We Still Subbing

  Q As you approached the “5th Anniversary Live”, what kind of concert did you want to make it to be? Tamura: While of course it was such a big venue, it is first and foremost a concert “celebrating the 5th year anniversary of Sakurazaka46”, so there was a strong feeling of wanting to make it into a concert where we could properly convey our gratitude to all of the Buddies who have been supporting us until now. And I’d be happy if, by watching our performance, they could feel glad to have been supporting such a group. I also think there were a lot of people coming to see us for the first time, so I hoped that those people could also come to think “Sakurazaka46 is kind of good” or “This concert feels so good, it’s so fun”... It’s a rough way of putting it, but I wanted it to be a concert where those people could feel glad to have come, that they could have fun. If you point out that it’s no different from any other concert, then indeed, it doesn’t. Morita: In the setlist and stage p...

Q What did you sincerely feel when you first found out about doing a concert at the National Stadium? Matsuda: It was a bit of a shock, as if seeing something that had never really been in my field of vision suddenly appearing right in front of me . While of course I feel happy, but at the same time there was also a part of me thinking, “Really? Isn’t it too soon?”. To be honest, at the time, I didn’t have the confidence yet. I felt like it wouldn’t be good if I stayed the same. But even I don't understand why I thought like that, there was also a time when I was caught up in this vague sense of anxiety. Q What kind of discussions did you have with the members toward the concert? Matsuda: Just like what I always do before a concert or tour, I gathered everyone for a discussion before we start the rehearsal. We’d talk of how to spend our days toward the tour, or things that we should be conscious of in our activities as Sakurazaka46. But this time, I asked everyone to send me their ...

  Q It… somehow doesn’t feel real yet, I’m even still thinking to myself “Is she really graduating soon?” Takemoto: Truth is, it’s the same for me. When I announced it, I had this solemn feeling, “Oh… I’m really graduating, huh?” but day by day that feeling has started to fade (laughs). It’s something we won’t really get until the day it actually happens I guess. Even right now, I’m rehearsing together with the other members (* At the time of interview) in preparation for performing at the National Stadium (The 5th Anniversary Live), so every day I’ve been dancing over and over again, and the thought of graduation hasn’t popped up much. It feels like I’ve just been able to spend my days like I always have. But I feel very fortunate to be able to spend my activities normally like that to the end. I sincerely feel that way. Q Your graduation blog was very wonderful. You clearly explained your feelings down to the fine details, so much so that I was feeling at a loss on what to ask y...

  Q Since this pairing is considered quite rare, please start by telling us about how you two first met. Murai: We shared the same dressing room during the final round of the 3rd generation audition, didn’t we? Mukai: We did! To distract ourselves from the nerves back then, we all played a game together. Was it the ‘Spinach Game’*? T/N: A rhythm game where you “pass spinach” to other person(s). The number of spinach being passed around will increase / decrease along the game, and if you fail to keep up you lose. Murai: That’s right! How nostalgic. Mukai: Very nostalgic, doesn’t it? Q What were your impressions of each other back then? Mukai: During the training period before the passing announcement, I fell ill and couldn’t participate in the dance presentation. I was feeling really down and that’s when Yu reached out to me. I thought “What a warmhearted girl”. Murai: I don’t remember that at all (laughs). What did I say? Mukai: You said “Hang in there!”. Even though we hadn’t talk...

  PT 1: Group Relationship Q: What are Buddies to you? The members confess their real feelings. Please receive their feelings that they feel daily properly. Asai: A presence that supports my heart and the reason I can move forward. Ishimori: My pride. Inaguma: A presence that is always by my side just like a family. Endo Hikari: My light. Endo Riko: A presence that became my reason to do my activities. Ozono: My nutrition, a presence that I can’t do without. Onuma: The reason I can always work hard! Odakura: A presence that I can share a lot of my feelings with, and my support mentally for my activities. Katsumata: A light that would illuminate my way ahead. Kosaka: Because of Buddies’ support, I can spend every day cheerfully. Kojima: An irreplaceable presence. Sato: A presence that I can’t thank enough. Takemoto: If Buddies weren’t there, I wouldn’t have any reason to work hard. Taniguchi: A presence that inspires me. Tamura: A reassuring presence. Those who are by my side no mat...

Note: You can scroll horizontally and vertically to read all the questions and everyone's answers! Raw: rai Translation: rai QC: tmi PT 2: MESSAGE TO BUDDIES & 5TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE

  Note: You can scroll horizontally and vertically to read all the questions and everyone's answers! Raw: anon Translation: tmi QC: koac