Tsugunaga Momoko Last Interview (Big One Girls No. 039)

This magazine will go on sale on the 30th of May. Exactly one month after that, it'll be 'Tsugunaga Momoko Last Live ♥ Arigatou Otomomochi♥'. How are you feeling right now?

It still hasn't hit me yet. I feel like I'll probably go on like this, not realising it even as it ends. I guess that it'll hit me as July comes along, having used up everything I've got on the 30th of June.

Have you finished planning out what's going to happen at your last live?

It's not yet set in stone. However, I'd would prefer to make it a cheerful last rather than a solemn one.

When did you set your heart on graduating?

When Country Girls was formed (in 2014), I joined in with them as their Playing Manager (PM). I made a public promise to grow together with the members for two to three years, until they were all able to stand on their own. And there's also the fact that the 30th of June marks exactly 15 years since I entered H!P. So I was resolute about carrying this out. But I can't pinpoint an exact time when it happened, if that's what you want to know.

I would think that it was a life changing decision though. 

That's true. I knew that my lifestyle would go through a complete change, but I also had no idea how things would pan out.

You had no worries about it?

I felt that somehow or the other, things would be all right. Having been an idol for 15 years, I've had a good education on how to be loved by people. Well, I've got a cute face, and I'm amiable, so honestly, wherever I go, I'll be invincible though. (laughs) So, won't I lead a happy life if I properly go through with my studies? Plus, I'm aware of my own strengths on top of that.

First of all, what was your reason behind choosing to go to the education department for university?

I've always really liked school in itself, and add to that my love of children, that's what made me want to go on to the educational department for university.

And as you studied at university, the feeling that you would like to go on the path of child education began to sprout?...

Well, actually, being tasked with the responsibility of being Country Girls' Playing Manager played a bigger role. It's not that I'd tell them something and they'd respond with even more than I gave them, but becoming Country Girls' PM led me to awaken to the joy of teaching and educating. And since I'd always had an interest in it from the start, I feel like I'd like to take up this challenge at this point in time.

Country Girls feat. Maimi Yajima (℃-ute) Original Photo Book (UTB+ vol 36 Mar 2017)

Yanagawa Nanami

I'd like to go to the gym and build up my muscles

My lifestyle took a huge turn once I joined Country Girls. Up until then, going to school was my routine. But with the addition of work, I got to go all around the country for events, I got to eat all sorts of things for the first time, I got to feast my eyes on many sights, it's all added to myself. And hiking up Mount Fuji undoubtedly left a huge impression on me. As hard as it was to deal with such a huge goal, it left me with a great sense of achievement. Last year, I got to play the sax in 'Namida no Request' and appear on Pokemon shows. This year, I'd like to leverage even more of my interests and skills in my work. I'd like to go to the gym and build up my muscles so that it'll have a good influence on my performances. When I'd first joined, I was immediately paired with Momochi-senpai for the filming of the MV for 'Boogie Woogie Love'. It made me happy when she asked me 'Are you having fun, being in Country?' As she was giving me her attention, I felt comfortable talking to Momochi-senpai. I get so nervous with Yajima-san that I haven't really talked with her. She's awe-inspiring, she's a beauty, she exudes this brilliant aura. I'd like to become like her. There's still the 'HinaFes' in March, so I hope to talk with her a little there.

Funaki Musubu

I'll work hard at my studies even after Momochi-senpai has graduated!

Last year, I got closer to the members, and have been going out increasingly more with them during our private time. I met up with Ozeki-san at eight in the morning to go and watch a horror movie. That was fun, the two of us watched it through the gaps in our fingers. (laughs) I think I've improved at talking on-stage. At first, even coming up with a topic was already hard enough, but I've gotten more and more used to it. Now I'm able to talk in detail about trivial things. I enjoy doing the talk segments while letting my inner self show. And I'll be taking exams this year, so even after Momochi-senpai graduates, I'll like to keep firm and properly study. When I was doing my first recording after having joined, I was a nervous wreck. But Momochi-senpai wished me luck. At the time, I couldn't believe that she had talked to me, I was so happy. What I remember about Yajima-san is when ℃-ute-san did a Christmas event. In that event, they discussed a survey filled by the Kenshuusei. After mulling over how to answer the question, 'What is scary about ℃-ute?', I wrote and sent in 'Yajima-san's smile is so beautiful that it's scary'. And it wasn't taken in a positive light. I got found out since I put my name down as FM-san. (laughs) I'd like to tell her that it was a misunderstanding. I meant it in the best of ways!

℃-ute in Big One Girls (No. 039)

- You're breaking up.... Did you ever consider not actually going through with the breakup?

Hagiwara: Rather than wanting to halt the breakup, for us, it's more like...

Suzuki & Hagiwara (in harmony): Are we really breaking up....?

Hagiwara: It hasn't really hit us yet. Our conversations are often like 'Huh? The way things are going...... are we really breaking up?'

Okai: I think that we might only feel it like a few days before Saitama Super Arena. But things might get crazy when there's like three days left.

- It'll hit you all out of the blue?

Okai: Yeah. We won't know how it'll feel like until it happens. It was the same with our debut. It feels like how things felt at the very start [when we made the graduation announcement].

- Have you been told that it feels like such a waste for you to break up?

Suzuki: We've been told that. The fans have protested against it, saying that they're opposed to our breakup~!!

Yajima: However, it instead makes me happy to be told that it's such a waste for ℃-ute to break up. It pushes me to show them something that's even more thought out.

- You're really approaching your breakup in a great mood, aren't you? When did you feel that the bonds between the five of you had strengthened?

Yajima: For me, it was our first Nippon Budokan......

Hagiwara: Me too.

Okai: Yeah.

Suzuki: Yup.

Nakajima: Me too.

Yajima: The path to the Nippon Budokan united our feelings. Every time we were out of town, we would gather up at someone's room and stay up talking about how to make the Nippon Budokan a success. That felt like the prime of our lives, like '℃-ute's the best!!' (laughs)

Hagiwara: It wasn't the first time, but the Nippon Budokan had been established as a united goal, and we were dealing with it seriously. And the Nippon Budokan also made me realise that people can concentrate so passionately on a single thing.

- That said, to break up in such a good condition, it's such a waste...

Yajima: We've always said that we'd hate to just fizzle out after getting to a place where we were satisfied. Since we've said that, I'm grateful that we'll be seeing the end at the Saitama Super Arena, a place that the five of us have dreamed of.

- You released your '℃omplete single collection' on the 3rd of May, a best-of album which contains all your singles. But it's also a reminder that the clock is ticking. As members of the group, how do you feel, releasing a complete single collection?

Nakajima: While I think that it's really great that we get to release an album like that, it also does serve as a reminder that the curtain is finally closing on ℃-ute.

Okai: When Berryz Kobo released their complete album, I looked at it objectively, like 'Ah, it's the last...' I knew that the day would come for us someday. And now, we're in that position. It was a bit scary to think that once this album got released, there'd be no more albums, no more new songs.

- Though you did want to leave behind this sort of complete album package.

Yajima: That's right. Doing it this way reminds us of what a long history ℃-ute has, of how many songs we've released! It's not a complete record of everything, but I'm really glad that we got to leave behind something in this form.

Hagiwara: There's also three new songs in it, so I'm glad that we can show you a new ℃-ute again at the very end.

Suzuki: What's more, I think that it's nice how there are all the coupling songs on [the regular edition], as well as rare tracks. I really remember 'Yuki ga Chirari', and I remember even the dance lessons for 'Come Together (℃-ute ver.)' and 'Juliet Juliet'. ℃-ute fans won't be able to attain full completion unless they get their hands on this album! So I hope that you check it out.

Country Girls (CD Journal Feb 2017)

Tsugunaga-san, this might be the last time you'll be appearing in this magazine.

Yanagawa: Huh~

Tsugunaga: Oh my! So, about that front cover......

Everyone: Ahahaha!

And with that, I think it would be nice if things moved along as usual.

♥♥♥

So when you go out for meals, it's normally Tsugunaga-san who extends the invitation? Is it difficult to ask her out without some sort of underlying reason?

Yamaki: Actually, there isn't a problem with inviting her out without any reasons. But I find it difficult. I can't just ask a great-senpai out for a meal without a reason. The other day, the two of us went for mushroom nabe. I felt like having some, but it turned out that the others weren't big fans of mushrooms when I asked them. I didn't want to drag along people who weren't really fond of mushrooms, so I asked Momochi-senpai whether she'd like to have mushroom nabe. She was okay with that, and she was fine with me asking her out. I was actually really shocked by the fact that there weren't any problems with me asking her out for a meal on a private basis. And though we happily headed to the store, (looks at Tsugunaga) she turned peevish.

Tsugunaga: I was really happy that Risa-chan extended an invitation to me. It's not uncommon for me to have a meal with the kouhai, but the invitation would generally come from me. That was the first time that Risa-chan had asked me out, so I was on cloud nine as we headed to the store, with a spring to my step. I was even having fun picking things out from the menu. But then I got embarrassed at how excited I was. Could it be that perhaps Risa-chan had something to discuss with me? Now that my graduation's set in stone, she'll become the oldest in the group, so I wondered if there was some sort of problem concerning the group.

Like she may have wanted to ask you something.

Tsugunaga: That's right. I was wondering if there was something she wanted to bring up. To find out if she wanted to talk with about something, I asked her why she'd invited me out. And so it turned out that it was because none of the other members liked mushrooms that much. I was like 'Huh?' (laughs) I'd been chosen via the process of elimination. And what's more, she added that nabe isn't something she could order without at least 2 people.

Yamaki: I couldn't go alone. (laughs)

Tsugunaga: Isn't that horrible!

I'd have thought that Tsugunaga-san would have been the first person to ask. (laughs)

Yamaki: And that's where we differ. I didn't think that it would be all right to ask Momochi-senpai out without a reason. If I'd told her that I just invited her for some vague reason or the other, it'd be awkward.

Tsugunaga: You could've just said that you wanted to have a meal with me.

All: That's right!

Tsugunaga: You just happened to want mushroom nabe, and I happened to be the only person who was convenient, right?

Yamaki: ...Well, that's true, you happened to fit the bill. That is a fact. (laughs) The big takeaway I got from this huge incident was that it's fine to invite Momochi-senpai out just because I want to have a meal with her. So I'd like to ask her out for more meals until her graduation.

H!P Battle without Honour and Humanity - S/mileage x Juice=Juice (Top Yell Sept 2013)

♣♣♣

What impression did you have of Miyamoto-san when she was in the Eggs?

Fukuda: She was really tiny when she joined us, like someone's little sister, and she was super cute. The both of us really liked strawberries, so I gave her my 'Strawberry Soul' T-shirt.

Miyamoto: I've worn that T-shirt so much that those words have faded. It's currently in my loft at home!

Takeuchi-san, you were in the H!P Kenshuusei until 2011, so your tenure overlapped, didn't it?

Takeuchi: Karin is one year my junior, and joined the H!P Eggs about half a year after me, so she was the closest to me. We acted together in plays, and we had many opportunities to sing together at concerts and recitals during our tenure as Kenshuusei. Back then, she was way smaller than me, but now she's overtaken me......

Miyamoto: Am I taller?

Takeuchi: You are, you are~

Miyamoto: No way. How many centimeters are you?

Takeuchi: 154cm?

Miyamoto: We're about the same.

Fukuda: No, I'm sure that Take-chan's 153 cm (laughs).

Takeuchi: Well, it's not that different though (laughs).

♣♣♣

Besides her height, in what other ways has [Miyamoto-san] grown?

Takeuchi: Karin's been good at singing ever since she joined the Kenshuusei, so I lose to her in that!

Miyamoto: But when I joined the Eggs, Takeuchi-san's dancing looked super energetic, and she was really quick at remembering the dance moves, so I really admired her. She'd have them properly remembered by the time the next lesson rolled around, and she'd be telling us how to do it.

Fukuda: Take-chan's getting self-conscious (laughs).

♣♣♣

Excerpts from Kudo Haruka's interview in Top Yell May 2017

♂♂♂

Kudo: I'm not the kind of girl who can talk like Michishige-san, and it's not like I'd flourish on the variety circuit. So I asked myself: What can I do? When I thought about it, since I had received many opportunities to do gravure modelling for magazines and the like, at the Budokan, I made a statement that I would work hard as a visual member.

So that's how things started?

Kudo: I knew that there were many more members who were better at singing and dancing than I was. It'd take ages for me to overcome their skill. However, I don't have the time to spare. I had to get myself to the best possible condition in a short amount of time and become someone who stands out, and link it back even more with my work. Thinking about it, I've got nothing else but my looks. I resolved to be the person who would draw people's eyes whenever they took a glance at us.

♂♂♂

In Michishige-san and Tsugunaga Momoko-san's case, they became the butt of jokes by asking for it by saying things like 'I'm cute'. Compared to the two of them, I got a different impression from your declaration to move forward as a visual member.

Kudo: While I said that I'd be a visual member, I don't know how to retract that statement. (laughs) So I'm like, what should I do here? I couldn't turn it to a gag, people would say that I was halfheartedly asserting myself......  Actually, staff members have suggested to me that it'd be better to quit saying that. I was told that it was hard to make a comeback when I said it, since I was so serious. Or that unlike Ikuta (Erina), it couldn't be turned into a gag. Ikuta-san herself has commented that it's more of a joke when she says it compared to when I say it. Actually, it's more amusing for the audience when it's her.

However, wasn't your presence in the group gradually diminishing?

Kudo: And that's why I wasn't establishing a character or pulling a joke, the only thing I could do was seriously focus on improving my looks. When I said that I would lead in looks, I said it with the belief that words have power. Having put it into words, I now had the responsibility of staying true to my words.

Suzuki Airi - True Colours (Update Girls July 2016)

℃-ute celebrated the 11th anniversary of their formation this June. Suzuki Airi has continued to be an active member of the group the whole time. She turned 22 in April.

'Compared to the past, I get the impression that the themes and atmosphere of our songs have become really mature. Actually, as the years have gone by, all of us have gone past the age of twenty. If you were to ask us to perform with the same energy we had like when we did "Meguru Koi no Kisetsu" (2007) for example, it'd be difficult. We'd try, of course. (laughs) Thinking of it that way, it's because of how we are like now that we're able to perform our latest single, "Naze Hito ha Arasoundarou? / Summer Wind / Jinsei ha Step!"

Indeed, their three songs have the allure of a mature group that has gone beyond the idol framework: The calming, soulful pop of 'Naze Hito ha~' with its gospel tinge, the impressive, cool groove of 'Summer~', the fusion of swing jazz and electro in 'Jinsei ha~'. But the girls had no intention of shifting gears from so-called idols to a mature vocal & dance group. Instead, through the mature mood of these 3 songs from their latest single, they themselves realised that lying beneath their performances and at the root of their minds was that they want to be 'idols' until the very end.

'We can't forget how ℃-ute are as idols, I can't forget how Suzuki Airi is as an idol. Even if we built up personas, the fans would acknowledge us as idols. While things are different from how they were in our teens, it's not like we're forcing ourselves to appear mature. You could say that as idols, we're acting our age. I'd prefer naturally radiating an idolness that can only be produced by the ℃-ute of the present, the Suzuki Airi of the present.'

She tells us with a smile on her face that she believes that being an idol suits her. The reason for that suitability? It's because she possesses a certain trait within her.

Country Girls - To Shout Out Their Secret (BLT March 2017)

Their last single before Tsugunaga Momoko's graduation will be going on sale!

With all of the members around, each member makes a big confession ♥

While we await the sale of their last single before Tsugunaga Momoko's graduation, the members confess some previously unknown stories ♥

I'd like this to be a single where I use up my whole 15 years (Tsugunaga)

You've finally announced your last single before the graduation of Momochi (Tsugunaga)-san.

Tsugunaga: As we draw closer to my graduation, more and more things are becoming 'lasts', which reminds me how close my graduation is. I'd like this to be a single where I use up my whole 15 years.

Ozeki: In 'Peanut Butter Jelly Love', you can hear Momochi-senpai's wonderful, lovely voice!

Tsugunaga: You're raising the bar too high. (laughs) I get to feature in this last one, so it's a difficult song that requires a broad singing register, but I'd like to sing it properly.

Funaki: The beginning is particularly difficult, you can tell from the look on Momochi-senpai's face. (laughs)

Morito: It's a cute song that's very Country Girls, and I hope that you keep an eye on the intricacies of the dance moves as well.

Yanagawa: The music video is cute and fairytale-like, and I hope that we can express the world of the song.

Yamaki: We were under the cold weather for the tea party scene, but we acted as if it was warm, so please watch that as well. (laughs)

How about 'Good Boy Bad Girl'?

Morito: The lyrics are split between a guy and a girl, and there's part of the choreography that looks like we're kissing. And it was fresh to have (Ozeki) Mai-chan take on the girl role.

Ozeki: I've been established as a guy character, so being put in the girl role was something that I found to be difficult, despite being a girl myself. (laughs)

Yamaki: The dance moves put a lot of pressure on me. 'Cause if I make a mistake, I might end up kicking Momochi-senpai in the head......

Tsugunaga: We have to hold hands after that, and yours get really sweaty. (laughs)

Funaki: The two songs are completely different, so you can enjoy various sides of Country Girls through this one single.

Yanagawa: In terms of dancing and singing, it's our hardest single yet, but we'll work hard with everything we've got in order to reach a high level!

MM 13ki - The story of how the 2 of them started (BLT Mar 2017)

The first BLT appearance of the Morning Musume。´17 13ki members!

Nippon Budokan, 12 December 2016.

The first unveiling of the Morning Musume。13ki members

Kaga Kaede and Yokoyama Reina.

These two new heroines

Will be making a new story from now on.

A frank talk about the true feelings of of the two 13ki, just after they joined!

It's your first appearance, so firstly, please tell us what led you to want to join Morning Musume。!

Kaga: I've always liked them since I was small, but when I watched the MV to 'One Two Three', their dancing and singing were really cool. And then I took the 11ki audition. While I failed, I became a Kenshuusei. And after being a Kenshuusei for 4 years, I joined as a 13ki.

Yokoyama: I've liked them since I was in primary school as well, but what got me started was watching the Morning Musume。 wake-up prank when I was in middle school. Despite having just woken up, they had smiles on their faces, their dancing was sharp, and I thought that it would definitely be fun to be in such a group.

That legendary wake-up concert was your start!

Yokoyama: Yes. (laughs) Ah, could it be, this interview is actually a prank?...

This isn't a prank. (laughs) By the way, what dreams did you have a long time ago?

Digging into the '8 mysteries' of Kobushi Factory (Top Yell Jan 2017)

H!P's biggest mysteries

We dig into Kobushi Factory's '8 mysteries'!!

One can't help but say that Kobushi Factory's mysteries are some of H!P's biggest mysteries.
This time around, we attack them directly about eight of these mysteries.

Ultimately, what sort of answers will they respond with...

Mystery number one
Why are all of you always so loud!?

Taguchi: Hmm... You're immediately going for the group's biggest mystery. (laughs)

Hamaura: But honestly, what's the real reason?

When you're on tour or doing promotional activities, you're always together with the members, aren't you? Don't you run out of things to talk about?

Taguchi: Now that you mention it, what do we normally talk about......?

Hamaura: We generally start by reporting what happened during the day.

Isn't that what little kids do at home, reporting to their mothers what happened during the day?

Hamaura: Well there is that. (laughs) Which reminds me, we often talk of family as well. Actually, we get to hear lots of stories, like why someone got into a fight with their mum in the morning. Those are pretty funny.

Taguchi: Family stories are a staple.

Hamaura: For example, Ogawa Rena-chan's mother has the same personality as Ogawa Rena-chan.

It must get pretty crazy in the Ogawa household!

Ogawa: Maybe I'm in my rebellious phase, but whenever my parents say something, I always talk back. Then I get a really intense scolding. But at night, they'll throw me a 'Ganbarenako again today!'

Taguchi: It's weird to use say things like 'throw' when referring to your parents. (bitter laugh) But Rena definitely loves her mother. That's the reason why they often clash. She'll say things like 'I really hate you! You don't understand anything!' Immediately after that, with a wheedling voice, she'll call her, 'Mama~? I'm coming back home now, ok~♥'.

Hamaura: The funny thing is that when we talk about our families, we'll act it out.

Act it out? In what sense?

Hamaura: Everyone gets a role, like 'father', 'mother', 'myself'. We have fun acting out not just the Ogawa household, but the funny Taguchi household as well.

Mystery number 2
There are rumours that Hamachan is the boss-in-the-shadows. Is that true!?

Hirose: It's true! She's guilty!

Taguchi: You're calling her 'guilty'? (bitter laugh) She's not a suspect...

For the fans who have been watching her since her H!P Kenshuusei days, it's hard to imagine the sight of Hamaura-san mercilessly taking control.

Hamaura: Is that so? Near the end of my tenure as a Kenshuusei, I was relatively quite in charge. And it was simply due to me being more senior in years.

Taguchi: That's true, they might have a slightly different image of her if they've watched her since she was in primary school. Since she was really small. But we've grown.

Hamaura: They generally know what I'll nag about. It's when they just up and change the choreography of their own accord, doing the moves differently from what our sensei taught us!

The nuance of the dance is forced to change because they insert their own adjustments to the moves?

Taguchi: Nothing so presumptuous. For example, as Kenshuusei, we got to dance 'Piriri to Yukou!' on the same stage as Berryz Kobo-san. At the time, even though the correct move was to spin our arms right, everyone except me spun their arms left. I'd even reminded them before the rehearsals. I'd told them to spin their arms right at that point. That's when I got angry.

Hirose: You really blew your top then~. What's more, everyone was telling you to correct yourself since you were the odd one out. Even though you were the only one who was correct. (laughs) She then reminded us that she had already mentioned that we should spin our arms right earlier, before the rehearsals. Then Hamachan gathered us all up for a huge lecture. Just as the song title means 'Let's spice things up!', things got spicy backstage. (laughs)

Taguchi: When it comes to performing, Hamachan is the most serious. Even when she says that we've got to stir things up, she always wraps things up perfectly. On the other hand, Fujii Rio-chan and I will check whether we're doing the right thing by looking at Hamachan.

Hirose: It's not that she's got a good memory, it's that she's got a serious personality. She doesn't remember the moves just by happenstance. But girls like Taguchi Natsumi-chan are able to grasp the general movement, but when they get to the studio, they'll panic and ask for help. That's a common situation. (laughs)

Poor thing. There's no need to name names. (laughs)

Hamaura: No, it's the truth. She promised me in the past. That once we became Kobushi Factory, she would stop that. So from then onwards, I stopped teaching her.

That sounds like something a drill sergeant would say. (laughs)

Taguchi: Did you hear that? Hamachan, you're a real Spartan. (laughs)

Miyamoto Karin - Sunflower (UTB Dec 2016)

Karin's third photobook is currently selling well!

This third volume was the first time we experienced good weather, which seems to have exposed her current sunny state (laughs)!! And just like the title, it's packed with sunflower-like smiles!

Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory's thoughts on ℃-ute's breakup (Top Yell November 2016)

Though interviewed separately, Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory were asked about their thoughts on the impending graduation of H!P senpais ℃-ute. Here's what they said in the November 2016 issue of Top Yell magazine.

℃-ute announced the surprising news that they would be disbanding in June next year.

Miyamoto: Just as it was with Berryz Kobo-san, it's sad. It feels like an important piece of Hello! Project will go missing. It'll be up to us, the kouhai, to fill that up and go even beyond them, so we've got to absorb all sorts of things from them. Once ℃-ute-san are no longer around, we'll become the group with the highest average age. So honestly, we're feeling the pressure.

Kanazawa: We're both 5-people units, and the fans have often told us 'Set your sights on ℃-ute and do your best'. I really bear a sense of admiration towards them. In the first place, I entered this world becaused I looked up to Suzuki Airi-san, so you could say that I'm here thanks to ℃-ute-san. Even now, I still can't believe that they won't be in Hello! Project. Their presence was familiar, seemingly absolute.

Yajima Maimi: Hitori no Kisetsu - A season to myself (UTB October 2016)

As Hello! Project Leader, Maimi-san exudes an air of dignity. After one year, another photobook of hers will go on sale! For this photobook, we ventured off to a different location for the first time - Taiwan. With its unique streets and temperature... We discover a new Maimi-san!!

I'd like to have a special event for my 10th photobook!!

We've finally hit photobook number nine!

'Thank you very much!! I've been putting one out every year since I was fifteen...... I'm grateful to the fans and the members of staff'

How was your first shoot in Taiwan?

'I remember enjoying myself and laughing all the time. While the other members went back after our concerts in Hong Kong and Taiwan, I was the only one remaining in Taiwan, shooting the photobook. Thanks to that, I was able to have my fill of good grub, and completely enjoy Taiwan! I feel like I should apologise to the members (laughs)'

You had that much free time despite the photobook shooting!?

Shida Summer Arai Summer: The hottest and cutest unit of this summer (Top Yell July 2016)

In the summer of 2016, this completely unexpected unit was born:

'Shida Summer Arai Summer'
Made up of YumeMiru Adolescence's Shida Yumi and Tokyo Girls' Style Arai Hitomi. 
In order to get closer to this promising unit, we pressed ahead with this urgent interview!

We ask about everything, from how the two of them first got familiar with one another, up to their new song!

The two of them mutually like one another

Their common point is ice cream?

-- Please tell us: how did things lead to the formation of Shida Summer Arai Summer?

Shida Summer: I've always liked and respected Hitto from the start!

-- Since when?

Shida Summer: Since quite a while back! I liked her so much that I set an alarm to remind me about the start of her SHOWROOM show 'Hitomibocchi'. Then I heard that apparently Hitto liked me as well. The two of us, it was mutual love!

Arai Summer: I was surprised too. You watched 'Hitomibocchi'!

Shida Summer: You know, you know, you mentioned about the scones that were being sold at Calie, didn't you?

Arai Summer: (with a happy look on her face) Yup! Yup!

Shida Summer: Those scones looked really appetising when you ate them on 'Hitomibocchi'. It piqued my interest, I wanted to eat them them, so I bought them and ate them when we had a YumeAdo SHOWROOM show!

Arai Summer: They were yummy, weren't they??

-- Umm... We'd like to hear about how you were formed though.

Shida Summer: Ah~! Tokyo Girls' Style were guests on YumeAdo's showdown project (29th March). When I sang the original song 'Anna ni Suki datta Summer' with Hitto, it was really well received. There were people who wanted us to make a unit, so we asked the grown-ups, and it turned into an official unit.

Arai Summer: After the concert ended, there were lots of reactions on Twitter saying that they wanted to watch us again, and I didn't want to let it end with just that once either. I'm glad that things turned out this way.

-- You were that happy?

Arai Summer: The top screen of my LINE is Shida Summer Arai Summer!

Shida Summer: I'm glad!

-- And Shida-san, what's the top screen of your LINE?

Shida Summer: It's ramen from 'Ramen Ei'! It's really delicious.

What do the girls manage in Kobushi Factory? (Top Yell July 2016)

The roles of each and every one of the eight members!

What does that girl manage in this Factory?

The members themselves determined the roles!

As you might expect from the group who have inherited the DNA of Berryz Kobo, champions of 'diversity in personality', the eight members of Kobushi are exploding with 8 different flavours.

In 2016 at the moment, this is the refinement of the strongest personnel!

Fujii Rio: Factory Manager that Keeps the Time
For a while, it was me and Fujii-chan who were the ones who made sure that the group kept to time. But honestly speaking, I'm the kind of person who's no good at keeping the time. Fujii Rio-chan is the only person who can handle Kobushi's time. (Taguchi)

Hirose Ayaka: Factory Manager for Sexiness
She covers up for the sexiness that I lack, despite me being the oldest. When she sings, you can feel a sexy nuance in her expression and singing. Of course, looks-wise, I think she's the most mature looking among us. (Fujii)

Nomura Minami: Factory Manager for Cooking
She's Kobushi Factory's lunch lady. She's really good at cooking. When I hung out at her house before, she made tomato pasta for me. That was really delicious! Even the way she put together the serving made it look like something that had been dished up by a restaurant. (Taguchi)

Ogawa Rena: Factory Manager that Produces Unique Replies
Every statement of hers is miraculous. Anything and everything she talks about is weird. Like how she mistook for Asano Atsuko-san for for Yosano Akiko-san (sarcastic laugh). Simply put, her biggest charm is her ability to make you want to comprehend her. (Fujii)

Hamaura Ayano: Factory Manager who is the Boss-in-the-shadows
We actually call her the 'Boss-in-the-shadows'. On that note, she's told me, the leader, that I'm unreliable once I step off the stage. When we're backstage, the person who brings together everyone's opinions is Hamaura Ayano-chan (Hirose)

Hamachan's Day Off (Gravure the Television vol. 46 - July 2016)

On a certain day, Hamachan suddenly

On such a sunny day, it'd be such a waste to go to school---.
Suddenly getting of in the middle of the Yamanote Line, Hamaura Ayano decided to spend her momentary time away as she pleased.
In the streets of Shibuya that she rarely frequents, the first thing she heads to is, what else, ramen!
*This story was completely fictional

I'd like to go around having ramen. I'd like to go to five stores in a day. I think that my tummy will go down as I go searching for the next store (laughs)

♥♥♥

The setting for today's shooting was 'Ramen Daisuki Hamachan's Day Off'.

It was fun! For the ramen store shooting, I had tonkotsu-style miso ramen at the first store, and I ordered miso ramen at the second store as well (laughs). I like miso ramen, so I wanted to compare how they tasted. Both were delicious though ♪

We were surprised that you finished up both of them!

Ahaha! I always get a large serving plus gyoza, and I even eat the members' leftover ramen. I still haven't had gyoza today, so it feels like I still not stuffed.

Interview with a selection of H!P's Next Generation Aces, Complete version!! (Weekly Shonen Sunday)

An interview with a selection of H!P's Next Generation Aces, Complete version!!

The grand unveiling of the complete version of the [Selection of H!P's Next Generation Aces interview] published in Shonen Sunday issue 34, including parts that weren't published in the magazine!!

Miyamoto： Today's the first time it's just been the 4 of us grouped together. How did you find it？

Makino： It's not like we were always together the whole time though…

Miyamoto： It was kind of fluffy, like a cloud. We're pretty much the kind of people who don't take the initiative to get close to others, even those in our own group. Well, Maria-chan probably does take the initiative though (laughs)。

Makino：（For the photoshoot） The 4 of us, we had to get on top of one another, right? I'm sorry if I was too reserved.

Morito： Even below you, I knew that you were holding back (laughs）。

Hamaura： It definitely feels like there's still a wall between us (laughs).

Makino： A wall that's as thin as cling film though (laughs).

Miyamoto： Since this issue is going on sale in the summer, is there anything that you want to do when summer comes along？

Makino： Yup. I want to eat warabimochi。

The rest： Warabimochi？

Makino： Ones chilled with ice are delicious. I prefer ones made from kinako though. At times when I'd be taking an afternoon nap, a cart would pass by,  'Waーrabiーmochi♪　Warabiーmochi♪　They're cold and delicious. Waーrabiーmochi♪　Warabiーmochi♪　 You've got to be quick！'

The rest： Ehー That's interesting.

Makino： It's just that I've never bought warabimochi from a cart, not even once. I never make it in time (laughs). After I hear it, I'll go to the supermarket to get some (laughs).

The rest： Ehー We'd like to go and buy some someday.

Momo Pro Vol 08 (UTB Jun-Aug 2011)

A bit of a blast from the past, here's a translated version of the 8th part of Momoko's UTB serialisation, MomoPro. I believe you can click the photo to enlarge it.

Miyamoto Karin and Uemura Akari (UTB May 2016)

Released at the end of the school year, this edition of the magazine came out about a week or two before Juice=Juice got the fateful news about their Budokan performance. Karin-chan and Aarii were interviewed as part of the magazine's promotion for H!P Best Shot Vol 23.

I think that making the Budokan performance a reality will be how we repay the favours we owe

Looking back over the school year, what do you think?

'I grew out my hair that I'd cut drastically short (laughs), we released an album, had a nationwide live tour, starred in a drama. It was a busy year with lots of changes that left us dizzy, but we were really watched over warmly by the members of staff around us and the Juice=Juice family, so I think that it was a year where we were enveloped in love'

In particular, taking on the role of Hidaka Aiko in the drama 'Budokan' must have been a huge challenge.

'Though I'm an idol, I thought that I shouldn't act in a way that would be disrespectful to actresses, and my co-stars were also amazing people, so I was worried that I might feel out of place. But I really learnt a lot, and I think it helped me develop. And I'm glad that even after we were done with the shooting, I was still able to interact as Aiko through NEXT YOU events'

Looking at the entirety of Hello!, there are kouhai who admire Miyamoto-san (laughs).

'It makes me extremely happy when Country Girls' Musubu-chan and Yanagawa-chan say that, but I've got to make up for it by being reliable, and I'd like to tease them.

Finally, what's your goal for the next school year!

'Firstly, we've got to respond in kind towards the love that we've received over the past year, and I think that a Budokan performance would the biggest way to repay the favour. In the midst of that, while we're raising the level of our dancing and singing individually, our powers become different when all 5 of us are together. I'd like us to become a group that's terrifyingly amazing. Personally, I'd like to become even more knowledgeable about 80s idols. I like Matsuda Seiko-san, and I'd like to learn more about the other idols from that generation, and make use of that knowledge in my own performances'

I've become used to solo photo shoots and interviews (laughs)

This past school year has been a year with a lot of firsts, hasn't it?
In April, Juice=Juice acquired our first Oricon Weekly first, our first starring role in a drama, and personally, I came out with my first photobook. Personally and as a group, it was a year where we were able to do all sorts of huge jobs. I was nervous at first for solo magazine work, and interviews were hard for me since I get tongue-tied. I can't conclude my statements, I just take up too much time (laughs). However, our member Kanazawa Tomoko-chan knows a lot of difficult words, so using her as a reference, I'd like to overcome that'

What memories do you have of your photobook 'AKARI'?

'The Labrador Retriever that I took shots with was adorable, and I'm really curious how much that doggy has grown. The shooting was at Okinawa, but after that, as Juice=Juice were on our way to conquer the 47 prefectures, we went to Okinawa, and I felt a connection. It seems that the fans had gone to the places where I'd done the shootings, which made me happy'

The drama shooting must have been tough as well though.

'The staff members of the drama were really warm, and it made me happy to see them come to our concerts, waving glowsticks for us. It was sad to part once the filming ended, but from now on, I'd like to challenge myself to acting work, in the hopes that I'll work with those staff members again'

And, as Juice=Juice, your goal is also a Budokan performance.

We'd like to polish up my singing and dancing, so that we'll be able to stand on the Budokan stage in perfect condition!'

Country Girls' Eh, are you really going to surmount Mount Fuji? #3 (UTB+ March 2016)

Here's the 3rd part of Country Girls' UTB+ serialisation, 'Eh, are you really going to surmount Mount Fuji?'. Did the translation directly on the image since it's easier to read that way. Enjoy.

The original: