Nakae Yuri: No longer a stand-in, I'll be taking over (LoGiRL)

As part of LoGiRL's 2016 feature on Tokyo Joshiryu, they had solo interviews with each of the girls. The interviews have the girls looking back on their tumultuous 2015 - in which they declared that they were 'artistes', and lost member Konishi Ayano - as well as touching on their thoughts about the future.

Here are some translated excerpts from Nakae Yuri's solo interview.

2015 was a year where Tokyo Joshiryu went through all sorts of incidents. Let's start first with your (5th January) 'Artiste declaration'.

While starting off the year with that announcement on Ustream must have been a huge shock for the fans, it was a huge shock to us members as well. At the very start, I felt like 'What's up with this?'

And what did you mean by 'what's up with this?'

It's not like we'd declared that 'We are idols' before that, so I was questioning if there was any need to expressly make such a declaration. The way we'd been going, there wouldn't have been any problems if we were seen as idols, nor would there have been any problems if we were thought of as artistes. I'd be happy if people thought of us as artistes in the future, but to expressly make such a declaration, it kind of leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Bimajin Special Interview Vol.7 Arai Hitomi ＆ Shoji Mei from Tokyo Girls' Style 【Work edition】

Appearing in this month's Bimajin Special Interview, we have Arai Hitomi-san and Shoji Mei-san from the avex-linked 4 person dance ＆ vocal group 'Tokyo Girls' Style'! With their powerful and cute live performances, these girls are currently at the centre of attention, highly regarded not only domestically but overseas as well ♡ In this first 'Work edition', they talk about their Taiwan (Taipei) live performance and what they want to challenge most at the moment ♪

● You had a concert by yourselves on the 14th of May at Taiwan (Taipei), a place which also has deep links to bimajin. How was it?

Arai：It was our first individual performance in Taiwan, but this was actually our 7th time there due to work! Amongst the jobs overseas we've received, Taiwan's the place that's given us the most work. Every time we go to Taiwan, the fans would greet us at the airport. It truly is a wonderful country.

Shoji： Something that left a huge impression on me was the large number of girls. There were lots of girls of our age! They'd made boards and uchiwa fans for the concert, and let us see what they'd made... Seeing them welcome us warmly from the very beginning of the concert reminded me again about the kindness of the people of Taiwan~.

Arai：As this was our first individual concert, we tried singing 'Partition Love' in Chinese, and we also tried to do all the MC segments in Chinese! We'd try to ask them if they were having fun in the middle of songs, and we tried to talk a bit about how we had hot pot and how much we'd like to eat it again... And of course, we also used Chinese to tell them that we'd like to go to Taiwan again. We received happiness from the people who had come for the show, it was a really fun concert. These Taiwan and Hong Kong concerts came from a plan on our Showroom programme: if we spent a year studying the language and passed a test, we would be able to hold concerts at Taiwan and Hong Kong. It was a really good experience.

Shoji：I was deeply moved at the encore! The fans sang our debut song 'Kirari', you could even hear it in the backyard. It made us really happy that they sang that song for the encore call. What's more, the fans had made their own lyric cards, and all the fans that came to the venue held those cards, where there was a surprise for us. Written on the opposite side of the lyric cards was 'Okaeri', 'Welcome back' in Japanese... It really pumped us up, as we wanted to live up to everyone's expectations. And I also really remember them thanking us and asking us to come again in Japanese at the handshakes.

Arai Hitomi: It doesn't mean that it's the end (LoGiRL)

As part of LoGiRL's 2016 feature on Tokyo Joshiryu, they had solo interviews with each of the girls, looking back on their tumultuous 2015 - in which they declared that they were 'artistes', and lost member Konishi Ayano - as well as touching on their thoughts about the future.

Here are some translated excerpts from Arai Hitomi's solo interview.

♫♫♫

Based on the results, do you think that your 'artiste declaration' was a step in the right direction?

I think that it was. Our motivation changed, and we felt the expectations of the fans as well, so we strongly felt that we had to work hard to respond to those expectations as much as possible. Also, there were things that I wanted to do before we did our 'artiste declaration', but I didn't pay them much heed as they weren't likely to happen. We're now able to contribute our own ideas, and we've been having increasingly more natural discussions amongst the members, so we can now see how all of us feel and what we'd like to do. Having gathered together as a group in that way, we're able to set the direction that we should advance along. I wonder if that's because we're proactively engaged with what we produce.

And Konishi Ayano-san entered a hiatus in June. As something that happened while you were coming together as a group that had made an 'artiste declaration', what did you think?

We heard about it (Konishi's hiatus) just before we were about to have our event in Shanghai. At the time, the first impact that it had was the hassle in changing the singing parts and dance positions. Also, we knew that Tokyo Joshiryu was 5 people, so performing with 4 people didn't feel right... We always felt that something was lacking.

And on the 28th of December, Konishi-san announced her graduation from the group and retirement from the entertainment industry. When you found out about that, honestly, what did you think?

Before she decided on her graduation, we talked about all sorts of things with Aachan (Konishi's nickname), and the members wanted her to come back. So, when she herself started talking about graduation, I couldn't believe it was true. It was difficult to believe straight off the bat.

Our first music ~ Tokyo Girls' Style talks about memorable spring songs~

Music and Tokyo Girls' Style

──What got all of you first interested in music and singing？

Shoji Mei　I've enjoyed dancing ever since I was small、 I would listen to songs until the very end in order to dance to them。 I never really paid attention to singing until I entered TGS （laughs）。 Ever since I started with TGS activities、 I've taken the initiative to listen to music、 and watch music programmes。

Nakae Yuri　Just like Mei, I enjoyed dancing since I was small as well、 I danced following the rhythm of the music、 feeling the flow of the rhythm with only my body。 I started getting interested in singing when I sang as TGS。

Arai Hitomi　It started with my grandmother （laughs）。 My grandma taught me nursery rhymes、 and we sung them together。

Konishi Ayano　Even before I was aware of things, I was dancing and singing in front of the television。 I've always yearned to be a singer。 I've been singing ever since I could stand。

Yamabe Miyu　The only one who wanted to become a singer was Ayano （laughs）。 When I joined Avex in my 5th year of primary school、 my ambitions at the time were to become a model or an actress。 I was strongly aware that I wasn't good at dancing nor singing、 and it was tough when I was just starting out with TGS、 but my interest in music gradually surged as we continued on with our activities。 It's thanks to TGS that I came to like music。

Tokyo Girls' Style on Konishi Ayano's graduation

Below are translations of the blog posts from the Tokyo Girls' Style members upon the announcement of Konishi Ayano's graduation.

♪♪♪

Yamabe Miyu blog: To everyone who has always been cheering us on

It's been officially announced
That our member Konishi Ayano
Who has been working together with us since we made our debut
Will be graduating from Tokyo Girls' Style
And retiring from the world of entertainment.

 While Ayano was taking a break,
 The members and staff continued on with activities
 Thinking that Ayano would return
 That we wanted Ayano to return.

Time and time again
She discussed it with the members and the staff
But it ended up with Ayano no longer being with us
And we truly feel that it is inexcusable
To everyone who has always been cheering us on

Even for us, who discussed it over with Ayano
We're filled with sadness
But we didn't want Tokyo Girls' Style to end just here
So us members
Would like to still work hard as Tokyo Girls' Style

All of us think
That it's truly heartbreaking
But the 4 of us will still be doing our best
And be continuing with activities
So that we'll be able to
Stand once again on the Nippon Budokan stage
And thus, we beg for your kindness from now on as well

Tokyo Girls' Style Yamabe Miyu

To all of you who have always been giving your support (Message from Konishi Ayano)

Message from Ayano

I lack the confidence to keep up with Tokyo Girls' Style, who have been gradually pushing on ahead as we entered this year.
To celebrate our fifth anniversary, we went through with our fifth anniversary commemoration concert, and seeing the smiles on the faces of the other members on that day
From the bottom of my heart, I was glad that the 5 of us went on until then, without any changes
And at the same time, I was satisfied to have got that far.

It just so happened that as we had some time to breathe after the concert, there was also the pain that I had been bearing,
So thinking once again about our activities so far, I had a chance to rest.

And so, I had time to take a good long look at myself,
I thought seriously about whether or not I should do it once again, and as a member of Tokyo Girls' Style
I had no confidence that I could continue on working hard, with my eyes on the same dreams as the others,
And while the 4 of them have been aiming even higher,
It was inexcusable for me to go on with such half-hearted feelings,
Was I not just dragging my feet? And thus, that is how I came to this decision.

When I made my debut, I was still very much a child, and enjoyed myself dancing and singing without thinking too deeply about it,
But as I developed physically, though I had so much confidence in singing, I couldn't sing well,
I was always out of form because I'd noticed the difficulties of singing while dancing, but I couldn't bring time to a halt.
As time gradually passed, my feelings weren't keeping pace, and countless times, I wanted to run away,
But standing on-stage, with the fans who received me warmly,
The time spent singing and dancing with everyone was the greatest, most enjoyable bliss... That's how I've been doing it so far.
I really do love performing live.

My current self stems from the fact that whatever happened,
All you fans would watch over me and cheer me on.
And also the members of staff who would take everything head-on, moving frantically.
My family, who gave me support and were my staunch allies no matter what happened.
And, the members whom I love, with whom I've shared the tough times and the fun times together,
With whom I've spent more time together in these 6 years than with my family.

It's thanks to everyone that I've been involved with.

Despite being really cared for and brought up by all sorts of people, I'm sorry that I couldn't live up to your expectations.

From now on, to not lose to the members who are pushing ahead gradually ,
I may be going on a different path, but I'll face forward, and do my best with confidence.

Finally
To everyone who's been giving your support until now, thank you so so very much.
I'm full of gratitude. I love all of you.

From now on as well, I beg for your kind support for Tokyo Girls' Style.

Konishi Ayano

Hardboiled Night

With a series of 5 concerts at Akasaka Blitz - one every month, starting in July and ending in November - Tokyo Girls' Style are tying their performances together to make up 'Hardboiled Night'.

The performances are strung together with a film noir story. The story advances with videos, mixed in with the girls performances throughout the concert, covering one episode per performance. Also, at each performance, a new song will be unveiled.

A summary of the story from the first night was posted to their channel the day before the 2nd performance. Let's run through the story, shall we?

Impressions on TGS' Partition Love MV Preview

"So, sensei, can you tell me why there needs to be a wall between us? Can't I overcome it? I don't want to be a kid"

I don't usually watch music videos, usually turning them on as background music. It's normally when the music is awesome, only then do I start watching properly.
Even worse are music videos which are part of a large movie. You end up wondering what the story is about - like did Jurina and Mayuyu get married in the end or something? That kind of thing.

Thankfully, the music was awesome - this is TGS after all - which drew me to the video.
And the story itself is mostly self-contained - well, up to the best part, where it cuts off!
Well played on their part - if anything, it makes me want to know what happens even more.

The story is that of a student - Hiichan - having a crush on her teacher.
We see her currying favour with him, trying to flirt subtly.
Then, a rival appears! In contrast to Hiichan, Aachan takes a more aggressive approach.
Hiichan finally ends up writing a letter to the teacher.
And as we get to the point where we can see the teacher's response, the video ends!
Professional conduct would most likely have him thank her with a polite refusal.
But we can see as part of the CM that Hiichan later turns up at the teacher's door in the rain. Awww, poor (wet) Hiichan.

Can I just say how adorable Hiichan is as a high schooler?
It's rare that they pull off this kind of image instead of their usual mature style.
Yet she's just so comfortable in this high schooler role.
Her acting seems pretty good as well.

The bits of English sprinkled in the video is a plus as well.
"Please remove the partition between us"
"The heart is about to burst"
"Would you look at me not as a student, but as a sweetheart?"
The second one seems a bit of a stretch for a first year senior high schooler though - everything else around it seems reasonable, then you have this figurative sentence in the middle.

All in all, I've always loved how TGS has always been consistent with the high quality of their music. And their music videos can and does blow me away at times - Kodou no Himitsu was another one where the music video was a win.

dancinthruthenights - マジ勉NOW! feat.新井ひとみ

dancinthruthenights - Seriously study now

Study study study...
Study study study...

Although I have to study
I was taught this before, but I don't understand anything
(You had better do so) I'm up to doing it but
(What you don't understand) I want to understand but
For now, I've forgotten everything
G!O!O!D! N!I!G!H!T!

I want to slip out of my room and play but
I shouldn't be so self-indulgent
Staring at the TV, my notes are completely blank
It's bad to spoil myself so
With the two of us apart
My mobile phone remains silent
I'll utilise this short period of time So that tomorrow I can be at my prettiest

Study study study...
I've got to study...
Study study study...
So much more to go through...

/tofubeats/
Let's study! Yes Yes Study!
Not gonna make it in time, so you're in a rush!?
In life, you face tests everyday so you've might as well start
Seriously, stand up and dancinthruthenight
But staying up late is no good
You turn into an adult during the time when you're asleep
One day you'll get 100 marks, a perfect score
To do that, pay attention to your weak points

/okadada/
You wanna sacrifice all that hard work
You can't see the end of the exam syllabus, ah...
"So when is this someday I'm studying for? Time is running out you know"
Anyway, that's the rule of studying
An important tool of having a fun life
Attaching a mountain and pass it HIT YO!
But yeah, honestly it does leave me feeling a bit sleepy though...

(You had better do so) I know that
(What you don't understand) I'll look it up
Anyway, for today
G!O!O!D! N!I!G!H!T!

I want to slip out of my room and play but
I shouldn't be so self-indulgent
Staring at the TV, my notes are completely blank
It's bad to spoil myself so
With the two of us apart
My mobile phone remains silent
I'll utilise this short period of time So that tomorrow I can be at my prettiest

Study study study...
I've got to study...
Study study study...
So much more to go through...

'Tell me why I should I study?'
"So that you can do the things you like"
'Do adults know everything?'
"Even adults have to study all the time"
'Which reminds me, why must we study?'
"Erm"
"Think about that for yourself!"
"Wha~!"

G!O!O!D! N!I!G!H!T!

I slipped out of my room to go out and play
Permit me to be self-indulgent
Since I've properly completed my homework
Wouldn't it be okay to spoil myself
Because of that, I had a joyful weekend
Since my mobile has rung
Let's make a date
So that tomorrow I can be stylish and pretty

Study study study...
Study study study...