Their Determination as Sakurazaka46 (with magazine September 2021 edition)
The idols’ performances are inspiring because they put their “seriousness” in it. It’s not easy to do something that you want or you like. Moreover, in the case of people who stood on the stage like idols, if it isn’t clear what they are working hard for, then their steady efforts will not last. In order to continue to put their true energy into the team performance. Sakurazaka46, who decided to rename themselves, which is something unprecedented for idols. It’s been about 10 months since the renaming. We asked five members from the 1st generation and 2nd generation who are exuding the new radiance as Sakurazaka’s professionals about their resolution and determination to live as Sakurazaka46 once again.
“Sakurazaka46 is a group that was born during COVID pandemic.”
1st generation Koike Minami casually said. It was said when talking about the future of Sakurazaka46 from now on.
“When handshake events are made online, there are many fans who say, ‘Recently it’s all been about COVID and it’s draining, but seeing Minami-chan cheered me up again’. For what reason did I do this job? Why did I want to enter this world? It became the reason for me to remember that all over again.” (Koike)
Koike-san has the experience of being saved by the presence of idols when she was a child. When she’s not fitting in at school, by finding idols, her field of vision becomes brighter. “By seeing us during COVID pandemic, I am convinced that our first steps could be a source of courage for someone else.” (Koike)
Yuipon who during the COVID pandemic came to think of improving her individuality more. Back in Keyakizaka46 time, there was a time where she ran down herself so much that she thought “I could only live for the group”. However, after the stay at home period, she came to think that it’s important for her to have a lively and bright life in order to have a good performance.
“I want to cherish my daily life more. I want to have a fulfilling and wonderful life in both my work and private life. I want to talk to people I have never talked with before, to go where I never went to before. I want to have that activeness and positivity.” (Kobayashi)
When Sugai Yuuka-san is asked about what she keeps in mind, she answers with “health care” right away. Yuipon’s desire to enrich her daily life may also be a part of her mental health management to show the fans her best. While it is important to hone one’s skill, no matter how skilled they are as a performer, if they are not charming, then they are disqualified as an idol. The fans won’t follow you.
But being in a group is a great strength for idols. Friends who can make up for each other’s shortcomings, stimulate each other, and be in a friendly competition with. The reason why idol groups can maintain a fresh image amidst the youth is because they are eager to “grow” and “change”.
While 1st generation members are now able to look at things from a bird’s-eye view, 2nd generation members are more honest in their struggles. Fujiyoshi Karin-san spoke without a single doubt, “In any case, I want to show a life-sized performance. I want to perform with my feelings at that time as it is. With my feelings at the time as it is”. However, because she wants to be honest even when she’s not performing, she feels worried that she’s leading the people around her around. But her genmate, Morita Hikaru-san fully supports Fujiyoshi-san, saying “She’s representing what we want to say”. This feeling of sisterhood is surely one of the things working women long for. You can see the beautiful solidarity that transcends interests.
“We want to make the group bigger, and have a strong feeling of wanting people to look at our works. I want to do my best there. We are working hard right now, aiming for the day Sakurazaka46 is considered to be a professional group of performers.” (Fujiyoshi)
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