEN-HIROBA mall 1st floor!
First solo comeback!! We'll be waiting!!

Day 1 - Hyogo
「First time on the Biwako line!」(From the person herself)

Today、 Ogata Haruna's experiencing all sorts of firsts!!
After this, past 3 p.m., there'll be a live appearance on FM Shiga『charge』!!

「After this, my first live broadcast! My dream is to skate on Lake Biwa when the water has frozen over!!」(From the person herself)

Almost time for the live broadcast of FM Shiga 『charge』!!

「I did my regular pose in front of Lake Biwa!」(From the person herself)

Thursday 7 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Oda in Hyogo and Kanagawa

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

The Musume songstress gets some grub in Hyogo and dresses like a kindergartener in Kanagawa!

Day 1 - Hyogo

Oda Sakura in Kobe!!!
Finally arrived~!
Please treat us kindly for the whole day today (((o(*゚▽゚*)o)))

Since we had free time、
We're currently taking a walk through Kobe's Chinatown

These were eaten up alone in no time、 and still reflecting on her empty stomach, wanting to go to some restaurant。

Tuesday 5 May 2015

MaaDuu interviews Nacky - Top Yell September 2013

Excerpts from Sato Masaki and Kudo Haruka's interview of Nakajima Saki in the 13th instalment of their serialisation 'Maachan Kuduu no HaroPuro Senpai Tanboudan' from the magazine 'Top Yell'.


♠♠♠

{Done part of this before, but no harm in repeating}

Sato: Nakajima-san, wasn't there a time when you coloured your hair brown? Aren't you going to go back to brown?

Nakajima: I tried out having it brown for about 2 months. But it seemed that I went over the line (laughs). Among the fans, there are a lot of them who prefer the pure type. When I dyed my hair brown for a while, they went like 'Ah, is that what you’re going for?'. For me, that was pretty scary. Fundamentally, I'm a timid person (lol). Besides, since it fits me, I definitely ended up settling with black.

Sato: Eh~, is that so?

Nakajima: That's right. Maachan, you want to dye your hair brown, right?

Sato: Masa wants to have brown hair. Once I'm out of middle school 3rd year, I think I'd like to immediately dye it.

How quick they grow
♠♠♠

Sato: Um...... Nakajima-san, what's your favourite tree?

Nakajima: Eh, tree? Favourite tree? That's pretty sudden (laughs)

Kudo: For this serialisation, ever since we started with Mano-san, the favourite tree question has become a standard question that definitely gets asked (bitter smile).

Nakajima: Seriously? Eh~ tree.... I wonder...... It's not exactly my favourite, but for each of the 3 sisters in the Nakajima household, on the occasion of each of our births, a new tree would be planted.

Kudo: Whoa!

Nakajima: For my older sister, I remember it being a peach tree. My younger sister was definitely an angsana...... What was it for me!? A plum tree, maybe. Eh? It might have been the angsana for me.

Sato: That's important!

Nakajima: I'll confirm it later (laughs).


♠♠♠

Kudo: [...] Oda-chan's presence had a huge impact on the 10th gen...

Nakajima: Why, why?

Kudo: Oda-chan joined as the 'Utahime', so she has lots of singing parts, she often sings at the forefront. Of course her singing is good, it's a fact that'll be admitted by anyone who listens her, she definitely can't be beat......

[...]

Sato: Even though only a year has joined since Oda-chain joined...... When I heard that the director-san listened to Oda-chan's singing and said 'Her singing voice was surprising', the director-san never said anything like that about any of the 10th gen, so I was really frustrated. And so, even though we're friends, I was really vexed. Even though we're entering our second year......

Nakajima: How wonderful! In a good way, it became your motivation.

Kudo: That's right. It motivated us, and there was this huge feeling that there was a hole that needed to be filled when Tanaka-san graduated. The singing parts were divided amongst everyone, but it felt like Oda-chan had become the core of the parts that Tanaka-san brought out, filling that hole. That was frustrating.

Monday 4 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Duu in Miyagi and Saitama

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

The dashing Morning Musume。´15 shounen goes around, hugging pillars and turning into a local speciality.

Day 1 - Miyagi


Arrived at Miyagi prefecture 󾌶︎♫
We'll be doing a project at the same time as workー!
Look forward to it!


Making some comments through Date fm-san's
「FLICK MOTION」 radio!!
It's scheduled to go On Air in May、 so we'll remind you again when it gets closeー っ\(^o^)/

Ate sasakama, bamboo-leaf-shaped boiled fish paste!
And became sasakama!

Saturday 2 May 2015

Morning Musume。´15 Nationwide Simultaneous Handshake Events: Maachan in Hokkaido

Promoting their new single 'Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure ha Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara', Morning Musume。 have once again held nationwide handshake events on the 16th and 17th of April. Their journeys were covered on Twitter, and I've compiled them by member, with accompanying translations.

While Maachan was in Hokkaido for both days, she has the second least tweets during this promotion. I suspect her manager was having enough trouble just trying to handle Maachan, so the coverage fell by the wayside XD

Day 1 - Hokkaido
「This is Maachanー😄✌️」(Herself talking)

Upon arriving at Sapporo、 Sato's in the middle of well-received promotions!
There'll be an event at 7:00 p.m.〜 at Ario Sapporo 1F Harvest Court 、 so please drop by if you have the time!


Interviewed by HBC Radio 「SanaMiyo Upstage」-san!
Thank you very much to Miyoshi-san and Ito-san!
It'll go On Air 19 April (Sun)8:30 p.m.〜!
We're counting on you to check it out!

The event at Ario Sapporo has started!
Sato is doing her best、 all by herself!

The Maachan world has opened up completely!