Because Sakurazaka won’t leave anyone behind (Koike Minami's interview in EX Taishu August 2024 edition)
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 my mind and body can’t keep up. The fact that I couldn’t be together with Habu (Mizuho)-chan and Yuipon until the end of their activities, I think it’s something I will forever regret, and I’m filled with guilt towards the two of them.
- At the time of Kobayashi-san Gradcon, you haven’t decided to return yet, right?
Koike: Standing on stage, I felt that “this would take a little more time, wouldn’t it?”
- Afterwards, was there anything in particular that made you decide to return?
Koike: Even during my break, I attended some Sakurazaka46’s live performances, and when I watched the 4th Arena Tour’s Kanagawa performance (March 2nd), I realised that the group had grown bigger. I had thoughts like “Can I catch up?” but during the MC, Nakashima Yuzuki said, “Sakurazaka is a group that won’t leave anyone behind,” and at that moment I felt that the group was warmer than I had thought. Perhaps even if they might find it troublesome, I thought they would accept me as I am now.
- I believe it was you, Koike-san, who created Sakurazaka46’s gentle world.
Koike: No, no, no (laughs)
- Even before the name change, you were a presence that linked the members together, weren’t you?
Koike: During my break, I once again realised that “I really do love the members.” When I watched everyone having fun on "Soko Magattara, Sakurazaka?" (TV Tokyo), I found myself wanting to see not only the members but also Tsuchida (Teruyuki)-san and Sawabe (Yu)-san. However, when I thought “I’ll probably feel lonely during my break,” there were members who reached out to me, so I didn’t feel “lonely” at all. The fans’ presence was also significant. The letters I received through the mobame app (Sakurazaka46 Message) were filled with kind words. I also received messages from people who were in the same situation. I wanted to be someone who could give them courage, which is why I made the decision to return.
- Did you see the 8th Single BACKS LIVE!! (May 9th - 10th)?
Koike: I had planned to go and see it, but since my condition was severe, I watched both days via live stream instead.
- For Koike-san’s original center song ‘Sonia’, Endo Riko-san sang at the center position. It seemed that Riko-san immediately contacted Koike-san as soon as the center was decided?
Koike: On the day of the briefing for the show, Riko sent me a message saying “Mii-san!” along with a picture of the reference materials. I was wondering what it was, but then I saw that it was the setlist and the center positions. There, I saw the words “Sonia - Center: Endo Riko.” I had thoughts that even if I wasn’t there, I hoped “Sonia” would continue to be performed, and I had wished that Riko could be the center, so I was very happy. When I saw the performance via live stream, I thought, “It suits her perfectly.” Riko made the song "Sonia" pure.
- Did Koike-san tell Riko-san that “It was great”?
Koike: I did. However, it’s kind of embarrassing to give her a straightforward compliment, so I shyly said, “That was pretty nice” (laughs).
- Riko-san was the one who started the conversation, and that’s how your interaction began, right?
Koike: Our wavelengths match perfectly when we talk. Riko would say things like "Minami-san, I like you." I really like Riko too, but I don't want her to think I'm too intense (laughs), so I would just casually say, "Like you too~" but then Riko would pout and say, "You probably say that to everyone, don't you?". When we decided to hang out together, Riko was so excited saying "Really!? You’re going to hang out with me!?" That intense reaction of hers is also really cute. With the 2nd generation members, I feel more like we're "almost peers" rather than "senior and junior," so with the 3rd generation, it was the first time I really felt like I had juniors.
- I heard you went to a dog park with Riko-san.
Koike: Riko was so adored by the dogs that even their owners were at a loss (laughs). Even when she told the dog on her lap, "Go back to your owner," it would just come back to Riko again. It was a really relaxing time.
- Even during your break, is it true that you kept in touch with Riko-san and even gave her advice on dancing?
Koike: I usually don't give advice, but when Riko asked, "What should I fix?" I could feel her desire to improve, so I told her things like, "Maybe adding nuance here would be good," or "Doing this might help convey your feelings better." I think Riko's performance has been gradually improving, and I haven't had to say anything at all recently, yet she just keeps getting better. Before I realised it, I felt like I’m watching Riko grow up with a kind of motherly affection (laughs).
The 3rd generation made the position even bigger.
- At the Tokyo Dome concert, Koike-san made an appearance and was featured during the middle of the fourth song "Masatsukeisu.”
Koike: When I heard about the stage direction, I thought, "There’s no need to feature me that much.” I was super nervous up until right before the performance. This time, there were even audience members in the stage back seats, and if I climbed the back stairs, they would know it was me because of my hair colour, so I moved around with a hood over my head. And with my view completely blocked, I was wondering, "What will I feel the moment the door opens?" but the moment I got on stage, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I could hear the fans' voices were louder than usual, and they welcomed me in a way that blew away all my anxiety. The feeling of "Live performances are so much fun!" came rushing back, and I realised how important the fans' voices truly are.
- When I watched Koike-san’s performance in 'Masatsukeisu,' I was surprised at how well you moved even though you had been on a break until recently. Do you feel that you are moving better than before?
Koike: I felt like “I could have done more,” and I sensed that gap within myself.
- Before the Tokyo Dome concert, there were lessons to make up for the break, weren't there?
Koike: In preparation for my return, I had one-on-one dance lessons with the dance instructor. The solo part in "Masatsukeisu" was originally meant to be graceful rather than intense, but the stage director encouraged me by saying, “You can do more, can’t you?” TAKAHIRO-sensei also encouraged me with, “You can do it, Koike!”. I had the image of "Concentration" so it was incorporated into the choreography. Thanks to everyone around me, I was able to enjoy dancing.
- During the MC, you said "I believe that there are times when you can’t do even things you usually do, but I want us to do our best together." You didn’t just talk about yourself, but also sent a message to those in similar situations.
Koike: After I disclosed my panic disorder publicly, people who knew about Sakurazaka46 but weren’t familiar with its members, started following my activities. In the letters I receive through the talk app, they share things like, "This is how my day went. I hope I can do this tomorrow," or, "In situations like this, I try doing this." There are quite a few people like that, and they helped me realise, “I’m not alone.” When I’m feeling down, I sometimes read those letters and think, “I can try to think like this, too.” The messages from everyone have been a great support for me, and now it feels like I’m sharing my heart with all of them.
- You had fewer songs to perform, but you appeared in both "Nobody's fault" and "Cool," and stood at the front for "Sakurazuki."
Koike: "Sakurazuki" is a song I’ve always always liked, and it holds a special place in my heart. This was the first time performing "Sakurazuki" since both Habu-chan and Yuipon graduated, so I danced while thinking of the two of them. The reality of their graduation hit me, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. On the other hand, with the third generation joining us, I feel like "Sakurazuki" has gained even more depth.
- During the "CDTV Live! Live! Year-End Special! 2023→2024" (TBS), Yamashita Shizuki stood in your position in "Sakurazuki," and the third generation members were able to protect the positions well.
Koike: Murai Yu often takes my position too. During Yuipon’s Gradcon, Yu-chan told me, "I’m given the chance to stand in Minami-san’s position," and that made me really happy. Rather than just protecting it, it feels like they’re expanding the significance of the position, and I’m filled with gratitude towards the third-generation members.
Learned from the second generation and passed it down to the third generation
- How did it feel having to relearn "Shoninyokkyu" from scratch?
Koike: Since I had only participated in the music video, I started from learning the choreography. I was surprised, thinking, "Wow, we were doing something this difficult back then," while also shouting, "I can't do this~!" during the lessons (laughs).
- I thought "You were totally able to do it!". The crowd's energy during "Shoninyokkyu" and "Start over!" was incredible.
Koike: I could really hear everyone's calls, and it made me realise, "Wow, 'Shoninyokkyu' can get the crowd this hyped!" As for "Start over!", the fans' jumping was so intense that it felt like Tokyo Dome was shaking. I was amazed at how much the songs had grown while I was on hiatus. I really wanted to perform "BAN," which everyone else had done while I was away. I also had a desire to do the original members' performance of "Manhole no Futa no Ue." But I knew it would be physically tough, so I gave my all to 'Shoninyokkyu' and ‘Start over!’.
- Did you feel the warmth of the fans during the Tokyo Dome concert?
Koike: Yes, I did. During the encore, I was able to properly see the fans, and on the second day, there were several people holding uchiwa that said "Welcome back." Knowing they made those after finding out about my return on the first day made me feel so much love for them.
- Are you glad you made the decision to return to the stage?
Koike: When I wrote in my blog that I would be returning for the 9th single, I still had a lot of anxiety. There were moments when I wondered, "Was this the right choice?" But during the rehearsal period for the Tokyo Dome concert, spending time talking with the members and staff made me feel happy, and the fans were also so kind during the performance. That’s when I felt, "I’m glad I made this decision."
- You’ll continue participating in live performances, right?
Koike: For the 9th Single BACKS LIVE!! (August 23rd–25th), I want to build up my stamina so I can perform in all of the songs.
- I think the 8th Single BACKS LIVE!! was a highly exciting performance.
Koike: Compared to a regular concert, I think BACKS LIVE!! has more of a festival vibe. The fans’ enthusiasm was incredible, and even watching via livestream, I could feel the energy from the venue. I thought, "If I were on that stage, I would probably receive so much energy." In the earlier BACKS LIVE!! shows, a lot of members would feel down. However, thanks to the fans, I now hear more members say, "BACKS LIVE!! is fun." It made me happy to see the members performing with such a positive spirit during the 8th Single BACKS LIVE!! For the 9th Single BACKS LIVE!!, I'm also looking forward to seeing what kind of colour (Ishimori) Rika-chan will bring to "Aishiainasai" as the center.
- For the first time in a while, you participated in the MV shoot for "Aishiainasai, right?
Koike: As I was filming, I started remembering, 'Ah, this is what MV shoots are like,' and the nervousness and anxiety gradually turned into excitement. And, of course, Endo Riko was there too (laughs).
- Was she close by (laughs)?
Koike: Yeah (laughs). While I was waiting in the car and eating, I heard Riko’s voice shouting, "Mii-san! Please eat quickly!" I thought, "Riko isn’t in the car, right?" but then I looked and saw her pressed up against the window (laughs).
- It sounds like a scene from a horror movie (laughs).
Koike: It was really scary (laughs). But it turns out Riko just wanted to take a picture together, which I thought was really cute. TAKAHIRO-sensei mentioned that the choreography for “Aishiainasai” is themed around “bringing out those who shut themselves in.” As someone who was brought out by everyone, I could relate to that feeling. In the future, when performing “Aishiainasai,” I want to convey those emotions through my performance.
- Koike-san, is there anything you'd like to pass down to the 3rd generation members?
Koike: I wonder if there’s anything I can pass down (laughs), but if there is, I’d love to. Even though I really want to praise them, I often end up saying things nonchalantly like “That wasn’t so bad~”(laughs), but the 3rd generation members understand me. For example, Mukai Itoha-chan teases me by saying, “You actually feel this way, right?'” so I just replied, “If that’s what you think, then sure, go with that.” (laughs).
- How did Uemura Rina-san and Saito Fuyuka-san welcome your return?
Koike: They treated me just the same as before my hiatus, as if nothing had changed. During the rehearsal period for the Tokyo Dome concert, I realised that the three of us naturally ended up gathering together. Both of them take great care of the younger members, and rather than thinking, 'Because we’re 1st generation members,' they approach everything with the same passion as the juniors. That makes me really happy. Because the two of them were there, I feel like the 3rd generation members are able to grow purely without being negatively influenced.
- How do you see Sakurazaka46 now?
Koike: The 2nd generation has expanded Sakurazaka46 into various new worlds. The 3rd generation is very powerful, and there’s a lot to learn from the younger members. I had thought about setting a deadline for myself, but for now I just want to keep doing my best for as long as I can.
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