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She, who has the image of being the leader of the 3rd generation members, talked about her own potential after facing the past year. — I feel that the 3rd generation members have become even closer because of the “3rd Generation Concert” (Held at Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium on September 12th-13th and Osaka Jo Hall on October 8th-9th), but what do you think? Yuzuki: That’s right! This past year, there are members who have been doing activities as a part of senbatsu, and in turn, the other members were active as a BACKS member. Through those separate activities, each of us felt like the others had grown in various ways. Personally, I really love “BACKS LIVE!!” and I often come to watch them, thinking how cool they are every time. On the other hand, the BACKS member also said to me “I watched you on this music show the other day, you were amazing.” So when we were told about the “3rd Generation Concert”, after doing our own activities while seeing each others’ growth, I thought “So we can do a c...

  After completing her first live performance at Tokyo Dome since returning… Because Sakurazaka won’t leave anyone behind. "Sakurazaka46 4th ARENA TOUR 2024 Shin・Sakurazensen -Go on back?- " concluded with great success. The last performance at Tokyo Dome attracted Buddies from inside and outside of Japan, showcasing Sakurazaka46’s current momentum. The fact that this was Koike Minami’s first live performance since her return was probably a major factor in its success. After taking a break since last October and finally returning to the stage, she spoke of her current thoughts and determination. Riko made “Sonia” pure   - Since taking a break from activities in October 2023, the first time you appeared in front of fans again was at Kobayashi Yui’s graduation concert on February 1st. Were you nervous? Koike: Up until just before standing on stage, rather than nervousness, the feeling of fear was greater. Even though I told the staff ‘I want to send off Yuipon’, I realise that ...

※ The conversation started naturally as soon as the three of them sat down on the long sofa together. Murai Yu: Wait, I’m the oldest among us? Taniguchi Airi: Yes, but there’s barely any difference between us. Kojima Nagisa: Personality-wise, Airi is the most older sister-like. I’m pretty confident that I’ll be the little sister, no matter which 3rd generation I am with, or rather, I want to always be the youngest sister (laughs). Q Age-wise, Matono Mio-san is the youngest, but I’ve got the impression that she’s pretty mature mentally. Airi: She also likes to be spoiled. Nagisa: Perhaps because Mio has a bit of an age difference with her brother, she’s really good at getting herself spoiled. Q While Kojima-san’s age with your brother is close? Nagisa: My brother is in the same academic year and age as Yuzu (Nakashima Yuzuki). So there's a three year difference between us. Airi: Wait, we have a three year age difference with Yuzu!? Yu: Apparently my current age is the same as (Ishim...

Q It’s been a while ago, but the performance and production of “Guuzen no Kotae” at Kobayashi Yui-san’s graduation concert was wonderful. Do you mind if we talk about that first? Rei: Thank you very much (laughs). I’m glad you thought of it that way.  Q It’s a song that is centered by Fujiyoshi Karin-san, but when you performed it at Kobayashi-san’s graduation concert, the stage production featured Kobayashi-san and you as well. Please tell us about when you found out you would be doing it.  Rei: There was a meeting regarding the concert. The seating arrangement was random, and everyone could freely sit anywhere, but at that time I just happened to sit beside Yui-san. When I looked at the setlist that was handed out for reference, I saw that Karin-chan, Yui-san, and I would be featured for “Guuzen no Kotae”. When I asked Yui-san “What does this mean?”, she replied, “It means this is a song for me and you” (laughs).  I was happy at that point, but I never expected that we ...

Too pretty they made me Nervous (Utsukushisugite Nervous) Q I could feel Umeka-san’s love for the group from your narration or your announcement posts on X (= Formerly Twitter) Umeka: I’ve been working with them since “Keyaki tte, Kakenai?”, and I’ve watched over the members like a parent would. I am someone who works in the entertainment industry as well, so I could understand some things that they are going through. It’s not all just fun, there is also the hardship of having to continuously be in the spotlight. Because each of their hard work is being conveyed, I wish that they could all bloom and do their activities with a smile. In “Sokosaku”, characters are made for the girls who don't really stand out often, and it makes me happy if it makes the theme even more fun. Q Such as the “Kousaka Marino DEATH GAME”. Umeka: Yeah, that’s right! (laughs) Her face popped out in my mind right away! Q I interviewed you for BRODY ~3 years ago , and what do you think of the 2nd generation’s ...

  Q 9Lana’s “Let me battle” that was composed and arranged by Giga-san and TeddyLoid-san received a huge response. What were your thoughts going into this new work, “Pikkaan!”? TeddyLoid: ”Let me battle” that I created with 9Lana-san showed a new side to Pokemon songs that has never been seen before, and I think it has become a song that surprised everyone. Pokemon is a work that we are all familiar with, so when the offer came, I was like “It’s finally here”. Giga-chan and I talked about sublimating the maximum performance we have in our music as we took this on Giga: I was really happy to receive another offer, and it was both challenging and fun in trying to set it apart from our previous work Q In addition to the two of you, DECO*27-san is also credited as the songwriter for this song. This is the first time the three of you worked together after Ado’s “Odo” TeddyLoid: In the first place, I wanted to ask DECO*27-san, who I thought to be the best lyricist and music producer, to ...