℃-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.

They can no longer be sworn allies... BeriKyuu arch-rival interview (Shimizu x Natsuyaki x Suzuki x Okai) - Top Yell Sept 2013

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute

A 12-person human drama

It's been 11 years since they met one another - a conflict where neither will yield

Top Yell September 2013 opening blurb:

These bunch of primary school girls were assembled because of their admiration of Morning Musume。 11 years have passed since they started activities, and before anyone knew it, they've become groups who shoulder the burden of being the central pillars of Japan's idol scene.

Berryz Kobo and ℃-ute are called Hello! Project's Minister of the Right and Minister of the Left. With ℃-ute announcing that they would be advancing upon the Budokan, their rivalry heated up beyond anything that had been seen before, but what's really happening inside? The gong has finally rung on this extremely stinging round-table discussion that could only be pulled off by this magazine!

Top Yell + H!P Compilation 2014 version:

The story of the rivalry between BeriKyuu that started with the announcement that ℃-ute would be advancing to Budokan became a staggeringly huge topic in 2013. Being overtaken by a group from their own generation, Berryz Kobo's Captain Shimizu Saki expressed her determination through her blog posts. Three weeks after that, Berryz Kobo's Budokan was announced......

In the midst of all sorts of speculations happening amongst the fans, in the September edition of Top Yell, we pressed ahead with a hard-hitting interview with the members of both groups caught up in the maelstrom.

Looking back, they were partners who were always there. Now both groups motivate one another, but that doesn't imply that they had a rivalry from the very start. In 2002, when they were assembled as the Hello! Project Kids, they were a group of people who were united in the goal of making their debut. The four of them look back on those times.

※※※

You weren't broken into groups at first, and there wasn't any sense of hostility. When did you start thinking of one another as rivals?

Okai: It somehow came up naturally...... I guess. At the start of the Kids, just remembering the choreography had me grasping at straws, so I think that I couldn't look beyond myself.

Shimizu: That's true, there wasn't any rivalry between us before the formation of Berryz. We were just friends, playing tag together..... If I had to say, it felt like being with my usual friends.

I think that the formation of Berryz Kobo in 2004 had a huge effect on how your relationship changed. At the time, there was talk that there would be a rotational system, with 8 names being nominated as Berryz Kobo's starting members.

Shimizu: Yup, so at the time, I probably might have felt a stronger sense of rivalry towards those who were in Berryz. I remember thinking that I might get dropped if I were to lose to another girl. Just that thought was terrifying to me!

Natsuyaki: I didn't think much of it...... I didn't really feel it in particular. Even with talk of the rotational system, I felt that it would be a group that would change according to Tsunku♂-san's moods, so I didn't feel a sense of tension. Even if someone were to drop out or someone were to come in, there would probably still be a chance for people to make a comeback. I guess I kind of accepted it..... In the end, it felt more like a club activity back then.

You weren't concerned about the danger of being dropped?

Natsuyaki: ... I wasn't (laughs).

Shimizu: Well, that's Miya (laughs). The ones who felt it the most were the girls who were on the edge.

Natsuyaki: Eh~! But back then, there wasn't an established centre or an ace, right?

Shimizu: Nope! I may have been Captain, but it wouldn't have been strange for that to change. I was constantly in fear. Whenever the staff would call us, that's when I got the most nervous. I thought that the time had finally come..... (laughs).

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 29: Nakajima Saki x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Nakajima Saki X Okai Chisato

ÇÇÇ

When ℃-ute started off in your 5-person configuration, compared to how things had been before, I believe that many changes happened to you as a group. And it seems that Saki-chan changed a lot at the same time...

Nakajima: It wasn't just me, I think that everyone changed.

[...]

Okai: Because our numbers had decreased, the sense of distance between the members got closer. Our average age fell in one stroke.

ÇÇÇ

When did Saki-chan herself start changing?

Nakajima: When we made our debut, I thought that I had to firm up. But when we entered our 5-person structure, I ended up in the position of being the second oldest. It hit me that I was in a position where I should be giving advice. Everyone told me that they were scared of me since I was so firm at first (laughs)!

ÇÇÇ

For better or for worse, Maimi-chan hasn't changed (laughs).

Okai: You know, age-wise, there was no need for Nacky to force herself to become grown-up. It should have been Maimi-chan (laughs)! But now, Maimi-chan has filled those holes in a different way, she supports everyone. I feel that it's great that Maimi-chan's that sort of leader.

Nakajima: But when we became a 5-person group, it felt like Leader started to become more playful (laughs).

Okai: Ahahaha. That's right.

Nakajima: We became 5 people, there was a time where Chisato and (Hagiwara) Mai would take the lead in teasing her, but now she teases Chisato and the rest herself. She's become a really cheerful person ever since then (laughs).

Okai: Honestly, lots of things happened, but now we're comfortable with one another.

But Saki-chan, from your eyes, has Chisato-chan changed?

Nakajima: Eh, Chisato, well... (laughs).

Okai: What is it~ (laughs)! What, what?

Nakajima: You've changed recently.

Okai: Eh? I haven't noticed anything at all though!?

Nakajima: But you know, Chisato, you've become serious and flustered (laughs). Recently, at dance lessons, there are times when we members double-check our formations without a dance teacher, and you get really flustered, like 'Wait up! What do you mean!? So you know, let's do it once again!!' (laughs). Before that, I felt that you'd only say 'Got it~', but I feel that you're now taking the initiative.

ÇÇÇ

Looking at one another once again, what's changed the most since your time as the Hello! Project Kids?

Okai: Nacky started talking, I guess (laughs). At first I was really confused, but I was really happy. However, as far as that went, I thought you were in two minds over it. I'm sure that you must have worried over whether to keep quiet or to be lively. Honestly speaking, I think that there are lots of guys who like quiet and meek girls (laughs).

Nakajima: Honestly, I was worried over it. However, rather than saying that I worried over than whether I should be quiet or lively, I worried over whether I should wrap things up seriously, or whether I should say nothing. But I think I'm good with how I am now. If I was quiet, I'd get really worried (laughs). The less I speak, the more things grow unexpectedly in my heart. It's much more comfortable to comment on something I think isn't right. How Chisato's changed..... You've changed in all sorts of ways, but number one is looks!?

Okai: Everyone says that it's my looks (laughs).

Nakajima: Since you became fashionable and came to like makeup, it hit me that you actually were a girl (laughs).

Okai: I've always been a girl from the start though (laughs).

ÇÇÇ

More interview excerpts from this book

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 50: Sudo Maasa x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Sudo Maasa X Okai Chisato

╞╞╞

Maasa-chan, you're famous among the fans for your mother-like position, but Okai-chan unexpectedly has that character as well.

Sudo: I often get told by the other members that I'm like the oneechan, but (Sugaya) Risako has been calling me 'Mama, mama' from way back. Also, I'm told that my bearing is like an older lady, so I can't help but seem that way (laughs).

Okai: Inside Berryz Kobo, you're definitely level-headed, and the way you choose your words is extremely polite. Even when you guys line up at concerts to give your thoughts about the performance, you're the only one who picks her words nicely. It's so powerful and moving that you could say it's like an election address (laughs). You're really like a mother.

Sudo: Rather than saying that Chisato is motherly, I'd say that she's pretty caring. If there's someone who isn't doing well, you'd immediately rush up to them, asking if they're doing alright. You're really caring.

Okai: Oh, thank you for that. I've got lots of siblings, so I think that it's easy for me to notice if something's happening to someone in a crowd. I'll end up immediately empathising. When someone's worrying, I'll worry together with them. When they're mad, I'll be mad together with them.

Sudo: Though I've got a sister as well, which means that I'm the oneechan at home, entering Berryz made me think that I had to sharpen up. Plus, I think that being called the mother might have led me to my current personality.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 64: Shimizu Saki x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Shimizu Saki X Okai Chisato

↕↕↕↕↕

The two are you are both the smallest in your groups, aren't you?

Okai: Undoubtedly so (laughs).

Shimizu: I suspect, however, that Momo (Tsugunaga Momoko) might be smaller (laughs) (Tsugunaga Momoko's 'officially announced' height is 149.9 cm).

Were you conscious about your heights from the time that you were in the Hello! Project Kids?

Okai: Since I thought that I'd grow eventually, it didn't weigh on my mind. But when we took photos together in large groups, I started noticing how small I was compared to the rest.

Shimizu: While the other Berryz Kobo members have gradually gotten bigger, I haven't grown at all, and I wondered things were alright. My grandad said that I'd get bigger by drinking milk, so I had milk every day. But I didn't grow bigger at all (laughs).

Are your families on the tall side?

Okai: My sister's close to 160 cm, so I think that there's something there. Mama's small, but my Papa's roughly 170 cm. So I expected that I'd grow (laughs).

Shimizu: Ahaha, that's what you'd expect. My mother is small, and now I'm already taller than her. My father's normal, and my older brother's really tall.

Okai: You drank milk as well, right? Isn't it strange!? The Okai household is strange as well (laughs)!!

So you were in an environment where you could still keep your hopes up on growing a bit more. For the two of you, would you like to have some extra height?

Okai: In general, I do! Ideally, just under 160 cm. The taller girls tell me that it's cuter to be small, but I definitely would like to be borderline 160cm!!

Shimizu: Yup yup yup yup! My thoughts exactly (laughs). About 160 cm would be just right. (Natsuyaki) Miyabi and (Sugaya) Risako are both just about 160 cm, and I think that level would be the best.

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 20: Sugaya Risako X Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Sugaya Risako X Okai Chisato

With slightly different characteristics from what you'd call an idol, these two talk about their view on idols.
They tell us about what they think of their positions over these 10 years.

It may be quite a sudden leap to start our discussion off like this, but everyone says that the two of you seem like the most likely people to be the first to get married in your own respective groups (laughs).

Okai: Is that so (laughs)? But I feel that Risako will get married before me.

Sugaya: Isn't there a pattern where everyone says that, but it actually ends up with that person being the last to get married (laughs)?

Okai: In 10 years time, we'll be almost in our thirties, and most people at that age will normally be married, so I'd like to have gotten married by then.

Sugaya: Since you have lots of siblings, I feel like you'll become a Mama with lots of children.

Okai: I feel like we'll mingle as fellow mothers. All of us with children will gather together.

Sugaya: But amongst the members of my group, Captain will definitely be late.

Okai: I feel that Miyabi-chan will somehow or the other be late as well. As for Kumai-chan, I feel like she on the other hand might get married before we know it.

Sugaya: I think that if someone's going to get married out of the blue, it'd unexpectedly be Momo (laughs). I think that Kumai-chan will be really late. I've been together with her all the time, so I know her, and Kumai-chan is the type of person that thinks very carefully. It would worry me if she rushed. I'd be shocked if Kumai-chan got married before me (laughs).

Okai: I feel that ℃-ute's Yaji will unexpectedly get married early. I feel that we'd be be fine with Yaji getting married, and that we'd start saying things like 'It's about time to think about marriage'.

The 2 of them who are un-idol-like

What are their thoughts on what a proper idol is?

Thank you very much for the analysis (laughs). Talking about marriage, we started on a topic that in a way is a taboo discussion for idols, but I think if it's the 2 of you, the fans will be able to read this without suspicions. 

Okai: That does seem so (laughs).

Sugaya: I really get what you mean (laughs).

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk 44: Natsuyaki Miyabi x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Natsuyaki Miyabi X Okai Chisato

xXxXx

Firstly, what led to Chisato-chan becoming a fan of Miyabi-chan?

Okai: I'm actually not the kind of person who'll easily say that someone's cute. I'll say it if I feel that something is cute, but it's not like I get seriously enamoured. But I just happened to go to a Buono! concert, and though (Suzuki) Airi was my reason for going there at first.....

Natsuyaki: At first, huh (laughs)?

Okai: Before I knew it, I noticed that my eyes were only on Miyabi-chan, I realised that, could it be, I liked Miyabi-chan (laughs)!? I think It was Buono!'s second concert tour (Buono! Live Tour 2010 ~We are Buono!~'). Miyabi-chan had extensions on, her hair was long, and she was wearing a pink and black dress. I completely fell for her. At first, I was using glowsticks that were green (Airi-chan's member colour), but I changed to red ones (Miyabi-chan's member colour) midway through (laughs). Miyabi-chan's hairstyle and air changes every time I see her. I look forward to it, and she gives me inspiration every time. I admire her.

Natsuyaki: Is that so (laughs).

Do you remember the impressions you had of one another at the 'Hello! Project Kids Audition'?

Okai: At the auditions, my Papa said that Miyabi-chan was cute! Like 'Oh my, there's such a cutie here, you're gonna fail!!' (laughs). But I was on the borderline of passing and not passing, so just going with the flow, I became friends with Maasa-chan and Mai-chan who lived near me. Actually, I've only recently started talking with Miyabi-chan. There was the age gap, and I was just sticking behind Momo-chan.

Natsuyaki: That's right, it doesn't feel like we really talked. Early on, Chisato and Mai were both like babies, and I thought that they were cute when I looked at them. My impression of Chisato at the auditions was that you were boyish, with your short hair.

Okai: But our mothers were friends.

Natsuyaki: Yup. They'd go for meals together, or karaoke.

Okai: Our mothers went to the same senior high. They were senpai and kouhai.

That's quite the coincidence!

Natsuyaki: Quite (laughs).

Okai: However, I was very much a child within an already childish group (laughs), so I looked on Miyabi-chan and the rest as oneechans. As for Berryz Kobo, I used to chat a lot with (Sugaya) Risako-chan, from way back. Because of that, since (Shimizu) Saki-chan and Miyabi-chan were there as well, that's when I started talking a lot with Miyabi-chan.

Natsuyaki: We also started exchanging messages.

So the cupids that connected the 2 of you were Saki-chan and Risako-chan (laughs). Miyabi-chan, did you know that Chisato-chan liked you that much?

Natsuyaki: The fans told me about it. They'd report things to me, like 'Chissa keeps on saying that she likes you' (laughs). [...] I heard all sorts of things from the fans, and I was like 'Is that so!' (laughs)

Okai: I did a question corner on my blog, and about half the questions I got were concerning Miyabi-chan (laughs). What's more, ever since I said that I like Miyabi-chan, my fans have gradually become fans of Miyabi-chan, which puts me in a situation. At my events, there are fans that'll intentionally use Miyabi-chan's uchiwas, or wear her T-shirts. And at MCs, they'll yell out 'We know how you feel! Let's cheer her on together!!'. Recently, the staff-san have been sending me pictures on Miyabi-chan (laughs).

Natsuyaki: Even at handshake events, I get told 'Don't snatch away Chisato!' I press them, asking 'Do you really like Chisato!?' (laughs). There are people who'll give a serious reply, 'I'll be marrying Chisato! So I don't want her to be stolen away by Miyabi-chan!!'. And that brings out my competitiveness, and I'll fire back by telling them that I'm serious as well! A little battle unfolds between me and the fan (laughs).

xXxXx

Natsuyaki: I'm glad to be told that I'm cute, but since I'm not cute character-wise, it makes me embarrassed to be told that (laughs). 

xXxXx

Chisato-chan, from your point of view, please tell us frankly what you find attractive about Miyabi-chan.

Okai: She has all these contrasting traits to her. She looks cool, but she actually talks a lot. Just looking at her makes me feel happy. 

xXxXx

Well then, 10 years in the future, how do you think your relationship will be like?

Okai: We'll be married with children, and we'd meet up to have meals together (laughs). However, I think that Miyabi-chan's children will be the cutest (laughs).

Natsuyaki: I'd like to meet up for meals. I think that there are aspects in which Chisato and I are similar. So it's fun to be together.

xXxXx

More interview excerpts from this book

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk: Tokunaga Chinami x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Tokunaga Chinami X Okai Chisato

千千千千千

Chisato-chan, is there any type of food that you can eat any amount of, like how Chinami-chan can eat any amount of soba?

Okai: I like spicy foods or food that tastes rich, so I'd be able to do that with food like Korean soup. The side menus at various yakiniku stores are really delicious,  and I'll have all the mini-sized varieties. Negi shio ramen, galbi gukbap, vegetable soup, chilled noodles, negi tamago gohan, I'll eat all of those. I can change by 3 kilos if I've been eating meat for a day.

Tokunaga: Korean cuisine is yummy. When Berryz Kobo went to Korea before, the 7 of us ate 20 people's worth of bulgogi. 

Okai: That sounds nice~. I'd like to eat throughout the year. When it comes to delicious stores, my desire to go drop by several of them in one day gives me so much energy. I'd like to eat continuously. I love it!

Tokunaga: There's lots of food at Disneyland, so I really eat on the move whenever I go. Like spring rolls, pizza, and chicken!

Okai: OMG, they're all delicious!

Tokunaga: I'd buy 3 varieties of popcorn as the main course, then I'd put chicken into the opened packaging and nosh on it while lining up for attractions (laughs). I love having fun while eating, so Disneyland truly is the Land of Dreams to me. When I go to Disneyland, just my expenses on food can go to 10,000 yen. 

Okai: Normally it'd amount to 10,000 yen with tickets and souvenirs, wouldn't it? It's amazing to spend 10,000 yen on food only!

Tokunaga: Yup, it disappears in no time.

The scale seems to be getting bigger as we go along (laughs). Have the 2 of you always been big eaters since the past?

Okai: When we made our debut as the Hello! Project Kids, I didn't really eat that much. It was about last year when I started feeling that I could really eat, and then I immediately started eating.

Tokunaga: I've always been eating a lot since I was small, and as a child, I was chubby. Looking at photos from back then, they're all photos of me eating. Like eating a crepe, eating ice cream, eating shibatsuke. That hasn't changed, even now (laughs).

Okai: But how are you so slim? You've got such a great figure.

Tokunaga: I don't really do anything in particular. Weighing myself is such a pain that I don't bother. 

Okai: I get the shivers when I go to weigh myself. When I myself think that I'm in the danger zone, the fans that have been around from way back will also tell me 'You're putting on weight, so be careful'.

Tokunaga: The heck is up with that? If someone told me that, I'd be like 'Back off!'

Okai: How cool (laughs)!

Tokunaga: I really hate it when people tell me that my physique is like this or that. Even when our manager-san tells me 'You've gotten fat', in my mind, I'm thinking 'Hang on...'

Well, that's the manager's job though (laughs).

Tokunaga: I know that it's their job, and that they're saying it for my sake, but before those thoughts come to mind, I immediately think 'Why do you have to put it that way?'

千千千千千

Tokunaga: At the recent BeriKyuu concert ('Berryz Kobo & ℃-ute Collabo Concert Tour 2011 Autumn ~BeriKyuu Island~'), I thought that you sang with your whole body. You were singing and dancing full throttle, and it was amazing how your body was full of power. At the concert, you sang 'Romantic Ukare Mode' solo, and the whole venue got pumped up. I really felt the energy radiating from you.

Okai: That makes me happy. Those kinds of stories rarely get talked about, so it makes me rally happy~

千千千千千

Okai: I listen to more songs sung by men rather than by women, so I aim to bring out my voice strongly like how guys do it. Depending on how you listen to it, it might sound messy, as I'm unable to immediately connect my breaths, but I feel that a strong voice might be easier to listen to. I do think about breath management though.....

Tokunaga: Miya and Airi have this feminine gracefulness to them, but perhaps because you listen to male vocals, you've got a lot of spirit, which makes for a different performance.

千千千千千

More interview excerpts from this book